“KELLY COVERS” TRIBUTES TO THE STARS

by Desmond Kelly

It has been a while in coming, but folks, & each & every reader of both eLanka & later on, the Lanka Times, please take the time to listen to my “Cover-Tributes” to some of the biggest “STARS” of Country Music, a few of them, thankfully still around, while some of them, including George Jones(the Possum), & Merle Haggard ( the Hag.) have now gone to the old
“Opry in the sky” , where they would probably perform again, at the drop of a Stetson.

I could say, I suppose, that, had I done these “covers” in Nashville Tennessee, I would possibly have done more justice to them, what, with the “Top” Country Bands, Back-up Singers, Superb “cryin’ ” Pedal Steel Guitars, & “technology” available only in the USA.,
PLUS about 300 Radio-Stations over there, dedicated to just “Country Music”, 24/7, to play & publicize them simply as tributes to the “Masters”, BUT, I have lived my life in Melbourne, Australia, & been very lucky indeed to be able to “record” these great songs with the aid of “backing-trax” collected over the years, in what I called my “Music-Room” at the rear of my home.

My “recordings”were all done with simple basic equipment. None of those three thousand dollar microphones, I could not afford them anyway. Just an old double-cassette”recorder”, ordinary Mic., backing track “tapes” & an abundance of “unrecorded” swearing, produced the songs I wanted to sing.

I have been luckier still, to have the willing support of some very good friends, to bring this “Album” to you. Neil Jayasekera, owner & manager of eLanka in Sydney, who certainly knows “good music” when he hears it simply because he is involved with music himself, has been kind enough to give my “work” in both music & journalism the publicity needed, especially after my “retirement” due to a spinal injury which deems it impossible for me to “tread the boards” anymore. Neil is the Captain of the good ship eLanka & I am proud to be his 1st Lieutenant until “sayanora” in Spanish, “goodbye” in English & “giehilla ennam” in Sinhala. In the meantime, I also give my heartfelt thanks to Jude Goonewardane, in London, Patrick Ranasinghe, in Perth, Victor Melder, Dallas Achilles, Michael Fernandez, Trevine Rodrigo & Errol Lynch in Melbourne, my good friend Joe Vanlangenberg who “reviews” everything I do (without fear or favour), & many others, too numerous to mention, “thank you too”.

In addition to all the above, I would like to also thank Yasanthi Nanyakkara & Udena Wicramasooriya in Lanka for recalling that “yours truly” was one of the very first “recording artists” in Ceylon whose hit single Dreamworld was sold at Gerald Wicramasooriya’s
Childrens’ Bookshop in Colombo Fort. Right at the moment, I also fully appreciate being featured on the  “Sooriya Website” over in my Lovely Island Home, as I always refer to her.

To finish this “article” on my latest “re-run” on beautiful Country Music, let me conclude with just ONE of the 20 songs featured on “Especially for you”, Country-Style, “HE STOPPED LOVING HER, TODAY” Recorded by many, but NONE better than the late, great GEORGE JONES, a song that, he was first told, was too sad & depressing to be heard, but went on to record it, anyway, because no-one told “The Possum” what to do. This song went on to be one of the biggest-selling Country Hits of all time, thanks to George Jones. To even do this as a Tribute to him is a privilege.

There are 19 other great songs on this one PLUS 47 other songs, including a few “Original Compositions” on Volumes 1&2 of “Especially for you” to be heard singly, on itunes, & Album-wise, take your pick.

Also, Lankans, please make your “comments” on what we do on eLanka. If they are “good ones” please make them. If, on the other hand, they are bad, unflattering comments, please keep them to yourselves. At 81 years of age, that is a “learning-curve” I prefer not to take. Only joking, folks, this is a “Plebiscite”, Do have your say & I’ll get out of your way.

Desmond Kelly.
Star of eLanka.