Doha: Norbert Pereira's Do Re Me Fa Refreshing for Konkani Minds, Hearts

By Gladson D'Almeida

Doha, Apr 7: Do Re Me Fa by innovative Norbert Pereira is indeed refreshing. Nobby’s love for pop is quite known from his earlier albums. He has a taste for jazz perhaps too along with rock. But he blends
this well with folk, baila. Hence his songs have a distinct identity of native land and Konkani culture.

Do Re Me Fa has 13 well composed songs. All the songs have been set to music in perfection and precision by Konkani’s number one musician Roshan Angelore. Out of all the tracks, the two stand-out songs for me are the duets, one sung by Naveen and Prima of GVOM fame and the second by seasoned and melodious duo of Babita and Prakash Bajpe. The song ‘I Love You’ by Naveen & Prima is not only rich in lyrics but goes with a melodious tune too. Both the singers have indeed given life to the lyrics of Nobby. The second duet ‘Dees Ami Axelo’ is my favourite one. Babita & Prakash have proved again how good singers they are and the slow ballad will surely be hit with beat groups for weddings and for competitions. It has such a haunting tune with Roshan’s creativity at the background that one feels like listening to it again and again and each time it will sound new. This is indeed the hallmark of any composition for me. It seems that this number has come straight from the heart of Nobby, Roshan and then Prakash and Babita and that’s why it touches the hearts of listeners too.

Two more songs that envelope the listeners are the opening number ‘Mai Bhas’ and title song ‘Do Re Me Fa’ sung by Norbert himself. The first song that ends with rich tributes to Konkann Kogull Wifly Rebimbus sets a perfect opening for the entire album. The title song is heart-capturing with flowing melody and meaningful lyrics. And Nobby-Claud duo’s concluding number ‘Adlem Kazar’ is a perfect foot-tapping dance number. While the lyrics are cleverly penned, what the listener would take home is its foot-tapping melody. Similar is the case with dancing number ‘Ye ya Ami Nachoyam’. Though these kinds of numbers are not entirely new to Konkani music, the composer seems to have understood the fact that it is only these kind of numbers have commercial value.

The folk number ‘Shethkar’ sung by Ravindra Prabhu and Babita is another proof of Norbert’s versatility and innovation. Though the subject is as old as Konkani music and lyrics nothing out of ordinary, this number has a touch of native and hence will sounds familiar. This number will surely be favourite for group dances within our community.

Rupert Lobo’s ‘Aaz Nai thar falyam’ is a superb track but commercially it may not succeed. The singer has though done full justice to the number as his melodious voice is tailor-made for the song which I guess would do well at the competitions owing to its lyrics, tune and music arrangement.

Young and melodious Monita again impresses with her solo number ‘Bara saron tera’. She indeed has all that can make her good singer in the days to come. A special mention needs to be done of Norbert’s talented life partner Nancy. She has two numbers, a solo and a duet and she has done full justice to both the songs. The solo song ‘Kogulle’ that goes with crisp lyrics and ear-catching melody has been sung melodiously by Nancy. She has a voice that suits background singing and if she continues in the same vein, surely has all that takes it to make a good singer. One would really wonder as where was this melodious voice so far! Her duet with Sunita Tellis of GVOM too proves is another song that has the ability to captivate the listeners.

While the performance of established singers such as Maxim, Claud, Prakash, Ravindra and Babita is as expected, the new comers, especially, the GVOM Doha semi-finalists Naveen-Prima, Rupert and Sunita have been impressive. Norbert must be applauded for giving opportunities to these rising stars who are otherwise just seen during competitions. Norbert, himself an established singer, has filled life for all the songs that he has sung. He has a special deep voice that has the knack of mesmerizing the music buffs.

I have been a great admirer of Roshan Angelore as I have had opportunities to know him from close quarters. He is a self-made achiever whose hallmark is hard work and penchant for perfection.

Among all the young musicians of Konkani, he is by far the best one with sound knowledge of western as well as traditional music. That is why is at home with pop, rock, jazz or even baila and folk and gives a unique touch to every album. All in all, Norbert’s album ‘pops’, ‘rocks’ yet remains in the minds and hearts of Konkani music buffs for long.

Now album copies are available in “Jerosa Company” and all other Music shops in an around Mangalore.