Entertainment

Country chestnuts from Red Sand

by Mahes Perera

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Red Sand, led by Adrian Pietersz - guitarist and vocalist, have in their own way generated and sustained the interest in country and western music. With his smooth vocals and guitar artistry Adrian whose musical influences are Chet Atkins, The Shadows and Glen Campbell, returned to Sri Lanka recently after performing a long contract in the Maldives.

“When I came back, I thought that it was the right time to revive my band and with my earlier members Rohan Silva - pedal steel guitar/vocals, Kumara Fernando - lead guitar and vocals we decided to re-group and started playing at Trans Asia.

We have a new and young keyboardist Chula Van Cuylengerg and we are now featured at Trans Asia on Fridays and at Chopsticks, Nawala on Saturdays.Country and western music has always been a firm favourite with me,” reveals Adrian.

Adrian who learnt guitar artistry from Jude Pieris and vocal stylings from Lyle Godridge began his music career performing solo at Mount Royale before he formed Red Sand with pedal steel guitarist Rohan Silva.

He decided to make it a larger group, a five piece band, and was regular at Taj Exotica, Bentota.But he continued with his solo gigs and was seen often on Sundays at Holiday Inn, before he decided to play in the Maldives.

“Playing in Maldives was good - the cosmopolitan audiences enjoyed my selections which also included besides country, the hits of the 60’s and 70’s,” Adrian has his say.

Happy to be back and playing with long time colleagues Rohan Silva and Kumara Fernando, Adrian Pietersz invites you to enjoy the country chestnuts of yesteryear as well as the modern day country hits when they perform at their weekly venues.

The dance vibes are cool... the tempo is strict...

by Mahes Perera

If you are at a loose end this Saturday and you would run a mile from electronic music, then retrack and catch the cool unplugged sounds of the quartet Ernest and Combo when they make their weekly appearance at the California Grill on Saturdays and during the week on Thursdays.

The band’s strict tempo dance music has always been a major attraction and since there is hardly another band today playing this brand of music, Ernest and Combo have gained considerable popularity.

Dance music in strict tempo is today on the resurgence globally despite the active prevalence of hip hop and the emergence of unlimited new singers and bands in this idiom.

“I formed the Combo about six years ago and concentrated on strict tempo dance music in a scene where pop and rock were holding sway.

The California Grill is suitable for my type of music. I was formerly in the Navy Band and under the Director Vasantha Kumar learnt a lot from him,” says Ernest who hails from a musical family. Are you happy with your present group? “Yes, I am. Apart from our gigs at the California Grill we also play for other cocktails or sit down dinners, and special occasions.”

The band comprises Ernest Francis a pianist with a great deal of experience behind him, Nesan Thyagarajan one of the leading drummers and percussionists.

Saxophonist Dayananda Madanayake sails through on ballads that were popular and are now standards. Completing the quartet is Rex Fernando on the now rarely seen other than at classical music concerts acoustic bass which gives the band a different sound that has resulted in popularity.

The music at the California Grill is one of the best in town and the Galadari Hotel has unveiled a new menu and great music line up for dancing. Besides Ernest Combo, Ernest and Paul Pereira will keep you entertained with piano music on Tuesdays, Sundays, Mondays and Fridays. It’s a fine musical experience.

CATS sing-a-long

Two Sundays from today the Catamaran sports Club (CATS) will stage the CATS Sing-a-long at the Ran Mal in Gorakana, Moratuwa. Commencing at 6.30 pm sing-a-long lovers are invited to participate and sing their hearts out to the musical backing of Super Pink in Purple led by Lincoln de Silva.

The program for the day will include English and Sinhala golden oldies and special spots by Annesley Malewana and Sohan Weerasinghe.

“The sing-a-long’ according to the Secretary Priya Peiris “will also feature a galaxy of musical stars together with the abundance of musical talent available within the club membership and their kinsfolk. Songs ranging from Daisy, Red River Valley, Beautiful Brown Eyes to Living Doll and Words will be sung.”

Tickets are now being sold at the Catamaran Sports Club and a free song book will be given to all ticket holders.

A ticket draw and other interesting amusements will be held. The show will be threaded together by Bevil Palihawadena. MP

Dirk, Astrid and Amelie - in centre stage

Singer and guitarist Dirk Maverick will be in live action at today’s Country Roads XVI at the Mount Lavinia Hotel. Together with his band Steve Bohn - bass/vocals, Dietman Waechtler - pedal steel guitar and Stefan Sperling - guitar/vocals. The country glitz in by Astrid Brooke and Amelie Chevalier.