Amien Rais to release music album

Amien Rais to release music album

People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais is, it has
turned out, more than a political celebrity. At the end of June,
he will release his first music album.

The album will feature 10 campursari (blend of dangdut and
Javanese traditional genres) songs he sings with his wife
Kusnasriyati Sri Rahayu.

The album will be released in conjunction with his National
Mandate Party (PAN) national meeting in Jakarta.

Amien said the album would not be available at stores but be
distributed as a limited edition for PAN functionaries and
members.

"What I aim to do is to promote national culture starting at
the party level. In the future we want to promote other arts,
such as ketoprak (Javanese traditional opera) and wayang (shadow
puppetry)," he told The Jakarta Post at his residence in
Yogyakarta.

The album was made at the request of party members impressed
by his and his wife's singing talent.

The recording was done at his residence. He will be the second
public figure after Gen. (ret.) Wiranto, a former military
commander, to have released a music album. --Ahmad Solikhan

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GuessWhat-Jagger-knighthood
Mick Jagger to get knighthood
JP/20/GUESS

Mick Jagger to get knighthood

LONDON Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger is to be knighted by
Queen Elizabeth II for his service to music, newspapers reported
on Sunday.

The aging rock star will receive the title Sir Mick in the
queen's birthday honors next weekend, The Sunday Times said.

The Independent on Sunday said Jagger, who once outraged the
British establishment with his hedonistic lifestyle, had been
nominated by Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is a fan of the band.

Blair's Downing Street office and Buckingham Palace declined
to comment on the reports on Sunday.

Jagger would be the latest in a line of pop stars to receive
the royal honor. Sir Elton John was knighted in 1997, and Sir
Paul McCartney was knighted in 1996 for his contribution to
British music and society, including the charitable and
educational causes he supports. --AP