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| Sunday, 3 October 2004 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Rumours go retro by Mahes Perera 'Retro Nites' seem to be in vogue these days, despite alternative rock or the head banging type of music sounds that teenagers go for in a big way at open air concerts. Surprising though that this group of young musicians were not that keen on boarding this band wagon. Rumours a highly talented five piece outfit enjoy themselves playing retro, classic and country rock. On Friday October 8 it will be a special 'Retro Night' staged by Rumours at the newly opened 'Zeema' nightspot a Russian Restaurant and Pub, at Union Place. "A musical evening of a different type has been planned out by the members of the band with the selection of a Retro King and Queen and a string of other surprises with prizes. We will be playing along with DJ Anoj of R & A Entertainment who will spin a wide repertoire of retro, and it's going out to be a fascinating night that should not be missed" says Neomal the leader of the pack who has been working hard to bring the band into centre stage. Since they formed early this year Rumours have had many outings at Clubs, Sports Clubs, Restaurants not only in Colombo but also in Kandy where they were featured at the Blackout. Neomal the leader picks no mean guitar, handles the vocals, in fact he bears the load of the vocals and as he proudly claims, "I can change my voice to suit the song." What's his repertoire? Well he moves through covers from Paul Simon to Santana to U2 to the Beatles, Bee Gees and Bob Marley. Duminda a self taught bassist who switched from piano to bass with ease, sings a lot of the harmony parts, has a penchant for country rock, handles the arrangements of the music and as the boys term him is a 'real go-getter!' Dayal the guitarist has in this short spell of time turned out to be a technically correct guitarist. He enjoys playing the hits of Guns Roses, Santana, Eagles and Eric Clapton. Sampath the keyboardist doubles up on guitar and piano and is crazy over the 'Gypsy Kings'. Finally keeping them all together, on stage is Narendra. With a lot of style, and his sticks and snare language he keeps pushing the group to give of their best which has resulted in many gigs for the group. Rumours reveal they intend moving into creating their original music which will give them a sound of their own. ##### Three friends and a CD It does not happen often, recording a CD to celebrate friendship. But it has happened in the case of three musician friends who have worked hard during the past few months to record their CD titled 'Samaramu Mithudam.' The musicians are keyboardist Kumar de Silva, guitarist Primal Liyanage and drummer Roshan de Silva and they hope to launch their concerted effort this month. The CD we understand contains eleven tracks of songs composed by the three musicians. Some of the themes are anti-drugs, on right living and of course songs of love. The lyrics are by Hemasiri Halpita, Gamini Dharmapriya, and also by the Threesome Roshan, Kumar and Primal. What is interesting in the music arrangement is the use of modern rhythms like r&b, Latin salsa, Carribean calypso, funk with 4 and 5 part harmony. ###### Bonsai 'Reflections 2004-Living Images', the Annual Exhibition of the Sri Lanka Bonsai Association will be held from October 8 to 10 at the Jayawardena Cultural Centre, at No. 191, Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 7, with the participation of the Japanese Ambassador Akio Suda as the Chief Guest.
The Sri Lanka Bonsai Association Secretary Shanti Fernando told the Sunday Observer that the main aims of Bonsai is to stimulate friendship and bring peace through the common bond of love of beauty. If the peace and tranquillity the Bonsai imparts is promoted, Sri Lanka is bound to be a glorious place. - RM ##### 'Silvermoon' - home soon Making successful waves in Berne, Switzerland is guitarist/vocalist Mano de Silva and his group 'Silvermoon'. With the band 'Rendezvous' he left for Switzerland along with the now name musicians Russell Fernando, Chitral Somapala and Udaya Welikala. 'Silvermoon' comprises his two young daughters Komali and Mihiri, both talented vocalists and keyboardists, and three European musicians Stefan Meier - drums, Willi Knuchel - keyboards and Eugen Antonioli - bass and vocals.
- Mahes Perera |
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| Produced by Lake House |
A large collection of Bonsai plants of very high standard will be
displayed at the exhibition. Sinhala and English demonstrations are to be
held on October 9 (Saturday) and 10 (Sunday) at 11 am and 4 pm.
'Silvermoon's repertoire include the current top 40 hits, standards and
as he tells us twenty five per cent of German, Italian and French songs.
Mano de Silva and his two young daughters will in all probability be in
Sri Lanka to be a part of the hectic festive season.
