Image via WikipediaI am trying to correct the template that has been used for my musing on music blog, which, my apologies to all readers, has been uncorrected for so long a time that I can remember.
Image via Wikipedia
I came across his name when I read some books on music, one by Joel Hirschhorn, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Songwriting, and another one on learning guitars.
Another one of the legends fall. Read the news story here:
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By Ian De Cotta, TODAY | Posted: 12 June 2009 1028 hrs
The Backstreet Boys: (L-R) Brian Littrell, Nick Carter, AJ McLean, Howie Dorough
SINGAPORE: It did not take much to convince top-selling American boy-band group Backstreet Boys to perform again in Singapore.
When they heard that their gig would be held at the Padang during the SingTel Singapore Grand Prix night race, they gave a resounding yes.
The best-selling boy band - with record sales of over 100 million records - and multi-Grammy Award winner Chaka Khan were two of the entertainment acts that race organisers revealed on Thursday as part of the entertainment package for the event from September 25 to 27.
"Both the Backstreet Boys and Chaka Khan normally perform at concerts... they see a sexy element to the night race and reckon they will have a blast," said Singapore GP director of operations Sarah Martin.
The third big name will be released next month but the group will appeal to all age groups, said Ms Martin. Among other events to be announced then will be two of the world's top 10 DJs.
"I can honestly say we have revolutionised the way people view entertainment at any Grand Prix," said Ms Martin. "Without a doubt, we will be giving the best experience that any Grand Prix has seen."
Although all ticket holders will be able to watch the Backstreet Boys on both weekend nights at Zone 4, only spectators at the grandstands facing the paddock at Zone 1 will have the privilege to watch Chaka Khan after the main race on Sunday.
Tickets there are priced at S$1,388 each.
"We felt that ticket holders who are paying a lot more... deserve some exclusivity and this is the best way to give it to them," said Ms Martin.
Other top performers include Senegalese legend Youssou N'Dour - listed in Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People - and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's Mavis Staples.
To cater to the large number of foreign visitors, two key theatre acts will be staged along the lines of the world famous Cirque du Soleil.
"About 40 per cent of the fans at the race will come from overseas and we want to bridge the language barriers," said Ms Martin.
The acts will be at the Padang and the floating platform. One of them has worked in partnership with Cirque du Soleil and is planning something special for the Grand Prix, she said.
- TODAY/yb
From ChannelNewsAsia.com; see the source article here.
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Something to look forward to… or try yourself… nothing wrong at all, nothing wrong at all…sometimes your creativity is limited by your own willingness (or unwillingness) to try out new things now and then… I definitely got to try this!
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Posted: 29 May 2009 1457 hrs
Anne Davidson and James Hill
Think ukulele and images of a garlanded Elvis Presley gyrating with the tiny guitar-looking instrument may come to mind.
But the stringed insrument is more than one to be relegated to the realms of simple tunes.
In Singapore to get people to sing a different tune to the ukulele is James Hill, who is regarded as one the world's top composer and ukulele players.
Lesson one on the instrument - getting its name right.
It is pronounced "uku-lele" in the Hawaiian way.
According to Hill, it is made up of two words, 'uku' and 'lele' which translate into "The Jumping Flea".
With such a fun name, it can only mean that this is one friendly instrument.
If you've always wanted to play a musical instrument and either didn't have the time or think you're not too musically inclined - the ukulele is an instrument for you.
"Within five minutes (of learning the ukulele), you can be playing a song and for a lot of people" says Hill.
Having played the ukulele for more than just five minutes, Hill took his love for music and the intrument and teamed it with his other love, cellist Anne Davidson, for a remarkable blend.
Hill and Davidson met at music school and after dating, slowly warmed up to the idea of playing together.
"For three years, we never even considered playing together because it would seem so odd" said Hill.
"But slowly, we got on to the idea with the duo thing and realized what a good combination it is."
The combination of casual ukulele and classic cello may seem like chalk and cheese but these two seemingly incompatible instruments complement beautifully.
"When people come to our concert, they do not know what to expect, or worse, they don't expect," said Hill.
Playing on this doubtfulness is what allows both Hill and Davidson to surprise their audience and change conventional thinking.
"The ukulele has a higher range where the cello has a lower range" said Davidson.
"I also have the capability of using the bow to create long sustained sound which compliments the plucking sound of the ukulele."
Unlike the cello which has a long history, the ukulele is a 'young' 120-year-old in the music world, which explains its unorthodox style, which allows its player to invent his own particular style.
This freedom opened the way for Hill to create his style which he calls 'mono-strumming'.
"Instead of strumming where you can hear all the strings, you only hear a note as you mute the rest of the sound" he explains.
Sounds intriguing? Have a listen to the couple on their only stop in South East Asia, with their "melting of genres" performance on Friday 29 May, 8pm at the DBS Auditorium. - CNA/fa
From ChannelNewsAsia.com; see the source article here.
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