BAYBEATS kicked off on Friday night, but I missed about half of it because I found myself at the Esplanade’s Recital Studio to watch Divine by Addy Cradle, featuring Addy Rasidi on guitar performing tracks from his debut solo album, also called Divine.
And what a divine performance it was. To say that it was great is an understatement. It was an epiphany, really.
His backing band included three of Singapore’s best rock musicians, a slew traditional percussionists, as well as someone on ud (the predecessor to the lute) and violin.
Paul Danial and Anis of Ministry of Rock flank Addy.
To complement the show’s East-meets-West theme, his featured guests included a performance by the Tenko Japanese Drum Troupe. And with renowned producer Shah Tahir mixing the sound, you know you’re in for a real treat.
For my money, Addy is one of the best rock guitarists – if not the best – of this generation. Those who see him regularly at Pump Room jamming with Jive Talking know what I’m talking about.
He can play. His fingers move so fast if you took a video of them and put it on “pause”, they’d still be too fast. And hey, he didn’t get to be an endorsee for Ibanez guitars by being a slacker, you know what I mean?
But what made the night so special was the vibe of the room. His nervousness not withstanding, there was a certain presence that I hadn’t felt at a concert in a long time. It descended upon us and turned the show into a magical moment.
The view from Shah Tahir’s mixing desk.
So thanks, Addy. It was night to be remembered.
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And what a divine performance it was. To say that it was great is an understatement. It was an epiphany, really.
His backing band included three of Singapore’s best rock musicians, a slew traditional percussionists, as well as someone on ud (the predecessor to the lute) and violin.
To complement the show’s East-meets-West theme, his featured guests included a performance by the Tenko Japanese Drum Troupe. And with renowned producer Shah Tahir mixing the sound, you know you’re in for a real treat.
For my money, Addy is one of the best rock guitarists – if not the best – of this generation. Those who see him regularly at Pump Room jamming with Jive Talking know what I’m talking about.
He can play. His fingers move so fast if you took a video of them and put it on “pause”, they’d still be too fast. And hey, he didn’t get to be an endorsee for Ibanez guitars by being a slacker, you know what I mean?
But what made the night so special was the vibe of the room. His nervousness not withstanding, there was a certain presence that I hadn’t felt at a concert in a long time. It descended upon us and turned the show into a magical moment.
So thanks, Addy. It was night to be remembered.
More...
