Hundreds of thousands of people filled Havana's Revolution Square for a "peace" concert on Sunday in which Colombian singer Juanes and other musicians sought to bridge the political divide that has separated Cubans for 50 years.
The concert was shown live on international television, including to viewers in Miami, the heart of the Cuban exile community and centre of opposition to Cuba's communist-led government.
A small group of exiles, who say Mr Juanes legitimised a government that denies its people basic human rights,staged a protest in Miami's Little Havana against the concert.
Mr Juanes organised his "Peace Without Borders" concert in conjunction with the Cuban government. He had insisted the show was not political, but raised eyebrows at the end of the concert when he shouted "one Cuban family" for Cuban unity and "Cuba libre", words that have been a rallying cry in the exile community for years.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
iMusic targets B60m sales
Fledgling music business iMusic Intelligence Melody plans to spend 15 million baht to launch itself locally in a bid to generate 60 million in sales next year.
The firm, which was established last January with registered capital of 2 million baht, plans to list on the Market for Alternative Investment by 2014, said CEO Pawadol Kliewakradet.
Content provider IM2 Co has a 70%stake in the firm with the remaining 30% held by individuals.
iMusic sees high growth potential in local digital music downloads, he said.
"We have strength as our major shareholder is a content provider. We believe our innovative product -4 Smart Convergence (All-in-one CD), which consists of audio files and other data such as MP3s, music videos and wallpaper, will attract customers, particularly teenagers," he said.
The company this year has set a gross margin target of about 15%.
Its "Real Time Monitoring System"targets composers, artists and producers,allowing them to monitor sales online.
The increasing threat from piracy has prompted major players such as GMM Grammy and RS to focus on the digital music segment.
The total digital music market is estimated at about 55 billion baht, he said.Grammy is the market leader with a 56% share, followed by RS with 26%.
iMusic said its all-in-one CD will be priced at 99 baht. Affordability will be a a key driver of future growth, he said.
"I strongly believe that it [the product]is value for money and meets customer needs as well. We also have quality artists and celebrities to join with our company,"he said.
One of iMusic's first two artists is MR Mannarumas Yukol, niece of the famous film director M.C. Chatreechalerm Yukol.
The firm expects digital content to account for 40% or revenue, management fees 35% and all-in-one CDs 25%.
4-smart convergence will grow to 50%of revenue in the future, said Roongroj Tochanchai, managing director of iMusic.
The company plans to launch two albums this year and at least seven next year.
CDs will be available from music stores and B2S stores. iMusic will also collaborate with mobile phone giants AIS,DTAC and True. Downloads will be available from www.imusic.co.th.
The firm, which was established last January with registered capital of 2 million baht, plans to list on the Market for Alternative Investment by 2014, said CEO Pawadol Kliewakradet.
Content provider IM2 Co has a 70%stake in the firm with the remaining 30% held by individuals.
iMusic sees high growth potential in local digital music downloads, he said.
"We have strength as our major shareholder is a content provider. We believe our innovative product -4 Smart Convergence (All-in-one CD), which consists of audio files and other data such as MP3s, music videos and wallpaper, will attract customers, particularly teenagers," he said.
The company this year has set a gross margin target of about 15%.
Its "Real Time Monitoring System"targets composers, artists and producers,allowing them to monitor sales online.
The increasing threat from piracy has prompted major players such as GMM Grammy and RS to focus on the digital music segment.
The total digital music market is estimated at about 55 billion baht, he said.Grammy is the market leader with a 56% share, followed by RS with 26%.
iMusic said its all-in-one CD will be priced at 99 baht. Affordability will be a a key driver of future growth, he said.
"I strongly believe that it [the product]is value for money and meets customer needs as well. We also have quality artists and celebrities to join with our company,"he said.
One of iMusic's first two artists is MR Mannarumas Yukol, niece of the famous film director M.C. Chatreechalerm Yukol.
The firm expects digital content to account for 40% or revenue, management fees 35% and all-in-one CDs 25%.
4-smart convergence will grow to 50%of revenue in the future, said Roongroj Tochanchai, managing director of iMusic.
The company plans to launch two albums this year and at least seven next year.
CDs will be available from music stores and B2S stores. iMusic will also collaborate with mobile phone giants AIS,DTAC and True. Downloads will be available from www.imusic.co.th.
iMusic turns to digital albums
Set to tap the growing popularity of digital content, iMusic yesterday introduced itself as a provider of digital music.
"We expect to launch our first two albums this year and seven next year," CEO Pawadol Kliewakradet said.
The company expects to achieve sales of Bt60 million next year and more than Bt100 million in five years, when it plans to list on the stock exchange.
The company yesterday unveiled its stable of singers - mannaruemas Yukol, Alex Rendell, Keerati "Gypsy" Mahaprukpong and Haward Wang.
"We have created an online real-time monitoring system to show all returns to our artists, music composers and producers in real time," Pawadol said.
"We have also launched an all-in-one CD called 'Four Smart Convergence' featuring various audio files and data, including MP3, Fullsong, Truetone, MV, and wallpaper, in one disc.
"The files can be played on DVD and CD players, car audios, computers and mobile telephones," he said.
The disc will be available at a price of Bt99.
The music industry in Asia is worth about Bt36 billion, of which Bt10 billion is in Thailand, he said.
The music industry is growing by 10-15 per cent per year, he added.
"We expect to launch our first two albums this year and seven next year," CEO Pawadol Kliewakradet said.
The company expects to achieve sales of Bt60 million next year and more than Bt100 million in five years, when it plans to list on the stock exchange.
The company yesterday unveiled its stable of singers - mannaruemas Yukol, Alex Rendell, Keerati "Gypsy" Mahaprukpong and Haward Wang.
"We have created an online real-time monitoring system to show all returns to our artists, music composers and producers in real time," Pawadol said.
"We have also launched an all-in-one CD called 'Four Smart Convergence' featuring various audio files and data, including MP3, Fullsong, Truetone, MV, and wallpaper, in one disc.
"The files can be played on DVD and CD players, car audios, computers and mobile telephones," he said.
The disc will be available at a price of Bt99.
The music industry in Asia is worth about Bt36 billion, of which Bt10 billion is in Thailand, he said.
The music industry is growing by 10-15 per cent per year, he added.
FOREMOST IN FADO
Mariza, the world's leading exponent of the singing style called fado, returns to Bangkok once more for an October 8 show at the Thailand Cultural Centre, presented by the Portuguese Embassy.
Born Marisa dos Reis Nunes to a Portuguese father and African mother in Mozambique, when it was still Portuguese East Africa, Mariza describes fado as urban Portuguese blues, accompanied by the country's indigenous, sweet-sounding, 12-string guitar.
It's widely believed that the Portuguese royal court brought fado with it when it returned in the mid-19th century from a decade's exile in Brazil.
The lyrics embrace saudade (loosely translated as "nostalgia") and its nuances - longing, happiness, sadness, love and pain.
All of Mariza's albums, from "Fado em Mim" in 2001 through "Fado Curvo" and "Transparente" to "Concerto Em Lisboa" in 2006, earned platinum status.
Her latest, last year's "Terre", featured Dominic Miller, the British guitarist for Sting (with whom Mariza dueted at the opening of the Athens Olympics in 2004), and Spanish flamenco singer Concha Buika, who joined Mariza on "Pequenas Verdades".
Born Marisa dos Reis Nunes to a Portuguese father and African mother in Mozambique, when it was still Portuguese East Africa, Mariza describes fado as urban Portuguese blues, accompanied by the country's indigenous, sweet-sounding, 12-string guitar.
It's widely believed that the Portuguese royal court brought fado with it when it returned in the mid-19th century from a decade's exile in Brazil.
The lyrics embrace saudade (loosely translated as "nostalgia") and its nuances - longing, happiness, sadness, love and pain.
All of Mariza's albums, from "Fado em Mim" in 2001 through "Fado Curvo" and "Transparente" to "Concerto Em Lisboa" in 2006, earned platinum status.
Her latest, last year's "Terre", featured Dominic Miller, the British guitarist for Sting (with whom Mariza dueted at the opening of the Athens Olympics in 2004), and Spanish flamenco singer Concha Buika, who joined Mariza on "Pequenas Verdades".
ROLLING WITH THE BEETS
Holland's Beets Brothers Quartet and Switzerland's Starch will fire up some European jazz for Bangkok next week
After rousing visits from American jazz artists Benny Golson and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Bangkok isn't about to let the groove slide. The Beets Brothers Quartet from the Netherlands will keep that rhythm flowing on October 1 as part of Bangkok's 11th International Festival of Dance and Music.
Appearing with the Beets at the Thailand Cultural Centre will be Starch, a Swiss outfit that blends funk, rock, jazz and hip-hop.
A drummer friend squares off the quartet, but the Beets Brothers - Marius, Alexander and Peter Beets - are the sons of a jazz-minded gynaecologist father and a classical-pianist mother.
From an early they underwent stern tutelage in classical music, training an hour a day, six days a week. Their father managed to inject some jazz into the proceedings.
The boys' initial objections to the tough regime soon yielded to the fun of playing together, and the Beets Brothers were born.
At first their stage was the family living room, which was quickly stocked with all sorts of instruments. Next came school concerts and performances on the local radio station, and then invitations to play at festivals and in competitions - which they regularly won.
The boys were already performing on a regular basis throughout their homeland and in Germany by the time Marius and Peter enrolled in the Royal Conservatory in The Hague. Both graduated with honours.
While sticking to mainstream jazz, the brothers created their own easily recognisable sound - a pronounced "tone-picture" superimposed on swinging rhythmic patterns. That, mixed with blistering energy, makes them a treat for the ears.
It's not so easy describing Starch.
The seven-member band's fusion of so many genres has been called "euphoric, crazy and full of artistic fantasy".
Founded as a funk crew, their music absorbed rock and jazz and later hip-hop. Simon P Winiger and Chris Raxx lead the band into innovative territory that's posted with signs saying things like "indie funk", "crazy cosmopolitan rap" and "dizzy energetic rock".
What do they call the sound? "Starch music!"
In their decade of performing, Starch have played the Montreux Jazz Festival and toured Europe. This year has seen their first venture outside Europe, a sweep through Australia and Asia.
The Bangkok audience will hear nine songs from their latest album, "Music", and their last, "Freak City".
Book seats at www.ThaiTicketMajor.com or (02) 262 3456. The International Festival of Dance and Music continues through October 17. See the details at www.BangkokFestivals.com.
Foremost in fado
Mariza, the world's leading exponent of the singing style called fado, returns to Bangkok once more for an October 8 show at the Thailand Cultural Centre, presented by the Portuguese Embassy.
Born Marisa dos Reis Nunes to a Portuguese father and African mother in Mozambique, when it was still Portuguese East Africa, Mariza describes fado as urban Portuguese blues, accompanied by the country's indigenous, sweet-sounding, 12-string guitar.
It's widely believed that the Portuguese royal court brought fado with it when it returned in the mid-19th century from a decade's exile in Brazil.
The lyrics embrace saudade (loosely translated as "nostalgia") and its nuances - longing, happiness, sadness, love and pain.
All of Mariza's albums, from "Fado em Mim" in 2001 through "Fado Curvo" and "Transparente" to "Concerto Em Lisboa" in 2006, earned platinum status.
Her latest, last year's "Terre", featured Dominic Miller, the British guitarist for Sting (with whom Mariza dueted at the opening of the Athens Olympics in 2004), and Spanish flamenco singer Concha Buika, who joined Mariza on "Pequenas Verdades".
After rousing visits from American jazz artists Benny Golson and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Bangkok isn't about to let the groove slide. The Beets Brothers Quartet from the Netherlands will keep that rhythm flowing on October 1 as part of Bangkok's 11th International Festival of Dance and Music.
Appearing with the Beets at the Thailand Cultural Centre will be Starch, a Swiss outfit that blends funk, rock, jazz and hip-hop.
A drummer friend squares off the quartet, but the Beets Brothers - Marius, Alexander and Peter Beets - are the sons of a jazz-minded gynaecologist father and a classical-pianist mother.
From an early they underwent stern tutelage in classical music, training an hour a day, six days a week. Their father managed to inject some jazz into the proceedings.
The boys' initial objections to the tough regime soon yielded to the fun of playing together, and the Beets Brothers were born.
At first their stage was the family living room, which was quickly stocked with all sorts of instruments. Next came school concerts and performances on the local radio station, and then invitations to play at festivals and in competitions - which they regularly won.
The boys were already performing on a regular basis throughout their homeland and in Germany by the time Marius and Peter enrolled in the Royal Conservatory in The Hague. Both graduated with honours.
While sticking to mainstream jazz, the brothers created their own easily recognisable sound - a pronounced "tone-picture" superimposed on swinging rhythmic patterns. That, mixed with blistering energy, makes them a treat for the ears.
It's not so easy describing Starch.
The seven-member band's fusion of so many genres has been called "euphoric, crazy and full of artistic fantasy".
Founded as a funk crew, their music absorbed rock and jazz and later hip-hop. Simon P Winiger and Chris Raxx lead the band into innovative territory that's posted with signs saying things like "indie funk", "crazy cosmopolitan rap" and "dizzy energetic rock".
What do they call the sound? "Starch music!"
In their decade of performing, Starch have played the Montreux Jazz Festival and toured Europe. This year has seen their first venture outside Europe, a sweep through Australia and Asia.
The Bangkok audience will hear nine songs from their latest album, "Music", and their last, "Freak City".
Book seats at www.ThaiTicketMajor.com or (02) 262 3456. The International Festival of Dance and Music continues through October 17. See the details at www.BangkokFestivals.com.
Foremost in fado
Mariza, the world's leading exponent of the singing style called fado, returns to Bangkok once more for an October 8 show at the Thailand Cultural Centre, presented by the Portuguese Embassy.
Born Marisa dos Reis Nunes to a Portuguese father and African mother in Mozambique, when it was still Portuguese East Africa, Mariza describes fado as urban Portuguese blues, accompanied by the country's indigenous, sweet-sounding, 12-string guitar.
It's widely believed that the Portuguese royal court brought fado with it when it returned in the mid-19th century from a decade's exile in Brazil.
The lyrics embrace saudade (loosely translated as "nostalgia") and its nuances - longing, happiness, sadness, love and pain.
All of Mariza's albums, from "Fado em Mim" in 2001 through "Fado Curvo" and "Transparente" to "Concerto Em Lisboa" in 2006, earned platinum status.
Her latest, last year's "Terre", featured Dominic Miller, the British guitarist for Sting (with whom Mariza dueted at the opening of the Athens Olympics in 2004), and Spanish flamenco singer Concha Buika, who joined Mariza on "Pequenas Verdades".
Monday, September 21, 2009
OPENING NIGHT
The height of the annual cultural calendar is here again with the inauguration of Bangkok's 11th International Festival of Dance & Music at the Thailand Cultural Centre.
HM the Queen is welcomed on arrival for the opening of Bangkok’s 11th International Festival of Dance & Music by, from left, JS Uberoi, Vichai Raksriaksorn, Khunying Dhipavadee Meksawan and Rapeepan Luangaramrut.
The festival kicked off with La Traviata by the Ekaterinburg Opera Theatre, Russia, conducted by Mikhail Granovsky from the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow.
It was a full house, with guests turning up in evening gowns for the gala event graced by Her Majesty the Queen. A cocktail reception was held prior to the opera in the Small Auditorium, and corporate sponsors mingled with guests - diplomats, socialites as well as cultural glitterati - to discuss the upcoming programmes of their choice for this month-long event.
It was also an opportunity to enjoy a few canapes to stifle the hunger pangs for the duration of the opera.
Then it was time to move to the main auditorium to await the arrival of HM the Queen.
Opera buffs were there in force to enjoy the first of three operas of the festival, including Tosca and Madame Butterfly. The festival continues until October 17 with a variety of performing arts showcases in every genre.
Prof Dr Apinan Poshyananda, Russian Ambassador Evegeny Afanasieva and his wife, Olga, and Chaweerat Kasetsoontorn.
Vapee and Thanpuying MR Muanchit Bhirombhakdi.
Indian Ambassador Latha Reddy with Rasina and Sunny Bajaj.
Dr Suvit and Khunying Songsuda Yodmani.
Egasith Chotpakdetrakul, Chavarat Charnvirakul, Khunying Dhipavadee Meksawan and Korn Dabbaransi.
Nitya and Patricia Pibulsonggram.
Sririta Jensen.
Harald Link.
Martina and Michael Kordys with Damira and JS Uberoi.
Elizabeth and Peter Romhild with Damira Uberoi.
HM the Queen is welcomed on arrival for the opening of Bangkok’s 11th International Festival of Dance & Music by, from left, JS Uberoi, Vichai Raksriaksorn, Khunying Dhipavadee Meksawan and Rapeepan Luangaramrut.
The festival kicked off with La Traviata by the Ekaterinburg Opera Theatre, Russia, conducted by Mikhail Granovsky from the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow.
It was a full house, with guests turning up in evening gowns for the gala event graced by Her Majesty the Queen. A cocktail reception was held prior to the opera in the Small Auditorium, and corporate sponsors mingled with guests - diplomats, socialites as well as cultural glitterati - to discuss the upcoming programmes of their choice for this month-long event.
It was also an opportunity to enjoy a few canapes to stifle the hunger pangs for the duration of the opera.
Then it was time to move to the main auditorium to await the arrival of HM the Queen.
Opera buffs were there in force to enjoy the first of three operas of the festival, including Tosca and Madame Butterfly. The festival continues until October 17 with a variety of performing arts showcases in every genre.
Prof Dr Apinan Poshyananda, Russian Ambassador Evegeny Afanasieva and his wife, Olga, and Chaweerat Kasetsoontorn.
Vapee and Thanpuying MR Muanchit Bhirombhakdi.
Indian Ambassador Latha Reddy with Rasina and Sunny Bajaj.
Dr Suvit and Khunying Songsuda Yodmani.
Egasith Chotpakdetrakul, Chavarat Charnvirakul, Khunying Dhipavadee Meksawan and Korn Dabbaransi.
Nitya and Patricia Pibulsonggram.
Sririta Jensen.
Harald Link.
Martina and Michael Kordys with Damira and JS Uberoi.
Elizabeth and Peter Romhild with Damira Uberoi.
THE SOUND OF LONDON: DESIGNERS' FAVOURITE RUNWAY TUNES
Walking on a Dream , by Empire of the Sun.House of Holland:I Wanna Be a Supermodel , by Letters to Cleo.Vivienne Westwood Red Label:I've Seen Enough , by Cold War Kids;Cities Burning Down (Naum Gabo remix), by Howling Bells.Luella:Happy When It Rains , by the Jesus and Mary Chain;Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others , by the Smiths.Osman Yousefzada:Love Song , by the Cure;Standing On The Shore , by Empire of the Sun.Christopher Kane:Natural Born Killers , original soundtrack.Jonathan Saunders:Small Town City , by WhoMadeWho;William's Blood (Aeroplane remix), by Grace Jones.Peter Jensen:M79 , by Vampire Weekend;The Blue Wrath , by I Monster.Roksanda Ilincic:Obsessions , by Marina and the Diamonds;Computer Love , by Glass Candy.
Fresh stars try on a new title for "VH1 Divas"
A diva doesn't bow out gracefully, or quietly, which is why Paula Abdul, weeks after detaching herself from American Idol , found herself on a stage in Brooklyn, holding a series of microphones in the general area of her face,lip-synching a four-song medley of her 20-year-old hits.
It took gumption to do that, knowing full well that everyone who was to take the stage in the next two hours would be a vocal titan.(Well, almost everyone.)But above all, a diva makes a scene.
And while there was tremendous talent at this year's incarnation of VH1 Divas ,last Thursday night at the Howard Gilman Opera House of the Brooklyn Academy of Music and hosted by a loopy, manic Abdul, there wasn't much to see.
In prerecorded segments of the show,which was broadcast live on the VH1 network, each of the night's stars Adele, Kelly Clarkson, Miley Cyrus,Jennifer Hudson, Leona Lewis and Jordin Sparks - politely distanced herself from the diva stigma.(Well, almost everyone.)
But really, the word was unattainable,unless it now means "female singers who weren't otherwise occupied or stratospherically famous". Previous iterations of this concert, a franchise that had been abandoned in 2004, featured Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey,Celine Dion and Tina Turner, among others.
But Thursday night's diminished star power turned out to be an asset - there was no anticipation of petulance or disruption, just electric singing. Lewis delivered a stirring True Colors in a duet with Cyndi Lauper, her swoops a balance to Lauper's scrapes. Clarkson's Already Gone was winningly bitter. Sparks was joined by the country star Martina McBride for A Broken Wing , on which McBride was devastating.(An idea for next year:Country Divas , with McBride,Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert,Taylor Swift and several contrition interludes by Kanye West.)
Jennifer Hudson, one of four products of the Simon Cowell machine on the bill - along with Clarkson and Sparks, who both won American Idol , and Lewis, win-ner of the UK's X Factor - impressed the most.
Spotlight , from Hudson's 2008 selftitled debut album, was epic in a way the blithe recorded version never approached. And her duet with Stevie Wonder on All in Love is Fair was hefty - he in the full velvet of his voice, and she shamelessly jumping to the big notes.
Cyrus, the night's biggest draw, based on audience screams, was the exception to all rules here. The least gifted singer - on her duet with Sheryl Crow, she wrestled with the melody of If it Makes You Happy , only sometimes winning and the only one to see the "diva" tag as an opportunity, not a burden."I feel like I'm going to start bossing people around today," she said, joking during her taped intro.
But she had nothing on Abdul, who's been bossing people around for years,or at least guiding them irrationally. This month it was announced that Abdul's seat on American Idol would be filled by the affable, anodyne talk show host Ellen DeGeneres. DeGeneres will probably also take Abdul's place as the show's nurturer.(DeGeneres was the host of VH1 Divas in 2002; she won this trade.)
How's Abdul taking the news? Noisily.She fired off a few awkward Idol barbs on Thursday, but mid-show she displayed a brief flash of genius. After a commercial break, to the sounds of Pink's Get This Party Started , she appeared in one of the aisles dressed as DeGeneres - black suit and trainers, blonde wig - and mocking the signature dance moves DeGeneres does on each episode of her talk show.
If Abdul possesses a sort of intelligence,it is this - a gift for the kinesthetic. The mocking was brutal because it was so accurate, just a tweak of the awkward,tight shuffle invented by DeGeneres as a relatable anti-dance.
For Abdul, a better dancer and choreographer than singer orrealitycompetition judge, it must have been tough to move so stiffly.
After bopping her way to the stage,she tossed herself into a chair and mused,"Can't a girl try out a new job?" So long as it comes with the old attitude, no problem.AP
ON THEIR BEST BEHAVIOUR: Left to right, Miley Cyrus, Kelly Clarkson, Jordin Sparks, Paula Abdul, Jennifer Hudson, Adele and Leona Lewis close the "VH1 Divas" show in New York.
It took gumption to do that, knowing full well that everyone who was to take the stage in the next two hours would be a vocal titan.(Well, almost everyone.)But above all, a diva makes a scene.
And while there was tremendous talent at this year's incarnation of VH1 Divas ,last Thursday night at the Howard Gilman Opera House of the Brooklyn Academy of Music and hosted by a loopy, manic Abdul, there wasn't much to see.
In prerecorded segments of the show,which was broadcast live on the VH1 network, each of the night's stars Adele, Kelly Clarkson, Miley Cyrus,Jennifer Hudson, Leona Lewis and Jordin Sparks - politely distanced herself from the diva stigma.(Well, almost everyone.)
But really, the word was unattainable,unless it now means "female singers who weren't otherwise occupied or stratospherically famous". Previous iterations of this concert, a franchise that had been abandoned in 2004, featured Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey,Celine Dion and Tina Turner, among others.
But Thursday night's diminished star power turned out to be an asset - there was no anticipation of petulance or disruption, just electric singing. Lewis delivered a stirring True Colors in a duet with Cyndi Lauper, her swoops a balance to Lauper's scrapes. Clarkson's Already Gone was winningly bitter. Sparks was joined by the country star Martina McBride for A Broken Wing , on which McBride was devastating.(An idea for next year:Country Divas , with McBride,Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert,Taylor Swift and several contrition interludes by Kanye West.)
Jennifer Hudson, one of four products of the Simon Cowell machine on the bill - along with Clarkson and Sparks, who both won American Idol , and Lewis, win-ner of the UK's X Factor - impressed the most.
Spotlight , from Hudson's 2008 selftitled debut album, was epic in a way the blithe recorded version never approached. And her duet with Stevie Wonder on All in Love is Fair was hefty - he in the full velvet of his voice, and she shamelessly jumping to the big notes.
Cyrus, the night's biggest draw, based on audience screams, was the exception to all rules here. The least gifted singer - on her duet with Sheryl Crow, she wrestled with the melody of If it Makes You Happy , only sometimes winning and the only one to see the "diva" tag as an opportunity, not a burden."I feel like I'm going to start bossing people around today," she said, joking during her taped intro.
But she had nothing on Abdul, who's been bossing people around for years,or at least guiding them irrationally. This month it was announced that Abdul's seat on American Idol would be filled by the affable, anodyne talk show host Ellen DeGeneres. DeGeneres will probably also take Abdul's place as the show's nurturer.(DeGeneres was the host of VH1 Divas in 2002; she won this trade.)
How's Abdul taking the news? Noisily.She fired off a few awkward Idol barbs on Thursday, but mid-show she displayed a brief flash of genius. After a commercial break, to the sounds of Pink's Get This Party Started , she appeared in one of the aisles dressed as DeGeneres - black suit and trainers, blonde wig - and mocking the signature dance moves DeGeneres does on each episode of her talk show.
If Abdul possesses a sort of intelligence,it is this - a gift for the kinesthetic. The mocking was brutal because it was so accurate, just a tweak of the awkward,tight shuffle invented by DeGeneres as a relatable anti-dance.
For Abdul, a better dancer and choreographer than singer orrealitycompetition judge, it must have been tough to move so stiffly.
After bopping her way to the stage,she tossed herself into a chair and mused,"Can't a girl try out a new job?" So long as it comes with the old attitude, no problem.AP
ON THEIR BEST BEHAVIOUR: Left to right, Miley Cyrus, Kelly Clarkson, Jordin Sparks, Paula Abdul, Jennifer Hudson, Adele and Leona Lewis close the "VH1 Divas" show in New York.
Tranced out on techno
Phuket, Thailand's largest island and home to the most famous of the Kingdom's southern beach resorts, has long been building a reputation as a hub for sport and leisure activities. Aside from hosting the King's Cup Regatta each December and the Quick Silver Surf Competition, the island also has its own film festival, fashion week plus annual jazz and food festivals.
Next weekend, Phuket launches the debut edition of the Roy Fest Phuket Music Festival, a new music event featuring more than 50 DJs and musicians from around the globe. The Tourism Authority of Thailand has invested more than Bt22 million to convert Karon Beach into the ultimate beach dance party, with the operative word being roy-what the southerners call "fun" and "delicious".
"Hua Hin and Rayoung have their own music festivals, so why not Phuket?" says Norasate Mudkong, aka DJ Seed, who'll be manning the deeks at the festival.
"Singapore's Zouk Out is an incredibly successful beach dance festival, and our beach is much more beautiful."
"With the current economic situation, it's important that we promote tourism in Southern Thailand," adds Dom Chotivanich, CEO & partner of creative agency NetPublications. "Phuket is a great place to start-it's strikingly picturesque and, because it's already well known, it's easier to attract tourists from all over the world.
"Our role models are Singapore's Zouk Out and England's Brighton Beach Festival, both of which receive massive support from their respective municipal government. That stimulates spending and helps money to circulate.
"Roy Fest actually aims to raise awareness about Phuket, largely by word of mouth from the artists, as we approach the high season."
The two-day bash will feature two groups of international artists, among them DJs Ken Ishii from Japan, Adsorb from England, Lord Warddd from America and Lapsap from Malaysia, and local mashers such as DJ Seed, DJ Dragon, T-Bone, Ta-Mone, Thaitanium, Southside, Doobadoo, Silly Fools and Smile Buffalo.
"I've been really impressed with the Japanese DJs' shows here," says Dom. "DJ Adsorb, who played at Glastonbury, is BBC Radio's rising star. It's not easy for a new organiser like us to bring in any big names, or even a rising star, so we've been really luck."
"DJ Ken Ishii is a world-ranked techno DJ," says DJ Seed, who's the festival's music director. "He once mixed the sound of our kaen [Isaan reed mouth organ] with techno on an album he recorded here. If the Roy Fest is even 60 or 70 per cent successful, I think it can outdo Zouk Out."
Zouk Out starts at 8pm and ends at 8am, while the Roy Fest runs from 6pm to 2am.
"I initially planned to run the festival over the same period as Zouk Out, but I was afraid that the audience would be too exhausted. Based on my own experience in Singapore, we're providing a shuttle bus service so that partygoers can head back and crash when they've had enough.
"We would like everyone to have a good time and enjoy dancing on the beach under the stars and cooled by the sea breezes," says Dom."
And, in keeping with every good Thai festival, partygoers will also find plenty of booths selling foods, beverages and souvenirs.
PACKAGE AND PARTY
Two party packages priced at Bt4,950 and Bt5,250 are available, They include a round-trip ticket on AirAsia and two nights's accommodation. Visit www.RoyFest.com or call (02)503 3878. Karon Beach is on Phuket's west coast, south of Patong and north of Kata.
Phuket has 712 hotels, ranging from Bt200 to Bt 100,000, with 38,000 rooms and 200 spas including 50 inside the hotels. Phuket has five marinas with 135 yachts moored, as of last month.
Next weekend, Phuket launches the debut edition of the Roy Fest Phuket Music Festival, a new music event featuring more than 50 DJs and musicians from around the globe. The Tourism Authority of Thailand has invested more than Bt22 million to convert Karon Beach into the ultimate beach dance party, with the operative word being roy-what the southerners call "fun" and "delicious".
"Hua Hin and Rayoung have their own music festivals, so why not Phuket?" says Norasate Mudkong, aka DJ Seed, who'll be manning the deeks at the festival.
"Singapore's Zouk Out is an incredibly successful beach dance festival, and our beach is much more beautiful."
"With the current economic situation, it's important that we promote tourism in Southern Thailand," adds Dom Chotivanich, CEO & partner of creative agency NetPublications. "Phuket is a great place to start-it's strikingly picturesque and, because it's already well known, it's easier to attract tourists from all over the world.
"Our role models are Singapore's Zouk Out and England's Brighton Beach Festival, both of which receive massive support from their respective municipal government. That stimulates spending and helps money to circulate.
"Roy Fest actually aims to raise awareness about Phuket, largely by word of mouth from the artists, as we approach the high season."
The two-day bash will feature two groups of international artists, among them DJs Ken Ishii from Japan, Adsorb from England, Lord Warddd from America and Lapsap from Malaysia, and local mashers such as DJ Seed, DJ Dragon, T-Bone, Ta-Mone, Thaitanium, Southside, Doobadoo, Silly Fools and Smile Buffalo.
"I've been really impressed with the Japanese DJs' shows here," says Dom. "DJ Adsorb, who played at Glastonbury, is BBC Radio's rising star. It's not easy for a new organiser like us to bring in any big names, or even a rising star, so we've been really luck."
"DJ Ken Ishii is a world-ranked techno DJ," says DJ Seed, who's the festival's music director. "He once mixed the sound of our kaen [Isaan reed mouth organ] with techno on an album he recorded here. If the Roy Fest is even 60 or 70 per cent successful, I think it can outdo Zouk Out."
Zouk Out starts at 8pm and ends at 8am, while the Roy Fest runs from 6pm to 2am.
"I initially planned to run the festival over the same period as Zouk Out, but I was afraid that the audience would be too exhausted. Based on my own experience in Singapore, we're providing a shuttle bus service so that partygoers can head back and crash when they've had enough.
"We would like everyone to have a good time and enjoy dancing on the beach under the stars and cooled by the sea breezes," says Dom."
And, in keeping with every good Thai festival, partygoers will also find plenty of booths selling foods, beverages and souvenirs.
PACKAGE AND PARTY
Two party packages priced at Bt4,950 and Bt5,250 are available, They include a round-trip ticket on AirAsia and two nights's accommodation. Visit www.RoyFest.com or call (02)503 3878. Karon Beach is on Phuket's west coast, south of Patong and north of Kata.
Phuket has 712 hotels, ranging from Bt200 to Bt 100,000, with 38,000 rooms and 200 spas including 50 inside the hotels. Phuket has five marinas with 135 yachts moored, as of last month.
DELICIOUS BEACH DANCE PARTY
Are you ready to "roy "? In southern Thai language,roy means enjoy, fun and delicious - all of which is to be expected at the first "RoyFest Phuket Music Festival" which will take place on Karon Beach, Phuket, on Sept 25-26 from 6pm.Organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the island province,it aims to be the biggest beach dance party in Southeast Asia.
Setthaphan Buddhani, TAT Phuket director said:"Phuket's natural beauty draws tourists from far and wide. We now hope that music power will bring in even more visitors to give them a good time and happy memories. All in all, this music festival will boost tourism and the local economy."
Karon Beach, with its fine white sand is 40 metres wide and 3.5 km long,which, according to Setthaphan, makes for an excellent location for a music festival."It's a charming spot, with the beautiful sea as a backdrop," he said."And we expect thousands of people - tourists and music fans - will join in the fun."
Vudtinun Bhirombhakdi, Boon Rawd Trading's manager for Music and Event Marketing, noted that Karon Beach, unlike bustling Patong, has never been a venue for a big international event. The RoyFest will, however, put Karon on the map as a music festival destination.
The line-up includes popular Thai bands Thaitanium,T-Bone,Ta-mone, OhDoobadoo, Silly Fools, Smile Buffalo and South Side Phuket. Famed DJs spinning out the music include Thailand's DJ Seed and DJ Dragon, Japan's DJ Ken Ishii, The UK's Adsorb and Lord Warddd from the US.
"The festival will get people dancing to reggae, ska, jazz, hip-hop. We didn't want it to offer only one certain type of music, but more of a variety. Silly Fools and Smile Buffalo will also bring Silly Fools.in some rock music to get the party rolling," said Vudtinun.
Smile Buffalo broke up 10 years ago but they are making a comeback on the same stage with Silly Fools for a not-to-be-missed Silly Buffalo act.
Promoting the Thai travel Thai campaign, Vudtinun hopes that Thais from across the country will gather at the two-day music festival to dance the night away.
Admission is free of charge. For more information and special
Hip-hop band Thaitanium.packages, visit www.royfest.com.
Setthaphan Buddhani, TAT Phuket director said:"Phuket's natural beauty draws tourists from far and wide. We now hope that music power will bring in even more visitors to give them a good time and happy memories. All in all, this music festival will boost tourism and the local economy."
Karon Beach, with its fine white sand is 40 metres wide and 3.5 km long,which, according to Setthaphan, makes for an excellent location for a music festival."It's a charming spot, with the beautiful sea as a backdrop," he said."And we expect thousands of people - tourists and music fans - will join in the fun."
Vudtinun Bhirombhakdi, Boon Rawd Trading's manager for Music and Event Marketing, noted that Karon Beach, unlike bustling Patong, has never been a venue for a big international event. The RoyFest will, however, put Karon on the map as a music festival destination.
The line-up includes popular Thai bands Thaitanium,T-Bone,Ta-mone, OhDoobadoo, Silly Fools, Smile Buffalo and South Side Phuket. Famed DJs spinning out the music include Thailand's DJ Seed and DJ Dragon, Japan's DJ Ken Ishii, The UK's Adsorb and Lord Warddd from the US.
"The festival will get people dancing to reggae, ska, jazz, hip-hop. We didn't want it to offer only one certain type of music, but more of a variety. Silly Fools and Smile Buffalo will also bring Silly Fools.in some rock music to get the party rolling," said Vudtinun.
Smile Buffalo broke up 10 years ago but they are making a comeback on the same stage with Silly Fools for a not-to-be-missed Silly Buffalo act.
Promoting the Thai travel Thai campaign, Vudtinun hopes that Thais from across the country will gather at the two-day music festival to dance the night away.
Admission is free of charge. For more information and special
Hip-hop band Thaitanium.packages, visit www.royfest.com.
Celebrating the sunshine
It's amazing how time flies. As you wake up to Bangkok's rain-soaked daylight, there comes the time of the year again: the time that allows all your senses to celebrate an artful and opulent life under the sun.
Held at the state-of-the-art Esplanade Concert Hall, gala concerts are always the most popular happenings at the Singapore Sun Festival.
Originating seven years ago in Tuscany, Italy, before branching out to California's Napa Valley and Singapore, the annually held Sun Festival is recognised worldwide for its rich presentation of arts and lifestyle activities. The festival's universal concept, "The Art of Living Well", is glorified through music, visual arts, film, literature, wine, cuisine and wellness.
To be held for the third time from October 3-12, the Singapore Sun Festival - the only festival of its kind in Asia - has proved to be quite a success, with 30,000 festival goers in 2007 and over 35,000 visitors over its 2008 event. Now aiming to draw in 40,000 audiences from all over Southeast Asia, this year it will present more than a hundred free and ticketed activities with an inspiring line-up of world-famous artists, celebrities and chefs over its 10-day period.
"Although Singapore is a small country in geographical size, it's also a country with a vibrant and deeply rich cultural heritage of its own, which has made it an international mecca for great art in all of its manifestations. And with nearly 200 artists to participate in this year's event, Singapore is poised to host a truly international festival in a unique and compelling way," said Charles Hamlen, chairman of IMG Artists, the event organiser.
Wellness classes conducted by world class gurus are among the festival’s key activities.
The festival is set to kick off on Saturday, October 3,with a gala opening ballet performance by members of Bolshoi and Mariinsky theatres. Your sense of hearing will continue to be indulged over the following nights with concerts from Elvis Costello, Al Jarreau, Afro Cuban All Stars and The Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra featuring Jaap van Zweden, Sir James Galway, Conrad Tao, Nina Kotova, Angela Gheorghiu and Marius Manea.
For film and literature fans, there will be a number of movies screened, with a talk with Asian superstars such as Joan Chen. And also forums on writing for screen and stage by Nobel Prize-winning playwright, poet, novelist and critic Wole Soyinka will be held.
The issue of well living cannot be complete without honouring the art of eating. So the topic of wine and cuisine is always a very strong part of the event. Last year saw world famous chefs Charlie Trotter, Luke Mangan and Riccardo Genovesi. And joining the event this year will be Thierry Marx, France's hottest avant-garde, two-Michelin-starred chef; Floyd Cardoz, groundbreaking Indian chef from New York; and Art Smith, America's most famous homestyle chef.
Getting a table at restaurants of these superstar chefs can take months, never mind that you would have to save for the overseas plane ticket, so this is a great opportunity to let your palate be tantalised by their world cherished cuisine right here in Asia.
One of 2009’s highlights, Chef Thierry Marx.
Other than signature dinners, the event also offers a number of cooking classes and wine conducted by these famous chefs. And the Singapore Wine Auction and Gala dinner that benefits the Viva Foundation for Children with Cancer will nicely wrap up the 10-day fest.
To cater to the health-conscious, there are a wide range of health and wellness activities including yoga, Taiji, spa and seminars. This year's highlight hosts include Deepak Chopra, one of the world's greatest leaders in mind body medicine, and Saumik Bera, one of the best yoga teachers in Asia.
With museums and art galleries as its venues, the festival also features a number of art exhibitions including painting workshops, photo contest and the first-ever Paranakans and their jewellery fashion show.
"Even though the concept of this event is all-embracing and quite sweeping in its scope, the fact that there are so many events and world-acclaimed artists available to people of such wide cultural backgrounds and interests makes it particularly appealing to many visitors.
The strength of the festival lies not only in the concept of bringing people together from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds but in the extraordinary quality of the participating artists, coupled with the cooperation and collaboration within the local host community," the organiser, Charles Hamlen, said.
For more information or to book tickets, visit http://www.singaporesunfestival.com or http://www.sistic.com.sg
Held at the state-of-the-art Esplanade Concert Hall, gala concerts are always the most popular happenings at the Singapore Sun Festival.
Originating seven years ago in Tuscany, Italy, before branching out to California's Napa Valley and Singapore, the annually held Sun Festival is recognised worldwide for its rich presentation of arts and lifestyle activities. The festival's universal concept, "The Art of Living Well", is glorified through music, visual arts, film, literature, wine, cuisine and wellness.
To be held for the third time from October 3-12, the Singapore Sun Festival - the only festival of its kind in Asia - has proved to be quite a success, with 30,000 festival goers in 2007 and over 35,000 visitors over its 2008 event. Now aiming to draw in 40,000 audiences from all over Southeast Asia, this year it will present more than a hundred free and ticketed activities with an inspiring line-up of world-famous artists, celebrities and chefs over its 10-day period.
"Although Singapore is a small country in geographical size, it's also a country with a vibrant and deeply rich cultural heritage of its own, which has made it an international mecca for great art in all of its manifestations. And with nearly 200 artists to participate in this year's event, Singapore is poised to host a truly international festival in a unique and compelling way," said Charles Hamlen, chairman of IMG Artists, the event organiser.
Wellness classes conducted by world class gurus are among the festival’s key activities.
The festival is set to kick off on Saturday, October 3,with a gala opening ballet performance by members of Bolshoi and Mariinsky theatres. Your sense of hearing will continue to be indulged over the following nights with concerts from Elvis Costello, Al Jarreau, Afro Cuban All Stars and The Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra featuring Jaap van Zweden, Sir James Galway, Conrad Tao, Nina Kotova, Angela Gheorghiu and Marius Manea.
For film and literature fans, there will be a number of movies screened, with a talk with Asian superstars such as Joan Chen. And also forums on writing for screen and stage by Nobel Prize-winning playwright, poet, novelist and critic Wole Soyinka will be held.
The issue of well living cannot be complete without honouring the art of eating. So the topic of wine and cuisine is always a very strong part of the event. Last year saw world famous chefs Charlie Trotter, Luke Mangan and Riccardo Genovesi. And joining the event this year will be Thierry Marx, France's hottest avant-garde, two-Michelin-starred chef; Floyd Cardoz, groundbreaking Indian chef from New York; and Art Smith, America's most famous homestyle chef.
Getting a table at restaurants of these superstar chefs can take months, never mind that you would have to save for the overseas plane ticket, so this is a great opportunity to let your palate be tantalised by their world cherished cuisine right here in Asia.
One of 2009’s highlights, Chef Thierry Marx.
Other than signature dinners, the event also offers a number of cooking classes and wine conducted by these famous chefs. And the Singapore Wine Auction and Gala dinner that benefits the Viva Foundation for Children with Cancer will nicely wrap up the 10-day fest.
To cater to the health-conscious, there are a wide range of health and wellness activities including yoga, Taiji, spa and seminars. This year's highlight hosts include Deepak Chopra, one of the world's greatest leaders in mind body medicine, and Saumik Bera, one of the best yoga teachers in Asia.
With museums and art galleries as its venues, the festival also features a number of art exhibitions including painting workshops, photo contest and the first-ever Paranakans and their jewellery fashion show.
"Even though the concept of this event is all-embracing and quite sweeping in its scope, the fact that there are so many events and world-acclaimed artists available to people of such wide cultural backgrounds and interests makes it particularly appealing to many visitors.
The strength of the festival lies not only in the concept of bringing people together from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds but in the extraordinary quality of the participating artists, coupled with the cooperation and collaboration within the local host community," the organiser, Charles Hamlen, said.
For more information or to book tickets, visit http://www.singaporesunfestival.com or http://www.sistic.com.sg
Dame Vera Lynn tops album chart at 92
At age 92, Dame Vera Lynn has beaten the Arctic Monkeys and even The Beatles to capture the No. 1 record in Britain.
The singer, who 70 years ago recorded an evocative reminder of home for British soldiers fighting far away, on Monday became the oldest living artist to have a No. 1 record in Britain when her album We'll Meet Again - The Very Best of Vera Lynn took the top spot.
This week's British album charts were a veritable trip down memory lane - The Beatles had 17 records in the top 100, thanks mainly to the release last week of their remastered albums. Michael Jackson had five appearances in the top 100.
Some were expecting Yhe Beatles' offerings to overtake Lynn's record - which was No. 2 last week, after the Arctic Monkeys' Humbug - but their mass release may have prevented any one album from outselling We'll Meet Again.
Lynn was known as the "Forces' Sweetheart," and her songs - including We'll Meet Again, and (There'll be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover - were wartime anthems.
"In a sense, it's comfort music," said music writer John Aizlewood. "These are quite uncertain times, and quite austere times, as well. And in these times, you need music to help pull you through."
He attributed much of Lynn's resurgence to nostalgia, a longing for simplicity and old-fashioned values, and "pensioner power".
"Obviously, young people aren't buying Vera Lynn records," Aizlewood said. "But there's a certain age group that is."
Broadcaster Paul Gambaccini attributed part of the attraction to the convenience of having all of Lynn's seminal songs in one place.
"This is what I call tapping a reservoir of love," he said.
"There are a lot of people who know they love her, they may have one or two singles, they may have two songs or albums, but this makes them think that 'I don't have them all, I should go out and get this'."
Lynn's record entered the charts at No. 20 three weeks ago and a buzz over her return to the country's top-selling records steadily grew, said HMV spokesman Gennaro Castaldo.
"I can't imagine it'll be No. 1 next week, but it'll be a consistent seller over the next weeks and months, and could be a big hit at Christmas," he said.
Both downloads and physical sales count on the Official Chart Company's count, according to their website, but Castaldo said he thought it was unlikely that many of Lynn's sales were attributed to downloads.
Gambaccini said the singles chart - topped this week by Pixie Lott - is much more heavily influenced by downloads, while the album chart is mainly physical purchases.
According to her record company, Lynn first recorded We'll Meet Again in September 1939, just as World War II broke out. She wasn't the soldiers' favourite right away, said Terry Charman, a senior historian at London's Imperial War Museum. But as servicemen all over the world heard Lynn on the radio - and many saw her in person, in far-flung places like Burma and Egypt - she became the voice that would remind them of home.
Her wartime BBC radio show Sincerely Yours followed the Sunday evening news and was a must-listen for British troops abroad. She read messages from their families and performed songs they requested.
And Lynn is still speaking out for soldiers - appearing recently in major British newspapers to urge support for troops fighting in Afghanistan.
Made a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II in 1975, she has been part of important national functions - such as the 2005 anniversary celebrations of World War II's Victory in Europe Day and the late Queen Mother's birthday.
Lynn says she doesn't intend to record again and told the BBC she was puzzled by her comeback.
"I think it's because of the problems going on with fighting in various parts and a bit of nostalgia, but I don't know," Lynn said. "I'd like someone to tell me."
The singer, who 70 years ago recorded an evocative reminder of home for British soldiers fighting far away, on Monday became the oldest living artist to have a No. 1 record in Britain when her album We'll Meet Again - The Very Best of Vera Lynn took the top spot.
This week's British album charts were a veritable trip down memory lane - The Beatles had 17 records in the top 100, thanks mainly to the release last week of their remastered albums. Michael Jackson had five appearances in the top 100.
Some were expecting Yhe Beatles' offerings to overtake Lynn's record - which was No. 2 last week, after the Arctic Monkeys' Humbug - but their mass release may have prevented any one album from outselling We'll Meet Again.
Lynn was known as the "Forces' Sweetheart," and her songs - including We'll Meet Again, and (There'll be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover - were wartime anthems.
"In a sense, it's comfort music," said music writer John Aizlewood. "These are quite uncertain times, and quite austere times, as well. And in these times, you need music to help pull you through."
He attributed much of Lynn's resurgence to nostalgia, a longing for simplicity and old-fashioned values, and "pensioner power".
"Obviously, young people aren't buying Vera Lynn records," Aizlewood said. "But there's a certain age group that is."
Broadcaster Paul Gambaccini attributed part of the attraction to the convenience of having all of Lynn's seminal songs in one place.
"This is what I call tapping a reservoir of love," he said.
"There are a lot of people who know they love her, they may have one or two singles, they may have two songs or albums, but this makes them think that 'I don't have them all, I should go out and get this'."
Lynn's record entered the charts at No. 20 three weeks ago and a buzz over her return to the country's top-selling records steadily grew, said HMV spokesman Gennaro Castaldo.
"I can't imagine it'll be No. 1 next week, but it'll be a consistent seller over the next weeks and months, and could be a big hit at Christmas," he said.
Both downloads and physical sales count on the Official Chart Company's count, according to their website, but Castaldo said he thought it was unlikely that many of Lynn's sales were attributed to downloads.
Gambaccini said the singles chart - topped this week by Pixie Lott - is much more heavily influenced by downloads, while the album chart is mainly physical purchases.
According to her record company, Lynn first recorded We'll Meet Again in September 1939, just as World War II broke out. She wasn't the soldiers' favourite right away, said Terry Charman, a senior historian at London's Imperial War Museum. But as servicemen all over the world heard Lynn on the radio - and many saw her in person, in far-flung places like Burma and Egypt - she became the voice that would remind them of home.
Her wartime BBC radio show Sincerely Yours followed the Sunday evening news and was a must-listen for British troops abroad. She read messages from their families and performed songs they requested.
And Lynn is still speaking out for soldiers - appearing recently in major British newspapers to urge support for troops fighting in Afghanistan.
Made a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II in 1975, she has been part of important national functions - such as the 2005 anniversary celebrations of World War II's Victory in Europe Day and the late Queen Mother's birthday.
Lynn says she doesn't intend to record again and told the BBC she was puzzled by her comeback.
"I think it's because of the problems going on with fighting in various parts and a bit of nostalgia, but I don't know," Lynn said. "I'd like someone to tell me."
Grammy cashes in on Money Channel
GMM Grammy Plc, the country's largest entertainment company, expects to generate a profit of 100 million baht from Money Channel next year after extending broadcasting time to 18 hours a day from eight now.
Family Know-How Co, the operator of Money Channel, will produce TV programmes focusing on the capital market for 8.5 of the 18 hours for the Stock Exchange of Thailand, which holds a 50% stake in the company, at cost.
The SET has a budget of 200 million baht per year to hire Family Know-How to produce the programmes.
Grammy holds the other 50% of the 50 million baht in registered capital of Family Know-How. It will manage the remaining 9.5 hours of airtime and will enter joint ventures with some partners to produce some programmes for them.
Grammy director Sumeth Damrongchaitham said it expected to generate at least 200 million baht from advertising revenue and additional income from management of 9.5 hours of special programmes for partners.
"Although the management structure has been changed, most of the content of Money Channel still focuses on money management, stocks, banking and finance. However, the programmes will be more interesting and the content will be easier to understand," he said.
Money Channel will relaunch with programme adjustments on Oct 5.
Mr Sumeth, who is also the new managing director of Family Know-How, said the first two or three new programmes would start broadcasting in January and another 10 programmes were likely to be added over the first half of the year.
"We strongly believe that we can generate profit from the first two or three programmes. If there was no profit [potential], we wouldn't have joined Money Channel. We have two or three clients in the banking business interested in our proposed programmes," he said.
Family Know-How will hold an event next month to meet prospective customers from banking, securities companies, and listed companies next month.
SET president Patareeya Benjapolchai said the exchange wanted to increase the audience for the channel, so better strategic and action plans for Family Know-How were needed.
"We realised that we lack a creative team to develop our programmes and make them more attractive," she said."We started looking for a joint venture last year and found Grammy, which will help us develop and create programmes for Money Channel."
GRAMMY shares closed yesterday on the SET at 14.10 baht, down 10 satang,in trade worth 1.68 million baht.
Family Know-How Co, the operator of Money Channel, will produce TV programmes focusing on the capital market for 8.5 of the 18 hours for the Stock Exchange of Thailand, which holds a 50% stake in the company, at cost.
The SET has a budget of 200 million baht per year to hire Family Know-How to produce the programmes.
Grammy holds the other 50% of the 50 million baht in registered capital of Family Know-How. It will manage the remaining 9.5 hours of airtime and will enter joint ventures with some partners to produce some programmes for them.
Grammy director Sumeth Damrongchaitham said it expected to generate at least 200 million baht from advertising revenue and additional income from management of 9.5 hours of special programmes for partners.
"Although the management structure has been changed, most of the content of Money Channel still focuses on money management, stocks, banking and finance. However, the programmes will be more interesting and the content will be easier to understand," he said.
Money Channel will relaunch with programme adjustments on Oct 5.
Mr Sumeth, who is also the new managing director of Family Know-How, said the first two or three new programmes would start broadcasting in January and another 10 programmes were likely to be added over the first half of the year.
"We strongly believe that we can generate profit from the first two or three programmes. If there was no profit [potential], we wouldn't have joined Money Channel. We have two or three clients in the banking business interested in our proposed programmes," he said.
Family Know-How will hold an event next month to meet prospective customers from banking, securities companies, and listed companies next month.
SET president Patareeya Benjapolchai said the exchange wanted to increase the audience for the channel, so better strategic and action plans for Family Know-How were needed.
"We realised that we lack a creative team to develop our programmes and make them more attractive," she said."We started looking for a joint venture last year and found Grammy, which will help us develop and create programmes for Money Channel."
GRAMMY shares closed yesterday on the SET at 14.10 baht, down 10 satang,in trade worth 1.68 million baht.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Dylan works to go on show
He writes, he sings,he sometimes exchanges blows in the boxing ring. But Bob Dylan is also familiar with another type of canvas as a quietly prolific painter.
Nearly 100 artworks from the iconic musician will be exhibited at the National Gallery of Denmark next year, the museum has announced.
The show, set to open late next year in Copenhagen, will include the world premiere of 30 large-format acrylic paintings as well as works previously displayed in European venues.
Several of Dylan's images reveal an affinity for some of the modernist masters, such as French artist Henri Matisse's works from the 1920s, said the gallery's chief curator, Kasper Monrad, who is organising the exhibition.
"Bob Dylan's visual artistic practice has only been discussed by art historians to a limited extent so critical examination and interpretation are called for," Mr Monrad said. Dylan first put his paintings on display in 2007 at the Kunstsammlungen Chemnitz museum in the small German city of Chemnitz.
Last year, a London gallery hosted an exhibition of his works.
Dylan recently told British music magazine Mojo that he has always drawn and painted "but up until recently,nobody's taken an interest. There's never been any support for it. Now I'm scrambling to keep up with demand".
Nearly 100 artworks from the iconic musician will be exhibited at the National Gallery of Denmark next year, the museum has announced.
The show, set to open late next year in Copenhagen, will include the world premiere of 30 large-format acrylic paintings as well as works previously displayed in European venues.
Several of Dylan's images reveal an affinity for some of the modernist masters, such as French artist Henri Matisse's works from the 1920s, said the gallery's chief curator, Kasper Monrad, who is organising the exhibition.
"Bob Dylan's visual artistic practice has only been discussed by art historians to a limited extent so critical examination and interpretation are called for," Mr Monrad said. Dylan first put his paintings on display in 2007 at the Kunstsammlungen Chemnitz museum in the small German city of Chemnitz.
Last year, a London gallery hosted an exhibition of his works.
Dylan recently told British music magazine Mojo that he has always drawn and painted "but up until recently,nobody's taken an interest. There's never been any support for it. Now I'm scrambling to keep up with demand".
A tribute to the late King of Pop
Michael Jackson, who was not only one of the most influential forces in MTV's history but also provided its Video Music Awards with some of its most irreverent moments, got reverential treatment on Sunday as Madonna and his sister Janet provided emotional tributes - one through words, one through song.
Madonna kicked off the show at Radio City Music Hall with a poignant speech about her relationship with Michael Jackson, which began when she was a youngster idolising the then child star, then morphed into a friendship when both were at the apex of their careers,and later, grew distant.
Madonna lamented the negative publicity that dogged him in his later years.
"Sometimes, we have to lose things before we can truly appreciate them," said Madonna,dressed in black.
"Yes, Michael Jackson was a human being,but yes, he was a king," she told the celebritystudded crowd, which included Michael's brother Jermaine and father Joe Jackson."Long live the king!"
The musical tribute began afterward as Jackson clones dressed in some of his signature outfits recreated his famous dance moves from videos such as Bad ,Smooth Criminal and Thriller .Then, as Scream , his duet with Janet,appeared on a large screen, his sister came out to recreate the moves from their only video together as the crowd, including Beyonce,cheered her on. Afterwards, she looked heavenward, and bowed.
It was a tender, special moment - a rarity for the Video Music Awards - that didn't last for long. Kanye West, known for his awards show outbursts when he doesn't win, had another one, this time, on behalf of Beyonce.
Beyonce, nominated for best female video for Single Ladies , was bested by country and pop sensation Taylor Swift. The 19-year-old was giddy when she won, saying:"I always wondered what it would be like to maybe win one of these some day, but never actually thought it would happen."
But West ruined her moment when he jumped on stage, and protested.
"Taylor, I'm really happy for you, and I'm gonna let you finish, but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time," he said, as a shocked Beyonce looked on and the crowd began to boo West.
A crestfallen Swift didn't finish her speech,but the crowd tried to cheer her on and applauded her.
It was another wacky moment for the VMA archives, and a contrast to the tribute to Jackson.Jackson died in Los Angeles on June 25 at the age of 50.
Jackson was not only an integral part of MTV's history - his legendary videos changed the way music clips were made and he was the first African-American artist whose work was aired on the fledgling network - but he also provided the VMAs with some of its most memorable moments, including his infamous smooch with then wife, Lisa Marie Presley, in 1994.
The tribute wasn't the only moment where Jackson's presence was felt. The network also aired a brief premiere of the trailer for This Is It , the documentary about Jackson's preparations for his comeback concerts that were to be held in London. The film is due to release next month.
Comedian Russell Brand also paid tribute to Jackson:"Tonight is dedicated to the great Michael Jackson," Brand, in a top hat, told the audience."Let's honour Michael tonight by loving one another in his memory."
Last year, Brand made his debut as host by poking fun at the Jonas Brothers' vow of purity,among other ribald moments.
This year, he cracked jokes about Katy Perry's posterior.
There were plenty of colourful moments before the show began, as celebrities including Pink and astronaut Buzz Aldrin mingled in front of the cameras at Radio City Music Hall.
Lady Gaga made one of the more intriguing entrances, wearing a top hat, a gold mask looking like something out of Phantom of the Opera and feathered bodice.She also had some intimate moments with a celebrity date even more famous - Kermit the Frog.
They kissed several times, leading Kermit to openly worry about the reaction from longtime pal Miss Piggy.
Not to be outdone, teen sensation Swift arrived in a fairy tale carriage drawn by white horses.
Beyonce and Lady Gaga lead all artists with nine nominations each, but the show's winners aren't nearly as memorable as the wacky and wild moments, and noteworthy performances.
Both superstars performed, along with JayZ, Taylor Swift, Green Day and other acts.
Madonna kicked off the show at Radio City Music Hall with a poignant speech about her relationship with Michael Jackson, which began when she was a youngster idolising the then child star, then morphed into a friendship when both were at the apex of their careers,and later, grew distant.
Madonna lamented the negative publicity that dogged him in his later years.
"Sometimes, we have to lose things before we can truly appreciate them," said Madonna,dressed in black.
"Yes, Michael Jackson was a human being,but yes, he was a king," she told the celebritystudded crowd, which included Michael's brother Jermaine and father Joe Jackson."Long live the king!"
The musical tribute began afterward as Jackson clones dressed in some of his signature outfits recreated his famous dance moves from videos such as Bad ,Smooth Criminal and Thriller .Then, as Scream , his duet with Janet,appeared on a large screen, his sister came out to recreate the moves from their only video together as the crowd, including Beyonce,cheered her on. Afterwards, she looked heavenward, and bowed.
It was a tender, special moment - a rarity for the Video Music Awards - that didn't last for long. Kanye West, known for his awards show outbursts when he doesn't win, had another one, this time, on behalf of Beyonce.
Beyonce, nominated for best female video for Single Ladies , was bested by country and pop sensation Taylor Swift. The 19-year-old was giddy when she won, saying:"I always wondered what it would be like to maybe win one of these some day, but never actually thought it would happen."
But West ruined her moment when he jumped on stage, and protested.
"Taylor, I'm really happy for you, and I'm gonna let you finish, but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time," he said, as a shocked Beyonce looked on and the crowd began to boo West.
A crestfallen Swift didn't finish her speech,but the crowd tried to cheer her on and applauded her.
It was another wacky moment for the VMA archives, and a contrast to the tribute to Jackson.Jackson died in Los Angeles on June 25 at the age of 50.
Jackson was not only an integral part of MTV's history - his legendary videos changed the way music clips were made and he was the first African-American artist whose work was aired on the fledgling network - but he also provided the VMAs with some of its most memorable moments, including his infamous smooch with then wife, Lisa Marie Presley, in 1994.
The tribute wasn't the only moment where Jackson's presence was felt. The network also aired a brief premiere of the trailer for This Is It , the documentary about Jackson's preparations for his comeback concerts that were to be held in London. The film is due to release next month.
Comedian Russell Brand also paid tribute to Jackson:"Tonight is dedicated to the great Michael Jackson," Brand, in a top hat, told the audience."Let's honour Michael tonight by loving one another in his memory."
Last year, Brand made his debut as host by poking fun at the Jonas Brothers' vow of purity,among other ribald moments.
This year, he cracked jokes about Katy Perry's posterior.
There were plenty of colourful moments before the show began, as celebrities including Pink and astronaut Buzz Aldrin mingled in front of the cameras at Radio City Music Hall.
Lady Gaga made one of the more intriguing entrances, wearing a top hat, a gold mask looking like something out of Phantom of the Opera and feathered bodice.She also had some intimate moments with a celebrity date even more famous - Kermit the Frog.
They kissed several times, leading Kermit to openly worry about the reaction from longtime pal Miss Piggy.
Not to be outdone, teen sensation Swift arrived in a fairy tale carriage drawn by white horses.
Beyonce and Lady Gaga lead all artists with nine nominations each, but the show's winners aren't nearly as memorable as the wacky and wild moments, and noteworthy performances.
Both superstars performed, along with JayZ, Taylor Swift, Green Day and other acts.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
"American Idol" heads for 9th season
For those who are wondering what kind of judge Ellen DeGeneres will be on American Idol , she offered this nugget on Ryan Seacrest's radio show last Thursday:"I really do pride myself on not judging."
Speaking roughly 12 hours after she and Fox Broadcasting announced that she would take the place of Paula Abdul as the fourth judge on the most popular series on television, DeGeneres vowed to fill Abdul's role as the nice one while also offering the perspective of fans at home.
"I'm not going to be mean," DeGeneres said. Referring to Simon Cowell,the UK judge who usually offers the most piercing criticisms of Idol contestants, she added:"I hate when Simon's that mean. You can be constructive and you can criticise somebody in a way that's helpful instead of mean spirited."
For Fox and the show's producers,FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment, the appointment of DeGeneres created an immediate stir of excitement around a show that will begin its ninth season in January,2010.
That is no small feat. At the least,DeGeneres' appearance is likely to draw those curious about how she interacts with three colleagues who each have significant experience in either musical performance or the management of popmusic artists.
DeGeneres has neither, and her appointment drew some criticism from an array of professional Idol watchers.M.J. Santilli, the author of mjsbigblog.com ,which tracks all things related to American Idol , wrote that she was dismayed by the news, in part because the addition of a fourth judge last year caused too much focus to be placed on them rather than on the performers.
"Adding an A-list comedian will exacerbate what I see as one of the major flaws in the show right now," Santilli wrote."The kids should be front and centre."
Earlier this year, DeGeneres worked as a guest judge on So You Think You Can Dance , which shares a network and producers with Idol . Discussions about the Idol job began shortly after that appearance.
Several critics wondered how DeGeneres' penchant for making jokes and talking at length will fit in a programme that is performed live under strict time constraints. On multiple occasions in recent years the show has run over its time period, frustrating viewers who record it; in addition, almost every year some viewers complain that the performers are not given enough time to perform their music.
Mike Darnell, the president of alternative entertainment for Fox, called that concern "the silliest thing I've ever heard". He noted that DeGeneres won rave reviews as host of the live broadcasts of the Oscar and Emmy ceremonies.
DeGeneres, whose syndicated daytime talk show is in its seventh year, of course has plenty of experience performing in front of an audience. In addition to a career as a stand-up comic, she starred in a situation comedy on ABC from 1994 to 1998. An episode in which her character came out as gay attracted 46 million viewers.
"I'm speaking as someone who is a huge music fan, and I also am onstage every single day and I've gone through the criticism," she told Seacrest.
Cecile Frot-Coutaz, an executive producer of the show for Fremantle,said that perspective will be a benefit for the programme."Ellen knows what it takes to create a connection with the audience," she said."The show is not just about being able to sing. It is about the ability to create a connection and getting people to fall in love with you."
Frot-Coutaz said the producers were working with Fox to try to expand some Idol shows in the middle of the show's season to 90 minutes from 60 minutes,to deal with the weeks when there are many performers and limited time.
DeGeneres signed a multi-year contract with American Idol , which offers the producers some insurance if she succeeds in attracting viewers to a show whose audience has declined in recent years. Cowell, the most popular judge,has a contract that runs only through next season, and while he has said he wants to return he has also asked for a substantial raise.
Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi,the other two permanent judges, have contracts through the current season as well.
An array of guest judges will fill the spot vacated by Abdul for the audition episodes that take up the first few weeks of the season. But it is possible that DeGeneres will be on hand for "Hollywood Week", where the top 200 or so performers come to Los Angeles to compete for a spot among the final 36.
In past years that week has taken place in November, but this year it has been moved to January, Frot-Coutaz said,and DeGeneres "should be there" if logistical arrangements allow.
DeGeneres will continue to tape her daytime show on weekday afternoons at the Warner Bros studio in Burbank,California, before driving to the Idol studio for the live performance two or three evenings a week.
Speaking roughly 12 hours after she and Fox Broadcasting announced that she would take the place of Paula Abdul as the fourth judge on the most popular series on television, DeGeneres vowed to fill Abdul's role as the nice one while also offering the perspective of fans at home.
"I'm not going to be mean," DeGeneres said. Referring to Simon Cowell,the UK judge who usually offers the most piercing criticisms of Idol contestants, she added:"I hate when Simon's that mean. You can be constructive and you can criticise somebody in a way that's helpful instead of mean spirited."
For Fox and the show's producers,FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment, the appointment of DeGeneres created an immediate stir of excitement around a show that will begin its ninth season in January,2010.
That is no small feat. At the least,DeGeneres' appearance is likely to draw those curious about how she interacts with three colleagues who each have significant experience in either musical performance or the management of popmusic artists.
DeGeneres has neither, and her appointment drew some criticism from an array of professional Idol watchers.M.J. Santilli, the author of mjsbigblog.com ,which tracks all things related to American Idol , wrote that she was dismayed by the news, in part because the addition of a fourth judge last year caused too much focus to be placed on them rather than on the performers.
"Adding an A-list comedian will exacerbate what I see as one of the major flaws in the show right now," Santilli wrote."The kids should be front and centre."
Earlier this year, DeGeneres worked as a guest judge on So You Think You Can Dance , which shares a network and producers with Idol . Discussions about the Idol job began shortly after that appearance.
Several critics wondered how DeGeneres' penchant for making jokes and talking at length will fit in a programme that is performed live under strict time constraints. On multiple occasions in recent years the show has run over its time period, frustrating viewers who record it; in addition, almost every year some viewers complain that the performers are not given enough time to perform their music.
Mike Darnell, the president of alternative entertainment for Fox, called that concern "the silliest thing I've ever heard". He noted that DeGeneres won rave reviews as host of the live broadcasts of the Oscar and Emmy ceremonies.
DeGeneres, whose syndicated daytime talk show is in its seventh year, of course has plenty of experience performing in front of an audience. In addition to a career as a stand-up comic, she starred in a situation comedy on ABC from 1994 to 1998. An episode in which her character came out as gay attracted 46 million viewers.
"I'm speaking as someone who is a huge music fan, and I also am onstage every single day and I've gone through the criticism," she told Seacrest.
Cecile Frot-Coutaz, an executive producer of the show for Fremantle,said that perspective will be a benefit for the programme."Ellen knows what it takes to create a connection with the audience," she said."The show is not just about being able to sing. It is about the ability to create a connection and getting people to fall in love with you."
Frot-Coutaz said the producers were working with Fox to try to expand some Idol shows in the middle of the show's season to 90 minutes from 60 minutes,to deal with the weeks when there are many performers and limited time.
DeGeneres signed a multi-year contract with American Idol , which offers the producers some insurance if she succeeds in attracting viewers to a show whose audience has declined in recent years. Cowell, the most popular judge,has a contract that runs only through next season, and while he has said he wants to return he has also asked for a substantial raise.
Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi,the other two permanent judges, have contracts through the current season as well.
An array of guest judges will fill the spot vacated by Abdul for the audition episodes that take up the first few weeks of the season. But it is possible that DeGeneres will be on hand for "Hollywood Week", where the top 200 or so performers come to Los Angeles to compete for a spot among the final 36.
In past years that week has taken place in November, but this year it has been moved to January, Frot-Coutaz said,and DeGeneres "should be there" if logistical arrangements allow.
DeGeneres will continue to tape her daytime show on weekday afternoons at the Warner Bros studio in Burbank,California, before driving to the Idol studio for the live performance two or three evenings a week.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Toddler wins Elton's heart
Look out, Madonna and Angelina Jolie - pop star Elton John may be joining the ranks of A-list celebrities with adopted children.
John and partner David Furnish are interested in trying to adopt a Ukrainian toddler named Lev they met during an orphanage tour.
The singer told reporters in Ukraine on Saturday he had been reluctant to adopt a child until he met Lev at an orphanage where many of the children's parents have died from Aids.
"David always wanted to adopt a child and I always said 'no' because I am 62 and I think because of the travelling I do and the life I have,maybe it wouldn't be fair for the child,"John said.
"But having seen Lev today, I would love to adopt him.
"I don't know how we do that but he has stolen my heart. He has stolen David's heart and it would be wonderful if we can have a home.
"I've changed my mind."
John and partner David Furnish are interested in trying to adopt a Ukrainian toddler named Lev they met during an orphanage tour.
The singer told reporters in Ukraine on Saturday he had been reluctant to adopt a child until he met Lev at an orphanage where many of the children's parents have died from Aids.
"David always wanted to adopt a child and I always said 'no' because I am 62 and I think because of the travelling I do and the life I have,maybe it wouldn't be fair for the child,"John said.
"But having seen Lev today, I would love to adopt him.
"I don't know how we do that but he has stolen my heart. He has stolen David's heart and it would be wonderful if we can have a home.
"I've changed my mind."
Sunday, September 13, 2009
A MUSICAL FAMILY
For the Srikaranonda family, the best way to share their blessings and happiness is by offering their musical gifts to support a good cause. Hence their recent family concert Pan Rak, meaning sharing love, at Thailand Cultural Centre.
The Srikaranonda family charity concert.
The musical family had three reasons to celebrate. First, the joint birthday of National Artist Manrat Srikaranonda and his wife Mrs La-orwan on August 25 when he turns 81 and his wife 63. Second, the couple's 40th wedding anniversary. And third, the latest honour for the ace musician, an honorary doctorate degree from Silpakorn University, Sanam Chan Campus.
When they felt those were good enough reasons to take to the stage to share their happiness by helping children with HIV/Aids and their families under Siam-Care Foundation, friends and well-wishers turned up in full force to support the cause.
National Artist Manrat Srikaranonda is a household name in Thailand's music circles with many all-time favourites to his credit such as Rak Auey and Chua Fah Din Salai, which most Thais over 40 know by heart.
Happy family. From left, Artas Balakauskas, Indhuon Srikaranonda Balakauskas, Asta Balakauskas, Manrat Srikaranonda, La-orwan and Pathorn Srikaranonda.
His daughter Indhuon, son Pathorn, and son-in-law Artas Balakauskas are also accomplished musicians in their own right. For the veteran musician, however, the happiest news is the fact that his only grand-daughter Asta is fast following the family's musical footsteps.
The charity concert gave a rare chance to see National Artist Manrat tickle the ivory, croon a love song Pan Rak and to join his family to delight the audience with the Srikaranondas' favourite jazz number Take the A Train. The concert theme song was penned by Wichian Sukpumarin, managing director of Siam Music Yamaha.
Offering his own musical gift, accomplished composer and a powerful singer Mr Pathorn soulfully rendered Artorn, Lae Chan and Rak Kan Nai Jai with beautiful and moving lyrics by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and HRH Princess Chulabhorn.
The next joy was when concert pianist couple Ms Indhuon and Mr Balakauskas took charge of the two grand pianos to inject a zest of life with the playful West Side Story Symphonic Dances by Leonard Bernstein, whose birthday was also on August 25.
Pianist Suda Banomyong
The star of the show, however, was eight-year-old Asta Balakauskas who stunned the crowd with her sweet, crystal-like voice of innocence. With concert pianist mum at the piano while National Artist grandpa, concert pianist dad, and composer uncle retreated to the background to provide a chorus, Ms Asta movingly rendered Ben and Heal the World to pay tribute to Michael Jackson and to remind music lovers that one of the best ways to remember him is to live his compassion for the less fortunate.
Among the audience who gave little Asta a rousing applause were Privy Councillor Prem Tinsulanonda, National Artists Sawalee Pakapan, Jintana Suksathit, and Suthep Wongkamhaeng, writer Pol Gen Vasit Dejkunjorn, Khunying Wanna Sirivadhanabhakdi, Kamolvan Punyashthiti, Suda Banomyong, Payom and Pirakit Valaiphatchra.
The little girl's sweet voice echoed in the air as the charity concert came to an end with a high-minded note:
Pol Gen Vasit Dejkunjorn
"Heal the world
Make it a better place
For you and for me
And the entire human race
There are people dying
If you care enough
For the living
Make a better place
For you and for me."
Manrat and Sawalee Pakapan
Celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary.
Khunying Wanna Sirivadhanabhakdi
National Artist Jintana Suksathit
National Artist Suthep Wongkamhaeng and wife singer Pusadee Payakamontree
Siam Music Yamaha executives, from left, Preechapon Vejruk, Sangchai Maeteatanakul, Wichian Sukpumarin, Manrat, Shuji Narimatsu, Sayan Paichayonritta and Somchai Suebboonsripong.
Supaporn Phornprapha, Manrat, and Phornpong Phornprapha
Little Asta crooning "Ben".
The Srikaranonda family charity concert.
The musical family had three reasons to celebrate. First, the joint birthday of National Artist Manrat Srikaranonda and his wife Mrs La-orwan on August 25 when he turns 81 and his wife 63. Second, the couple's 40th wedding anniversary. And third, the latest honour for the ace musician, an honorary doctorate degree from Silpakorn University, Sanam Chan Campus.
When they felt those were good enough reasons to take to the stage to share their happiness by helping children with HIV/Aids and their families under Siam-Care Foundation, friends and well-wishers turned up in full force to support the cause.
National Artist Manrat Srikaranonda is a household name in Thailand's music circles with many all-time favourites to his credit such as Rak Auey and Chua Fah Din Salai, which most Thais over 40 know by heart.
Happy family. From left, Artas Balakauskas, Indhuon Srikaranonda Balakauskas, Asta Balakauskas, Manrat Srikaranonda, La-orwan and Pathorn Srikaranonda.
His daughter Indhuon, son Pathorn, and son-in-law Artas Balakauskas are also accomplished musicians in their own right. For the veteran musician, however, the happiest news is the fact that his only grand-daughter Asta is fast following the family's musical footsteps.
The charity concert gave a rare chance to see National Artist Manrat tickle the ivory, croon a love song Pan Rak and to join his family to delight the audience with the Srikaranondas' favourite jazz number Take the A Train. The concert theme song was penned by Wichian Sukpumarin, managing director of Siam Music Yamaha.
Offering his own musical gift, accomplished composer and a powerful singer Mr Pathorn soulfully rendered Artorn, Lae Chan and Rak Kan Nai Jai with beautiful and moving lyrics by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and HRH Princess Chulabhorn.
The next joy was when concert pianist couple Ms Indhuon and Mr Balakauskas took charge of the two grand pianos to inject a zest of life with the playful West Side Story Symphonic Dances by Leonard Bernstein, whose birthday was also on August 25.
Pianist Suda Banomyong
The star of the show, however, was eight-year-old Asta Balakauskas who stunned the crowd with her sweet, crystal-like voice of innocence. With concert pianist mum at the piano while National Artist grandpa, concert pianist dad, and composer uncle retreated to the background to provide a chorus, Ms Asta movingly rendered Ben and Heal the World to pay tribute to Michael Jackson and to remind music lovers that one of the best ways to remember him is to live his compassion for the less fortunate.
Among the audience who gave little Asta a rousing applause were Privy Councillor Prem Tinsulanonda, National Artists Sawalee Pakapan, Jintana Suksathit, and Suthep Wongkamhaeng, writer Pol Gen Vasit Dejkunjorn, Khunying Wanna Sirivadhanabhakdi, Kamolvan Punyashthiti, Suda Banomyong, Payom and Pirakit Valaiphatchra.
The little girl's sweet voice echoed in the air as the charity concert came to an end with a high-minded note:
Pol Gen Vasit Dejkunjorn
"Heal the world
Make it a better place
For you and for me
And the entire human race
There are people dying
If you care enough
For the living
Make a better place
For you and for me."
Manrat and Sawalee Pakapan
Celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary.
Khunying Wanna Sirivadhanabhakdi
National Artist Jintana Suksathit
National Artist Suthep Wongkamhaeng and wife singer Pusadee Payakamontree
Siam Music Yamaha executives, from left, Preechapon Vejruk, Sangchai Maeteatanakul, Wichian Sukpumarin, Manrat, Shuji Narimatsu, Sayan Paichayonritta and Somchai Suebboonsripong.
Supaporn Phornprapha, Manrat, and Phornpong Phornprapha
Little Asta crooning "Ben".
Friday, September 11, 2009
META SYMPHONY
Bruce Gaston, the first non-Thai artist to win the Silpathorn Award, will join hands with internationallyacclaimed Thai conductor Somtow Sucharitkul to present their co-composed Avatar Dvadas during the first leg of the "Bangkok:Twelve Incarnations" concert series at the Bangkok Art & Culture Centre, Pathumwan intersection, on Sept 20 at 7pm.
The piece is a meta-symphony in time and space being created right in front of your very eyes and ears with music woven out of the very fabric of Bangkok's newest hub of creativity. It is designed especially for the centre, using all the spaces, shapes and angles to be found within it.
In their first co-composed composition since 1977's Hexaphony , Somtow and Bruce are putting together a year-long artwork, one movement or "incarnation"every month, timed with the constellations of the zodiac.
It's a new kind of art which could only have been created in Bangkok. Part improvisation, part environmental music,part kinetic art, the work is designed to be experienced live. Once the 12 incarnations have been performed, the work will be collected into a gargantuan video set.
This very first incarnation, inspired by the constellation Virgo, will see Bruce and Somtow co-conduct members of the Siam Philharmonic and Fong Nam ensembles.
There is no admission fee but donations will be accepted for the Bangkok Opera's HIV Awareness Project. For more information, contact Bangkok Art & Culture Centre on 02-214-6630/8(10am-9pm on Tue-Sun).
The piece is a meta-symphony in time and space being created right in front of your very eyes and ears with music woven out of the very fabric of Bangkok's newest hub of creativity. It is designed especially for the centre, using all the spaces, shapes and angles to be found within it.
In their first co-composed composition since 1977's Hexaphony , Somtow and Bruce are putting together a year-long artwork, one movement or "incarnation"every month, timed with the constellations of the zodiac.
It's a new kind of art which could only have been created in Bangkok. Part improvisation, part environmental music,part kinetic art, the work is designed to be experienced live. Once the 12 incarnations have been performed, the work will be collected into a gargantuan video set.
This very first incarnation, inspired by the constellation Virgo, will see Bruce and Somtow co-conduct members of the Siam Philharmonic and Fong Nam ensembles.
There is no admission fee but donations will be accepted for the Bangkok Opera's HIV Awareness Project. For more information, contact Bangkok Art & Culture Centre on 02-214-6630/8(10am-9pm on Tue-Sun).
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
The essence of JAZZ
As Bangkok's 11th International Festival of Dance & Music moves into October it brings to the stage a double bill: The Starch Jazz Band from Switzerland and the Beets Brothers from the Netherlands. It's an interesting combination that will have you moving from one end of the jazz scale to the other.
Starch, a seven member group describe their music as "a highly energetic mix of different styles, based on funk but mixed up with elements of rock, hip hop and Latin". The Beets Brothers,however, believe that they were "infected with the hard bop virus. We simply love the intense swing approach of the hard bop idiom and try to get that intensity in our live shows".
But first the Starch, who started off essentially as a funk crew, today, the seven musicians bring into play every single musical experience they have collected over the years. A first class live act, they've been playing together for more than 10 years, and have been known to rock every stage they perform on with youthful fun and untamed energy. In the line-up are leader Chris Rax, Pascal Nageli (trumpet), Simon P. Winiger (vocals and bass), Manoo Winiger (keyboard),Benjamin Stalder (guitar), Kay Rauber (drums and percussion) and Andreas Tschopp (trombone and sousaphone).
Says band leader, vocalist and saxophone player Chris Raxx,"Starch is an authentic live band. We perform like we feel. For us it's important to get in touch with the audience and do the show with the audience together. In our music, there is always space for improvisation. So every show becomes unique. We don't like to do every show the same, so that keeps musicians and the audience happy. It's a seven musician collective with an energetic live show. In more than 10 years and lots of concerts the band grew together. It's more than just making music together. It's like a family."
Speaking of their influences he says,"Starch composes its music bringing together influences of the seven musicians. We are influenced by rock, pop, hip hop, jazz, Latin and funk." As for the creative process,"in rehearsals the whole band jams together and each member gives his ideas. That's how we work out most of the songs.The fact that every musician has a different musical background and influences gives Starch's music a special taste. For us, melody is important.We're not into patterns. Every musician contributes his ideas and influences the Starch sound.In the process of writing music, every musician is free to give in what he feels. Once the song is set we always work on it and change things even after we have recorded it".
As a band the Starch believes in the positivity of music. Explains Chris,"It can make you smile and dance. Starch makes a live show an event where the audience can experience something."They have played at more than 200 Swiss shows including the Jazz Festival at Montreux, and have also toured through Germany, Austria, Spain,Hungary and Croatia. The musical world of the seven musicians is full of colour and surprises as countless experiences during concerts, road trips and life in hotels meld into an energetic sound.
The perfect example of this is their album,Music , on which they unite driving indie funk,crazy cosmopolitan rap, dizzy energetic rock
songs and everything else they've come across in the past few years. It is also an example of how jazz has morphed and developed. Chris agrees,"Jazz will always change but you can't say in which direction it's going. The importance of rhythm has grown.Odd-metres have become more important as have the rhythmic variety of the songs and improvisations."
Among its inspirations the seven-member crew count "lots of different musicians ... the list would be too long. Starch bases its music on funk, so James Brown, Prince, Maceo Parker and the like inspired Starch's music since the beginning".Expect to hear that in their nine-song set they have in store for audiences here.
The second half of the evening is devoted to the Beets Brothers, a jazz-quartet set up by three brothers: Marius, Alexander, Peter Beets and a drummer-friend. With a number of albums to their credit the Beets Brothers have an easily recognisable sound that comes complete with swinging rhythmic patterns and blistering energy.The respected European music magazine Downbeat has called them a "A World Class Jazz Act". In the line-up are Marius Beets (doublebass), Peter Beets (piano), Alexander Beets (tenor saxophone), Eddie C.(percussion), Gijs Dijkhuizen (drums) and vocalist Sanna van Vliet, whose new CD,A Time For Love, Remembering Shirley Horn , is making waves. The winner of 3rd prize at the Dutch Jazz Vocalist Competition, Sanna was a member of the all-woman band, Alice in Dixieland, with which she toured Germany,Slovenia, Poland, Belgium, Tunisia, Sweden,Denmark, Finland, Norway, Switzerland, Austria and the Azures.
The three brothers play all over the world.Marius is scheduled later this year to play in Colombia and South Korea, Alexander recently gave concerts in India with Saskia Laroo and in the Dutch Antilles, and Peter is a regular visitor to the US, Japan, Poland, Spain, Romania and France, to name a few. The Beets Brothers have a number of albums to their credit as do the Peter Beets Trio and the Marius Beets Orchestra.
The brothers - Alexander, Marius and Peter - grew up surrounded by music: their mother was a classical pianist while their father was a jazz enthusiast.
Asked to describe their brand of music Alexander puts it in a single sentence:"The ultimate hard bop swing. We are always challenging each other on stage, for us it is all about music, so there is no pre-orchestrated show. But there is a lot to see on stage. We find that our audience gets infected by our intense way of playing. Every day is about new music, new confrontations."
Speaking of their influences Alexander states,"I think the great jazz tradition and the Great American Songbook built the fundamentals. You begin there and then you start to work with the music yourself. Compose your own songs and mix it with influences of this time. You see jazz influences all kinds of music. From Michael Jackson to hip hop. It is no longer just a style of music; it has became the essence of music. Good jazz is universal and there are lots of places on earth to be infected with this great music."
For the audiences in Bangkok, however, on the evening of October 1 would be the perfect place to start.
Bangkok's 11th International Festival of Dance & Music is sponsored by Bangkok Bank, B. Grimm,'Bangkok Post', Dusit Thani Hotel, King Power Group, SCG, Thai Airways International, Tourism Authority of Thailand and Toyota Motor Thailand Co, Ltd .
"Jazz Double Bill", Thailand Cultural Centre, October 1, at 7:30pm. Part 1: Starch Jazz Band, Switzerland.Part 2: Beets Brothers Jazz Band, the Netherlands.Tickets are 400,800,1,000,1,200,1,500 baht. Call 02-262-3456, or visit www.thaiticketmajor.com.
Starch, a seven member group describe their music as "a highly energetic mix of different styles, based on funk but mixed up with elements of rock, hip hop and Latin". The Beets Brothers,however, believe that they were "infected with the hard bop virus. We simply love the intense swing approach of the hard bop idiom and try to get that intensity in our live shows".
But first the Starch, who started off essentially as a funk crew, today, the seven musicians bring into play every single musical experience they have collected over the years. A first class live act, they've been playing together for more than 10 years, and have been known to rock every stage they perform on with youthful fun and untamed energy. In the line-up are leader Chris Rax, Pascal Nageli (trumpet), Simon P. Winiger (vocals and bass), Manoo Winiger (keyboard),Benjamin Stalder (guitar), Kay Rauber (drums and percussion) and Andreas Tschopp (trombone and sousaphone).
Says band leader, vocalist and saxophone player Chris Raxx,"Starch is an authentic live band. We perform like we feel. For us it's important to get in touch with the audience and do the show with the audience together. In our music, there is always space for improvisation. So every show becomes unique. We don't like to do every show the same, so that keeps musicians and the audience happy. It's a seven musician collective with an energetic live show. In more than 10 years and lots of concerts the band grew together. It's more than just making music together. It's like a family."
Speaking of their influences he says,"Starch composes its music bringing together influences of the seven musicians. We are influenced by rock, pop, hip hop, jazz, Latin and funk." As for the creative process,"in rehearsals the whole band jams together and each member gives his ideas. That's how we work out most of the songs.The fact that every musician has a different musical background and influences gives Starch's music a special taste. For us, melody is important.We're not into patterns. Every musician contributes his ideas and influences the Starch sound.In the process of writing music, every musician is free to give in what he feels. Once the song is set we always work on it and change things even after we have recorded it".
As a band the Starch believes in the positivity of music. Explains Chris,"It can make you smile and dance. Starch makes a live show an event where the audience can experience something."They have played at more than 200 Swiss shows including the Jazz Festival at Montreux, and have also toured through Germany, Austria, Spain,Hungary and Croatia. The musical world of the seven musicians is full of colour and surprises as countless experiences during concerts, road trips and life in hotels meld into an energetic sound.
The perfect example of this is their album,Music , on which they unite driving indie funk,crazy cosmopolitan rap, dizzy energetic rock
songs and everything else they've come across in the past few years. It is also an example of how jazz has morphed and developed. Chris agrees,"Jazz will always change but you can't say in which direction it's going. The importance of rhythm has grown.Odd-metres have become more important as have the rhythmic variety of the songs and improvisations."
Among its inspirations the seven-member crew count "lots of different musicians ... the list would be too long. Starch bases its music on funk, so James Brown, Prince, Maceo Parker and the like inspired Starch's music since the beginning".Expect to hear that in their nine-song set they have in store for audiences here.
The second half of the evening is devoted to the Beets Brothers, a jazz-quartet set up by three brothers: Marius, Alexander, Peter Beets and a drummer-friend. With a number of albums to their credit the Beets Brothers have an easily recognisable sound that comes complete with swinging rhythmic patterns and blistering energy.The respected European music magazine Downbeat has called them a "A World Class Jazz Act". In the line-up are Marius Beets (doublebass), Peter Beets (piano), Alexander Beets (tenor saxophone), Eddie C.(percussion), Gijs Dijkhuizen (drums) and vocalist Sanna van Vliet, whose new CD,A Time For Love, Remembering Shirley Horn , is making waves. The winner of 3rd prize at the Dutch Jazz Vocalist Competition, Sanna was a member of the all-woman band, Alice in Dixieland, with which she toured Germany,Slovenia, Poland, Belgium, Tunisia, Sweden,Denmark, Finland, Norway, Switzerland, Austria and the Azures.
The three brothers play all over the world.Marius is scheduled later this year to play in Colombia and South Korea, Alexander recently gave concerts in India with Saskia Laroo and in the Dutch Antilles, and Peter is a regular visitor to the US, Japan, Poland, Spain, Romania and France, to name a few. The Beets Brothers have a number of albums to their credit as do the Peter Beets Trio and the Marius Beets Orchestra.
The brothers - Alexander, Marius and Peter - grew up surrounded by music: their mother was a classical pianist while their father was a jazz enthusiast.
Asked to describe their brand of music Alexander puts it in a single sentence:"The ultimate hard bop swing. We are always challenging each other on stage, for us it is all about music, so there is no pre-orchestrated show. But there is a lot to see on stage. We find that our audience gets infected by our intense way of playing. Every day is about new music, new confrontations."
Speaking of their influences Alexander states,"I think the great jazz tradition and the Great American Songbook built the fundamentals. You begin there and then you start to work with the music yourself. Compose your own songs and mix it with influences of this time. You see jazz influences all kinds of music. From Michael Jackson to hip hop. It is no longer just a style of music; it has became the essence of music. Good jazz is universal and there are lots of places on earth to be infected with this great music."
For the audiences in Bangkok, however, on the evening of October 1 would be the perfect place to start.
Bangkok's 11th International Festival of Dance & Music is sponsored by Bangkok Bank, B. Grimm,'Bangkok Post', Dusit Thani Hotel, King Power Group, SCG, Thai Airways International, Tourism Authority of Thailand and Toyota Motor Thailand Co, Ltd .
"Jazz Double Bill", Thailand Cultural Centre, October 1, at 7:30pm. Part 1: Starch Jazz Band, Switzerland.Part 2: Beets Brothers Jazz Band, the Netherlands.Tickets are 400,800,1,000,1,200,1,500 baht. Call 02-262-3456, or visit www.thaiticketmajor.com.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
JAMMING WITH A GIANT
The world's greatest living jazz composer had every right to hog the Bangkok limelight. But that's not Benny Golson's style
A joint effort between King Power and Platinum Marketing and Distribution, "Benny Golson: The Real Jazz Live in Bangkok 2009" brought a true jazz legend back to Thailand for the first time in 15 years.
Golson has obviously kept in touch with developments on the Thai jazz scene: he didn't bother bringing his own backing for the show at Aksra Theatre, preferring the expertise of local musicians. Den "Danny" Euprasert took piano duty while Naphat Piriyakitsarun was on drums. On bass, though, was leading Dutch composer and arranger Joris Teepe who's worked with jazz greats like Randy Brecker and Rashied Ali.
Golson, now 80, played in the bands of Benny Goodman, Dizzy Gillespie and Art Blakey, so it was no surprise to see a huge turnout of local jazz fans and musician keen to see one of the "immortals" play. Among the crowd were Sopchai Kraiyoonsen, Thanakorn Posananonda, Thanaphorn Palakawong na Ayudhya and MR Srikhamrung Yugala.
Most were there to hear Golson compositions that carved a place in jazz history (he's written eight standards - more than any other living musician).
The tenor-sax man left no one disappointed, blowing through 10 tunes that define his career. Between each, he entertained fans with anecdotes and a wry sense of humour, showing why he's known as an all-round entertainer.
The repertoire ranged in emotion from sombre to rollicking, but things were mostly on the up side, reflecting the vibrant times of his early career in hometown Philadelphia, where he composed some of his classics while playing with John Coltrane and Jimmy Health.
Due to a downpour, many fans including this reviewer showed up late. I managed to get there for the third tune, "Along came Betty", which instantly struck a chord with the audience. Despite getting on in years, Golson launched into the swinging rhythm with gusto. the stamina he showed was probably down to disciplined daily practice sessions that last up to an hour or more. A couple of the passages were lungbusters,though, and it was no surprise he needed to pause for breath.
Step forward bassist Teepe with pianist Den "Danny" (Rangsit University lecturer and Thailand's latest Silpathorn Award recipient in music) and Naphat (also a Rangsit lecturer and the country's leading jazz drummer). They did an excellent job, providing faultless accompaniment and adding their own distinctive groove to the jazz giant's originality.
"I'm not a good saxophone player," said Golson, taking modesty a little too far (he's awesome). "But they [the back-up musicians] make me sound very good. I should take them back to Manhattan with me!"
Soon after came the poignant "I Remember Clifford", a track dedicated to a friend who was killed in a car accident, followed by the lively "Take A Train".
Retreating for a break, Golson left the stage to the back-up trio and "How Deep is the Ocean". Sweet and smooth, the gentle, deep rhythm seemed to transport the crowd to a smoky jazz dive in New York.
Their chance to shine individually came during "Stablemates", with each musician taking turns for a solo. Naphat cut loose, his stop-start, crescendo-building rhythms stealing the show.
For a finale, Golson served up his timeless classic "Whisper Not", with talented jazz singer Bharavee Sombatsiri appearing at the mike in a black ruffled dress. It was the only song of the night, and Bharavee's soulful vocals won thunderous spplause from the crowd, joined by Golson himself.
Back onstage for an encore, Golson stepped like an infantryman to the martial rhythms of "Blues March". He was showing signs of fatigue by this stage but soldiered on to wrap up the evening with a confident flourish.
The audience took away memories that will last.
Rather than a concert that focused exclusively on a big star, at times it felt like a thrilling jam session with a jazz legend thrown in. Self-effacing and above all generous, it seems that Golson enjoys company in the spotlight.
"Rollicking melodies reflected the vibrant times of his early career in hometown Philadelphia, where he composed some of his classics while playing with John Coltrane and Jimmy Health.
A joint effort between King Power and Platinum Marketing and Distribution, "Benny Golson: The Real Jazz Live in Bangkok 2009" brought a true jazz legend back to Thailand for the first time in 15 years.
Golson has obviously kept in touch with developments on the Thai jazz scene: he didn't bother bringing his own backing for the show at Aksra Theatre, preferring the expertise of local musicians. Den "Danny" Euprasert took piano duty while Naphat Piriyakitsarun was on drums. On bass, though, was leading Dutch composer and arranger Joris Teepe who's worked with jazz greats like Randy Brecker and Rashied Ali.
Golson, now 80, played in the bands of Benny Goodman, Dizzy Gillespie and Art Blakey, so it was no surprise to see a huge turnout of local jazz fans and musician keen to see one of the "immortals" play. Among the crowd were Sopchai Kraiyoonsen, Thanakorn Posananonda, Thanaphorn Palakawong na Ayudhya and MR Srikhamrung Yugala.
Most were there to hear Golson compositions that carved a place in jazz history (he's written eight standards - more than any other living musician).
The tenor-sax man left no one disappointed, blowing through 10 tunes that define his career. Between each, he entertained fans with anecdotes and a wry sense of humour, showing why he's known as an all-round entertainer.
The repertoire ranged in emotion from sombre to rollicking, but things were mostly on the up side, reflecting the vibrant times of his early career in hometown Philadelphia, where he composed some of his classics while playing with John Coltrane and Jimmy Health.
Due to a downpour, many fans including this reviewer showed up late. I managed to get there for the third tune, "Along came Betty", which instantly struck a chord with the audience. Despite getting on in years, Golson launched into the swinging rhythm with gusto. the stamina he showed was probably down to disciplined daily practice sessions that last up to an hour or more. A couple of the passages were lungbusters,though, and it was no surprise he needed to pause for breath.
Step forward bassist Teepe with pianist Den "Danny" (Rangsit University lecturer and Thailand's latest Silpathorn Award recipient in music) and Naphat (also a Rangsit lecturer and the country's leading jazz drummer). They did an excellent job, providing faultless accompaniment and adding their own distinctive groove to the jazz giant's originality.
"I'm not a good saxophone player," said Golson, taking modesty a little too far (he's awesome). "But they [the back-up musicians] make me sound very good. I should take them back to Manhattan with me!"
Soon after came the poignant "I Remember Clifford", a track dedicated to a friend who was killed in a car accident, followed by the lively "Take A Train".
Retreating for a break, Golson left the stage to the back-up trio and "How Deep is the Ocean". Sweet and smooth, the gentle, deep rhythm seemed to transport the crowd to a smoky jazz dive in New York.
Their chance to shine individually came during "Stablemates", with each musician taking turns for a solo. Naphat cut loose, his stop-start, crescendo-building rhythms stealing the show.
For a finale, Golson served up his timeless classic "Whisper Not", with talented jazz singer Bharavee Sombatsiri appearing at the mike in a black ruffled dress. It was the only song of the night, and Bharavee's soulful vocals won thunderous spplause from the crowd, joined by Golson himself.
Back onstage for an encore, Golson stepped like an infantryman to the martial rhythms of "Blues March". He was showing signs of fatigue by this stage but soldiered on to wrap up the evening with a confident flourish.
The audience took away memories that will last.
Rather than a concert that focused exclusively on a big star, at times it felt like a thrilling jam session with a jazz legend thrown in. Self-effacing and above all generous, it seems that Golson enjoys company in the spotlight.
"Rollicking melodies reflected the vibrant times of his early career in hometown Philadelphia, where he composed some of his classics while playing with John Coltrane and Jimmy Health.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Royal Music Day
Chulalongkorn University celebrates "CU Royal Music Day" on September 20. There will also be an exhibition to commemorate HM the King's annual music performance at the university from 1958 to 1973. The highlight of the event will be a concert by the CU band, featuring classical compositions in the honour of the monarch's musicianship.
The performance will begin at 4pm and held at Chulalongkorn University's Main Auditorium. Free admission. Call 02-218-3364, or 02-218-7045/6.
The performance will begin at 4pm and held at Chulalongkorn University's Main Auditorium. Free admission. Call 02-218-3364, or 02-218-7045/6.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Indonesia nationalists vow war on Malaysia
Simmering anger in Indonesia over Malaysia's "theft" of a traditional dance is spurring unlikely calls for war in the latest spat between the two traditionally testy neighbours.
The dispute started in Indonesia in August after word spread Malaysia had screened tourism advertisements featuring the traditional "pendet" dance of Indonesia's Hindu-majority Bali island.
The ad quickly turned out to have been a botched promotion for a Discovery Channel programme on Malaysia,with no role played whatsoever by Malaysia's government, but that has done little to dampen the angry feelings.
Protesters vowing to "crush Malaysia"have burned Malaysian flags and thrown rotten eggs at the country's embassy,For weeks, local media have run a steady stream of reports of Malaysian outrages,most of them recycled.
Many media have also studiously ignored an admission of guilt and apology from Discovery.
Nationalists - as they do in nearly every one of the two countries' frequent disputes - have already opened registration for volunteers willing to go to war with Malaysia, but admit this is largely a symbolic gesture.
"Malaysia has, in so many ways, robbed, stolen from and insulted Indonesia ... we're offended as a people. We're angry, we're disappointed, we're upset,"said Mustar Bonaventura, the coordinator of a Jakarta recruitment drive by nationalist youth group Bendera.
"We have 486 volunteers who have signed up and they are ready for any consequences ... All that's left for us with Malaysia is war," he said.
Mr Bonaventura conceded war was very unlikely, but said the group had stockpiled food, medicine and weapons including samurai swords and ninja throwing stars, just in case.
Indonesian politicians have also voiced their displeasure to Malaysia over the controversy, and received apologies in return, but the issue has refused to die down.
For Mr Bonaventura and others, the pendet dance controversy is only the latest in a string of perceived insults by Indonesia's wealthier and more developed neighbour.
Stories of horrific mistreatment of Indonesian migrant workers by their Malaysian bosses have for years raised public anger, as have territorial disputes over islands and the two nations' shared maritime boundaries.
Indonesian nationalists have also claimed in recent weeks that Malaysia's national anthem plagiarised an Indonesian song, but have been dealt a blow by musicologists who say both borrow from a 19th-century French tune.
A 2007 dispute over the use of Rasa Sayange , a folk song that originated in Indonesia's Maluku islands, in aMalaysian tourism ad has much in common with the current dispute.
According to political analyst Wimar Witoelar, the current spat draws on a long history of resentment between Indonesia and Malaysia despite largely similar languages and cultures.
Mr Witoelar said the roots lie mainly in the early 1960s, when charismatic former president Sukarno whipped Indonesia into a fervour in a campaign of konfrontasi , or armed confrontation aimed at destabilising the newly created Federation of Malaysia.
"The basic resentment that Sukarno encouraged did not go away easily. It was just submerged, so it become significant when it turned out Malaysia became more successful, especially economically," he said. Spats over culture and tourism are part of this built-up resentment, Mr Witoelar added.
Despite 17,000 tropical islands,beaches, reefs and a rich cultural heritage,roughly six million foreign tourists visited Indonesia last year, compared with around 22 million visitors to Malaysia.
Provoked by a sensationalist media,this is just another issue of hurt pride that can incite people "deprived of common sense, deprived of intelligence, deprived of understanding", he said.
The dispute started in Indonesia in August after word spread Malaysia had screened tourism advertisements featuring the traditional "pendet" dance of Indonesia's Hindu-majority Bali island.
The ad quickly turned out to have been a botched promotion for a Discovery Channel programme on Malaysia,with no role played whatsoever by Malaysia's government, but that has done little to dampen the angry feelings.
Protesters vowing to "crush Malaysia"have burned Malaysian flags and thrown rotten eggs at the country's embassy,For weeks, local media have run a steady stream of reports of Malaysian outrages,most of them recycled.
Many media have also studiously ignored an admission of guilt and apology from Discovery.
Nationalists - as they do in nearly every one of the two countries' frequent disputes - have already opened registration for volunteers willing to go to war with Malaysia, but admit this is largely a symbolic gesture.
"Malaysia has, in so many ways, robbed, stolen from and insulted Indonesia ... we're offended as a people. We're angry, we're disappointed, we're upset,"said Mustar Bonaventura, the coordinator of a Jakarta recruitment drive by nationalist youth group Bendera.
"We have 486 volunteers who have signed up and they are ready for any consequences ... All that's left for us with Malaysia is war," he said.
Mr Bonaventura conceded war was very unlikely, but said the group had stockpiled food, medicine and weapons including samurai swords and ninja throwing stars, just in case.
Indonesian politicians have also voiced their displeasure to Malaysia over the controversy, and received apologies in return, but the issue has refused to die down.
For Mr Bonaventura and others, the pendet dance controversy is only the latest in a string of perceived insults by Indonesia's wealthier and more developed neighbour.
Stories of horrific mistreatment of Indonesian migrant workers by their Malaysian bosses have for years raised public anger, as have territorial disputes over islands and the two nations' shared maritime boundaries.
Indonesian nationalists have also claimed in recent weeks that Malaysia's national anthem plagiarised an Indonesian song, but have been dealt a blow by musicologists who say both borrow from a 19th-century French tune.
A 2007 dispute over the use of Rasa Sayange , a folk song that originated in Indonesia's Maluku islands, in aMalaysian tourism ad has much in common with the current dispute.
According to political analyst Wimar Witoelar, the current spat draws on a long history of resentment between Indonesia and Malaysia despite largely similar languages and cultures.
Mr Witoelar said the roots lie mainly in the early 1960s, when charismatic former president Sukarno whipped Indonesia into a fervour in a campaign of konfrontasi , or armed confrontation aimed at destabilising the newly created Federation of Malaysia.
"The basic resentment that Sukarno encouraged did not go away easily. It was just submerged, so it become significant when it turned out Malaysia became more successful, especially economically," he said. Spats over culture and tourism are part of this built-up resentment, Mr Witoelar added.
Despite 17,000 tropical islands,beaches, reefs and a rich cultural heritage,roughly six million foreign tourists visited Indonesia last year, compared with around 22 million visitors to Malaysia.
Provoked by a sensationalist media,this is just another issue of hurt pride that can incite people "deprived of common sense, deprived of intelligence, deprived of understanding", he said.
Friday, September 4, 2009
THE SINGING HOTELIER
WHAT IS THE SECRET OF YOUR SUCCESS? If you are going to do something you have to give it your best and when you make your decisions you commit to them. That has always been a habit of mine. YOU RUN SEVERAL HOTELS, PERFORM IN CONCERT, ARE A MOTHER OF FOUR AND WE HAVE HEARD THAT YOU ONLY SLEEP FOR THREE OF FOUR HOURS A DAY. HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN THIS ENERGETIC? It's always been like this. I'm a hyper-energetic person. It's more of my personal physical makeup,something to do with my metabolism I suppose.When I was in school I would sometimes stay up for 48 hours at a time to cram everything in before exams. I'd take an occasional 20-minute nap and I would be fine. You can always sleep later. I wish I could be something like a vampire and never have to worry about sleep. When I choose to I can sleep for about 20 hours but when I'm busy, using a pillar to make a quick napping pillow works well, as I recently did during a shopping trip with my daughter-inlaw. WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME? Sometimes people show me some of my performances on YouTube. I don't know how to open these websites because I'm not computer literate, so I get my secretary to help me look up football fixtures and results. I'll ask,"When is the Champions League? When are Arsenal playing? Check it for me."YOU LIKE FOOTBALL? A little. I like to follow Arsenal. They're a team that doesn't depend on buying expensive players.If I had the money I would buy their team but I don't. I really would love to be a team owner but now that I think about it I would rather worship them on screen. Sometimes when you hear football stars speak you realise how uneducated some of them are. Watching their games really fills me up with adrenalin though,and a feeling that my heart is about to leap out of my chest. It's good, it's healthy! Interests are important. If you don't have any then you become obsessed with yourself. You will be in a marriage of Mr and Mrs Me. With nothing to do people only think of themselves, while ignoring the rest of the world. It's like football; one player can't hog the ball and always go for the goal, it has to be a team effort. EVER THOUGHT ABOUT GOING INTO POLITICS? Politics is dangerous territory. Long ago I was approached by Thaksin Shinawatra. He told me he was forming a political party called Thai Rak Thai and wanted me to be a prominent member.I told him,"Politics is a bad idea. You will be sorry."G
To see an extended interview with Kamala visit gurubangkok.com
To see an extended interview with Kamala visit gurubangkok.com
BEATLES TRIBUTE CONCERT
D&M Music Studio and The Betters Music Academy present a complete review of The Beatles' live performance of their grand finale album Abbey Road in a tribute concert at Goethe-Institute Bangkok on Fri, Sept 11 at 8pm.
This month will mark the 40th anniversary of the British legendary pop rock group's release of Abbey Road - their most talented and sophisticated effort. Their last complete recording sessions were made for this album and it expressed the group's most refined work and the crowning achievement of their incredible sevenyear recording career.
The album also features more three-part harmony singing than any other record, with wellintegrated instrumental playing throughout. Sadly, The Beatles broke up shortly after the album was recorded.
Upon its release in the UK late September in 1969, the album went number one on the chart for 18 weeks and stayed there for 36 weeks.Likewise, it topped the US album chart for 11 weeks and was in the Top 30 for 31 weeks.
All of the songs in this album will be sung by The Betters - Thailand's best-loved Beatles tribute band over the past decade. After the intermission, the band will perform a mixture of The Beatles' top hits and favourites of 1963-1970. Joining the band as special guests will be Kingdow Thivavarnvong on the piano and also vocalist Mongkol Chayasirisobhon in classic style version.
Tickets cost 500 baht (250 baht for students)and can be purchased from Robinson Piano at Siam Discovery Centre (tel 02-658-1080/1). For more information, please call 081-682-8000.
This month will mark the 40th anniversary of the British legendary pop rock group's release of Abbey Road - their most talented and sophisticated effort. Their last complete recording sessions were made for this album and it expressed the group's most refined work and the crowning achievement of their incredible sevenyear recording career.
The album also features more three-part harmony singing than any other record, with wellintegrated instrumental playing throughout. Sadly, The Beatles broke up shortly after the album was recorded.
Upon its release in the UK late September in 1969, the album went number one on the chart for 18 weeks and stayed there for 36 weeks.Likewise, it topped the US album chart for 11 weeks and was in the Top 30 for 31 weeks.
All of the songs in this album will be sung by The Betters - Thailand's best-loved Beatles tribute band over the past decade. After the intermission, the band will perform a mixture of The Beatles' top hits and favourites of 1963-1970. Joining the band as special guests will be Kingdow Thivavarnvong on the piano and also vocalist Mongkol Chayasirisobhon in classic style version.
Tickets cost 500 baht (250 baht for students)and can be purchased from Robinson Piano at Siam Discovery Centre (tel 02-658-1080/1). For more information, please call 081-682-8000.
DISNEY AND BROADWAY IN BANGKOK
She's a Filipino singer and actress. She's also a worldrenowned vocalist, recognised for winning various international awards for a single role. And now she's one of Broadway's greatest stars who enchanted Thai audiences with her portrayal of Cinderella late last year.
Yes, she's Lea Salonga. And next week she will be back to Bangkok for a rare concert performance with the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra entitled "The Magic of Disney and Broadway Musicals" at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre on Sat, Sept 12 at 8pm.
As part of the annual "Great Artists of the World" series, the concert will feature the great songs from Walt Disney's The Lion King, Aladdin,Beauty And The Beast, The Little Mermaid and Mulan , as well as famous Broadway musicals West Side Story, Guys and Dolls, A Chorus Line, Oliver, Miss Saigon and Les Mise'rables .Lea was 17 years old and already a star in her native Philippines when she was discovered by London producer Cameron Mackintosh who had been hunting, from the UK to the US and even Singapore, Hong Kong and finally Manila, for the right girl to play the leading role of Kim in Miss Saigon 20 years ago.She made her professional debut at the age of just seven in The King and I , had taken the lead role in a host of other musicals including Annie , started her recording career aged only 10, and hosted her own TV show Love, Lea .When Miss Saigon finally opened in London in 1989,Lea became an overnight sensation. A new international star was born, hailed by the media and an adoring public who flocked to see the show.
Her performance brought her the coveted Laurence
Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical.
And when the musical opened on Broadway two years later,it broke several records, including the largest-ever advance sales, totalling almost $25 million (850 million baht). Once again Lea played Kim. As in London, audiences adored her and brought the house down.Also, she walked away with the top award - a Tony for Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical.
Since those days in Miss Saigon , Lea has gone on to become a hugely popular artist.She has performed in a number of other Broadway productions,including Les Mise' rables , and given solo concerts at such prestigious venues as New York's Carnegie Hall and Los Angeles'iconic Frank Gehry-designed Disney Concert Hall.
But it is as the voice of Disney movies that she is best known to millions around the world. She is the singing voice of Princess Jasmine in the blockbuster hit Aladdin ,and of Fa Mulan in Mulan and Mulan 2 .Also joining her during the Bangkok concert as conductor for the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra is Gerard Salonga her younger brother.
Gerard is conductor, musical arranger, orchestrator and musical director who has successfully established his own stature and identity in Manila's musical establishment.
Tickets for "The Magic of Disney and Broadway Musicals"concert cost 500,1,000,1,500,2,000,2,500 and 3,000 baht and can be purchased from Thaiticketmajor booths (tel 02-262-3456 or visit www.thaiticketmajor.com). For more information, please contact BSO Foundation on 02-255-6617/8 or visit www.bangkoksymphony.org.
Yes, she's Lea Salonga. And next week she will be back to Bangkok for a rare concert performance with the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra entitled "The Magic of Disney and Broadway Musicals" at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre on Sat, Sept 12 at 8pm.
As part of the annual "Great Artists of the World" series, the concert will feature the great songs from Walt Disney's The Lion King, Aladdin,Beauty And The Beast, The Little Mermaid and Mulan , as well as famous Broadway musicals West Side Story, Guys and Dolls, A Chorus Line, Oliver, Miss Saigon and Les Mise'rables .Lea was 17 years old and already a star in her native Philippines when she was discovered by London producer Cameron Mackintosh who had been hunting, from the UK to the US and even Singapore, Hong Kong and finally Manila, for the right girl to play the leading role of Kim in Miss Saigon 20 years ago.She made her professional debut at the age of just seven in The King and I , had taken the lead role in a host of other musicals including Annie , started her recording career aged only 10, and hosted her own TV show Love, Lea .When Miss Saigon finally opened in London in 1989,Lea became an overnight sensation. A new international star was born, hailed by the media and an adoring public who flocked to see the show.
Her performance brought her the coveted Laurence
Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical.
And when the musical opened on Broadway two years later,it broke several records, including the largest-ever advance sales, totalling almost $25 million (850 million baht). Once again Lea played Kim. As in London, audiences adored her and brought the house down.Also, she walked away with the top award - a Tony for Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical.
Since those days in Miss Saigon , Lea has gone on to become a hugely popular artist.She has performed in a number of other Broadway productions,including Les Mise' rables , and given solo concerts at such prestigious venues as New York's Carnegie Hall and Los Angeles'iconic Frank Gehry-designed Disney Concert Hall.
But it is as the voice of Disney movies that she is best known to millions around the world. She is the singing voice of Princess Jasmine in the blockbuster hit Aladdin ,and of Fa Mulan in Mulan and Mulan 2 .Also joining her during the Bangkok concert as conductor for the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra is Gerard Salonga her younger brother.
Gerard is conductor, musical arranger, orchestrator and musical director who has successfully established his own stature and identity in Manila's musical establishment.
Tickets for "The Magic of Disney and Broadway Musicals"concert cost 500,1,000,1,500,2,000,2,500 and 3,000 baht and can be purchased from Thaiticketmajor booths (tel 02-262-3456 or visit www.thaiticketmajor.com). For more information, please contact BSO Foundation on 02-255-6617/8 or visit www.bangkoksymphony.org.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Madonna pays visit to Western Wall
American pop icon Madonna sparked a media frenzy when the Kabbalah follower toured around the Western Wall, Judaism's top pilgrimage site in the Old City of Jerusalem.
Wearing high heels, blue jeans and a black jacket, the Material Girl was accompanied by her Brazilian model friend Jesus Luz and several bodyguards when she visited the area late on Sunday.
Dozens of onlookers tried to get a glimpse of the music diva while a crowd of photographers snapped away as the 51-year-old ducked into one of the tunnels near the wall.
Madonna landed in Israel on Sunday aboard a private jet and is due to give two concerts in Tel Aviv as part of her Sticky and Sweet tour. During her visit,the singer will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, his office said, as well as opposition leader Tzipi Livni.
Wearing high heels, blue jeans and a black jacket, the Material Girl was accompanied by her Brazilian model friend Jesus Luz and several bodyguards when she visited the area late on Sunday.
Dozens of onlookers tried to get a glimpse of the music diva while a crowd of photographers snapped away as the 51-year-old ducked into one of the tunnels near the wall.
Madonna landed in Israel on Sunday aboard a private jet and is due to give two concerts in Tel Aviv as part of her Sticky and Sweet tour. During her visit,the singer will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, his office said, as well as opposition leader Tzipi Livni.
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