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| Sunday, 16 January 2005 |
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Air Supply in Colombo: Sheer excellence by Mahes Perera Air Supply's much hyped concert was sheer entertainment with many plus points not experienced by us Sri Lankans in a long time. The presentation and performance prowess by two star singers belonging to the older generation in music was amazing.
Before going into details about their enthusiastic and tireless performance, mention must be made of the sophisticated and colourful lighting that enhanced the visual aspect of the show, and most important of all the good technical balance and separation of the instruments and voice that was professionally constant right throughout the concert. Graham Russell the south paw guitarist and Russell Hitchcock reached out to the audience from their opener 'Now and Forever' a ballad sung solo by Russell and what was to follow were certainly surprises to the audience. They swung into a semi-rock 'Shadow of the Sun' from their' Across the Concrete Sky' album, switched on to 'Even The Nights Are better', 'One More Chance and then finding that the audience was seated too far from them compelled the audience to get their chairs closer to the stage or stand round the stage which Air Supply's fans promptly did and thus got involved completely with their music - clapping, screaming and dancing with happiness, and often joining in with the singing. Russell and Graham traded their lead vocals, each voice remarkably distinct and together their vocals as acclaimed was one of the most recognisable blends in pop. Graham Russell's perfect falsetto harmony in most of the songs was stunning.
As the evening proceeded Russell Hitchcock threw security and caution to the winds, hopped down from the stage, mingled with the audience and sang his heart out to the screaming delight of his fans. The twosome thrilled their long time fans and the new ones with most of their well known hits including 'Goodbye' 'Faith in Love', 'Here I Am', 'Two Less Lonely People', 'You Are The One That I Love,' 'Lost in Love,' 'You're Everything A Woman,', 'Making Love Out Of Nothing at All.' Graham Russells theatrical introductions to their selections was in itself entertainment par excellence. He didn't lose out on the opportunity to have a jab at the always late Sri Lankans! His solo contribution 'Why' - guitar and voice,' was a song he was asked to write for the wedding of his friend and with his spoken word introduction he just kept you with him. In fact, the patter by both of them and the intensity of their performances was really awesome. They radiated energy that was unbelievable. Air Supply's backing trio of younger generation musicians was fabulous. They complemented the singers. The fabulous Jed Moss on piano, Mike Zerbe the exciting drummer and the dynamic bassist Jonni Lightfoot, who is also the music director for Air Supply, together gave that extra thrust to the performance and their understanding with the singers was great. 'Mutton Chops' as the trio mentioned in an interview the day before the concert turned out to be an exciting jazz fusion, admirably performed by the trio. Two encores from Air Supply was a fitting finale to this awesome concert. |
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