Festive songs from Torana

By Sanath Weerasuriya

It is Christmas time in the city again and the sound of music too has changed its rhythm to suit the traditions. The latest Christmas Song album to hit the music stores is 'Mega Stars of Pop @ Christmas'.

This Sinhala Christmas collection is a Torana production and it features some of the top names in the music scene.

'Mega Stars of Pop @ Christmas' comprises of twelve new Christmas songs sung by Rajiv, Corrine, Anil Bharathi, Nelu Adhikari, Shanika Wanigasuriya, Latha, Annesley , Shyami, Sunil Perera, Desmond, Natasha, Judy and Gration .'Naththal Da', 'Kalakata Pera' Seenu Handin', 'Api Yamu' 'Carol Gayaene', 'Pathum Kiranak', 'Re Tharu', 'Bethleheme', 'Ran Tharuwak', 'Pabulu Mitak' and 'Three Jews' are the twelve tracks of the album.

Rajiv Sebastian directed the music for this CD. Rajiv and The Clan backed all artistes.

The other Christmas CD released by 'Chandimal and The Second Connection' is titled 'Christmas on Wings'. This album comprises 20 songs including six bonus tracks.

Chandimal selected some of the popular Christmas classics for his CD including 'Rudolph Red Nosed', 'When The Child Is Born', 'Silent Night', ' Blue Christmas', 'Mary's Boy Child', 'Silver Bells', 'Jingle Bells Rock', 'Joy to The World', 'White Christmas', 'Santa Clause is Coming', 'First Noel' and 'Feliz Navidad'. Bethlehem Pure is the only Sinhala track of the CD.

The bonus track includes sax version of 'Joy to the World', flute version and sax version of 'Rudolph Red Nosed' sax version of 'Silver Bells' and the flute version of 'Silent Night'.

'Christmas on Wings' is a Torana production too. A CD titled 'Thotiya' by Annesley Malawana is another Sinhala album to hit the shelves of the music stores.

'Thotiya'comprises sixteen popular songs sung by Annesley. 'Thotiy', 'Sitha Benduna', ' Ruwanpure', 'Swarnamali', 'Ralahami', 'Mathakai Thamath', 'Savan Pinana'. 'Mama Awemi', 'Wasanawa Lanwenakota', 'Danga Bambarei', ' Niwaduwak' are some of the popular tracks from the album.

Chandra Fonseka, Clarence Wijewardena, Ajantha RanasingheRajiv Sebastian, Kelum Sreemal, Jagath Kulasinghe penned the lyrics for Annesley, while Rajiv, Chandral Milroy Dharmaratne, Mike Gunasekera, Clarence Wijewardena and Jagath Kulasinghe created the music. Samitha and Mariazelle rendered their voice for a couple of duets with Annesley.

The music for the CD was provided by Super Chimes.

Live shows on DVD

The visual version of Gypsies ever popular 'I Don't Know Why' Concert is now available on DVD. Gypsies live in Concert at BMICH is recorded and the entire show is now available on VCD and on DVD. This is produced by Torana Music Box. VCD/DVD of 'I Don't Know Why' live in Contest features, their popular songs 'Lankawe', 'I Don't Know Why', 'Kiyanne Gothala', 'Perum Puragena', 'Thaththe', 'Gini Anguru Gode' , 'Hare Rama', 'Jump Jive', ' Kolompure Sriya' and Aderedo Kiyala'. ‘Hotel California’, ‘Life is too Short Girl’, ‘Listen To The Music’ are some of theEnglish songs sung by Piyal and Sunil at this show. Along with 'I Don't Know Why' Concert', 'Corrine and Ronnie live in Concert' also now out with its visual version. This DVD feature 'Mage Heti', 'Kongo Bongo', ' Srini Ape Lankaw', 'Payana Sanda Watakera', 'Alice' 'Atha Mita Kasi Panam' and 'Thakkita Thrikita'. There are few English songs too included in this DVD sung by Corrine and Ronnie.