Glad to be a country boy..

Three years had gone by since the last Country Road concert but that didn't stop a host of dedicated musicians and enthusiastic audience joining the bandwagon when Country Road V111 was held at the Trans Asia Hotel last Sunday.

For many it was pure nostalgia. From the performers, many of them well known now, but who hadn't forgotten their early appearances for this charitable cause, to the music, vintage folk and country stuff, the Everly Bros, John Denver, the Eagles, it was all sweet sounds to the many who fancied a change from an incessant diet of rap and rock.

The evening began, as anticipated with 'Take Me Home, Country Road,' (which has become the theme song of this series of concerts) by Anton Gunatilleke and Friends. This year's show incidentally was dedicated to John Denver, whose tragic and untimely death deprived the music world of one of its great talents. Anton, as host Arun Dias Bandaranaike, put it, kinda 'out Denvered Denver' in his catchy renditions of his songs and set the scene for the rest of the show.

Anton and Friends had done something special here. Inspired by the concert's vision of helping children, especially those who are employed as domestics, they performed a song written especially for the occasion which they hoped they could give to UNICEF. It was simply titled 'Mother.' Long after the show was over, the melody and refrain remained. 'Please take me home,' the aching cry of every young child removed from home and loved ones, to toil in someone else's home.

Deva de Silva followed and soon had Naushad for company to keep up the tempo with some old favourites, particularly 'The Boxer' and 'Dream, Dream, Dream.' Making a welcome albeit all too brief appearance on the show then was Husni Ghouse, better known as part of the Suresh, Husni and D.K ensemble. Sans Suresh and D.K, Husni joined friend Deva on stage but the audience was certainly disappointed not to have had more from him.

Red Sands took the show up to the break and then the mood changed with the Cosmic Rays, kicking off at their own fast pace. The Cosmic Rays, incidentally are old hands at Country Road and this year they did not disappoint either.

Mariazelle had the distinction of being the only female performer and though her dimunitive frame was not always clearly visible on a crowded stage, her voice left no questions unanswered

The icing on the cake was no doubt Flame who proved that this was one flame that had burned brighter over the years. As expected they provided Simon and Garfunkel, returning to 'The Sound of Silence' and also the Eagles, Credence Clear water Revival and had many in the audience, kids most of all joining in the music.

The message at the end of it all was very clear as organisers Feizal Samath and Juragen Majid of the Country Music Foundation joined the performers on stage for a last rendering of Country Road. "Don't employ a child and don't let it happen in your own backyard.' In a society where apathy to all the suffering around us seems a common affliction, Country Road was a salutary lesson that some people do care and are willing to lend their talents to help others.

Country Road was associated with UNICEF, to whom all proceeds will be channelled and sponsored by Ceylino Ran Daru, with the Trans Asia Hotel, Gold FM and The Sunday Times as co-sponsors.- RS

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