Julia’s Spell

Cupid came a day earlier. But instead of aiming an arrow to someone specific, she casted a spell to many love struck fans which I believe will surely last for the rest of the month of hearts.

It was the night before the day of hearts. The audience didn’t seem to mind the wind frequently gushing on the concert area. And in anticipation of the night’s performance, I can say that romance was definitely in the air, literally. So when international recording artist Julia Fordham took the stage with her single Falling Forward the love-fueled spectators just couldn’t hide their excitement.

Known for her distinct supple voice and deeply emotional lyrics, the singer/songwriter dished out her early favorites Porcelain, I Thought It Was You and Girlfriend. Her first Philippine hit, Invisible War obviously gained all the wows but it was the movie (The Butcher’s Wife) theme song, Love Moves (in Mysterious Ways) got everyone singing along. This signature song, to my opinion, should be the universal Valentine’s Day anthem.

The enchantment intensified with Julia’s cover of the George Gershwin original, Someone to Watch Over Me which was part of original motion picture soundtrack Mr. Holland’s Opus. “I have been told 8000 times that the Cebuano audience is a tad reserved,” she playfully quipped in the middle of the show. So, she shook things up with an upbeat rendition of Michael McDonald’s I Keep Forgettin’ and encouraged everyone to loosen up. She concluded the mini-concert with her danceable Genius. Finally, it was her encore performance of Minnie Ripperton’s classic, Loving You that completed the musical potion to cast the lasting impression.

Needless to say, everyone left in daze with the heady feeling of love, ready to spread all the romance the next day. I did.