Mirror
Magazine 
|
||||
Turning
tears into laughter The song was composed by former Radio 1 DJ and Saturday Superstore Presenter, Mike Read, prior to the boxing day tragedy but – “It’s a natural home for it because people kept saying to me, it’s such a good song, but, it’s such a sad song,” Read has reportedly said. Therefore, the song is quite timely as it can identify with the people’s grief in the face of the devastation. On July 8, 2004, the senior choir of Holy Family Convent, Colombo came runners–up at the prestigious Llangollen Music Festival in Wales. Little did Soundarie David the Musical Director of the choir know then, the fate that was awaiting her island home. History often turns triumph into tragedy and in this case, past the tears, as Soul Sounds, comprising many of the choristers that competed in Wales, together with Soundarie, took on the challenge of putting their talents to good use. Wanting to do something through music to help raise funds for the tsunami relief effort, Soundarie had weighed the feasibility of the project but had ruled it out as it would require sponsorships which would defeat the purpose of raising funds, she said. However, having contacted Mike Read in the UK about his project to raise money for the tsunami victims and having got the go-ahead from him, Soundarie was then sent the necessary instructions and backing tracks. She had two days in which to come up with a special arrangement, rally her troops, teach them the song, record it, and send it in. With Soundarie at the helm, a team of expatriates and friends from England, as the link with Mike Read, Jerome L. De Silva and Neranjan De Silva, Soul Sounds had to achieve the impossible – a broadcast quality product ready in a little more than two days. Their effort beat all odds. You could hear the sea from the studio they chose. The once deadly waves lapping gently against the shore just a hundred metres away now soothed Soundarie’s brilliant but constantly furrowed brow, and with the help of Ranga Dassanayake at the sound switches they all calmly produced the recording. Suren De Silva’s Video team did a great job at short notice. All these professionals rendered their services, resources and time completely free of charge, as they too wanted to do their part to help the cause. The balled is very poignant and emotional. It revolves around the reality of how grief never really leaves and how it will always linger on to remind you of the heartaches of the past. Two versions of the same track will also appear on the single and as Mike Read had been very excited about the local performance by Soul Sounds, they have a bonus track on the CD. Yet another track by the National Children’s Orchestra will also be included. The song has been recorded in Sri Lanka, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, London, New York, County Clare and Lancashire, Barbados and Switzerland, with the production part being carried out in London by Steve Levine. All time music greats like, Sir Cliff Richards, Boy George, Bass Guitarist of the ‘Rolling Stones’ Bill Wyman, illustrious contemporary tenor Russell Watson (better known as ‘The Voice’), Robin and Barry Gibb (The Beegees), composer/vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Steve Winwood, former Boyzone singer Ronan Keating, popular song bird cum actress Olivia Newton-John, Chicago, virtuoso guitarist cum blues singer Chris Rea, Jon Anderson (Yes), popular Keyboardist Rick Wakeman (Yes), Kenny Jones (The Who), Chicago, Brian Wilson (the Beach Boys), Gary Moore (Skid Row) and Jazz sensation, Jamie Cullum. The two surviving members of the Beegees, record for the first time after the death of their brother Maurice. The musicians will be performing under the collective name of ‘One World Project’ and Universal Records have created a unique label for the song called ‘One World Records’. As Mike Read explains, “I was totally shocked at the enormity and suddenness of the disaster and in tears on seeing the orphaned children wandering aimlessly in search of their parents. Some of the newspaper photographs were just so harrowing… The impact of the destruction has hit us all and briefly speaking to my friends in the music world from artistes to managers and record company executives, it was clear that they had all been touched in some way and wished to help.” Read has said that he was not concerned whether the track topped the charts, only that it brought in funds. Patricia Sanders, Appeals Manager, DEC had said that, the record is expected to raise more than US$ 5 million. She added, “As the relief and recovery operation gears up across Asia, the DEC has welcomed Mike Read’s support. Money donated to the Tsunami Earthquake Appeal from the sale of Read’s song will help agencies working in the region to rebuild survivors’ lives and livelihoods. The DEC agencies will be working tirelessly to restore shattered lives, but this will take time. This is a marathon, not a sprint.” Having to sing with earphones on and in a small space, it was quite a new experience for the choir. Eventually though, once they got the hang of it and after what seemed to be a hundred takes and re-takes, the recording was finally complete. As the sleepy-eyed choir and all those involved, finally trudged out of the studio at about 3 a.m. they had not forgotten the reason why they were there in the first place. If their music could help even one person to rebuild his/her life, then it would be worth every ounce of effort put in. |
||||
Copyright © 2001 Wijeya Newspapers
Ltd. All rights reserved. |
