Chrisye: Reproduction is not shameful to me
By Endi Aras
JAKARTA (JP): Singer and songwriter Chrisye has gone through such a long journey that many of his works have become legendary.
Currently the 53-year-old singer is attracting fresh attention with the release of his latest album, a rerecording of the soundtrack of the noted film Badai Pasti Berlalu (The Storm Must Be Over), starring Christine Hakim and Slamet Rahardjo.
First launched in 1977, the soundtrack became an instant hit and a milestone in Indonesia's pop musical history. The album's songs were mostly sung by Chrisye and it sold well, mostly due to the fact that Eros Djarot's music and lyrics touched the hearts of teenagers at that time, and also because the film was well made.
Containing 12 songs, the original album was considered phenomenal as it introduced changes in Indonesian's pop music, then dominated by the music of Koes Plus, The Mercy's, God Bless and Trencem, a group set up by Setiawan Djodi.
The original album, which is still available, features Chrisye and Berlian Hutauruk as the singers, Eros Djarot as the music director and one of songwriters and Jockie Suryoprayogo as the guest star. Of all Indonesian film soundtracks, only Badai Pasti Berlalu has had the longest selling span. The album is still being released and to date about three million copies have been sold.
In 1999, Chrisye released the album again, but this time without involving Eros Djarot and Jockie. The cover of the cassettes strongly emphasizes the album as a new recording with a new musical arrangement.
Chrisye entrusted the musical arrangement to Erwin Gutawa, while the singers replacing Berlian Hutauruk are Aning Katamsi, Nicky Astria and, surprisingly, a famous singer of Javanese songs, Waljinah.
"It is not true that the album has become a hit. Evidently, fresh university graduates are not familiar with it, let alone students at junior and senior high schools," Chrisye, as Chrismansyah Rahadi is popularly known, told The Jakarta Post in an interview mid-December at the Musica Studio in South Jakarta.
It is youngsters' unfamiliarity with Badai these days which had prompted Chrisye to rerelease the album.
"It is true that this album has been a phenomenal success and has become a milestone in Indonesian pop music. But in reality, not everybody is familiar with it. So, following suggestions from my friends, I have decided to rerelease the album. In my opinion, rerecording an album is not something one should be ashamed of," said the former member of Gipsy Band.
It all began with Chrisye's Konser Sendiri (A Solo Concert) in 1994 when a number of songs from the Badai album were praised when presented in a medley with full orchestration. Then, Erwin Gutawa tempted him to make something more of the album.
"Erwin is a genius. He writes his own musical scores. In my opinion, he is the best for me and I proved it with the success of Konser Sendiri, which was held in various places," Chrisye said.
After the concert, Chrisye contacted Erwin to work on Akustik Chrisye (Chrisye's Acoustics) and Kala Cinta Menggoda (When Love Tempts), both released in 1997. Their cooperation continued with a plan to rerecord Badai Pasti Berlalu.
"At first I was not sure whether a producer would like to produce this album. I had no problem with Erwin. His requirement was that he should be allowed facilities and the freedom to choose the musicians to be involved in this rerecording. As for the producer, of course, he first thinks of the cost of production," Chrisye said.
Apart from the orchestration, Erwin also asked that the recording be made abroad, which gave the album's producer, Musica Studio, cause to think.
Several months passed without any response from the producer and Chrisye began to feel unsure of himself. He decided to begin work on another project, but shortly thereafter Musica called him.
"I was very surprised when I was told the album was going to be produced," said Chrisye.
Production costs for the album were relatively high. Music Studio spent some Rp 500 million on the recording and duplicating process and the same amount for promotional and other related activities.
"The album's production costs are enough to record a number of ordinary albums," Chrisye said.
It was because of Musica's willingness to rerecord Badai that Chrisye remained loyal to this producer.
"Besides, the producer never interfered with the recording process and I respect them for that. As for me, the moment I decide that I will make an album, I will be responsible for it. I don't want to sell something of no value."
Career
Beginning his career by joining the Sabda Nada band in 1968, Chrisye then set up Gipsy Band with a number his friends. When the group was invited to perform in New York in 1973, it was a turning point in Chrisye's life: he had to decide whether to take up music full-time or to continue his studies at a hotel and tourism college. He chose music against the wish of his parents, who later supported his decision.
"My parents were stern, if not authoritarian. But once I opted for music, they agreed. Then I began to admire them," said Chrisye.
He said nothing could replace the admiration he had for his parents.
"I have never thought of composing a song and dedicating it to my parents as a token of gratitude. I don't think composing a song would be enough to express by gratitude," said the father of four.
On his return from New York in 1976, Chrisye become more popular through Prambors' songwriting contest for youngsters, where he sang Lilin-Lilin Kecil (Little Candles) by James F Sundah.
The contest made both Chrisye and the song very popular, making Chrisye think that he had found the right music for him.
When he worked with Jockie Suryoprayogo on the Jurang Pemisah (Gap) album, his vocal characteristics began to show. They further developed in the Badai album, featuring songs such as Pelangi (Rainbow), Merepih Alam (Crumbling Nature), Angin Malam (Night Wind), Merpati Putih (White Dove) and Baju Pengantin (Wedding Gown).
His albums were successful and this made him more popular across the country, especially when he sang Guruh Soekarnoputra's Smaradahana.
Each time he releases a new album, Chrisye always finds a new atmosphere which enriches his music in terms of the types of music, the musical instruments used and even the nuances in the songs he creates.
In recent years, he has featured ethnic music in each of his albums, such as in Kala Cinta Menggoda and Akustik Chrisye.
"Apart from providing fresh nuances, this is also an expression of my deep concern over the fact that ethnic music cannot easily gain acceptance. I hope that by gradually introducing ethnic musical instruments in my albums, I may help the public appreciate this music. They might even say, 'that sounds nice after all'."
But he does not, however, regard his albums as ethnical.
"We take sounds from ethnic music. We adopt different musical styles. There is ska, keroncong (Portuguese-based music style) and others. I am not against the West. I try to mix all the different elements. I have never thought about whether or not the result would later become a trend," Chrisye said.
With 30 years' experience, he has gone through all the ups and down but Chrisye has faithfully stuck to his profession.
"There is nothing else I can do, so I just accept my lot in music. Well, as they always says 'Man proposes, God disposes'," said Chrisye, who received two Golden Records for his album Sabda Alam in 1979, a Silver Record plaque for Resesi (Recession) in 1983. He also regularly earned BASF Awards and HDX Awards.
For an artist of his class, Chrisye has also had difficult times, but has never endured a serious financial crisis.
"Well, I don't like shopping. I don't like buying expensive clothes or perfume. When I was younger and had a lot of money I could just buy what I wanted. Luckily, I realized that was not the right way to spend money," he said.
Today, Chrisye takes care of his garden and feeds some 30 birds that he keeps in his house.
"I feel as if I am in a new world. I sometimes forget all my work. I really feel content getting into the garden and taking care of all the plants," he said.
He does not spend much of his time in recording studios or on stage. Instead, he spends quality time with his family.
"I spend a lot of time taking care of my family. I take my children to courses or to schools and pick them up again. I shop for the family. These are the things I do every day," he said.
None of his four children want to be singers. "I don't want my lifestyle to suffer," Chrisye quoted one of his children as saying.
At his age, Chrisye still can sing 20 songs at a stretch. And he does not have any special tricks to maintain his health or his voice.
"Honestly. I have never had any vocal training. I have never done any sports, either. I eat practically everything. Well, if people say I have a good voice, this must be God's gift to me," he said, modestly.
And he considers that his latest album, Badai Pasti Berlalu, does not herald the peak of his career.
"I have never nurtured such an idea. I have not been told by God to stop singing. What is obvious is that I have an obsession to have Badai Pasti Berlalu performed by an orchestra.
"I also would like to own shares. Hopefully, Musica Studio would like to give me some of its shares," he said, shyly. "Well, I have never been offered any."