A Heritage of Song - A galaxy of entertainers from Sri Lanka and Australia!
The much awaited concert, ‘A Heritage of Song’ was staged recently with a galaxy of entertainers from Sri Lanka and Australia. Every single one of the artists was not just a singer, but performers who captured the attention of the audience for the full duration of the over five hour concert. The songs were a mixture of pop, rock ‘n roll, jazz and blues. The artists were a mix of young and not so young ones! Hence it was not monotonous or dragging and the audience did not feel the hours go by.
Derrick Junkeer and Ishan Bahar the masterminds behind the concert joined hands with ‘Lions Sight first Hospital’ to organise this fund raiser for cataract surgeries on the deserving and marginalised communities in Sri Lanka. It was a truly magnanimous gesture of these musicians from Australia and Sri Lanka to offer their talent and service totally free, towards this great humanitarian endeavour. Speaking to the Daily Mirror Life, Co-coordinator for this project, Mohan de Silva said that he extends his heartfelt gratitude to all the musicians for this gesture.
The dynamic duo Chris and Stefan who were the comperes for the event, started off the evening by giving an introduction of the event. They were successful in keeping the audience engrossed throughout the show with their interesting intros of each performer with a touch of wit added.
Derrick Junkeer, stating that ‘Flame’ was one of the best bands in Sri Lanka, handed over the mic to the band that’s loved much, by the Sri Lankan music enthusiasts. They opened the night’s performance with their signature song ‘Sound of Silence’, and went on to ‘Dance with me’. Anne, the female vocalist of the band, with her powerful voice did justice to ‘Islands in the stream’. The other band members Primal, Naushad, Joe, Chris, Nishantha, Diren and Milan did a fantastic job backing all the singers and kept the audience tapping their toes throughout the long evening.
Young David Senn, a product of St Peter’s College now living in Melbourne was the first soloist on stage, with ‘Here I am Baby’. He also did a good rendition of Ray Charles’ ‘Georgia’. After him was the beautiful Daniele Faour from Australia wearing a pale pink dress singing, ‘Oh Darling, please believe me’, followed by a jazz version of, ‘How will I know’.
Budrin Musafer from the band ‘Spit Fires’, whom the audience just loved from the time he set foot on stage, did his own version of ‘Help me Make it through the night’ and a medley of ‘Rock ‘n’ roll’. The audience applauded and cheered on saying ‘one more’, ‘one more’. Tyronne of the all time popular country and western band ‘Cosmic Rays’, fondly known as the local Freddy Fender, was next. He sang ‘Wasted days and wasted nights’ a song originally sung by legend Freddy Fender himself, and also Tom Jones’ hit ‘Just help yourself’. Then it was Terry McLeod with ‘This land is my Land’ and ‘Let’s twist again’ with the audience singing along. Melantha Perera of ‘Mirage’ fame who hails from Moratuwa sang ‘Words’ which is an original of the Bee Gees, and Neil Diamond’s ‘Sweet Caroline’ whilst Russel Gomesz did Cliff Richard’s ‘The minute you’re gone’.
Jason and Julian Prins better known as the JJ Twins, were also another top favourite. They did their well choreographed little dance act singing ‘Achy breaky heart’, ‘Wake up little Suzi’ and ‘Bye bye love’. Mignone Fernando, popular performer, composer and music director sang Shirley Bassey’s ‘Never never never’ and then she took over the keyboards to play ‘Just the way you are’ a song by Billy Joel sung by Maxi Rozairo with Suraj on Bass, and the trio continued with a pop medley.
Marcus Elvis Jackson from Melbourne did a good impression of the ‘Elvis’ act with much vigour. His hair, his shoes, thick belt, heavy rings on the fingers, the bright studded outfit and even his actions were all, out and out Elvis. His songs ‘Sexy Rider’ and ‘Burning Love’ were something you had to hear!
The second segment started off with a powerful rendition of ‘Delilah’ by Ricky Bahar of Legacy. He got the audience to sing along and you could see everyone enjoying the song. Then he went on with ‘Sway’ and ‘Save the last dance’. Raj Seneviratne sang ‘He’s my brother’ and ‘Sili sili seethala’. Tilani Senn from Melbourne with ‘The greatest love’ and ‘Mercy’ was also very good.
Sohan Weerasinghe whose life motto is ‘Music was my first love and it will be my last’ started with many jokes and the audience were in fits of laughter. He then went on to sing ‘Love me with all of your heart’ and a ‘Rock ‘n’ roll’ medley. Then there was Dalrene Suby, in her exotic outfit doing ‘Love me with all of your heart’ and CCR’s ‘Rolling on the River’. Thereafter it was Daniele Fuore again and another Elvis act.
The highlight of the concert was when the man behind the ‘Heritage of Songs’ Derrick Junkeer entered from the rear of the auditorium serenading the audience with ‘Unchained Melody’, and handing out red roses to ladies who were thrilled to receive the roses from him. To make the show more interactive he had a competition of who could clap the loudest for his song ‘Love is in the air’. Three ladies were winners of this competition and received his music DVDs.
Then it was Ishan Bahar’s turn on stage. After he did a couple of Cliff Richard songs, he called his wife - Dawn on to the stage. It was a touching moment when held her hand, and together they sang the beautiful duet ‘Somewhere between’. A very romantic moment indeed.
The heartwarming grand finale of the entertaining evening was, when all the performers were on stage and the audience stood up to sing the much loved gospel song ‘May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You’.
Derrick Junkeer and Ishan Bahar the masterminds behind the concert joined hands with ‘Lions Sight first Hospital’ to organise this fund raiser for cataract surgeries on the deserving and marginalised communities in Sri Lanka.
Comments from the audience
Surakshi
Absolutely brilliant. So proud that our Sri Lankan’s are this talented. The JJ twins were brilliant.
Faraz
Absolutely splendid and very professional. It’s in aid of a very worthy cause and it’s been well sported here today. My favourite was Budrin Mussafer.
Nimilika
Awesome! Excellent! All of them are amazing. All the songs are what we really like and know. So we can sing along. Derrick and Ishan, well done!
Joseph
Awesome show for a worthy cause. It took us down memory lane.
Priyadharshini
Fantastic show. All the artistes were excellent. Mignone was fantastic.
Clifford
Show is really entertaining. I’m enjoying every minute of it.
Michelle
Fantastic. I’m really enjoying it. I’m so impressed with the talent in Sri Lanka.
Shenali
Awesome show. Thank you Gold FM for this opportunity.
Reviewed by Niro Waidyaratne
Photographs by Kithsiri de Mel
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