Memories of another day

Fans of classic Thai luk krung music were given an unprecedented New Year present last weekend as three of the country’s greatest crooners – Suthep Wongkamhaeng, Charin Nantanakorn and Thanin Intharathep – came together on the same stage for what was their first joint concert in careers spanning more than five decades.

The concert, titled “Master of Voices: Three Legends of Siamese Love Songs”, packed out the Royal Jubilee Hall in Muang Thong Thani for both rounds last Saturday and Sunday, attracting middle-aged fans, members of their parents’ generation and even some youngsters, though most of those were accompanying elderly relatives. 

It was a long show too, particularly for those senior members of the audience, lasting more than three hours and with just one 30-minute interval. But it was for a worthy cause: True Music announced that part of the proceeds would go to the Vocalists Association of Thailand and a foundation that takes care of the welfare of senior actors and singers.

Sunday night’s show got underway with each of the veterans singing his hits from yesteryear. Suthep, 80, led off with  “Rak Khun Khao Laew” (“Falling in Love with You”), “Saneha” (“Affection”), and “Piang Kham Diew” (“Just That Word”) and Charin, 81, followed with “Ruan Phae” (“Raft House”), “Alai Rak” (“Longing for Love”), “Namta Saeng Tai” (“Candle’s Tears”), and “Thirak” (“My Dear”)

Thanin, the baby at 71, crooned many of his hits including “Rak Oey” (“My Love”), “Fak Pleng Thueng Ther” (“This Song Is for You”), “Khat Chan Laew Ther Ja Rusuek” (“You Will Find Something Is Missing if You Lose Me”), and “Thammai Thueng Tong Pen Rao” (“Why Must It Be Me?”).

Joining the veterans on stage were several talented singers and musicians. Thai flute master Thanis Sriklindee accompanied Thanin on “Nok Khamin” (“Oriole”). Young pianist Saksit “Tor” Vejsupaporn provided the music for Charin’s impressive performance of “Thirak” and also played “Yang Khoi” (“Still Waiting”) as a solo.

Suthep was backed by award-winning classical guitarist Ekachai “Bird” Jearakul on “Yam Sonthaya” (“At Dusk”), the melody of which is based on the Italian classic “Santa Lucia”.

Young singers Nipaporn “Zani” Thititanakarn and Kanuengpim “Nim” Thanaphitchakorn added spice to the show with polished performance and mesmerising voices. 

Zani livened up Thanin’s medley of love songs then harmonised with him singing “Where Do I Begin?” as Thanin crooned “Oh Rak”. She also wowed the audience with her powerful voice in a jazz rendition of “Yard Nam Fon, Yod Nam Ta” (“Rains and Tears”). 

Nim performed a few sweet duets with Suthep, including  “Ther Yoo Nai” (“Where Are You?”) and “Rak Chan Nan Nan” (“Love Me Long”).

Charin’s granddaughter Pawarisa “Waen Waen” Penchart duetted with him on “Kwan Riam”,the soundtrack from classic Thai movie “Plae Kao”, which recently enjoyed a revival with a young and modern cast.

Due to their age, the veterans obviously couldn’t perform with the same vocal power as in their heyday. But for all that, the quality of their performance was thoroughly entertaining and won them loud applause.

And if at times they missed a word or two or simply couldn’t keep up with the music, this was largely compensated for by the happy memories surrounding the songs that they were happy to share with the audience.

For the audience, it was an enjoyable start to the festive season and an opportunity to sing along to their favourite songs.