Martin’s old songs - SOUNDS FAMILIAR by Baby Gil

Anybody concerned with the progress of his career definitely believes that Martin Nievera had already recorded too many old songs. While these collections are almost always beautiful and although Martin does these tunes extremely well, it is still about time that he takes on some new originals that he can call his own.

But there are still so many enchanting compositions from the past waiting to be recorded and although it might be a bad career move, there is nothing to stop Martin from singing more of these. This was what he did last December with Till the End of Time. Martin recorded 16 old favorites, compiled them in one CD and gave them to friends and business associates.

He recorded the entire album in two days and there are only 2000 copies. Because of this, Till the End of Time is not available in the music stores. It is also unlikely that pirates will get their hands on this goodie which will never even be played on the air. As Martin says on the cover, "Unauthorized copying, reproduction, hiring, lending, public performance & broadcasting prohibited. If you try we will spank you."

Well, take out the paddles. I know that there are so many people lusting for a copy of Till the End of Time. This is one of those to-die-for albums for old souls with romance in their hearts waxing doubly sentimental particularly during the Valentine season. I usually refrain from writing about albums that are not commercially available but it is Valentine’s Day and I cannot think of any new release more suited to romantic musings than this one. Besides, I think that the only way I can get this CD out of the player and my system is to write about it.

Now, I know it would have been a great treat if Martin had the Philharmonic again to accompany him but the arrangements by Louie Ocampo, Angel Panti, Lorrie Ilustre, Archie Castillo, Henry Garcia and Ric Mercado are truly inspired. Besides, Martin’s singing is so expressive I do not think anybody will notice whatever flaws he thinks there are. I do not know how he does it. The only reason I can think of is he must be incredibly blessed. Martin has been singing for 15 years and he only gets better each time he performs. He also has this deep affinity with old songs and is always at his best when he sings them.

Get a load of this line-up: Stardust, Prisoner of Love, Someone to Watch Over Me, What are You Doing the Rest of Your Life, Body and Soul, The Very Thought of You, What’s New, The Way You Look Tonight, Where Do I Begin, All the Things You Are, All the way, A House is not a Home, Sin Ti, What Kind of Fool am I, Smile and Till the End of Time.

Eat your hearts out.

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For more old songs check out the hit compilation Everlasting Love Songs 3. The cover blurb says that this is "The greatest love song collection ever!" Now, it may not be the greatest but it is surely one of the greatest as it contains some of the most popular tunes ever recorded during these past few decades.

See how many cherished times you will be able to relive with Endless Love by Lionel Richie and Diana Ross; Against All Odds by Phil Collins; Just Once by James Ingram; Careless Whisper by George Michael; Everytime You Go Away by Paul Young; Hard to Say I’m Sorry by Chicago; Tonight I Celebrate My Love by Roberta Flack & Peabo Bryson; Swear It Again by Westlife; I’ll Make Love to You by Boyz II Men; How Am I Supposed to Live Without You by Michael Bolton; Right Here Waiting by Richard Marx; Through the Barricades by Spandau Ballet; That’s Why (You Go Away) by Michael Learns to Rock; Always by Atlantic Starr and others.

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The love songs of the moment or should I say the songs with which lovers of today are storing up memories are the following: My Love by Westlife; This I Promise You by N’Sync; Cruisin’ by Gwyneth Paltrow and Huey Lewis from the Duets soundtrack; Shape of My Heart by the Backstreet Boys, Heaven by Your Side by A1; Love Don’t Cost a Thing by Jennifer Lopez from her new album J.Lo; Tuwing Umuulan by Regine Velasquez; My Everything by the 98 Degrees; and You Took My Heart Away by Michael Learns to Rock.