2nd Dec 08 @ Elegante, Royal Ascort Hotel, Bur Dubai
Boney M, legend and godfathers of Disco music! Who doesn’t know their name, and who doesn’t know songs such as Daddy Cool, Hooray Hooray, Sunny and Ma Baker? These are some of the greatest songs of all time. They have been playing on radio stations and iPods for ages.
Boney M was formed in 1975 by West German record producer Frank Farian. The band had a four official members’ lineup – Liz Mitchell, Marcia Barrett (Jamaica),Maizie Williams (Montserrat), and Bobby Farrell (Aruba). P.S. Frank got this name from an Australian show called Boney.
In 1976 they came out with their 1st album, Take The Heat Off Me, and in the same year, they gave the world Daddy Cool. All the way up until 1985, Boney M continued to give the world 8 great and well cooked albums, till they sadly disbanded in 1986. The main reason for this was lack of interest on the part of Farian, in Boney M, which resulted in their last studio album Eye Dance being uninspiring and a disappointment.
Bobby Farrel took a step forward and attempted in taking over Boney M. They went to record a new album without Farian, who took them to court in 1990. In court it was decided that all 4 members of the band could use the name of Boney M and could release albums and do concerts under it.
The original members of Boney M got back together again in 1988, but it didn’t work out well for them, owing to high tension between members of the band.
Bobby Farrel brought disco back to Dubai on 2nd of Dec 2008, at Club Elegante, but to my surprise, their performance which was scheduled for around 11 PM, started at 1.15 AM. This was due to lack of interest showed by people present at the event, probably because it was National Day, or perhaps people were just too tired after George Michael and Alicia Keys’ shows. To me it was the best gift a person who is staying in the UAE, could ever receive – Boney M performing on National Day! Seeing them live, performing in front of your eyes, gives you a feeling that you are watching Jurassic Park come to life! Bobby is truly a legend and the godfather of Disco music. He, and the band, should have been welcomed appropriately.
Bobby was at his best, and the highlight of the show. To my surprise, he didn’t act like a superstar; he talked to the crowd, he mingled with them and asked them to come on stage and sing and dance with him. He is one of the best entertainers I have seen performing live. People were so amazed by him that they were shocked into silence, and Bobby said ‘is this a graveyard’? This made people laugh out like crazy, and broke the silence.
I would suggest that organizers and promoters, who try to cash in on such big names, should at least do enough marketing prior to the event, so that legends such as Boney M get to perform in front of a great crowd.
Caiyad Phahad
Caiyad Phahad Films caiyadphahad@windowslive.com
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