Mirror Magazine

Mirror Magazine

Sharing simple pleasures
Do you have a passion for music? Would you like to hear an acoustic version of your favourite song? Is a perfect harmony what you’re looking for? Then here’s an evening of music and song to keep your toes tapping and your heart stirring

As the clock strikes seven and a half hours on the night of August 21, it is said that an event of phenomenal nature, shall await music enthusiasts at the Barefoot Gallery. Performing at their own pleasure, Adlib in Concert has one main focus… sheer music. The only criteria expected of you on admission is to share the same focus; that way you can go away completely satisfied, rest assured.

Adlib comprises young Peterites employed in diverse fields from Banking to IT to Advertising, Medicine, Marketing and Law. Not only in profession but in personality and interests too, the guys are quite different from each other but their one shared passion brings them together and it’s quite obvious what that is.

As they sing together their various tones, pitches and quality of voice add so much more to their performance, and their sounds don’t become monotonous or dull. Ahimsa Silva, Anuruddha Lihinikaduwa, Chanaka Fernando, Mahesh Senaratne, Mario de Soyza, Ryan de Sylva, Sandhun Mendis, Sanjeev Dabare and Suneth Jayasekara make up the members of Adlib. Although a part of the original group, Ahimsa, Sandhun and Mario will not be a part of this concert, due to various personal commitments.

Adlib has performed at many public and private events over the years, but this is their debut solo concert. In reply to why they decided to organise a concert, Anuruddha says, that they’re not looking for any specific commercial status and that they mainly sing for the joy of it.

The group started off by getting together in class and just singing (during their free time of course)! As they used to sing in the choir and still sing in the chorale, they have become quite used to singing with each other, says Anuruddha.

Their essential focus is on their voices and thus, it makes sense to use instruments that best blend with vocals and facilitate their style of singing. They mostly use acoustic instruments such as piano and guitar, because their type of singing sounds best with acoustic instrumental accompaniment, says Sanjeev.

Their style of music ranges from the likes of Boyz II Men, The Doobie Brothers, The Eagles and Simon and Garfunkel, which best suit their forte, singing a cappella and working with harmony. However, they make sure that their selection is not limited to songs of these artistes. Rather they use them only as a benchmark. “The main thing is that we don’t try to complicate things too much. We stick to enjoying the music we make and sing for the simple joy of singing, that’s all,” says Sanjeev.

The sounds of “Deep River Woman” in perfect four-part harmony produced by Adlib leaves you wondering if you are listening to Lionel Ritchie and Alabama. But no, it’s actually just the sounds of a handful of voices in perfect sync with each other, making mesmerising sounds.

You really do get a “Peaceful Easy Feeling” when you hear their version of it, because of the smooth flow and soothing quality of the song. The soulful singing, backed by the rhythmic strumming of the guitars, gives this song that extra bit of colour it needs to make it sound just right. They virtually live the song “More Than Words”, which they sing with feeling and depth. It’s sung with ideal modulation and dynamics that help maintain novelty.

The solo sections in the songs are rotated between most of the members of the group according to which voice best suits the song, so the audience will always be kept on their toes, as there will be a constant change of sounds. The two upbeat medleys, featuring songs like, “Long Train Running” and “Proud Mary” creates a fine balance between the fast and slow numbers to be performed at the concert.

Although A.D. will be providing Adlib with musical back-up in most of their numbers, they’ll be joining Adlib on vocals too on one of the medleys. The combined effort of both these groups seems like it’s going to be something worth listening to.

Adlib’s a cappella version of “In The Still Of The Night” is yet to be beaten by any local vocal group up to date. The clear melodious tones alone without the aid of any musical backing, draws audiences’ attention to just the voices, highlighting their attention to detail and precision in harmony and pitch. Nothing more and nothing less. A popular song, known and loved by all, it may be, but at the same time not one that many can pull off successfully. That’s where Adlib seems to have scored, because not only do they manage to pull it off effectively but they have also created quite a reputation for themselves, many of their audiences, for their outstanding rendition of it.

Even golden oldies like ‘Moonlight Bay’ are not out of the Adlib range. The intricate harmonies involved in it are executed perfectly and you are practically transported into the days that remain alive in your memories.

Yet another one of their specialities is their unique arrangement of a medley of poplar Sinhala songs, taught by their school oriental music master. It incorporates songs like Ukulata Navath,Ganga Addhara, which flows straight into Siri Sangabodhi Maligawe and others. A very rare and completely original arrangement, clearly showing the variety of the group’s selection of music and the versatility of their vocal styles.

Rediscovering their roots, they say that Priyanthi Seniviratne or ‘Priyanthi Teacher’ as they fondly refer to her, was mainly responsible for teaching them their basics in singing and also created their initial forum to sing in four-part harmony as members of their College choir. Her good work and guidance was later handed over to Stefan Corera who directs the Peterite Chorale. Stefan too has helped in the moulding of Adlib and has given them plenty of opportunities to improve and grow as a miniature group, within the larger group, they say. ‘Aunty Srimani’ (Athulathmudali) too has encouraged and supported Adlib from the start and has opened her home to many a rehearsal, rendered useful tips and been a constructive critic of theirs, they say. You could even say that she’s one of their biggest fans!

Be prepared to delve into a world of music, song and harmony to the point that returning to the real world may seem quite impossible. Dilip Senevi-ratne, Serela Athulath-mudali, Devashree de Silva and A.D. will be guest artistes at this concert. Witnessing Adlib in Concert, first hand, shouldn’t be an option…it should be top priority!

So start queuing up at the Sponge Pastry Shop in Colpetty, as only a limited number of tickets are available for the show on August 21 at the Barefoot Gallery. Media Sponsors are ARTv and The Sunday Times.

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