US FOLK ICONS A SMASHING HIT

EXCELLENT.....The American Music Abroad concert 2013 from left to right: Marcy Marxer (Guitar) Cathy Fink (Ukulele) Barbara Lamb (Fiddle).

By : M. IZHAM B. HASHIM

JUST one night with Grammy Award winners Marcy Marxer and Cathy Fink together with Barbara Lamb is all it takes to make the experience unforgettable. Together, they belted out a string of classic American country folk songs to the delight of a capacity crowd who gathered to watch the concert at Wisma Wanita, Jalan Tuaran, on Wednesday night.

The concert was organised by the Society of Performing Arts Kota Kinabalu Sabah (SPArKs) being part of a the American Music Abroad 2013 program, cultural outreach initiative fully sponsored by the Embassy of the United States of America.

Famed American folk icons, Marcy, Cathy and Barbara  warmed up to the crowd with the catchy 18 century American folk song " Shady Grove" and " One Really Good Day".

The concert thrilled an overflowing crowd, some of whom sat on the floor to listen and even sang together with the band. Backed by instrumental virtuoso on the banjo, guitar and fiddle, they captivated the home crowd with heartwarming renditions of Girl Django, Come take a trip in my Airship, Yodling, Caravan, featuring local guitar maestro Roger Wang; If I had you (Ukelele solo by Marcy); Don't bite the Mailman; Angelina Baker; Banjo Picking Girl and I don't mean a thing. 

MOMENTO ...Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Masidi Manjun (right) presenting a momento to Marcy Marxer, Cathy Fink and Barbara Lamb.

To the joy of the crowd, Marcy, Cathy and Barbara teamed up with local bands Merdu Kinabalu Bamboo Orchestra and Rhythm of Borneo to perform "Sayang Kinabalu" and a classic American square dance song.

Among the audience were State Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Datuk Masidi Manjun together with Youth and Sports Minister, Datuk Peter Pang En Yin, Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Youth and Sports Sabah Datuk Suzannah Liaw, SPArKS president Cheong Kok Ann and information officer of the United States Embassy, Harvey Sernovits.

Datuk Masidi was delighted that the trio performed together with local musicians, which gave the opportunity for local talents to shine and learn as well as gain inspiration from renowned international stars to broaden their career in music.

As a token of appreciation, Datuk Masidi presented the Americans with Joanna Funk's book on contemporary songs in Sabah and orangutan plush toys.

"The size of the crowd tonight is truly impressive and totally unexpected, more so as American root music is less known here. But what's  more important is that  everyone has a great time," organising Chairman and (SPArKs) Vice President, Roger Wang told reporters during an interview.

ORCHESTRA .....American folk musicans, Marcy Marxer, Cathy Fink, Barbara Lamb together Kinabalu Merdu Bamboo Orchestra and Rhythm of Borneo.

Meanwhile Marcy, Cathy and Barbara were thrilled to connect with native local musicians and performed together, which they described as an 'unforgettable experience'.

" Performing together with your musicians has been  wonderful, we love your music and can't wait to perform here again soon" Barbara said.

The trio began their world tour in  China, and arrived in Kota Kinabalu for a three-day stay to hold music workshops for budding musicians at Kian Kok Secondary School. (Insight Sabah)