Low-key tribute to Grammy's founder

Published on July 18, 2007

The show, marking the 10th anniversary of the GMM Grammy founder's death, wasn't heavily promoted and featured just eight artists. In contrast, Grammy is staging two back-to-back concerts with a multitude of stars to celebrate songwriter Nitipong Hornak's 25 years in showbiz next month, begging the question who is greater - the music company's founder or the lyricist?

The eight singers, excluding Ter's eldest daughter Suthasinee or Pat, sang more than 40 songs - written by Rewat and crooned by him and by the label's other artists including Thongchai "Bird" McIntyre. Sadly, though perhaps due to the size of the cast, about half of them were condensed into medleys.

Among the numbers showcasing Ter's talent for writing philosophical songs were "Khon Khon Khon" sung by Saowaluck "Amp" Leelabutr; "Paak Khon" ("Man's Mouth") by Billy Ogan; and "Muang Yai Muang Nee" ("Big City") as well as "Kong Ja Mee Sak Wan" ("Probably One Day") by Amphol Lampoon.

However, not all the performers coped well with the vocals.

Amphol's high pitch lacked the power to rock on "Man Plaek Dee Na" and Billy suffered the same fate on "Thi Laew Kor Laew Pai". In my view, Direk "Too" Amatayakul - who isn't with Grammy - would have been more suited to the danceable rhythm of the former.

Among the younger singers, Da Endorphine lacked emotion and Boy Peacemaker's tones were just too high for "DJ Sieng Sai Sai". One wonders why superstar Bird wasn't at the concert.

The show started at 8pm with a VTR presentation of Ter's life story, photos from his music career as well as from his days as an executive with the major record company and speeches from his friends, the Impossibles' Setha Sirachaya, Chatree Kongsuwan and Nitipong.

Then, the eight singers were joined by Pat for a rendition of Ter's signature hit, "Ying Soong Ying Nao".

Unlike other recent tribute shows, this one didn't have an orchestra on stage, just a live band featuring three keyboards and three guitars in addition to a chorus.

The singers split into groups of twos and threes before giving solo performances. First up were Nanthida Kaewbuasai, Sunita Leetikul and Punch Worakan who sang Bird's timeless hit "Duay Rak Lae Phook Phan". Nanthida and Sunita then recalled working together with the great man.

"I would like to see more tributes to Ter over the next years and also to bring my children on stage," said Nanthida.

Saowaluck and Da duetted on "Chob Kor Bok Chob", while Billy, Amphol and Boy covered "Yaak Roo Nak."

"I love this song very much," said Amp before singing "Khon Khon Khon".

"Phi Ter persuaded Micro and I to play the opening act of his 'Puekkk' concert in 1986 and later gave us the chance to record 'Rock Lek Lek'," recalled rocker Nui. "I also starred with him in the movie, 'Nampu'."

Pat, who has been unable to sing for several months due to an ongoing health problem, admitted to lip-synching the jazzy "Hai Ther" before joining Nanthida and Saowaluck for an emotional rendition of "Klom Phor".

"I sing this song whenever I miss him my dad," she said, fighting back tears.

Billy and Amphol closed out the long medley with Ter's timeless hit, "Chao Sao Thi Klua Fon".

The concert ended with a scene of Ter singing "Kong Ja Mee Sak Wan" at "Puekkk" with the artists joining in the reprise.

Kitchana Lersakvanitchakul

The Nation