Mahes Perera
The name `Midnight Mist’ may have a veiled connotation, but the name
certainly brought loads of luck to singer Beverley Nathanielsz who was
back home in Sri Lanka to enjoy a brief holiday. `Midnight Mist’ was the
name we had for my band. Mariazelle was with the band then and we
recorded the song `Kandy Lamissi’. We never thought that it would turn
out be such a big hit and is now in the books as an evergreen,” exclaims
Beverley, who migrated to Australia in 1983, but never lost touch with
the land of his roots.
 Four years ago he left Cross Connection led by Gordon Mayo in
Melbourne and formed Midnight Mist, in Melbourne, and in fact was
cutting short his holiday to rush back to play for a 50th birthday
celebration on Friday, May 1, the `Isipathana Dinner Dance’ on May 2 and
the `Lion’s Club Dance’ on Saturday, May 9.
“This year we have a crowded schedule, but before I go into that
readers and musicians in Sri Lanka would be curious to know the members
of my group. There’s Carl Jayasinghe on bass, Jesse Jansz on drums,
Ranmali Jayasuriya, the female singer, Joe Menezes on keyboards with
Walter Fernandez - lead guitar.
“Midnight Mist” is essentially a dance band playing covers of the
hits of the 60’s to the 80’s. Contd from page 08
Without exaggeration I can say that we handle the majority of the
dances in Melbourne,” says Beverley. Musicwise is there a difference in
playing for Sri Lankan and Australian dancers?” Most of our audiences at
the dances are Sri Lankans so we give the audience what they want, what
they grew up with.
We are a disciplined band, I ensure that. We start on time we change
our programme sets for every event and thereby overcome the sameness
feeling. Amongst the Sri Lankan bands the competition is high. In
Melbourne there are four Sri Lankan bands - there’s Replay, Destiny,
Rendezvous and us Midnight Mist.
 We really don’t have to worry so much about the Australian bands
because they are “one type bands” meaning their repertoire will only be
60’s music, or reggae or 70’s music, whereas Sri Lankan bands have a
mixed repertoire and that amazes the Australian bands, and makes us
popular”.You mentioned you have a crowded schedule in Melbourne. what
are the events?
“We are booked for the Josephian Dinner Dance, the Methodist College
and Ladies College celebrations in June, the Holy family Convent’s,
Bambalapitiya and Dehiwela Dances, St. Bridget’s Convent, Nalanda
College, Wesley College, St. Lawrence’s Convent and even the 80 Club
former members celebrations. Of course New Year’s Eve will be with the
Lions Club and proceeds will go towards “Cervical Cancer Fund”.
The spool back session with Beverley was interesting. He related
anecdotes and humorous incidents when he started off his musical career
here in Sri Lanka with his first band Good Vibrations and Darryl de
Silva, the Oceanites with Kingsley and Trevor Wijesuriya, Inner Circle
from Negombo, the Victory Super Set with Patrick Davidson, Gerard Perera,
Thilak Samarakoon and Maxie Pietersz and Charade with Hussain Jiffrey,
Shiraaz Noorawith, Hilary Christie and Clifford de Anderson. Some of
them he was able to meet and that made him happy.
“I hope the next time
I come back I will be able to meet more of my musician friends to swap
stories of those crazy days of our lives”.
Sing with Cliff
Mahes Perera
Entertainment for the whole family will be something to be looked
forward to in Kandy when the well-known entertainer. Singer and compere
Clifford Richards will stage his `Sing Along’ on Sunday, May 17 at the
Mahaweli Reach Hotel commencing 6.30 p.m. Clifford will be backed by the
popular band in Kandy, Michael and the Hezonites. Tickets for the show
will be available at the venue and also at all leading supermarkets in
Kandy.
 A `Sing Along’ with Clifford spells solid entertainment with lots of
fun and surprises. A song book containing a variety of many evergreen
English and Sinhala favourites will be given free at the entrance.
Nilanthi Dias will be in the spotlight as well executing the dances
she is now famous for.It’s been a long time this kind of entertainment
been seen in Kandy.“No. There was one at Earl’s Regency recently and I’m
the second.
“The response for musical shows in Kandy has always been good,
because in Kandy we have a large music loving community and they never
fail to support us”.Your programme for the evening will it reach out to
the young?
“My repertoire for that day will not contain hip hop, but a lot of
young audience do turn up and they take part in the singing. When I walk
around with the mike, if I see a young person able to sing what I have
chosen, I make him/her sing it on the mike, and I’m happy when they
respond. They need to have a base like we had, to know how to appreciate
music”.What would your next involvement be after this Sing Along?
“I’m having my Solo Concert on June 21 with guest stars Mariazelle
and Dalreen.
The backing band will be Lincoln and his Super Pink ‘N Purple and I
intend featuring dances by Channa and his troupe and Kevin and his El
Latino dances”.
But before all that don’t forget to make the date with Clifford
Richards next Sunday and sing your throat hoarse with happiness.
Cielito Linda in Mexican style
Next week you have the opportunity to enjoy the lilting songs from
Mexico when the singing Chefs Roberto and Sergio invite you to sample
their delicious and tempting cuisine at the Cinnamon Grand from May
14-24. Songs like Besame Mucho, Cielito Linda, La Cucaracha, Malaguena,
Corrido and Cucurrucucu Paloma will be tossed around for your
distinctive pleasure.
Mexican songs have a fascination all their own and despite the
passage of time and the development of music catchy Mexican songs have
acquired an evergreen status like the flavoured Mexican dishes Chillie
Con Carne and Guacomole. |
