By Kareena D Dodeja CHENNAI: A Mumbai-based music band -- Merlin and the All Stars – paid a
musical tribute
to
rock star
Freddie Mercury and the iconic band Queen here on April 27.
Called “The Man, The Myth and the Legend- Freddie Mercury,” the show featured pianist and composer Merlin D’Souza, Yohan and Bharat on the bass and drums, Adil Manuel on the guitar and vocalists Shazneen Arethna, Yatharth Ratnum, Dwayne and Vivienne Pocha.
The crowd rejoiced the tracks with a set list that included ‘Bohemian Rhapsody, Radio Ga Ga, Under Pressure and The Show Must Go On.’ The band won the heart of the audience, as they came together to pay tribute to Queen with a special rendition, which is one of a kind with new and different elements.
“We are bringing variations. There is theatre, drama, narration, graphics, and interaction with Freddie’s vocals and the piano. We have different exciting elements and decided not to clone it but take the music and give it a theatrical hit,” said Yatharth.
During the 90-minute programme, 18 songs were performed.
Yatharth said, “The rendition is quite different because it has two female and male singers. And we have backing vocals for each solo and all the four vocalists have solos. We are not doing it the way Queen did it, as our voices are different. We have a lot of jamming, melodies and we connect songs together. We are not singing Queen, we are paying a tribute.”
Vivienne said: “The tribute just needed different textures.
Freddie Mercury was larger than life and each one of the vocalists is bringing out one little aspect of him.”
Adil Manuel said performing the role of Brian May of Queen was a huge honour: “This is a unique tribute to Queen with a take on Freddie’s life,” he said.
Merlin and the All Stars first performed the show in Gujarat two years ago in a small town, Udvada.
Merlin said: “We performed at the most famous fire temple in Udvada where Freddie’s parents used to visit. The performance had a symphony, orchestra and gospel choir for the tribute.”
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