Mesmerising medley

Lamakaan at Banjara Hills hosted Western music by Deccan Voices last week. The concert had a variety of western musical compositions, from Broadway to devotional. It gave a ‘Kaleidoscopic picture’ with tunes in classical, jazz, rock and pop under the direction of Joe Koster.

They started the show with lovely melody from 1927 Broadway musical, Showboat Medley. It is one of the important musicals from Gerome Kern who has done a lot to Broadway melodies. This choir Showboat Medley was from the book of Oscar Hammerstein II. It is musical in two acts. Then they went for Promised land of Natalie Sleeth. Two melodies combined exceptionally well to make a spiritual appeal. Dona Nobis — based on John Sebastian Bach’s ‘Minuet 1 in G Minor’ was the next number. All these three were choir numbers. These set right pace and mood to the event.

The solos and duets part was opened with Exodus rendered meaningfully by Raaghav. Faithfully, a duet rendered by Remya and Savio, was a simple composition. It only Takes a Moment was a solo rendition by Clayton; another solo Sunshine on My Life was impressively rendered by Shakila. And then Be Born in Me also a solo presented by Remya opened doors for the next session of ‘choir’ group.

The Sixteen-member choir group arrived on the stage again and rendered ‘Alexander’s Ragtime band’ written by Irving Berlin, Majesty of Jack Hayford, Go Light Your World of Chris Rice, Can You Feel The Love Tonight of well known composer Tim Rice and rendered originally by Elton John. The last piece in this section was And the Glory of the Lord , was a soothing rendition composed by G.F. Handel.

Director Joe Koster set everybody in utmost discipline guiding the singers, him playing Piano. George on Saxaphone and vocalist Clayton was also seen playing guitar in some numbers.

All the participants in were well-equipped artistes who transported audience for a while to a pleasant world of music.