KING of pop Datuk Jamal Abdillah has the knack for bringing a concert hall to life with his soulful vocals, screams and cheers from the audience reverberating from every corner. This happened recently too, when the award-winning singer with the golden voice entertained a packed Istana Budaya in Kuala Lumpur in an exclusive staging for members of the media in Konsert 3 Suara last Wednesday.
Jamal roped in two of his longtime friends, talented crooners Ameng of Spring and Zamani of Slam, for the memorable 150-minute concert.
Accompanied by 20 professional musicians from the national theatre, led by music director Raja Mohamad Sham Raja Saari and conducted by Mustafa Fuzer Nawi of the National Symphony Orchestra fame, the actual concert stages for four days (beginning Sept 22). It is organised by Jamal’s company, Bin Jamal Events.
It is Jamal’s first collaboration with Ameng and Zamani at Istana Budaya.
INSTRUMENTAL VERSIONS
The band opened the show beautifully at 9pm with instrumental versions of the hits Tak Mungkin Berpaling (Zamani), Sampai Hati (Ameng) and Kekasih Awal Dan Akhir (Jamal).
Shortly after, a stylishly-dressed Ameng, in a black suit and tie, emerged with a radiant smile to sing Mati Hidup Semula (an early Jamal hit song) and Sejiwa. The crowd gave him a roaring applause, and some fans stood up in respect of the rocker who looked hale and hearty.
Then came Zamani, with his trademark long hair and dark glasses. Dressed in a royal blue suit and tie, he delivered flawless performances of Kembali Terjalin and Maria Mariana, the latter being the theme song of the Ziana Zain and Erra Fazira movie of the same name screened in the early 1990s.
The crowd also applauded him, before Jamal emerged on stage, stylishly dressed in a violet suit and tie, which enhanced his youthfulness. The star performer of the evening brought the house down with slow, moving versions of his hits Aku Penghiburmu and the more memorable Kau Lupa Pada Janji. The crowd cheered loudly as soon as he sang the second song, and many gave him a standing ovation as soon as he completed it.
Jamal then introduced his younger brother Jamilul Hayat, who was dressed in a grey suit and tie, and looked a lot more tanned and rugged than in his heyday.
Hayat greeted the crowd, saying that it was “so good to be back on stage after a long time”, and performed Gelora Cintamu, a beautiful song which likened love to a stormy voyage at sea. Zamani then returned to deliver Kembali Merindu and Syair Si Pari-Pari. Both songs saw him make full use of his distinct, falsetto sound.
Ameng subsequently serenaded fans with his Bougainvillea and a sad song, Sepi Tanpa Cinta. He remarked that while he loved sad songs which reflect life’s realities, he had “never been happier”, appearing in the national theatre for the first time.
MAGICAL MEDLEY
Jamal, who greeted the audience and then introduced Mustafa and Raja Mohamad Sham, delivered his “magical Middle Eastern medley” comprising Ghazal Asmara, Ghazal Untuk Rabiah and Samrah Mentari.
Fans even sang along to the second song’s famous chorus “yang halus yang tulus” (“what is refined is honest”).
He said, delightedly: “The orchestra has done a great job making our songs orchestral but still staying true to their essence and sounds.”
Hayat, who received another standing ovation serenading fans with Mawar Putih Tanda Perpisahan (his most popular) and Saat Terpisah, said: “I’ve always attended Jamal’s concerts over the years. I run a business with friends and singing is a hobby for me.”
Later, Jamal, Ameng and Zamani teamed up to sing Search’s late 1980s hit Isabella, which was re-recorded as Isabella 1998 by Search lead singer Amy, Zamani and Jamal. This had fans singing along all the way, and led to another standing ovation, cheers and whistles.
Ameng showed his romantic side, singing Romantis, and likewise Zamani with two songs, Manisnya Rindu and Nur Kasih. The duo then challenged each other to an exchange of songs — Zamani sang Jamal’s Derita Cinta, while Ameng sang Zamani’s Jika Kau Rasa Getarnya. Both added their personal touch to the songs, to fans’ delight.
The “boss”, as Ameng and Zamani called Jamal, returned next with the less known Bicara Cinta, before mesmerising the sing-along audience with his monster hit Azura, which was accompanied by clips from the 1980s movie of the same name where he played the hero, Zek.
Ameng and Zamani then confessed to Jamal that they skipped classes to watch Azura, because they were big fans of him and lead actress Fauziah Ahmad Daud. Ameng even said some of his school mates “dug a hole” beneath the school fence.
Jamal, stepping out of his comfort zone to sing a “woman’s song”, won roaring applause once again, with Joget Mencari Teman, made popular by Ziana. His manly voice, backed by a team of skilful Istana Budaya dancers, was unlike Ziana’s version, the song sounded like a Jamal original.
The trio’s final medley comprised Tak Mungkin Berpaling and the popular tear-jerker Kekasih Awal Dan Akhir (from Jamal’s movie of the same name). This was followed, with the inclusion of Hayat, by Perjalananku, Terharu and the boisterous Gadis Melayu (originally sung by Othman Hamzah).
Fans sang along throughout the medley, and the entertainers worked brilliantly as a team, without any sign of attempting to outdo each other. Their excellent chemistry on stage, coupled with down-to-earth rapport with fans, clearly set a high benchmark for all entertainers who have yet to make their appearances in the national theatre.
Konsert 3 Suara
at Istana Budaya, Jalan Tun Razak in Kuala Lumpur,
ends today, 8pm.
Tickets
RM108-RM458