A fitting tribute to Phil Collins

There are only two types of music, good and bad and there is no doubt that Phil Collins creates a very good one. I am quite sure that every music lover has a favorite Phil Collins song or that anybody can come up with one or two titles in an instant or at the very least be able to sing or hum the chorus of at least one or two. Against All Odds, Another Day in Paradise and Sussudio are some of them.

I am also sure that these songs have already won their right to immortality. They are the sort you can expect to hear performed in the next 20 years, 50 or even into the next century, right alongside the works Beatles, Bacharach, Andrew Lloyd Webber and other pop music greats. If you still have any doubt, then Urban Renewal will put them all the rest.

Urban Renewal is an album that features some of the works of the Genesis drummer who is surely one of the most prolific musicians of the past 30 years, all done in the R&B manner and interpreted by various artists. The entire package is a feast for the ears that no music lover should be without. In fact, it is one of those albums that I can’t seem to lift out of the CD player.

Take a look at the line-up. Another Day in Paradise by Brandy and her brother Ray; Sussudio by Ol’ Dirty Bastard; Something Happened on the Way to Heaven by Deborah Cox; This Must Be Love by Dane Bowers of Another Level; Gotta Hold Over Me (Easy Lover) by Coko of SWV; I Don’t Care Anymore by Kelis; Can’t Turn Back the Years by Joe; Do You Remember by Debelah Morgan; One More Night by Changing Faces; All of My Life by TQ; I Wish It Would Rain Down by Brian McKnight; and Take Me Home by Malik Pendleton. Collins himself joins Lil’ Kim in In the Air Tonight and certainly the best of the lot is Against All Odds as done by the soulful Montell Jordan.

Now I wish to say thanks to all those who took the time to write. From regular reader Pat M. Bael of Butuan: Buddha is said to be credited with the statement about ‘a woman’s voice which fetters the heart of man.’ Such is the mellifluous, beautiful voice of Joni James or of Judy Garland or Jeri Southern. Their songs can be excellent tranquilizers to ‘senior citizens’ among your readers. Are their taped songs still available in Manila? Many years ago, a radio host used to end his program by spinning a Joni James record. What has happened to Joni James?

From what I heard a year or so ago, Joni James remains active as a recording and concert artist. She continues to tour and to record. I saw some of her more recent albums at Music One. There are also very good imported compilations of her early hits. I have not heard anything about Jeri Southern by Judy Garland albums are easily available.

Jesus S. Medilo wrote from Dipolog City: I would like to ask for information on one of my favorite singers Novo Bono. For a couple of years now, I have scoured the streets of Raon and big record bars in Metro Manila but I haven’t had the success of finding a copy of his old hits. I even tried asking Novo Bono himself, who is now based in Cebu but he has no LP of his old songs either. As a last resort, I thought that through your column I would be able to obtain information or buy the record itself.

I am very sorry I am unable to help you Mr. Medilo. Let us just hope that somebody who has the answer or copies of Novo Bono’s recordings gets to read this and takes the time to reply.

Marie Ang Lato of Recto Avenue, Manila, is in search of the singing priests: I have the feeling you can help me. I am interested in the tapes of the singing priests. I really don’t know the name, who are having concerts here and abroad. You might be able to supply me the name and the title of the tape. I will be very thankful.

You did not give me enough information about the group you are searching for. As far as I can tell, the priests most active in the music circuit are the young Jesuits who record for the Jesuit Communications. Their albums are distributed by BMG. Check out Himig Heswita. Even if they are not the ones you are looking for, you will surely enjoy the music they make.