“WE hope to create retro-musical history out there across the US with our series of six ‘live’ ‘iconic’ concerts which is our (mine and Talat Aziz’s) sentimental tribute to Bollywood movie music,” enthused melody-queen Asha Bhosle on the eve of her departure to the United States. The Asha-Aziz concerts have been convened in various prime U S cities including Atlanta, Chicago, San Jose and New Jersey.
An uncanny coincidence – over the last weekend the 'song rehearsals' were held at the Marylands Apartments in Santacruz, in the same flat where the legendary, late R.D. Burman, would reside and have his iconic song-sittings.
Interestingly, Maryland is the name of one of the prominent states in the US. Quizzed why their tour starting today (Friday, August 28) has been tagged as 'iconic', the ghazal maestro, Talat, who has now proved to be a master of Bollywood filmy repertoire as well, explains. ''Both Ashaji and I will be performing some of the iconic retro filmy songs of most of the legendary singers including Kishoreda, Rafisaab, Mukeshsaab, and even Latadidi. “
Obviously, Ashaji will definitely be singing her own iconic songs as well. The NRI across the US are highly passionate about the chartbuster retro-filmy tracks. Supported by an orchestra of top acoustic musicians and hi-tech showmanship, we are performing in some of the prestigious performing arts centers in the US,” insists Aziz who has acted in an extended cameo as a debonair diplomat in this upcoming Bollywood multi-starrer Fitoor, which has Tabu playing his romantic interest.
Wasn’t Talat planning to sing any romantic duets with madame Bhosle? “Of course, there are a few options, but the waltz duet 'Yeh Raatein Yeh Mausam' is definitely on.'' Was there any khaas farmaaish?
“To mark the ongoing Raksha Bandhan festival, I am expected to sing this evergreen number 'Phoolon Ka Taaron Ka', smiles the stalwart singer who reveals that he always had this fond fetish for singing Bollywood gaane on stage ever since he was a kid.