The Star Online: Entertainment: Music
The Star Online: Entertainment: Music |
| Posted: 06 Oct 2012 01:17 AM PDT Keane's Strangeland takes fans back to a familiar place. MOST people, if not everyone, deserves a second chance," said Tom Chaplin, lead singer of British band Keane. Chaplin was talking about the band's latest album, Strangeland, in an interview last week in Singapore, where Keane performed in a one-night-only concert. "With Perfect Symmetry (the band's previous studio album), we decided to ... produce it ... ourselves...." said Chaplin, hesitantly whispering the last few words, and looking a little sheepish about it. His amusing behaviour was a little confusing, at least to this writer. Not only did Perfect Symmetry do well on the music charts, but critics thought it was a wonderful piece of work, too. Musically, it showed a different side of Keane – a nice change over something that may be in danger of becoming too familiar and manufactured. So why then did Chaplin sound so defensive? "Well ... we sort of cut corners," he began, before admitting that there are a few things that he and his bandmates – bassist/guitarist Jesse Quinn, drummer Richard Hughes and piano/lead songwriter Tim Rice-Oxley – wish they could change in Perfect Symmetry. "We did it in a rush, so of course there are a few things that we could have done better in the album. For Strangeland, though, I feel that we were more organised when we recorded it. We took our time because we wanted to be sure of things, we wanted to be certain that we had great songs. "I think it was good that it was a long and organised process, it's better that way," said Chaplin. Quinn added, "When we finished the album, it was really finished. With Perfect Symmetry there was always that feeling of wanting to fiddle away at stuff even though everything was done." For Strangeland, the band sought the help of producer Dan Grech, who did The Vaccines' album, What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?, last year. Critics are at odds over Strangeland; some think of it as a step back for the band in terms of originality, while others love the fact that Keane is back to doing what it does best – unpretentious indie rock tunes with a predominant piano/keyboard base. "The album is uplifting, I think. In a way, it depicts our journey as a band. If I have to be philosophical about it, I'd say that Strangeland touches on things that one goes through, about the ebb and flow of life. There's always something to be hopeful about, and that what we want (the album to convey)," Chaplin explained. During the concert, held at the Max Pavilion hall on the massive Singapore Expo grounds, Keane put on a strong two-hour show featuring 23 of its top hits and some rarely-heard tracks. The size of the crowd was decent – just under 5,000 – but seemed underwhelming for a hall that huge. It was also disappointing that the big screens at the sides of the stage were not put to use; those who were seated at the back would have appreciated them, surely. That said, though, Keane's performance was so powerful that it did not matter that you couldn't really see any of the band members' facial expressions, just listening to the music was enough. "We've always been more 'muscular' live compared to what we sound like on the album. It makes you feel like there are more strings to your bow," said Quinn, referencing a review of Strangeland by BBC's Chris Roberts, in which he wrote, "... Keane lack blood, guts and muscle." Although there (thankfully) wasn't any blood or guts at the concert, the band did show some muscle in its performance. Chaplin's falsetto vocals were top-notch that night, delivering each song without much difficulty or fuss, something which this writer did not expect. Rice-Oxley, as usual, was great on the piano and keyboards, duly complemented by Quinn's guitars and Hughes' percussion. The singer went acoustic for the song Your Eyes Open (from the band's epic debut album, Hopes And Fears), which the crowd seemed to appreciate. Perhaps a different song choice would have garnered a more spirited response from everyone. Quiet moments were few and far between at the concert, as Keane paced itself well throughout the two hours. Chaplin did not engage in much banter with the audience, though he did manage to blurt out the usual pleasantries – "How are you, Singapore?" and "Thanks for coming to see us!" Still, nobody seemed to mind the lack of conversation because the band kept its focus on playing each track perfectly (although there were some minor technical audio glitches here and there). During Is It Any Wonder?, one of the last few songs that night, the crowd went wild as soon as the sharp opening guitar riffs started to cut through the hall. The same kind of reception was accorded to the more familiar songs like Everybody's Changing, Silenced By The Night, This Is The Last Time, Crystal Ball and the band's biggest hit to date, Somewhere Only We Know. Much love was also given to new songs from Strangeland, including Disconnected, Sovereign Light Cafe and the title track itself. The were rumours that the band would also play its cover version of Queen and David Bowie's Under Pressure, which is found on Keane's 2007 B-sides album, The Night Sky. Unfortunately, a large part of the crowd had started exiting the hall right after the first encore set, so the band probably decided not to return for a final stint. Nevertheless, it wasn't a disappointing end to the night. Keane had put up a good show with a sizeable songlist, and its fans seemed happy enough to have seen the band live. A fussy pundit might pick at every minute detail of the concert, but Keane – a band whose music is heavily criticised and scrutinised each time it comes up with something new – shrugs it off like a pro these days. "We just play music that we want to play. That's what excites us more than anything," concluded Quinn succinctly. >Strangeland is distributed by Universal Music. |
| Posted: 06 Oct 2012 01:16 AM PDT Zainal Abidin wants to relay some positive messages in his unplugged concert. WITH an illustrious career spanning 32 years, singer Zainal Abidin promises to give fans his most intimate and personal concert ever in the upcoming "Zainalabidin Damai Unplugged" concert this weekend. Accompanied by 16 musicians from the National Symphony Orchestra's (OSK) strings section, as well as a 10-member band led by music director Faizal Uzir (or better known as Loke U), Zainal will take fans down memory lane during his concert at Istana Budaya in Kuala Lumpur, performing a list of his most memorable songs. The setlist will include hits from his early singing career with pop band Headwind, as well as tracks from his Roslan Aziz Productions days, right up to the present. You can expect songs like Hijau, Ikhlas Tapi Jauh, Puteri and Kau Di Hatiku (featured on the soundtrack album of Disney's Tarzan), which were taken from albums like Zainalabidin, Orak Orek and Gamal, to be on the list. "This is going to be my first unplugged concert at such a big scale. But no, I'm not nervous. I'm a performer with more than 30 years of experience; I'll give my best," said Zainal at a recent press conference. When asked why he chose "Damai" or peace as the theme of his concert, Zainal said that it (the theme) was timely. "Look around us. Lately, whenever I read the news I have to admit that I feel a bit uneasy. There are just too many issues going on that affect our peace. "After 55 years of independence, why do we have to break apart?" he asked. "Damai means peace in Bahasa Malaysia and the concert is really about peace – between people of different races, religions and backgrounds, and our environment. I want people who attend the concert to experience this peace, harmony and freedom. This is the message that I hope to share with my fans during the concert – through my songs and also via a dialogue we will do in between performances," said Zainal who believes that music can be a powerful tool to drive home messages of hope. "Maybe, this is what Malaysians and the country need right now. The Damai concert will be a terrific setting for us to connect with one another and I feel thrilled and humbled to have this opportunity to do so," said the 53-year-old father of four, adding that he will also include folks songs such as Suriram, Oh Bulan, Burung Kakak Tua, Kenek-keneklah Udang and Can Mali Can in his repertoire for both nights. Presented by ZI Production, the concert will screen some video clips that depict war and devastation, as a reminder that peace is not to be taken for granted. Zainal will also preview two singles – Kamu and Alam – from his upcoming new studio album, Kompas, due to be released later this year. "Everyone keeps asking when I am going to put out a new album. Kompas is to be co-produced by my old friend, Mac Chew, and myself. However, Mac is extremely busy in China at the moment. Once he returns, we can proceed to do vocals for three more songs," Zainal shared. This will be his seventh solo album after Zainal Abidin (1991), Orak Arek (1993), Gamal (1994), Terang ... Sang (1995), Refleksi Zainal Abidin (1999) and Puteri (2004). "Apart from Alam and Kamu which I will be singing at the concert, other tracks in the album are Tercipta Untukmu, Jauhari and Propaganda Nusantara. And all songs are written by Ajai. I know that Ajai is known for (creating) haunting ballads but there's so much more to the talented guy than that. You'll be surprised with Kompas," he concluded. n The Zainalabidin Damai Unplugged concert is staged at Istana Budaya in Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur, today and tomorrow at 8.30pm. Tickets are priced at RM83, RM123, RM183, RM223 and RM283, and are available from Ticketpro (03-7880 7999 / ticketpro.com.my). |
| Posted: 06 Oct 2012 01:04 AM PDT Mariachi music gets a shot in the arm with the setting up of a school that aspires to keep the art form alive. ALFONSO Reyes looked a bit nervous as he blew the first notes on his trumpet for the audition. "Don't worry, be calm, relax," trumpet teacher Federico Torres told Reyes after he got the beat wrong. "Softly now. One, two, three, four..." With the maestro's gentle prodding, the 28-year-old found his groove. Reyes had reason to be a little anxious during the audition. After all, if he hit the right notes, he would be among the first students to attend Mexico City's first mariachi school. For generations, Mexico's mariachis have passed their passion down to their children, teaching them how to play classics like El Rey or Cielito Lindo, which they had learned by ear from their fathers and mothers before them. But the new school in Mexico City wants to change that by awarding professional degrees, hoping to breathe new life into the folk bands known for their giant sombreros and "charro" suits adorned with silver buttons. "The school would remove this stigma of the mariachi only being good for fiestas or only being known for their clothes," Reyes said. "It would make mariachis more professional, and perfect the music." He was among 113 aspiring students, from 12 to 70 years old, who competed for 75 to 85 spots at the school, where they will be learn the right way to play the guitar, acoustic bass, violin, trumpet, harp and the guitar-like vihuela. And of course, they will all learn to sing the mariachi way – getting that "ay, ay, ay, ay!" cry just right. "We will refine the music, but we will not take away its flavour and spirit, otherwise we would lose the best part of Mexican music," said violin instructor Aaron Jimenez. While mariachi music dates back to the 19th century, Mexico counts few schools solely dedicated to the genre. A municipal school opened last year in Guadalajara, in the western state of Jalisco, the cradle of mariachi music. Mexico City's Ollin Yoliztli Mariachi School in Garibaldi will open on Monday with a three-year program capped by a "professional technician degree." It also plans to offer the country's first university-level mariachi diploma. "Many musicians seek to improve their technique," said school director Leticia Soto Flores. "We will do this through Mexican music." Struggling musicians The school is housed in a former nightclub in the rowdy Plaza Garibaldi, the home of Mexico City's mariachis, who sing for tipsy revellers at bars or wait for a Romeo to hire them to serenade their Julieta. A few mariachis wearing black charro suits were already waiting for customers on a recent weekday morning as potential students arrived for their auditions. Antonio Covarrubias, the secretary general of the Mexican Mariachi Union, hopes the school can help open new avenues for mariachis, who are struggling to find work in an overcrowded business. A mariachi ensemble can have as many as a dozen musicians and may charge around 4,000 pesos (RM630) an hour for a full band, or less when fewer musicians are involved. "It's harder to find work because of Mexico's economic situation," Covarrubias said. "Many young people who can't go to school want to become mariachis because they can make more money than in a factory." The music history and marketing classes offered at the school could give mariachis a solid base to work as studio musicians or in other genres, moving them away from the street performances, he said. He also hopes it can bring more creativity in a type of music whose repertoire dates back decades. "Rock or jazz musicians also play concerts but most of them spend time creating their own music," Covarrubias said. Keeping the tradition alive Mariachi music has evolved since the first bands emerged two centuries ago, beginning with string instruments only before the trumpet was added in the 1930s. Sotos Flores said the school would offer mariachi history classes, hoping to delve deeper into a Mexican cultural icon whose past has been mostly told through oral history. Even the origin of the name is disputed. Some believe it comes from the French word "mariage," from the time of the French presence in the 1860s. But others say it probably derives from an indigenous word. Claudia Guadalupe, 22, who auditioned for a spot as a violin player, said she wanted to learn the history of the music she learned from her father. The school can help "to save and elevate our culture, because we are losing it," said Guadalupe, who already plays in a mariachi band called "Los Potrillos" ("The Colts") in the village of Cuautitlan Izcalli. "I want to be able to teach it to the children where I live so that we don't lose it." – AFP |
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