KUALA LUMPUR, July 6 — Admired for his versatility, cherished for his eccentricity and respected for his inspiration, Paul Ponnudorai was simply one-of-a-kind.
He mesmerised many with his skills that ranked him among the best worldwide.
Indeed, the guitar legend was dubbed ‘the greatest music interpreter of our time’ by Time magazine in 2007.
Family members relate tales that suggest the guitar maestro had a lot more to give his fans and the legions of people who may have come to know him in his later years had he lived to a ripe old age.
I’m at the Laundry Bar, the Curve, where this night Paul’s nephew Russell Curtis and his father, Sam, are honouring their dearly departed relative with a selection of songs created by him and other items dedicated to him.
“He had this talent on guitar whereby playing solo would make it sound as though a full band were playing – magic in his fingers. “Even though it’s been three years, it’s still hard to believe he’s gone,” Sam says.
Sitting together the father and son share an abundance of memories about Paul. No sooner am I trying to document more about Paul, than I hear anecdotes about the musician extraordinaire and how he once a rickety click in a ceiling fan as a metronome.
Paul’s legacy is one of folklore – a cluster of stories riddled with strife, perfused in virtuosity and endeavour. Recollections of him see live performances with renowned names of the industry Wynton Marsalis and Jeremy Monteiro who counted him as one in their league of stars.
This is a memory of the music that might have been had life dealt him a better hand.
Curtis and Sam pay gratitude to Jonathan Beins, the man behind organising the tribute concert that evening in addition to an upcoming event scheduled for August in which friends and former collaborates will put together a show on a bigger stage in Kuala Lumpur. Beins opted for a show in honour of Paul to preserve the memory of Paul’s own his-to-own style.
“This is why I decided to pursue this tribute event. Like anyone, when you heard him play, you were blown away.”
Hailing from Batu Gajah, Perak, Paul who picked up the guitar at the tender age of four died in 2012. He was 51. His childhood saw his father insisting on the piano as the path to pursue but Paul developed his own niche as a blues-jazz-cum-rock-and-roll guitarist singing songs staunch in moral integrity.
The drive, swoop and thunder recreated onstage by Curtis that evening in Paul’s treasured hit ‘Our Father’ is testament to his acclaimed fidelity to music.
“His influences were widely varied from early rock’n’roll to blues though he’d draw something from anything.”
“He could rework any song to any genre – he could flatpick, chickenpick, play blues, jazz, funk and easily fuse two together,” Curtis adds.
Sam said his brother clearly had ambition. He realised that the Malaysian music scene was just too slow-paced; Red Rooster was the only regular jaunt in Kuala Lumpur that was a hub for talented musicians to jam daily or weekly. Europe was his ultimate goal, on the premise he could use his sisters’ residence in the United Kingdom
Despite Singapore being considered a last resort, it is the place that paved the path for Paul in the 90s. In 2001, he was signed to play Harry’s bar and this launched a period of time whereby Paul “was very happy – very very happy”. A time whereby Grammy award winner, Howard Levy, would give Paul an introduction. A time in which Tommy Emmanuel, twice voted Guitar Player’s ‘Best Acoustic Guitarist’, would pause mid-set astonished by Paul’s abilities. A time that saw Pat Methany, winner of 20 Grammys, befriend Paul.
Following a feature montage prior to Curtis assembling the stage, Curtis plays a set including hits from his own debut album, Projects, while offering intermittent tales of the man this was all in aide of. “He would teach without teaching”, was one sentiment. ‘’The worst thing is he had so many originals, all unrecorded” was another.
A fact reaffirmed by Sam is that family members were greatly influenced by Paul. This is most evident in Curtis’ opener, a classic cover of ‘Stand By Me’. Saturated in raw emotion and delivered with powerfully soulful harmonies, the song lands with real finesse drawing basking cheers and applause from the 50 or so spectators.
Sam performs in similar fashion – solo, just man and his guitar with frequent messages in between, particularly alluding to how “Paul is with us this evening, where ever he is, if he’s watching, I’m sure he’s enjoying it.”
It’s touching that father and son reinforced the laborious family support of Paul in this fitting performance.
Music comes and goes, though dedication to preserve the memories of the character and legacies of those no longer with us is the best tribute people can offer.
