musikeros
Despite of the debaucheries in our country these days, one societal aspect remains untarnished—the arts. The pearl of the orient will always be a breeding ground for the avant-garde. We can’t do anything about it, it’s in our genes. Much to the envy of our neighboring countries.
Two weeks ago I was eloquently reminded of this when I bumped into two talent-laden musical acts. One is a battle-scared veteran of the pinoy music scene and another is a prodigy who’s just starting to get her feet wet, and our ears melt.
Due to a series of fortunate events, I was able to see a Side A band gig for free. They sang some of the regulars, and hence hackneyed songs, like Tell Me and Forever More. But to hear them do multiple covers by the legendary Queen is not part of my experience bank. I mean, can you imagine Joey G doing a Freddie Mercury?
Bohemian Rhapsody is one utterly difficult song to cover in more ways than one. The sophisticated vocal harmony, or should I say vocal acrobat, is just the first of many things you should perfect to make a justifiable rendition.
Joey Generoso and the rest of the Side A band, including their new acquisition at the lead guitar who is a wizard on the fret board, hit all the right notes and played it with the ease of a lad singing a nursery rhyme. Joey G’s swagger on the stage complemented his still unwavering vocal prowess, something he has possessed for about 17 years now.
Now in their forties, perhaps they have lost some commercial appeal. Gone are the days when they ruled the live gig scene, when they filled auditoriums with thousands of shrieking fanatics, and when they perennially topped local album sales. Maybe it has something to do with their age, or the twenty something pounds that Joey G has gained. But one thing that can never be taken away from these guys is their boundless musical talent.
My other story is my Mishka Adams experience. An Awit Awards winner, her CD certainly deserves 420 pesos from my wallet. Got to hear this chick who’s been creating all this buzz of late. Plus the fact that I love jazz.
Right at the bat, you will realize she is dead serious about her music. Dead serious. Mainstream jazz is the brand of music she loves and so mainstream jazz is what she played. Together with her co musicians, they left me listening in awe to their brainchild of an album. I can’t recall their names (I have to look on it later to better acknowledge these geniuses), but the folks on the piano, saxophone and guitar were astounding.
God Bless the Child is a paragon of a quality-laden musical project. It’s a joy to see a local album sell and be known without ridiculous marketing shenanigans, and instead supported simply by honest promotions. I hope that other producers and artists alike will take their cue from this tour de force and continue prioritizing quality over profitability. Doing it the other way around demeans the art-form to which an industry is anchored. And hence, booo ABS CBN.
Ms. Adams is half British, but I believe her world-class talent came from her pinoy blood. I’m already looking forward to her next project. I guess God really blessed this beautiful child.
