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Posted: 15 Dec 2011 01:47 AM PST

LOS ANGELES, Dec 15 (Reuters) - It's no secret that Janet Jackson has battled weight issues her entire life, but what her fans may not know is that even when the singer is on tour, sweating every night, she still has problems staying slim.

So Jackson joined the ranks of Nutrisystem users on Thursday to become the "new face" of the weight-loss program, promoting a new "SUCCESS" diet plan even as she uses it to help raise money to feed the world's hungry.

The "Rhythm Nation" singer and member of the famous Jackson family, wrote fearlessly about self-image issues in her book, "True You," documenting a period in 2006 when she put on weight for a movie and ballooned to 180 lbs, only to become fodder for fat jokes in the tabloid press.

But Jackson said it's not only working as an actress that can cause her to put on pounds. Rather, it is everyday life that gets her. And even after dancing and singing nearly every night on her "Number Ones," she still battles weight gain.

"Your body gets used to different exercises, and I've been performing for so long that my body's just used to it. Actually, I have to work a little harder while doing a show," she told Reuters.

Weight gain, she said "is something I've dealt with my entire life." In her book "True You," which was published in hardcover earlier this year and hit stores in paperback this week, Jackson writes "eating was emotional for me; eating calmed my nerves and brought me instant gratification."

After Nutrisystem chief executive Joe Redling read the book, he approached Jackson about his weight-loss program and gave her some of Nutrisystem's pre-packaged foods to sample while on tour. Jackson said she was sold.

"When I was in hair and makeup, we were all taste testing. Everybody was going crazy for it," she said.

LOVE THE CHEESE PUFFS

When asked her favorite Nutrisystem meal, Jackson said "I can't say there's just one thing," then she paused.

"They do have cheese puffs," she said. "It had been years since I wrapped my lips around cheese puffs because they were things I had to stay away from."

Jackson joins a long list of celebrities, including Kirstie Alley and Jennifer Hudson, who have publicly battled weight loss and endorsed diet programs. Typically, the stars document how much they lose, but Jackson doesn't want to do that.

"I'm going about this a different way by not putting a pound amount on it," she said. "It's about when I feel healthy, about when I feel good. That is how I want to be," she said.

Like most people, she pops her meals into a microwave to heat them up, but is quick to add that, unlike many others, she has a trainer to help her work out. She stresses the importance of exercise, but emphasizes that people don't need a trainer when all they really need to do is go for a long walk or do other everyday activities that get them off their couches.

Key to Jackson's involvement in Nutrisystem, she said, is that for every pound its dieters loose in 2012, the company will donate $1 worth of food to people in need. The pair have created "Nutribank," (www.nutribank.org), to work with hunger organizations around the world. Last year, Nutrisystem users lost 10 million pounds, in total.

"I feel that my true calling is to help people," she said. Now, that calling extends to weight loss and quashing hunger.

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Rock steady crew

Posted: 15 Dec 2011 12:00 AM PST

Thirty years have passed but local hard rock legends Search barely look like slowing down.

The rain – as it has pounded Kuala Lumpur during most evenings in the last few weeks – shelled the four-wheel drive as we made our way into the capital's centre. The pointman for the interview with legendary hard rock outfit Search at a rehearsal KL studio – let us call him Jiman – was curious to know how Johor has clung on to a traditional outlook despite birthing that many rock bands since the 1970s. It is a contradiction that befuddles most born-and-bred-in-the-city music enthusiasts such as Jiman.

An uneasy duality moulds the mind of the Johorean (like this Segamat-raised writer). The conservatism that bobbles on its social surface was deemed necessary, mainly due to Johor Baru's utterly permeable border with Singapore. There was a need to block off the high tides of modernism coming from the south of the causeway and, at the same time, greedily sample the cultural and economic benefits that trickled in.

The days of the ringgit having substantial currency in Singapore may be over, but this did not prevent a fermentation of ideas and aspirations that led to the proliferation of homegrown rockers from Johor Baru to Segamat. The state's prodigal sons remain Search and, as the members reflect on their three decades of existence with a Kuala Lumpur concert this Saturday, it would be an opportune time to revisit an unparalled local rock 'n' roll career.

Over 30 years ago, music lovers and budding practitioners in Johor Baru witnessed the swinging scene in Singapore that offered an array of genres – whether in the album or live act format – that traversed pop and blues to rock. It was a thriving industry and one that had influenced young Johoreans who had wanted to sample more than the routine fare of ghazal and joget.

The studios (in provincial Southern towns) provided the space for musicians to try out rock while the weekly fun fairs, with their captured audience, proved to be their testing grounds. Tales that travelled from the shows at the fun fairs to the schoolyards – a time when TV and radio shunned rock with an evangelic zeal – added to the legend of groups such as Search. The likes of Jiman missed out on the storied moments that constituted the origins and subsequent growth of local hard rock.

Most Sunday school assemblies in Johor in the 1980s (yes, for some, the school week started on Sunday) were not complete without the hushed dissemination and updates on new and exciting rock bands in the circuit. The fortunate ones who had managed to sneak out to watch them at the fun fairs would have the stories.

Those were the days of masking unkempt hair with cheap gel, wearing skin-tight jeans and huddling around smuggled home stereos for a dose of Black Sabbath on cassettes. This period of discovery and knowledge extended to the Search members as well.

"We had to learn from things that we could not see ... it was difficult getting hold of videos (of the main rock bands in action). We had an edge due to our proximity to Singapore, which facilitated contact with songs, magazines and other materials on rock music. Some of us also worked in Singapore and they had a lot of international concerts like Deep Purple and Eric Clapton there and Singaporeans had exposure to all that," recalled rhythm guitarist Din, 49, during a recent interview session after a band rehearsal.

With two successful career-spanning 30th anniversary shows in Penang (Nov 19, 5,000 fans) and Johor Baru (Dec 3, 10,000 fans) wrapped up, the band is aiming to finish this concert series on a high when its Konsert Fenomena 30 Tahun Search bandwagon hits the Malaysia International Exhibition Convention Centre (MIECC), Mines Resort City in Kuala Lumpur this Saturday.

The band has produced more than 25 albums (11 studio albums, various live/collaboration CDs) which contain numerous Malay hard rock classics. The Konsert Fenomena 30 Tahun Search setlists – devoid of medleys – have reflected a wide array of the band's catalogue, including Rozana, Gadisku, Menara Kesesatan, Pawana, Fantasia Bulan Madu, Isabella, Kejora and Isi Dan Kulit.

But back in the early days, the future wasn't so rosy for a long haired, hard rock band. For Search, it was a struggle to find a voice and to be accepted by the mainstream.

Believe it or not – apart from the fun fair gigs – wedding receptions were the next most fertile platforms for gauging Search's standing as a rock band.

Search's frontman Amy remembers these occasions well as invitations for newcomer rock bands to converge on makeshift stages and showcase their talent (in five songs) were in abundance back then. The hosts would have normally hired an outfit that performed for the masses until late evening and then gave way for these emerging rockers to strut their material.

Once Search had sealed its reputation in Johor Baru, it was time for them to trek to Kuala Lumpur. Formed in 1981, Search wasn't – by any stretch – an instant success. Drummer Yazit, 49, has vivid recollections of the hard times when the band members decided to leave their day jobs, unfurl their ambitions to be full-time musicians and take their brand of music to a bigger arena. The drummer, bassist Nasir, 51, and lead guitarist Hillary Ang (who left the band two years ago after his second spell) headed to Kuala Lumpur in the late 1970s.

After failing to find the right singer for the band, they returned to their hometown.

Back in Johor Baru, the band consolidated with Amy added to the line-up – the singer could not join the band initially. The remaining vacancies in the band were gradually filled up as though fate had ordained it. For example, Yazit's former classmate Din turned up for one of the group's performances and later inducted his brother, Kid, 41, into the group.

The foundations were laid for Search.

Chemistry, according to Yazit, was the most crucial factor that held them together when the other bands that emerged at the same time were eventually mothballed into history's footnotes. There was also the spirit of collectivism associated to the hard graft of playing in the club/pub circuit and this was another powerful adhesive that fastened their friendship.

Gathering converts to their music, though, was not easy as Kuala Lumpur, as Amy called back, was a bustling live scene driven by blues and reggae.

"Blues Gang, Dr Sam Rasputin, Headwind, (the late) Rahim Hamzah and the lot (ruled the clubs). We came down to KL as a rock 'n' roll band and we got weird stares from the rest when we did (Led) Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Iron Maiden, Van Halen and Ozzy (Osbourne). But we had repeated requests for some of the numbers – especially Heaven And Hell (Black Sabbath) – and in time, they dug it. We then moved on to the major clubs like the (local) Hard Rock Café, Rainbow and Pyramid," said Amy, who at 53, is the livewire of the group.

"There were live bands wherever you went (in Kuala Lumpur). We also had a large number of rock outfits and rockers in the 1980s ... Lefthanded, Wings, White Steel and Rahim Maarof were already in the picture and we competed against them. We were given the freedom to play whatever songs we had wanted ... so long as we entertained the weekend crowds that packed the KL clubs to the brim. It was only in 1988 – when our albums gained us the recognition – that we broke away."

M. Nasir, who had been monitoring Search's progress since the early 1980s, was instrumental in developing Search's music and identity. Yazit summoned back the memories of the stand-off between Polygram Records – the label that released the group's debut album (Cinta Buatan Malaysia) in 1985 – with much amusement. The recording company had wanted Search to emulate Alleycats but M. Nasir was having none of that. It was the composer/producer's insistence that set the rockers free on the highway to fame.

This Saturday, M. Nasir is expected to guest on stage with Search at Konsert Fenomena 30 Tahun Search – a bond that has lasted through the decades and trends.

Thirty years on, the one regret that still stings is Search's inability to take the crucial step to spread its music in the region. Search were the first band to rock out at least seven venues in Indonesia and it also sold millions of albums in that market. The resistance from the Indonesian musicians toward this foray from Malaysians, however, curtailed the band's prominence. While this lingers as a bitter point, Yazit reckons that in its heyday, Search shared the same Asian rock pantheon as Indonesia's GodBless, Loudness (Japan) and Sweet Charity (Singapore).

"We are the only band (here) hanging on to our initial line-up. It's a huge gift and we are grateful for that ... these concerts are about sharing our story, experience and songs with our fans. And we had some bitter experiences ... we were banned because of our appearances and were hammered from all directions until we could not budge," said Yazit.

"Which is why it means so much when we do these shows. We aren't sure whether there would be 10 more years of Search but we want to give something back to the fans. They can come, sing along with us and enjoy the show. The show is a celebration with our fans," the drummer concluded.

> Search plays the Konsert Fenomena 30 Tahun Search at the Malaysia International Exhibition Convention Centre (MIECC), Mines Resort City in KL this Saturday. Opening act is Projek Pistol. Gates open 7pm. Tickets are available at (tickethotline.com.my).

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A hungry heart

Posted: 14 Dec 2011 11:59 PM PST

Richard Marx proved he was more than capable of capturing a big arena with just his voice and guitar.

SOFT rock, adult contemporary music veteran Richard Marx has only recently begun to like Twitter.

If his tweets before and after his one-night concert at the Arena of Stars in Resorts World Genting last Sunday were anything to go by, it was a satisfying outing for both him and the fans he came to play for.

Adoring fans here had to wait some 14 years for him to make a return visit to our shores. He did a promo showcase (the Flesh And Bone album) at the Wall Street venue in Kuala Lumpur in 1997 while also playing gigs here in 1990 and 1991. The American singer-songwriter is no stranger to the local audience – his albums Richard Marx (1987) and Repeat Offender (1989) paving the way for his immense popularity in these parts.

Like most 1980s pop stars, Marx's chart momentum slipped in his later years. The now 48-year-old Marx's performing career had taken somewhat of a back seat once the new millennium begun. However, in just the last half a decade, his recording output did expand by another three studio albums and two acoustic albums to add to the five studio efforts released before 2000.

Malaysian fans, however, haven't really been exposed to much of Marx's more recent musical output, and that arguably made it somewhat easier for him to please the masses at Genting.

The Grammy-award winner, based in Chicago, was in the middle of the Asian leg of his Acoustic World Tour which included stops in the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore and China.

With no more help than one backing musician/vocalist for barely a third of his 90-minute showcase, Marx took it on his own. He ran through a catalogue of his major hits of the late 1980s right up to the early 1990s, along with a smattering of songs he famously co-wrote for the likes of Josh Groban, N'Sync and Cliff Richard, and a couple of newer tracks.

Homegrown singer-songwriter Liyana Fizi was given the task of opening the night, with a light bossa-tinged acoustic set that included self-penned songs such as Killing Me and Jatuh.

Once Marx made his entrance, he started off his set immediately with Endless Summer Night, Take This Heart and Satisfied before he opened his heart to the audience.

Alone, musically stripped down to just his vocals, a guitar, a piano (and a lot less hair than 14 years ago), he continued with Keep Coming Back and To Where We Are (a song made famous by Josh Groban).

It was also revealed that Marx currently loves the indie duo Civil Wars, hence explaining his preference for all acoustic songs and harmonies.

The atmosphere picked up slightly when backing pianist and vocalist Steve Hornbeak joined him for Until I Find You Again, Hazard, When You Loved Me, Hold On To The Night, Now And Forever, and Save Me, complete with video backing. It was a Richard Marx gig, the mellow mood was obvious.

Unlike the entertainment spectacle that was Sir Elton John who played the same venue last month, Marx was a more subdued but no less heartfelt concert treat.

It was back to solo piano or guitar after that with Angelia, When You're Gone, and his own version of old time standard Can't Help Falling In Love, and Should've Known Better.

A special surprise came in the form of This I Promise You (which he wrote for US boy band N'Sync) when he invited Liyana Fizi, 28, back on stage to guest with him and pianist Hornbeak. Apparently, Fizi only received the invite to sing with him four days prior to the concert, and she did well to hold her own.

But it was Marx who left the masses wanting more as the concert drew to a close.

He ended the night with The Best Of Me (a co-write with David Foster made most famous by Cliff Richard) and the timeless encore Right Here Waiting.

Even without a safety net, Marx still impressed. He had only his pitch perfect vocals and one instrument to rely on to carry his set through.

If there were any worries about the low-key beginning to the concert, those were wiped away when he started engaging the audience after singing Satisfied.

From that point on, it was as much about him sharing a little a bit about his life and the stories behind many of the songs he wrote as it was about him performing them.

He joked about how one his most well known songs Hazard was written as a murder mystery and almost thrown aside as he thought it was the worst song he had written. It was saved by his wife (sometime actress-singer Cynthia Rhodes) who loved it and told him there was a big hit coming.

"I recorded it to try and prove her wrong, and four months later it went to No. 1 in 13 countries," he candidly shared.

Marx even made fun of his "big hair" days, and had a little walk down the Arena of Stars aisle to pose for pictures with fans! While most of his performance concentrated on his back catalogue, he did perform some newer material such as When You Loved Me, recorded only last year.

He also introduced a new song he had prepared for his upcoming album due next year, when he performed the rock-tinged Save Me, complete with a video recording of his backing musicians for that one track – styled as the Marx Brothers, or more specifically, his three sons Jesse (17) on drums, Lucas (19) on guitar and backing vocals and Brandon (21), on piano.

The crowd was a good and polite one. Perhaps, it was a little strange to see more than 3,000 pack the Arena of Stars just to watch one solo artiste, but full credit to Marx for keeping them interested and entertained. The masses, without a doubt, were certainly satisfied that night.

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Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

Khamis, 15 Disember 2011

The Star Online: Entertainment: Music

The Star Online: Entertainment: Music

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