Music and Unity

Music and unity. In your opinion, what is the relationship between both of these things. Can various music unite people? Or it break people. Some people hate certain genre of music. For example, a person may dislike heavy metal music because the music is quite loud. Another person may dislike orchestra due to the pack of sounds played in one time. Based on these theories, how can music unite people? Simple. Music can unite people if people understands each other and respect other people opinion. Only with understanding and respect, music finally can represent the unity and peace.

UNITY THROUGH MUSIC...Unity can be gained with music if we understand the purpose of music existence; to unite. Photo taken from http://musicinafrica.net/sites/default/files/styles/zoom/public/arts_in_activism_3.jpg?itok=R0zrzVF1

How does understanding and respect can be gain despite of people’s different opinion? To gain understanding and respect for a person’s taste in music, we must know one principle; people are different. Not just their characters, people are different when it comes to their music taste. Perhaps by understanding this principle, music may finally represents unity through understanding.

Music can represent unity through the lyric. For example, Assalamualaikum by Faizal Tahir shows that we should unite. That songs also is a symbol of peace where the lyric wants us to support peace. The main idea here; the key to unite people with music is with a good lyric. If the lyric is good and has a good message, then people will unite because they are influenced with the lyric.

Besides, music can unite people when a person met another person who shares the same taste when it comes to music. Some people make new friends during a concert. This shows that same music passion can unite people. It is good to have someone who shares the same interests as you,especially when it comes to music. At least someone would not questioned things like “Why do you like this kind of music etc”.

In conclusion, with understandings, good lyrics and same passion with other people, music can finally become a medium to unite people in the world.

Summary of the Blog

Since the starting of the blog, I have presented to all of the readers about music icon around the world. I have describe Malaysia’s scene of music in the past and present and presented about two most talented Malaysian music icon; P Ramlee and Sudirman. Both of them are truly talented and they introduced Malaysia to the world with their achievement although they lived in different era. Next, I presented about Cantopop, a phenomenon that makes Leslie Cheung, Anita Mui and the Four Heavenly Kings of Cantopop became famous and became idols to many people. Then, we move on to Indonesian music icon such as Ahmad Dhani, Erwin Gutawa and Melly Goeslaw and we can see how they managed to build their name in Indonesia, where music industry over there has high competition. Lastly, I have presented about three British groups that conquer the world with their music; Deep Purple, Queen and Bee Gees. All of them has high sales records. In the next entry which will be the final entry, we will discuss on how music can unite people in the world.

Bee Gees: British Music Icon

Have you ever heard classic song such as How Deep Is Your Love and Staying Alive? Do you know who are the singer? This entry will discuss about my favourite pop music group. Their harmony are fascinating and consisting of three people; Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb which are siblings. Stayed in Chorlton, Manchester, they later moved to Redcliffe, in Queensland, Australia, and then to Cribb Island. Their success in Australia make them returned to UK for a brighter chances to promote themselves to the world.
 

HARMONY...With the combination of all the three members, they produced a beautiful harmony and tackle their fans' heart. Photo taken from http://www.superseventies.com/3_78.gif

It was recorded that their records being sold more than 220 million records worldwide, thus making them one of the world's best-selling music artists of all time. One of their best lifetime achievement is when they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. According to their fans, the most famous records would be Saturday Night Fever (1977) and Staying Alive (1983). All of the members of Bee Gees; Barry, Maurice and Robin are talented in playing music. This is because all of them can play various instruments. Barry and Maurice can play guitar and Robin can play keyboard. In addition, Maurice can play bass and keyboard.

In conclusion, Bee Gees in a pop group that has a talent not just in their vocal, but also their ability to play instruments. Their ability and hard work managed to get them popular across the world.

Queen: British Music Icon

They have a great lineup. A powerful vocal with great musician that produced a good melody, here it is, the Queen band. Queen band is well known with their hit songs such as Bohemian Rhapsody and We Are The Champion. There are people who claims the strength of the band is on the Freddie Mercury itself but for me, the strength of the band is the band itself; the vocal, melody and the charisma. Freddie Mercury and the band completing eafh other. Until now, it is hard to find the quality that this band has in the new band and artist. There are people who have it but it is minor.

Formed in 1970, the line-up was Freddie Mercury (lead vocals, piano), Brian May (guitar, vocals), Roger Taylor (drums, vocals), and John Deacon (bass guitar). This band played progressive rock, hard rock and heavy metal. Later they become more flexible in their genre and they can play arena rock and pop rock genre. In 1980, they finally became one of the largest stadium rock band in the world. Until now, they are one of the world's best-selling music artists. This is proven with their album sales, 150 million to 300 million records.

VERSATILE...They can play various genres of music such as folk and arena rock. Photo taken from http://klck1400.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/queen-band-pic-2.jpg

Queen is influenced with British rock band in late 1960s to 1970s such as The Beatles and Deep Purple. They can be claimed as flexible because they played various genres such as pop opera, gospel, disco and folk music.

Despite of Freddie Mercury controversion (involvement with LGBT), they still managed to tackle many fans over the world with their music. Here, we can conclude that with a good melody and a vocal, a band can conquer the world with their quality.

Deep Purple: British Music Icon

From Indonesia, we move on to United Kingdom. Here, the music industry is more powerful with larger and greater competition. Even Hong Kong, Malaysia and Indonesia music are influenced with United Kingdom music industry. In this entry, we will discuss about the one of the British bands who influenced rock bands such as Metallica and Bon Jovi. One main attraction of this band is the keyboard used which is different and unique. Yes, we are talking about Deep Purple here. Started as a progressive rock band, this band turned to the heavier sound in 1970. Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath were labelled as the globe's loudest band. 100 million albums were sold by them. These shows how powerful and influenced the rock band can be.

HEAVY ROCK...Deep Purple music is more into heavy rock and their album sold well. Photo taken from https://darkerthanblue.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/deeppurple.jpg

 

Speaking of Deep Purple lineup, they have various lineup due to various change of members. However, their most successful lineup would be Ian Gillan (vocals), Jon Lord (organ), Roger Glover (bass), Ian Paice (drums), and Ritchie Blackmore (guitar). These lineup together produced a song, Perfect Stranger which is one of the hit Deep Purple song. They even made a tour from Australia to North America and then to Europe.

Until now, they still go for a tour to entertain their fans. They sold  more than 150,000 tickets in France. This shows that they still have their influences among their fans. According to Planet Rock listeners, Deep Purple's Rapture of the Deep Tour was voted number 6 concert tour of the year in all music genre in 2007. They even managed to appear for the 1st time at the Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia.

In conclusion, we can see that Deep Purple has influenced many bands and their influences are still strong. This can be seen on their concert tour and their album selling. Together with Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, they sold 100 million album worldwide.

Melly Goeslaw: Indonesia's Music Icon

In this entry, i will introduced to all of the readers one of the Indonesia’s best music icon. In my opinion, her music can be described as ‘ahead of time’. And her fashion,..well, from what I can say, she can resembles Anita Mui and Lady Gaga when it comes to fashion. She starts to become famous after composing the theme song for the most famous Indonesian movie, Ada Apa Dengan Cinta. She composed many songs and I admire her works too. My favourite song would be Jika and Ketika Cinta Bertasbih. Marrrying Anto Hoed, a composer, she is Melly Goeslaw, a singer and a composer with a unique and dashing fashion.

SOUNDTRACK COMPOSER...Her creation can be seen in several movie soundtrack such as Ada Apa Dengan Cinta and Ketika Cinta Bertasbih. Photo taken from http://data.seruu.com/images/seruu/article/2015/02/22/melly-g.jpg

 

Started singing in the fifth grade, she was also the Elfa Secioria backing vocalist during high school. She then moved to Jakarta to further her career in music industry. Became backing vocals for a promotional tour by Katon Bagaskara, she then met Anto Hoed and Andi Ayunir. After marrying Anto Hoed, these trio formed a band, Potret in 1993. Their debut album in 1995 was a hit. Melly finally became a solo singer and releasing her own debut album; Melly in 1999. It sold well and she became more popular when she sang the Ada Apa Dengan Cinta soundtrack.

Ada Apa dengan Cinta soundtrack made her and her husband received a Citra Award at the 2004 Indonesian Film Festival. In the next years, she kept involving herself with the production of movie soundtrack. Some of her notable works are Dibius Cinta, a soundtrack from a Malaysia movie, Cicakman 2 and Ketika Cinta Bertasbih, a soundtrack that shares the same title with the film. Also, she works with many artists such as Siti Nurhaliza and Yusry KRU. She also can be considered as active when it comes to scouting new talents.

I started to listen to her song when I was in a very young age. In my opinion, her music can be described as unique and new based on my listening and comparison with her same era song. She is gifted with a talent and with efforts, she can become better.

Erwin Gutawa: Indonesia's Music Icon

Our next icon is well known as a powerful composer and a great musician. He has the experience on conducting a large scale concert. During his early years, he is a bassist in a band called Karimata. I once saw a recording that shows he played bass in one of Roslan Aziz concert in Stadium Merdeka. His skills in playing the bass can be considered as an expert. Now, he is a legend in Indonesia and his daughter is also an artist. He is Erwin Gutawa, father of Gita Gutawa.

BASSIST TO CONDUCTOR...Starts as a bassist, he finally became a conductor and worked at Royal Albert Hall, London. Photo taken from https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6c/Gutawa_2004_2.JPG/220px-Gutawa_2004_2.JPG

Erwin Gutawa is a musician, composer and a music conductor. He has worked with several Indonesian music icon such as Harvey Malaiholo, Ruth Sahanaya, Chrisye, Titi DJ, Krisdayanti and Rossa. Started as a bassist, he is an architecture student. During 1985 until 1993, he joined Karimata band and played jazz music. He has his own orchestra in 1993. His daughter, Gita Gutawa also involved in music industry.

As a music icon he has achieved many things in his career. During 1992, he won the Midnight Sun Song Festival in Finland with Ruth Sahanaya. His concert, Rockestra received award from Anugerah Musik Indonesia which is the Best Music Arranger. Rockestra concert can be described as unique because the concert mixed orchestra with rock music. The concert involved rock bands such as Slank, Gigi and Dewa with 85 musicians with guest musicians such as Ahmad Albar, Roni Harahap, Jockie Soerjo Prajogo, and Nicky Astria. In 2002, his 40th birthday is celebrated with his 1st solo concert, Konser EG at the Plenary Hall of the Jakarta Convention Center. Chrisye, Ruth Sahanaya, Krisdayanti, Sheila on Seven, and Slank are featured in the concert. He managed to deliver various concerts starting from his solo concert. He finally went to the Royal Albert Hall, England and become a conductor at the London Symphony Orchestra. He is one of the judges for Indonesian Idol's for the 6th season.

Erwin Gutawa can be described as one of the greatest musician that Indonesia has ever had. He can be claimed as a great musician alongside with Ramli M.S and S.Atan. With his knowledge on music and his experience, he is legendary and one and only, Erwin Gutawa.