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| Sunday, 2 January 2005 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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The sixties came alive by Mahes Perera The opening chords of the Shadow's hit 'Shazam' by the original Jetliners switched on an evening of music of the 60s at the BMICH on Sunday December 19 that will long be remembered and treasured.
The Jetliner Reunion Concert was truly amazing, in that the members after such a long time came together to perform to their fans with the same professional verve and vitality they were associated with, in their halcyon days. The rhythm section with Indra Raj on guitar, Felix Fernando - bass, Anton Gunewijeya - rhythm guitar and Harris Jurangpathy drums, re-created with ease the fascination of the Shadows repertoire performing selections like Shadoogie, Quartermasters Stores, Foot Tapper, Wooly Bully and more including the catchy Midrun. It was a pleasure to hear and see Indra Raj still slick and casual with his fretwork that breathed the Shadows fire, and Harris Jurangpathy sounding strong on the skins. Not forgetting the throbbing bass of Felix Fernando and Anton Gunewijeya's supportive rhythm guitar. The first set of vocals, was performed by Ishan Bahar who sang 'Young Ones', 'Summer Holiday,' 'On The Beach' and later on in the show 'Funny Feeling I'm Falling in Love With You' and more with the Ishan aplomb. Mignonne's vocal entry was the appropriate 'Those Were The Days' - sung with a great deal of enthusiasm that immediately drew her fans to her. There were other songs too 'My Boy Lollipop', 'Mangala Mohotha' which she dedicated to her late husband and Manager of Jetliners Tony Fernando, a vibrant Pata Pata which included audience participation and a rousing Bombay Meri Hai. Her keyboard artistry and arrangements played an important part in the presentation. She was assisted on a second keyboards by Cumar Pieris. Sohan Pieris back on the Sri Lankan stage swung into the ballads 'Man Without Love', 'Ten Guitars', 'Release Me', 'Green Green Grass of Home' 'Mohair Sam', 'Black is Black', 'Delilah' and 'I Got No Satisfaction' that were lapped up by the audience. The Original Jetliners Re-Union Concert proved that age was no barrier for showmanship in the music industry which is missing in today's scene. Their dedication and commitment to their music came through with strength in their performance on stage. The programme was packed with delightful hits of the 60s too numerous to mention due to space. What a selection they pulled out from the musical chest! Congratulations! ######## A house music DJ by Mahes Perera History, Geography, and Maths had a fascination for Pradeep Kodikara when he was in school.
But greater than these books of knowledge was the magnetic vibes of deejaying, and he told himself that when he walks out of the portals of his alma mater he would become a professional DJ. He was crazy about DJaying then and still is confesses DJ Pradeep who now spins grooves at the Blue Elephant, Hilton, Colombo. Prior to this, DJ Pradeep started off with Footwork, then joined Sathi Watson of Entertainment Unlimited entertaining the dancers at the Little Hut for nearly three years and later switched his interests to the Cascades night club at Oberoi before he settled for the Blue. What's your preference in music? 'Personally I like house music, some tribal and a bit of r&b which is being played at the Blue. Paul Young and Mike & the Mechanics are two of my favourite singers. At the Blue we play the music from the '70s and '80s and we can proudly claim that many of the commercial songs that are played over the radio, first got airing at the Blue. How do you keep the dancers on the floor? "If I play music that I like and people dance to it immediately, I'm happy. But if there are some rhythms I spin and people don't like it I feel down hearted! Back to back with the music is what I like and many people do too, because people come to listen and dance to the music". Did you not want to be radio DJ? "No. Because I find it a little boring. As a radio DJ I find it difficult to reach out to the people. I need to see them and make them dance - that is why I enjoy club DJaying. Catch DJ Pradeep at the Blue during the week and at the weekend too. When he's not spinning grooves at the Blue console he's into watching science fiction movies or playing pool. Check him out! |
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