You've Stolen My Heart: Songs from R.D. Burman's Bollywood

1	Dum Maro Dum / Asha Bhosle From Hare Rama, Hare Krishna 4:43
2	Rishte Bante Hain / Asha Bhosle Relationships Grow Slowly 6:14
3	Mehbooba, Mehbooba / Asha Bhosle Beloved, Oh Beloved 3:51
4	Ekta Deshlai Kathi Jwalao / Asha Bhosle Light a Match 3:59
5	Nodir Pare Utthchhe Dhnoa / Asha Bhosle Smoke Rises Across the River 6:00
6	Koi Aaya Aane Bhi De / Asha Bhosle From Kala Sona 5:35
7	Mera Kuchh Saaman / Asha Bhosle From "Ijaazat" 6:55
8	Saajan Kahan Jaoongi Main / Asha Bhosle Beloved, Where Would I Go? 5:43
9	Piya Tu AB to Aaja / Asha Bhosle 5:27
10	Dhanno Ki Aankhon / Asha Bhosle From Kitaab 4:03
11	Chura Liya Hai Tum Ne / Asha Bhosle From Yaadon Ki Baraat 5:08
12	Saiyan Re Saiyan / Asha Bhosle From the Train 5:48

Barnes & Noble

The adventurous quartet, on a roll following a string of international releases both classical and pop-themed, arrive right on time with a loving valentine to the music of India's film industry. As Bollywood music gains an ever-higher profile in the West (Bombay Dreams opened on Broadway in 2004, and a dedicated MTV channel was unveiled in 2005), the eclectic style and golden-age songs are ripe for exploration and deconstruction. David Harrington and John Sherba (violins), Hank Dutt (viola), and Jennifer Culp (cello) have more of a celebration in mind, enlisting the voice of preeminent playback singer Asha Bhosle for eight new recordings of classic songs by her husband, R. D. Burman. Fitting the hyperactive Technicolor productions it assays, You've Stolen My Heart finds the Kronos at their most expansive: In addition to Bhosle, master percussionist Zakir Hussain and pipa player Wu Man are on board, as are keyboards, drum kits, and much shouting and grunting. Burman, a pioneer from the '60s - '70s era, certainly embraces the more-is-more aesthetic, but he also composes enduring melodies: "Mehbooba Mehbooba," from Sholay makes for a catchy instrumental, and the lengthy instrumental passages of songs such as "Mera Kuchh Saaman" provide the augmented quartet with gorgeous passages. Despite their brio, the Kronos don't always find the loose-limbed giddiness required by cabaret numbers such as "Dum Maro Dum," Burman's sublime mélange of blaxploitation, spy movie, and psychedelic themes, or its heavy-breathing cousin, "Piya Tu Ab To Aaja." Longtime fans of both Kronos and Bollywood will find You've Stolen My Heart an irresistible proposition, however, with Asha in full voice and the gorgeous precision of the quartet giving new life to some of Indian film's finest compositions. Mark Schwartz

All Music Guide

The Kronos Quartet has been confounding purists and expectations with their commissions and collaborations for years, but this one has to be among their most adventurous yet. For You've Stolen My Heart, they collaborated with Asha Bhosle, one of India's best-loved singers, to pay tribute to R.D. Burman, India's most renowned film composer. Burman was both brilliant and prolific, and had a knack for incorporating nearly any and every style of music into his works. Not only that, but he was a sonic technician/alchemist who invented or discovered, then incorporated, all manner of sound and tape effects into the songs as well. The band looked to Burman's originals for the arrangements rather than commissioning new ones, but in order to do this correctly the core quartet was going to need some help. So in addition to Asha Bhosle on vocals for much of the program, previous collaborators Wu Man and Zakir Hussain figure prominently into the sound. In addition, besides their customary stringed instruments, the members of Kronos add farfisa, synthesizers, accordion, electric bass, percussion, theremin, and more! With all this going on, multi-tracking is obviously a necessity, but beyond the different instruments there are places where the strings got "massive overdubs" to achieve a lush string section, and others where experiments with bowing technique and microphone placement add odd tonal qualities. Add to that Wu Man's pipa and electric sitar(!), and this is clearly not your average classical recording. Despite his penchant for experimentation and musical cannibalism, Burman's compositions are no novelty. His songs are deeply melodic and beautiful, and some are so catchy you may find yourself singing along. Asha Bhosle still has a great voice; it's hard to believe she was 70 at the time of these sessions. And what can you say about the Kronos Quartet? After more than 30 years, they continue to push the boundaries and continue to put out exciting records. You've Stolen My Heart: Songs from R.D. Burman's Bollywood is an absolute triumph. Sean Westergaard