I went to the final instalment on 29 Dec 2006, 9.30p.m slot of the 4 time slots of Esplanade's Late Nite series at Esplande Recital Studio - Budak Pantai Unplucked. Budak Pantai wanted to bring in the intimate atmosphere as in their regular performing venue, blue Moo (a virtual cafe located at the rooftop of YMCA Orchard). As I entered the recital studio, the stage had this retro disco ball hanging with some toy displays which makes you wonder what Budak Pantai is up to as they sometimes have unpredictable antics.
Budak Pantai opened the show with a R&B-flavoured Hokkien tune in Ai Piah Jia Eh Ya which may remind you of David Tao's R&B version of Wang Chun Feng. Budak enagaged the audience with their groaners and fun poking at each other (such as Joe pointing to his and Gordon's heads). Songs such as All Rice, Abuden (one of Budak's signature songs and written by Joe as lead) offered the slapstick humor which had the audience entertained and fits of laughter. Their latest comedic offering, Unbreak My Heart (a song about how the other party is so repugnant) got the audience tickled with laughter.
In fact the group sang quite a few tunes which were not recorded in their albums (they have 4 albums to date!). What really appealed to me was Unbreak My Heart (originally sung by Toni Braxton) which was inspired by the 4-men group Il Divo's rendition of the same song title. Budak Pantai even tried imitated their standing poses which had the audience hooting with laughter. In lieu of the Christmas 12-day period, Budak also sang their upbeat mixed medley of Carol of the bells/12 Days of Christmas/Hey Baby which is definitely the Budak style of singing carols. Which means that it doesn't sound like a carol at all. This song medley was previously sung in their last year's concert as well. Michael, the group spokesmen also mentioned that they might be releasing a 5th album in the middle of 2007. Obviously Budak Pantai had the audience eating out of their hands as the audience repeatedly called for encore and the group did 4 encores such that the concert stretched just about 15 minutes more !
Budak Pantai has always been known for their unique and unpredictable rendition of songs. Their repertoire can be mind-boggling with their unusual intepretation of songs like singing Hokkien tunes with a splash of English lyricism. Though Budak Pantai is not your typical a cappella group, they can definitely hold their own after 12 years of singing. Especially so that they won many fans over with their odd-sort of humor and interaction with them onstage.
Budak Pantai opened the show with a R&B-flavoured Hokkien tune in Ai Piah Jia Eh Ya which may remind you of David Tao's R&B version of Wang Chun Feng. Budak enagaged the audience with their groaners and fun poking at each other (such as Joe pointing to his and Gordon's heads). Songs such as All Rice, Abuden (one of Budak's signature songs and written by Joe as lead) offered the slapstick humor which had the audience entertained and fits of laughter. Their latest comedic offering, Unbreak My Heart (a song about how the other party is so repugnant) got the audience tickled with laughter.
In fact the group sang quite a few tunes which were not recorded in their albums (they have 4 albums to date!). What really appealed to me was Unbreak My Heart (originally sung by Toni Braxton) which was inspired by the 4-men group Il Divo's rendition of the same song title. Budak Pantai even tried imitated their standing poses which had the audience hooting with laughter. In lieu of the Christmas 12-day period, Budak also sang their upbeat mixed medley of Carol of the bells/12 Days of Christmas/Hey Baby which is definitely the Budak style of singing carols. Which means that it doesn't sound like a carol at all. This song medley was previously sung in their last year's concert as well. Michael, the group spokesmen also mentioned that they might be releasing a 5th album in the middle of 2007. Obviously Budak Pantai had the audience eating out of their hands as the audience repeatedly called for encore and the group did 4 encores such that the concert stretched just about 15 minutes more !
Budak Pantai has always been known for their unique and unpredictable rendition of songs. Their repertoire can be mind-boggling with their unusual intepretation of songs like singing Hokkien tunes with a splash of English lyricism. Though Budak Pantai is not your typical a cappella group, they can definitely hold their own after 12 years of singing. Especially so that they won many fans over with their odd-sort of humor and interaction with them onstage.
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