That good old country feeling
The Wild West Express took off last weekend at the Mount Lavinia Hotel. The Country Roads Concert for Children 2015 launched its audience on yet another musical journey.
Rousing finale: The musicians all on stage. Pix by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
Supporting causes through music, this year’s edition raised funds for the Children’s Heart Project, Meth Mihira School of special needs education and the Kudaligama Central College in Kalutara.
Opening the show was well known ensemble- Cosmic Rays, followed by Sri Lankan songstress, Mariazelle Goonetilleke. A part of the first Country Roads in 1988 she told the audience that her involvement in the concert was “by chance.”
She remembered being invited on the Country Roads stage after a newspaper article shed light on her interest in the genre. Since those early days almost 30 years ago, Mariazelle has been a regular at Country Roads.
A major John Denver fan, English songbird Astrid Brook was also a familiar face in the line-up.
Riding into town: Great Western decor sets the stage for the show
Her lilting voice added a mellow touch to the evening full of upbeat dance music. Starting-off with The Boxer by Paul Simon, she went on to render a few John Denver classics like For Baby and Coming Home.
Flying in faithfully from Germany for the past 15 years, The Mavericks kept the crowd going with their energetic presence.
Also making a welcome return to the Country Roads stage after six years was the seven-member group, Flame.
Sprouting out as early as the second edition of Country Roads, it was here that the band made its debut. Performing pumped-up dance numbers the group had the crowd on their feet.
Country girl: Astrid Brook
Also earning warm applause were Country Roads founders Feizal Samath and Jury Majid. Their song for the children has continued to touch hearts.
Country girl: Mariazelle Gunatilleke