Music Talent
Indonesian music talent, traditional and modern.
From my travels of the South East Asian countries, I believe that two countries are outstanding for their talent in song and music. They are the Philippines and Indonesia.
Aneke Gronloh
I recall winning a song competition when I was 10 years old. I sang “Burung Kakak Tua” at the school song competition. The Indonesian who made it a hit was Aneke Gronloh (famous too for her rendition of Nina Bo Bo). I was taken to a concert where Aneke Gronloh and the Blue Diamonds (two male Indonesian singers) performed. They are great singers.
Aneke Gronloh.
That was my first introduction to Indonesian talent and songs. It is a pity whenever I ask Indonesians of the present generation about Aneke Gronloh, I get “Aneke! Siapatu?”
That was an age give-away for me.
Keroncong
Later on during my first employ, we had a middle age Indonesian who worked as the Group Facilities Engineering Director. He was fond of keroncong music. Had it not been for the objections from our General Manager, we would have had keroncong piped in music at our work premise.
And now a few decades later, during my visits to Indonesia, I have found to my delight that Indonesia has a treasure of songs.
Pance Pondag
Pance Pondag is one of my favourites. I bought a few of his CD’s, learned them and sing his songs at Karaoke’s in Indonesia.
Smoke on the Water
There was one occasion, when together with several Indonesian friends we were walking past a public square. There was a show going on and I heard an Indonesian band giving a wonderful rendition of Deep Purple’s “Smoke On The Water”. It made me spontaneously to dance on the road. My Indonesian pals joined in. There we were, frolicking on the road. The polisi on duty at the road junction cubicle watched us and had a good laugh
The music of “Smoke On The Water” is so catchy. You know how it begins….
Da Da Da.,
Dada da da da
Da Da Da
Da-Da
That Indonesian band that was playing Deep Purple, they were really, really good musicians too!
Melody & Lyrics
Oh, the melody, especially the lyrics and the timelessness of Indonesian songs such as these.
Hetty Koes Endang “tau ingin kusendiri” “hati lebur jadi debu”
Bob Tutupoli “widuri” “mengapa tiada maaf”
Broery “angin malam”
Betharia Sonata “kau tercipta untukku” “hati yang luka”
Ratih Purwasih “hati dan cintamu”
Arie Wibowo “Singkong dan keju” @ anak singkong
My neighbours giggle with mirth whenever they catch me outside my Indonesian house singing and dancing to these songs.
These and many, many other Indonesian “evergreens” I am sure you would agree.
Song and music-wise, May the Force be with you Indonesia.
Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it.
