Online edition of Sunday Observer

Lets face it, who doesn't like to be number one. And number one among the stars is probably something like a miracle. A dream which came to be for Geoffrey and Corinne at the Golden Clef Awards Nite 2002, held at the BMICH a few weeks ago. Yes Singer of the Year-Male and Singer of the Year-Female, Geoffrey Fernando and Corinne Almeida clinched The Award. Each took it in a style of his/her own, Geoffrey refreshing our memory on what "Purple Rain" was about, inviting Kevin and Damien, who were the other nominees for the award and performing a gig impromptu, while Corinne's daringly, unexpected "outspoken", bold, outburst, about "cats and dogs" shook everyone up, probably outraging a few. Want to know what these guys say about their actions, their award, their music and themselves? We took the question home, in which Geoff (probably due to being a man) gave brief, short answers, and Corinne (hey, we're women aren't we?) supplied the necessary fully explained details.

by Farah Macan Markar
Pix :- Chinthaka Kumarasinghe, Thilak Perera and Priyantha Hettige

Geoff: It was good, but I feel they should have had more awards. I guess it's because it was for the first time after some years.

Geoff: I just felt like doing it. It was something that came to me on the spot.

Me: Singing together all of a sudden like you guys did, how did you all coordinate it all together?

Geoff: It was easy. Having performed together before, we know each other's ways, where to pick up our part and put it together.

Geoff: It was nice to be back on stage with Kevin and Damien, performing together.

Geoff: Geoffrey Fernando? Don't know him. As for me, I enjoy what I do and do it. Sing and play.

Geoff: I liked music from small days. I have a big family and we were all into music, so I kind of grew up with it.

Geoff: I play with my band "Blind Faith". We play 60's, 70's, Rock N Roll, and Rhythm N Blues. Real, listenable music which people enjoy to listen. Not the guitar screaming kind of stuff.

Geoff: I think it's good. It was very small, but has grown through the years. New bands are entering the scene and people are listening to them, recognising the talent these guys have.

Geoff: I studied at St. Thomas' Kotte. It was an excellent mixed school. I was exposed to a lot of pretty ladies. Had a ball of a time.

Geoff: Ya. I'm trying to do a three hour work out a day. Still haven't been able to do it though.

Geoff: It was the best band I have ever played in. Learnt a lot in it. However we were all different people and had to go our own ways. It's not something that can get back together, but I have some good memories of it.

Me: Just one question more. If you don't mind me asking. Er...How old are you?

Geoff: Well I'm old enough to be your father. I'm forty six. And lastly about the Golden Clef. It was good. But I feel "Ultimate" and "Misty" should have won some kind of an award. They are good bands who work very hard.

Corinne: Great. But I have mixed feelings. I felt the other two nominees Mariazelle and Yasmin were good too. I guess the judges saw something extra in me. I also feel we do not have enough up coming young singers, especially female ones. I belong to the old lot of singers. I won at the last Golden Clef Awards which was held in 1994 and am still holding onto my place this year. Where are the younger faces?

Corinne: The show was good, but I feel it could have been better. I guess every show has its short comings. In this one, I felt they shouldn't have had that skit in Desmond's act. Desmond's a professional singer, and having that kind of a skit during it, cheapened it. I also feel they should have featured all the nominees on stage. What happened was that some of the nominees performed, while others didn't, which wasn't very fair. I feel all should have been given the chance to do so.

Corinne: I definitely want to speak about that one. Before getting the award, there were a few people telling me that if I were to win, I should thank this one and that one. I don't like being forced or obligated to do anything. Other people may have helped me, but it was in the end, me, my talent and hard work which made me a winner. So I just went and thanked my friends and rushed off the stage. However there are a lot of people who I am thankful to, whom I didn't mention on stage that night. The first would be God, for giving me my talent. I wouldn't be here otherwise. The second would be my mum, for all her support and encouragement. And also my fans. Fans play a major role for any entertainer. Your success depends a lot on how they receive and accept you.

Corinne: Yes. I went to Clancy's, which is basically Geoff's place. Wildfire were playing that night, and Derek invited Geoff and me to sing a few songs. So we sang, ate dinner and went home.

Corinne: I feel the newcomers should be more serious where music is concerned. They should be more serious about their music, and not just their personalities and looks. We also do need more faces in the western music industry. We do get a few good ones, but they come and go. They perform well and then go abroad.

They don't stick on. So a lot of talent strays away from the country and we don't have enough left. It would be nice if the new bands who are coming up stay on. I believe if you take music seriously and stick around you can get around. The important thing is not to just come in and then go out, but to stick around and sustain your place in it.

Corinne: Yes. Well I first started singing when I was nine years old. I sang for a couple of years, took a break and am now singing again. I've worked with a couple of bands before, but for the last twelve years I've been with the "Gypsies", who is my favourite band, and whom I'm most comfy with. When I'm with them everything works. The music, the mike, the lighting and I just sing. I also perform for dances, concerts and tours. On the 25th of this month I will be leaving for Bahrain for a tour.

Corinne: I like to sing all kinds of songs, old and new. However due to my job, I'm kind of restricted in a way. My theory is that if your're booked to do something, you've got to do it according to the time, place and people. You've got to sing for the audience. Otherwise it's useless. You may be the best singer in the world, but if you don't sing for the audience, they will get bored, and you could lose that audience. And we singers are entertainers, and entertainers need an audience to entertain.

Corinne: When I go on stage I go ga ga. I forget about the audience, the band, the cameramen, and everyone. I'm just myself and sing. And when I sing I sing it my way. I don't imitate any singer. I give it a piece of my own and make it a part of me.

Corinne: I think I'll leave that for my family and friends to answer. Well I'm friendly, straightforward and outspoken.

Corinne: Singing means a lot to me. In our family, my father used to have this box guitar and would sing and play for us at home. He always encouraged us to sing. He died twelve years ago. I'm sad he is no longer here to see where my brother and I are today. He would have been so proud to share this moment.