The Star Online: Entertainment: Music
The Star Online: Entertainment: Music |
- A.R. Rahman brings music to the fore
- Top Model Sheena on Capital FM
- One Direction's Harry Styles puts bird poo on his face
| A.R. Rahman brings music to the fore Posted: 28 Apr 2014 09:00 AM PDT A.R. Rahman's latest concert may not hit all the notes, but it still displays his musical genius. When it comes to concerts, there are certain performers that come loaded with expectations. Indian composer, musician and singer A.R. Rahman, already of the stuff of Indian cinema legends, is undoubtedly one of them – with hundreds of hit film songs to his credit, not to mention two Academy Awards, two Grammy Awards, a Bafta award and a Golden Globe award for his work, you can't blame a fan for expecting to be blown away at one of his concerts. Hence why A.R. Rahman Infinite Love Live In Concert, held on April 26, was slightly underwhelming. It was an entertaining concert by most standards, and one would be hard-pressed to find many flaws; the sheer excitement of the 15,000 fans gathered at Stadium Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur, was testament enough to the huge following the man has worldwide, and the thrill of listening to his music performed live. The show only comes up short, however, in comparison to Rahman's own legacy. The problem seemed to be song selection and flow. It is completely understandable that Rahman would want to highlight his newer compositions at the concert, but with over two decades of songs to choose from, it is a pity that many of his older hits were not featured in the line-up. The pacing of the show seemed a little odd too, with one song shifting to the next rather abruptly, for instance a rendition of the classical-influenced Narumugaiye (from Iruvar) being immediately followed by the techno number Irumbile Oru Irudhaiyam (Enthiran), which then leads to the R&B-style Hosanna (Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa). That is not to say the three-and-a-half hour concert did not have its high points, and when they came, they were indeed sublime. Rahman has always had the magic touch when matching his compositions to singers, and this was amply proven at the concert. South Indian singer Mano, for instance, garnered the biggest cheers for his enthusiastic rendition of the 1990s superhit song Mukkabla (Kadhalan), which he performed with Neeti Mohan.  Singers Neeti Muhan (left) and Harshdeep Kaur (right) were on hand to entertain the 15,000 fans. Equally popular was a medley of hits that he performed with gusto, accompanied by vocalist Vijay Prakash, which included catchy numbers like Veerapandi Kottaiyile (Thiruda Thiruda), Kuchi Kuchi Rakkamma (Bombay) and Yen Peru Padayappa (Padayappa). Acclaimed singer Chitra, meanwhile, put her crystal clear voice on full display with numbers like Nenjinile (Uyire), Narumugaiye, and one of her earliest works with Rahman, Malargale (Love Birds). One of Indian cinema's most acclaimed singers, it was indeed a privilege to listen to her live. Vijay, meanwhile, blew the audience away with his mellifluous voice in an unplugged rendition of Ennavale (Kadhalan), accompanied by Rahman on piano and Naveen Kumar on the flute; a stirringly beautiful performance that displayed the strength of Rahman's melodies. A similarly understated segment was another of the show's highlights, an instrumental collaboration between Rahman, Naveen and mohan veena (a string instrument) player Vishwa Mohan Bhatt. Though without vocals, their performance of the hauntingly sad Uyire (Bombay) spoke volumes as the yearning strings and melancholic piano contrasted with the wails of the flute. In a lovely shift of tone, the trio next performed the lilting, youthful Chinna Chinna Aasai (Roja), Rahman's very first hit, much to the delight of the audience. Equally arresting was the Qawwali segment of the show, which saw Rahman, together with vocalists like Javed Ali and Mohit Chauhan, performing two of his Sufi-inspired numbers: Kun Faaya Kun (Rockstar) and Khwaja Mere Khwaja (Jodhaa Akhbar). The hypnotic rhythms, coupled with the soaring, layered vocals, made for excellent listening. Ironically, these low-key portions of the concert were more successful than some of the splashier performances, though the dynamic stage settings and wonderfully-choeographed background dancers did make for great visuals. While newer songs like those from upcoming movie Kochadaiiyaan and Jiya Re from Jab Tak Hain Jaan kept the crowd going, they weren't particularly memorable. Harshdeep Kaur and Neeti, however, performed an infectious version of Rahman's latest hit from Highway, Patakha Guddi, while Mohit's performance of rock anthem Sadda Haq, from Rockstar, definitely had the audience hyped up. Rahman's band and accompanying orchestra, too, deserve top marks for the sheer skill with which they performed the incredibly diverse numbers in the show. The concert wrapped up with Rahman's single Infinite Love, followed by his Oscar-winning song from Slumdog Millionaire, Jai Ho. It was a finale that had most of the audience on its feet, dancing to the catchy number, and it was not difficult to imagine most of them humming their favourite Rahman tune as they left. If only more of them had actually made it into the show itself, it would have been a perfect night. |
| Top Model Sheena on Capital FM Posted: 27 Apr 2014 09:00 AM PDT Catch Asia's Next Top Model Cycle 2 winner Sheena Liam on Capital Breakfast radio show. Sheena Liam, the first Malaysian to be crowned Asia's Next Top Model Cycle 2, will be speaking to the Capital Breakfast's (6am to 10am) Janice Yap and Pamela Chong on April 28. Liam will be sharing her views about fashion and the satisfaction that she derives from being a model. The editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar Malaysia, Natasha Kraal, will also be on the show to share insights on the role of fashion in giving inspirations and the rise of Asian models. For more information, log on to www.capitalfm.com.my or www.facebook.com/CapitalFM88.9 on Facebook. Capital FM is available on 88.9FM in the Klang Valley and 107.6FM in Penang. This week, 988 will be giving out passes to the Singapore movie Filial Party which stars Mark Lee, Christopher Lee, Ann Kok and Irene Ang. The movie is set in modern Singapore where reality TV game show I Am Filial has taken the nation by storm with its big cash money pledged for the winner who portrays exceptional filial piety. Tune in to 988's Good Show (weekday, 4pm to 8pm) with KK, May and Jason to win four screening passes to this comedy. The first caller through to answer one simple question correctly will attend the premiere at GSC Mid Valley, Kuala Lumpur on May 7. Listeners can also win two screening passes by logging on to www.988.com.my and answer one simple question. Brian McKnight will be performing at the Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur on May 9. His work has earned him 16 Grammy Award nominations and he has collaborated with some of urban music's biggest names including Mariah Carey, P.Diddy, Justin Timberlake and Nelly. Starting this week, you stand a chance to win tickets to Brian McKnight's show by tuning in to Red FM and Suria FM. Be the first SMS through and answer one simple question on Brian McKnight correctly to win two tickets. And during the bonus hour on Red FM, you will walk away with a pair of VIP passes. For more information, log on to www.red.fm and www.suriafm.com.my. |
| One Direction's Harry Styles puts bird poo on his face Posted: 26 Apr 2014 03:55 AM PDT The popular singer apparently has acne problems and would try almost anything to remedy that. Harry Styles has been having bird poo facials. The One Direction star has been having droppings rubbed onto his face as part of an intensive course of treatments, traditionally known in Japan as the "Geisha facial", in a desperate bid to clear up his acne before the group's world tour begins. A source told the Daily Star newspaper: "Harry's been having a bird poo facial everyday in the run-up to the tour. He doesn't want to be as spotty as he's been in the past. He's really struggled with his skin over the years." It's thought Styles heard about the unusual treatment – made with powdered excrement from a nightingale bird, rice bran and water – through his tattoo artist, Freddy Negrete, who assured the singer that the facial is a favourite with Hollywood stars such as Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. While the facial is said to have an unpleasant smell, the coveted treatments can cost anywhere from £100 (RM450) a session, but it's not like Styles can't afford it. It is also thought the 20-year-old hunk is seeing positive results already as the formula includes toning and anti-wrinkle agents. The source added: "So far (Harry's) happy with the results. It's given him a really glowing look." Styles and his bandmates Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson kick off their "Where We Are" world tour in Colombia this weekend. — Bang Showbiz |
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