Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Hendri Rotinsulu & ThomShell Light Orchestra Djakarta Indonesia Play Cliff & Shadows Hits


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Two hours of solid performance by this formidable group from Indonesia.
Part Two is below.

Surely one of the best pop orchestras in South East Asia. Since these musicians with their enigmatic singer have delighted and entertained me much I thought it a great idea to share this video with my readers and fans of this blog. I hope the people in charge of Ballroom at Djakarta Theater do not mind...

Most impressed with the lead vocalist Hendri Rotinsulu [below] who interprets Cliff Richard's songs with a superbly arranged accompaniment by the extremely accomplished and brilliant orchestra. 

Move It, A Voice In The WildernessLucky Lips, Constantly, When The Girl and I Could Easily are recognisable with Visions to follow. Versatile indeed, Mr Rotinsulu  carries Cliff's song with heart. He gets better with each one; many more to follow... using Cliff's milestones to pave his way that evening.

Hendri Rotinsulu - Vocals

The backing group on stage too, like the Shadows, are as adroit and have definitely mastered their guitars well. Atlantis and Deer Hunter are played with much dexterity and artistry with that special Shadows sound. Echank Caesar is the man behind that Hank Marvin licks and riffs. He's just as adaptable with other Shadows hits on stage. And using a red Fender too. I thought he stole the show.

Listen to the back-up singers. They deserve a special encore. 

Echank Caesar - Lead

This gentleman surrounded by his percussion instruments beats his drums so well I thought he could have done a solo performance with, I'll See You In My Drums. But he was the ultimate when the cameras shone on him. He's a consummate percussionist. Watch him hit his sticks. Thank you Arie Mardianto.
Arie Mardianto - Drums

If I highlight everyone else, no one would watch the video. So I won't but must definitely credit the musicians, back-up singers comprising 3 sisters, the announcer and the rest of the orchestra members and crew for an impressive evening of good clean sound and solid music. Cliff and his Shadows couldn't have been more proud.

Like what the lady announcer remarked, the concert is, ''luar biasa dan enggah gampang'' [unique and not easy] to perform one so similar in nature. 

Thank you ThomShell Light Orchestra from Djakarta Indonesia and their producers of this YOUTUBE Video for Cliff Richard Night and The Shadows.

Indonesians are great musicians from time immemorial. Cheers.

Come on folks, let's introduce these musicians to your friends...

ThomShell Light Orchestra.
Ballroom at Djakarta Theater, Indonesia.

Images, Video - Google and YouTube.

Thanking Tan Tee Peng [hobby guitarist] for this video introduction.

22 comments:

CEDRIC CORK [DRUMMER EXTRAORDINAIRE] said...

For an Indonesian, his diction is good.

[Cedric experienced the VIETNAM connection when he played during the war torn years.]

CHARLIE YAP [LOCOMOTION BAND LEADER] said...

Yes, Excellent Orchestra.
The lead guitarist is fantastic.
Very good tone and play very near to the Shadows.
Cheers.

Ivor Lesslar said...

Indonesians musicians are very talented and creative.
Nice guitar playing..

VICTOR LAM (DRUMMER MYSTERIANS) said...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

RICKIE CHNG (GUITARIST LEAD) said...

I am watching now on YouTube better audio sound, nice orchestra backing.

LAURENCE LIM said...

Wow , what a performance !!!Sadly, in comparison, Singapore is trailing far, far behind indonesia in terms of of staging such concerts with with so many talented performers. And this orchestra is just one the many performing all year round in Indonesia’s major cities namely Bandung, Jogya , Surabaya , Jakarta, Bali and Medan After having spent 23 years of my working life in Indonisia and having patronised and attended various pubs , cafes ,and public concerts ( Java Jazz a yearly local musical event with some International artists performing namely James Brown ,Jamie Mcullum, Ella Fitsgerald ) I can safely coclude that Indonesian musicians , despite lacking a good command of the English language are far, far better musicians than our Media Corp Ochestra. If one delves deeper into their love for music, the number of local recording artists is evident enough In Spore we can hardly identify a local Sporean artist worthy of mention. Too bad Sporeans are more interested in growing their wealth, thus ignoring the finer things in Life. Thks Andy for sharing .

MICHAEL BANGAR (PROFESSIONAL GUITARIST) said...

🎸🎤🎹🎼RE : Hendri Rotinsulu & Thomshell Light Orchestra, Djakarta Indonesia : Play Cliff & The Shadows Hits.
A Live Streaming Recording Of The Show.
As mentioned by Mr Cedric Cork, Mr Hendri R does a good job with his diction. The Orchestra is excellent & Echank Caesar on lead guitar does a respectable tribute to Hank B Marvin's guitar work.
ps only Cliff Richard sounds like Cliff Richard but Hendri Rotinsulu & the Thomshell Light Orchestra did it their way, putting their own style into Cliff Richard & The Shadows Classic Hits.
Quite An Entertaining Show.
A Great Job, Fellas. Well Done.👍🏼👏🙏🏼🎸

GEORGE CHEW (LEAD GUITAR) said...

Yes they are good. too long to watch.
Also yr blog very lenghty lah🤪

SIMON TAY (BASSIST) said...

H Rotinsulu is one of my favorite singers, bcos of his voice.
I have his cd long time ago.
Rotinsulu has a collection of beautiful slow semi jazz numbers.
But very few people enjoy Hawaiian music ha ha ha....joking😄
Juwita Malam is my favorite.
I'll circulate yr 2 hr video to my music kakis.
Thanks again Andy👌

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Thanks to everyone who has made comments about this outstanding orchestra.
This post is so popular, it went from zero to one on the TOP TEN LIST on this blog.

JIMMY CHNG (DRUMMER) said...

After reading only the first few lines of your write-up, I started watching the video. Thoroughly enjoyed it and was singing and humming along throughout. Really solid performance by Hendri n the ThomShell Light Orchestra. I then continued reading your excellent description of their performance. I've circulated to all my kakis. Thank you Andy, and to TP Tan as well.

TP TAN (HOBBY GUITARIST) said...

There is another Indonesian band called Nada on YouTube.
Not bad. The guitarist played Ventures instrumental.

JIMMY YAP said...

Andy -
My heartfelt thanks for the super duper entertainment from INDONESIA !
Hv to go watch them live when free to travel again.
You can bet Im going to watch them again and again.

LAURENCE LIM said...

Andy,
If Winston Koh is backed by this orchestra it will be a perfect match.
The singer Henry doesnt really sound like Cliff Richard.
Winston is much better .

OLIVER BALASHINGAM [DRUMMER] said...

Creditable cover especially the accompanying band

anonymous said...

An outstanding lead guitarist indeed.
He has hold of the orchestra too without missing a note.
His APACHE is so hot and the ending echoes is originally the groups'.

The drummer, as you mentioned, should have been allowed a few solos.
He is Brian Bennett and Tony Meehan combined.

The live backdrop projection synchronizes with the music they play, Cliff and all.
One of the best shows I've seen.

FACEBOOK CHATS said...

Hiroshi Deguchi
Let me send the blog to a childhood friend who had lived in Djakarta for a long time who might be interested.

Andy Young
THANKS Hiroshi, so kind of you. And Jimmy too for the thumbs up.

Hiroshi Deguchi
I'm really amazed the Indonesian shadows are so refined and sophisticated, producing each note with a great care. I love the band.

Andy Young
Yes, Hiroshi, glad you watched the show. Truly a talented group of musicians. I was amazed at their dexterity and style of play. THANKS.

Andy Young
THANKS TO ALL WHO ENJOYED THE ORCHESTRA.

FACEBOOK CHATS said...

THANKS VICTOR FOR SHARING.

Michael Lee
Interesting and entertaining show. Agreed they are a group of really talented singers and musicians with very good sound too.

Freda Hanum
Michael Lee Sorry I don't see any show in the blog?

Andy Young
Freda there are 2 videos on the blog post. Part One is below, the other - Part Two is above.

Andy Young thanks the following for liking this post.
Michael Lee
Chow Wen Hing
Freda Hanum
Ho Victor
Ser Kiong Tan
Hiroshi Deguchi
Jimmy Appudurai-chua

FACEBOOK CHATS said...

· 8h
Michael Lee
Hi Andy, to be honest the lead guitarist sure has an excellent hang of Hank's signature sound and style. He may not look like Hank but he really sound like Hank. Reminds of The Shadows 2004 Reunion concerts. Remove the video and anyone would easily be mistaken that Hank was playing. Cheerio.

Andy Young
Yes, you're right Michael. Many What'sApp comments from readers to made the same remarks. Caesar is good. Thanks MICHAEL for taking the time to write.

Anonymous said...

HOW ABOUT JOHNNY MAY FROM UK? A CLIFF RHICHARD TRILOGY.

IS THIS CLIFF'S LOVECHILD?

mattjsltan (original world gtr gangsta) said...

yes, i remember how incredible indonesian groups were. when fried ice trio was swaggering to think we were jack bruce jimi hendrix and mitch mitchell (me, ray and gerry) , one night i went dancing with my gf at a club where a santana imitation band was playing (lol, we were just that, counterfeit rolexes all )..
and the band literally blew me away.
at another time i met the same band who changed my whole attitude towards being a fake rolex cream /hendrix trio. the lead guitarist related to me how carlos actually turned up at the club one night (i guess he was playing spore,and someone told him of a santana clone band). cut to the chase, the lead guitarist told me "carlos stood in front of me hand to chin, as if saying, "hmm, do i really look like this? "
it was there that i decided i would never to no longer be (quote- john lennon "a performing flea") (quote paul rodgers of free "a human jukebox" ) ever again.
you could say, it was a swift kick in the pant that made me stop swaggering at being a fake rolex with fried ice (thus, ..fast fwd to 2017. coming out of retirement from 20 years not touching a guitar to decide i will be an authentic , never ever again play someone else's music that way.

needless to say, indonesian bands easily blew fried ice,and all other singapore (clone) bands,.. away..

Anonymous said...

re: mattjsltan (original world gtr gangsta)


Itu pasti, seperti saudara ini di sini. Dari Indonesia.
LITTLE WING