February 19, 2010
Free gift for attending church???
Well, that’s what happened after I visited my friend’s church. I got a couple of vouchers for tea/coffee in the mail. The last time I received beverage vouchers like that, it was a thank you from a bank for listening to their talk on a “savings” plan (which turned out be an endowment plan, but that’s another story).
What next? Reward points every time you attend service?
February 2, 2010
Matthew and the Mandarins “Remembering Johnny Cash” Feb 1st 2010
It was heartening to see Matthew and the Mandarins back at the Esplanade Recital Studio again, this time with a one-hour set dedicated to Johnny Cash. And a packed set it was too, with the band singing over 17 songs in the hour:
1. Folsom Prison Blues
2. Guess Things Happen That Way
3. Long Black Veil
4. If I Were A Carpenter
5. I Still Miss Someone
6. Jackson
7. I Heard That Lonesome Whistle
8. I Walk the Line
9. A Thing Called Love
10. Give My Love to Rose
11. Tennessee Flat-top Box
12. Why Me Lord?
13. Sunday Morning Coming Down
14. Ghost Riders in the Sky
15. My Shoes Keep Walking Back to You
16. Ring of Fire
17. Me and Bobby McGee
Encore: Singapore Cowboy
Matthew was not at his vocal best. His singing was not as effortless as the previous time I saw him at the Esplanade. Maybe Johnny Cash songs are just not his forte.
I thought his best moments came with songs where he used the warm resonance of his lower range, like the mournful I Heard That Lonesome Whistle. Matthew also showed he can sing a story really well in Give My Love To Rose – his rendition moved me.
His best moment was definitely the encore, when urged on by the audience, he sang Singapore Cowboy.
Note: Matthew mentioned that they’re performing at the Serangoon Country Club on Fridays.
Crooked Turret 