Home Recordings of Indonesian Songs

On april 4th I gave a live performance at Jakarta International School (JIS). The audience consisted of children attending elementary school, of various nationalities. There were teachers and other staff members as well.

The video shows the entire performance uncut. It also includes a summary of the introductory conversation with Butch Koltai, the vice-principal of the school. It was a great pleasure for me to sing at JIS. The audience clapped and sang along so nice, and the entire atmosphere was very inspiring.

I strongly support the mission of JIS about creative individuals and responsible world citizenship. That includes the respect for different cultures, including “kebudayaan Indonesia”. I was really surprised that kids from all nationalities knew the lyric of the song Balonku and sang along spontaneously.

In the video you can watch me playing and singing the following songs:

1:07 – Kisah Cintaku (Chrisye)
6:00 – 15 Miljoen Mensen (Fluitsma &van Tijn, a Dutch song)
9:41 – Desaku (Indonesian children song)
12:54 – Semua Tentang Kita (Peterpan)
17:10 – Balonku, Bangun Tidur (Indonesian children song)

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In memory of Chrisye, 5 years after he passed away: my cover version of “Telah Pergi Sahabat Tercinta” composed by Dian Pramana Putra and Deddy Dhukun.

You can read all information about this video here

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I am happy to announce that I will be in Kuala Lumpur & Singapore & Jakarta between mid march and mid april. I am looking forward to meet with old friends and new friends . I am sure that I will fully enjoy the culture, the food, the climate, and last but not least the music . A major highlight of my trip will be to visit the concert Chrisye 2012 Kidung Abadi in Jakarta on 5th of april. If you want to stay up to date with my travel and musical adventures in South East Asia follow me on my Twitter and like my Facebook page.

Demi waktu is the hit single from the album Melayang, released by Ungu in december 2005. I heard this song for the first time in Makassar, Sulawesi, 2006. It was very well played by a cover band in the outside area of a hotel, a terrace, partially built above the sea. I still remember the tropical sea breeze and the beautiful sunset when I listen to this song nowadays. In my recording I took the freedom to add some additional guitar solo’s and background guitar arrangements.

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This is a very romantic song, Lagu Rindu, released by the Indonesian band Kerispatih in 2005.
I have recorded this song entirely live, using 2 camera’s. The piano is a Yamaha CP5.

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The song Anggrek Bulan was composed by A. Riyanto in the 1970s, and has already been performed by many Indonesian artists. My cover is based on the version by Chrisye, released on his album Dekade (2004). This album is a tribute to the history of Indonesian pop music. Chrisye sings the duet together with Sophia Latjuba. I like this version of the song very much, because of the beautiful combination of the vocals, the brilliant arrangement by Erwin Gutawa and the laid back overall atmosphere.

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I discovered this song on YouTube. Please enjoy my cover version.

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Rinduku was the first song I ever heard of Iwan Fals. I know it from one of my CD’s, Demi Nama Cinta, a collection of love songs. I created my audio cover version of this song in 2007. From now on you can watch it on video too.

The photo of Iwan Fals and me was made backstage at a live concert of Peterpan, where Iwan Fals gave a short performance. Read more about it at Backstage at a concert of Peterpan
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Desaku yang kucinta, my beloved village ….. Many people in Indonesia grew up with this lovely children’s song. In this video you can watch Lucie and our lovely nieces Merle and Iris singing Desaku in the Dutch countryside. We were amazed how quickly they learned this song in a foreign language that was completely unknown to them.

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In this post you will find a part of the TV show “Pas Mantab”. It was broadcasted on 11th of July 2010 by Trans7 TV in Indonesia. In their studio they have a special guest: Obbie Messakh. He is the composer of the song Kisah Kasih di Sekolah. While on air they show him my video cover of his song. How will he feel about it? Watch it yourself below.

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Kisah Cintaku was released on the Chrisye albums Jumpa Pertama (1988), Konser Tur Legendary (2001), Duet by Request (2006) and Greatest Hits Chrisye in Memoriam (2007). The song was also covered by Peterpan in 2008. I have recorded it in a simple and direct way, just me and my acoustic guitar, like a live concert. I hope you will enjoy the pure beauty of this wonderful song.
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Update: I have added photos of the interview

Wednesday the third of March Lucie and I will appear in a talkshow by Ranesi radio, live from their studio in Hilversum, Netherlands. The broadcast lasts one hour and starts at 13:00 CET (Central European Time), in Indonesia this is at 19:00 WIB. You can listen to the interview worldwide: Internet, satellite, shortwave radio (Indonesia only). The show will also be broadcasted by Montini FM in Manado, Sulawesi Utara. I have added more information about the broadcast below.
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Cintamu (Your love) is the first Indonesian song that I composed myself. In the video I sing together with Lucie. I wrote this song early last year, when we were sitting in our garden under the cherry blossom tree, enjoying the first warm and nice days of spring. A clear blue sky, a little breeze, a blackbird singing, my smiling girlfriend nearby ….. Lots of inspiration, a perfect moment to write this song.

We recorded the music video in the beautiful green scenery at one of our most favourite spots. We had lots of fun and often had to stop recording because we burst into laughter. Special thanks to the two cute white butterflies who were there at the right place at the right time. A wonderful gift and lovely to see!

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I would like to share a video report made by Al Jazeera’s Step Vaessen from Jakarta.

“Indonesian authorities have launched a campaign to protect thousands of children who live on the streets of the capital Jakarta. The move follows one man’s admission that he raped, murdered and mutilated at least 10 street kids. Officials are concerned that many more children may have been his victims.”

Let’s hope that the Indonesian authorities will be able to protect their child citizens. In the video the kids sing the song Jangan Menyerah (Don’t give up). I dedicate my own cover version of Jangan Menyerah to them, and to all other street children of Indonesia.
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I am pleased to present the audio remake of the Happy New Year Song that I wrote and published in december 2007. The remake is a music production with newly recorded drums, bass, guitars, and vocals by Lucie and me. Play the video below to listen …..

Starting today, the song is for sale in major on-line web shops, you can find more info here. So why not buy this song as a gift for your friends or family, to wish them a Happy New Year?

Whatever you do, wherever you are, Lucie and I wish you a Merry Christmas, and a very happy 2010. May all your dreams come true
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