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Balawan's Many-Splendoured love
After almost four years since his album Magic Fingers (2005), I Wayan Balawan, who was born in Gianyar Bali on Sep
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After almost four years since his album Magic Fingers (2005), I Wayan Balawan, who was born in Gianyar Bali on Sep. 9, 1973, is set to release his new album, See You Soon through major label Universal Music Indonesia.
The album's 14 tracks are somewhat different from his previous effort. See You Soon is much lighter and not so jazzy. "That's true. You can hear almost every genre of music on this album. It started with a touch of country ("Morning Alarm") and goes right through to a contemporary pop sound ("Asal Kau Mau").
Everyone can have a piece of their own favorite tunes and I hope they find on my album," said the guitarist, who just returned from Germany and Norway, where he performed as part of the International Guitar Festival in early May.
The new record takes Balawan out of the jazz-scene box, even though some of the tracks seem to be on a jazzy note, his version of Nat King Cole's "Nature Boy" for example. The question is: Will Balawan be able to maintain the support of his fans, who know him as a jazz musician?
"From the beginning I didn't want to be put in a certain box. I'd like to be known as a musician or a guitarist more than as a jazzist. So, I can explore any kind of music I want to play. If people label my first album as jazz, so be it. People can interpret it the way they want and I also have the freedom to explore anything I want to hear. I guess that's fair enough," Balawan said, laughing.
Nevertheless, after finishing his Music Diploma at the Australian Institute of Music and returning to Indonesia, the country's music industry painted him in with the jazz crowd.
But the label might change after people listen to See You Soon, especially when they listen to the first single "Asal Kau Mau" (As Long As You Want). It was written by Dewiq, a prolific songwriter whose compositions are in today's pop charts.
Why would Balawan collaborate with Dewiq?
"I want to reach a greater audience, so that my music can touch more people than before. And I think Dewiq can write songs for singers with different types of voices. I'm quite satisfied with it and I hope you will be too," he told The Jakarta Post.
The album opens with "Morning Alarm" which reminds us of a cowboy's song and American breakfast. Aside from a morning kiss from your loved one, "Morning Alarm" could be an alternative way to be woken up. It is much nicer than just using the default shock-alarm on your cellular phone.
There are also tracks with lyrics written by Balawan, such as "Tak Terganti" (Irreplaceable) and "Andai Kusetia" (If I Can be Faithful), which I found much more poetic. The jazzy notes are not as bold as on his previous album, and yet you can still hear the finger-taping guitar style, a trademark of Balawan's guitar technique. The simple lyrics make it easy to comprehend.
Is it because the lyrics are based on a personal experience?
"Well, you could say so. "Andai Kusetia" tells the story of long distance relationship and how the couple wondered whether they could make it. Hmm, I guess the similar experience I have between Bali-Jakarta kind of influenced the song, here and there," said Balawan, who runs Sanggar, a music and dance workshop, in his hometown in Bali.
There are also two classics that attracted my attention. The old "Nature Boy" song (I remembered the Nat King Cole version) and "Like Someone in Love" (of which I've only heard the Bjork version). On these two tracks Balawan tries to show his affection toward songs that matter to him. With a touch of acoustic kendang (tambourine).These two love songs were somehow planted in my head and hearing Balawan's version made them more impossible to resist.
The cute and short "I Don't Want to Eat Alone Anymore" also stands out. The title piqued my interest and the music reflects the tone of the lyrics. It opens with a very subtle guitar sound and mix of funny voices that remind you characters from the Muppet Show or Sesame Street.
"I made that when at one night I realized that it is not nice to eat your dinner or breakfast alone. You need to share it with someone you can talk to, laugh with and enjoy the simple moment together. That's what I call a simple happiness, for I don't need much to be happy. Well one can also say, it's a song of me wanting to get married, and I guess so ha ha ha ...," said Balawan, jokingly.
Despite the broadened scope, his jazz fans need not to worry. Balawan is ready to entertain you with "Childhood Dreams," which opens with the sound of a flute and has a poem whispered over the tune. It's a perfect soothing song to hear when you lay down in *bale-bale' on a lazy Sunday afternoon with an ice tea in your hand.
"Magic Reong Jam," the sequel to "Magic Reong" from his previous album, again melodically combines his fast finger tapping technique with Reong (traditional Balinese instrument). The session was recorded live and can be seen on the DVD which comes with the album.
"I don't want to be known like those one hit wonder artist or best seller that knows only how to run the money machine. That's why in this album I included a DVD of my live performances and lessons on learning guitar, so that anyone can play guitar, like I did. Therefore the knowledge will spread even wider, plus you can learn it with patience and freely, no charges whatsoever, hehehe...," he said happily.
Given the many romantic themes on this album, one can hear and see that Balawan is deeply in love, not only with the music, but also with a beautiful lady who sat with him during the interview.
"Love is something that can get through to people and touch lives in many forms. It can also come to you in just a simple happiness. For me it's hugging your Mom and say good morning to her everyday, or just playing with children or just practicing my guitar. I guess there's no reason not to put love on my album. It's a good thing that colors your life," said Balawan poetically.
Like the Beatles has put it, "In the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make." What about the love Balawan suggests then? I leave it to you to decide.
