“There is many a story that must be told
Of the Country Music Foundation
We’ve been raising money, and spirits and hope
They’re all for the children.”
Wrote British folk singer Astrid Brooks and she sang along with local and foreign artistes to celebrate 25 years of the concert “Country Roads” in Sri Lanka. It was held on Sunday, 17th February 2013 at the main ballroom of the Hilton Hotel.
Cowboy hats and colourful scarves with scattered straw depicting stables provided the ambience and many members of the audience wore cowboy attire. “As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the CMF(Country Music Foundation) and “Country Roads”, we look back with nostalgia at the stand-out features of this iconic concert series, the longest running in South Asia and applaud the musicians from near and far.”said journalist and singer Feizal Samath, CMF Founder.
“You say it best when you say nothing at all…Without saying a word you light up the dark” sang Mariazelle Goonetilleke who opened the show. She had sung at the very first “Country Roads” concert where she sang “Silver Threads and Golden Needles” and she sang it again and the audience clapped along.
Then came the “Cosmic Rays” a band which packed action as they sang “Seven Spanish Angels” followed by “Blowing in the Wind”. “It’s just a Vertical Expression of Horizontal Desire” came next and then the lead singer of the group belted out “Cottage in the Country”, a song about a son who has left home and the parents who are longing for his return.
“Cosmic Rays” then sang the Englebert hit “Just Wanna Dance the Night Away” while the enthusiastic audience clapped to the beat.
Folk and Country Singer Astrid then came on stage with her guitar and gave a sweet rendition of the song “The Gambler” and said it was for her Mum. It was followed by the Tammy
Wynette hit “Stand By Your Man” echoing the words, “Oh, if you love him, be proud of him. After all, he’s just a man…”
Astrid then asked the audience to sing along as she voiced “Working Nine to Five” She said that Dolly Parton was one of her favourite singers and she conversed with the crowd by quoting Dolly, “The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you’ve got to put up with the rain.” After a couple of other numbers, she sang “The Sweetest Gift”, a mother’s smile.
She then sang Canadian singer Shenaya Twain’s song “You’re Still the One”: ”The one I belong to, the one I dream of…”
After the interval, Feizal and Jury sang,
“You fill up my senses…like a night in the forest,
Like a sleepy blue ocean…Come fill me again.”
(“Annie’s Song”)
Feizal then gave a tribute to all the volunteers who had helped “in our amazing journey spanning 25 years”: “You should see the bright eyes of the children when they get something like a drop of water which is very precious in the village. Things that you and I take for granted.”he said.
He spoke of American singer Bob Livingston who had joined “Country Roads” and had even accompanied him to a Tsunami Camp in Panadura where Bob had delighted the children by singing “Old McDonald” teaching them to sing the chorus.
“Thousands of children across Sri Lanka from places including Monaragala, Hambantota, Vavuniya, Jaffna, Puttalam, Anuradhapura and Medawachchiya have been touched by the generosity of the musicians, our sponsors and patrons of the concerts in raising millions of rupees to support their needs.”said Feizal.
Bob played the guitar and mouth organ while he sang “Cowboys and Indians” revealing his vast repertoire by yodeling as well. He also sang “I Fell into a Ring of Fire” while the audience clapped and sang along. He spoke of his little son Trevor who had given him the title of the song “Love Cannot be Broken”which he sang accompanied by Rashana on the tabla, a fusion of music from East and West.
Astrid and Bob sang “Blowing in the Wind” in harmony. Then the lighting changed and the mind-blowing “Mavericks” from Germany came on stage belting out “Speedy Gonzales” while the audience clapped along.
“Girl, girl, girl, I feel my temperature rising…it’s coming closer, flames are licking my body…”sang the drummer of the “Mavericks” to the tune of “Burning Love” by Elvis Presley. The group then put on dark glasses and sideburns, white jacket and shawl and even gyrated the pelvis as Elvis Lookalikes while they sang an Elvis Medley of “Hound Dog” “Jailhouse Rock” and “Blue Suede Shoes”.
The “Mavericks” led by Dirk Maverick then sang a Johnny Cash number followed by “You are My Sunshine”. He first asked the ladies in the audience to sing followed by the men and then all were asked to sing together. The audience participated enthusiastically as they sang “Cottonfields”.
The concert ended with all the singers appearing on stage to sing “Country Roads ”in harmony.
Comments from the audience:
Ruwani Wickremaratne said, “I loved the show. I liked the music and it was after a long time.”
Pamela Ferdinand said,”It’s the first time I’ve come for “Country Roads” I rea d about it in thepaper and wanted to come. I really enjoyed it and it’s also for a good cause.”
Upali Jayatilleke commented, “I was on the same flight as Astrid and she told me to come for the show so I collected a crowd andcame.. The show was exceptionally good. It should be advertised so people should be aware of the concert and the cause.”
Johnny Heyn remarked, “I’ve sung on this show two or three times. I like Folk and Country Music. It’s lovely to have foreign singers. It’s great what Feizal is doing for the kids.”
Chaturanga Perera was carrying his baby Chatul and said,”I’ve been coming for this show for the last 14 years. The Cause is the main thing and Feizal has maintained it. Besides, the show is for people who really love Country Music.”
Zarina de Silva observed, “The show was very well organized. Even the songs are those appealing to the audience. It’s for a very worthy cause and we are all happy to be here at the show.”
Peggy Hsu commented, “It was a lovely show. Mariazelle was very good and so was Astrid who sang a beautiful Canadian song.”
Her sister Olga David said, “We always come for Mariazelle’s shows and I also like the “Cosmic Rays”We are regulars at “Country Roads” and this time the show was exceptionally good.”
Reviewed by Siromi Gunasekera
Pics by Kushan Pathiraja
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