Loving the Knight life
February 24, 2002 | 12:00am
For someone who has weathered one Valentines Day after another in the comforts of either home or office, it was definitely refreshing to be out in the frontlines last 14th jostling with countless couples in search of the perfect romantic night. Time to be decisive and claim a slice of the V-Day pie.
It started out not the best of nights the humidity was oppressive and the traffic snarl everywhere wasnt much encouragement. People in the vicinity of the Araneta Coliseum that night would be only too eager to confirm this, Im sure.
But Brian McKnight and Regine Velasquez called well, at least two complimentary tickets to their Two for the Knight concert did. It was a Valentines offering too tempting to resist. While Im no pop staple freak, when you fall in love there is no such thing as cheese. Id gladly trade the power chords for the delicate plucking of an acoustic guitar in the name of that four-letter thing. But enough of these syrupy appetizers. Lets get down to the main course.
"In a day when R&B songs have become watered-down generalizations about love, Brian McKnight stands out as one of the 1990s most sincerely romantic songwriters," gushed one Internet scribe. This is not hard to see especially when you were among the thousands of people that packed the Araneta and willingly entrusted the blessed night of the 14th to McKnights romantic elixir. By the way, the guy has his own arcade at his Los Angeles abode (you lucky bastard!).
McKnights musical roots are supposed to lie primarily in gospel and jazz. While in high school, he had composed a number of jazz instrumentals and, get this, had formed a jazz-fusion ensemble by the age of 17.
However, the lad was kicked out of Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama for sneaking a girl into his room. The authorities of the school that is strictly rooted in Seventh Day Adventist fundamentals were clearly not amused. But as it often turns out, misfortunes prove to be doors to better things.
Brian found himself with more time to devote to songwriting. When he was 19, he penned 65 songs during summer. Mercury Records snapped the artist up within two weeks of hearing his demo.
As per Filipino standard, the concert started an hour later than the appointed time of 8 p.m. But that was okay, a lot more people were stranded outside desperately looking for parking slots. Two for the Knight was well under way when my date and I found our seats.
Regine was in a silver-black gown and way-high heels, singing a duet with McKnight, who was ably tinkering with the keyboards. They sang Whenever You Call, which Brian originally sang with a pre-breakdown Mariah Carey. Regine, with her complement of high notes in tow, did an improvement with her brilliant voice (compared to the then breathy squeak of Mariah). Score a point for Filipino ability which McKnight was only too willing to acknowledge.
Brian later took a breather backstage while Regine ably kept the audience riveted. She regaled the fans with standard tunes and her OPM hits (dont ask me what, but Im sure they sounded familiar, thank you very much). The audience was certainly appreciative of both Regines talent and her joy de vivre, especially during her giggly spiel about her concert partner. She must have said "sheeet" a gazillion times.
Brian then retook the stage, seamlessly weaving his way through songs while displaying equal dexterity with the guitar and keyboards. McKnight sang Youre My Kind of Girl, a duet with Justin "Britneys Babe" Timberlake. Video footage of Justin appeared on a couple of projection screens while his recorded voice accompanied McKnights live rendition on stage. It called to mind Natalie Coles duets with her departed dad, the great Nat King Cole.
Another highlight of the show was when Mc-Knight pulled MTV VJ Belinda Panelo up on stage. He admitted that she was a "special girl" to him and that theyve been spending time recently. A million pogi points to Brian for the candor and the courage. When was the last time you were serenaded in public and presented with a bouquet of roses?
Of course, everyone was waiting for the hit One Last Cry. When McKnight did sing the opening bars, you nearly couldnt hear his voice above the din of thousands yelling themselves hoarse. People settled down long enough to wave wave their cell phones in the air (whatever happened to lighters?), creating an illusion of blanket of stars. Sigh, how romantic, indeed!
So dont believe everything you hear, or rest in everything you believe. There is room for mush especially when it has this much musical value. Brian has the Filipino taste in his pocket. A true purveyor of love notes.
It started out not the best of nights the humidity was oppressive and the traffic snarl everywhere wasnt much encouragement. People in the vicinity of the Araneta Coliseum that night would be only too eager to confirm this, Im sure.
But Brian McKnight and Regine Velasquez called well, at least two complimentary tickets to their Two for the Knight concert did. It was a Valentines offering too tempting to resist. While Im no pop staple freak, when you fall in love there is no such thing as cheese. Id gladly trade the power chords for the delicate plucking of an acoustic guitar in the name of that four-letter thing. But enough of these syrupy appetizers. Lets get down to the main course.
"In a day when R&B songs have become watered-down generalizations about love, Brian McKnight stands out as one of the 1990s most sincerely romantic songwriters," gushed one Internet scribe. This is not hard to see especially when you were among the thousands of people that packed the Araneta and willingly entrusted the blessed night of the 14th to McKnights romantic elixir. By the way, the guy has his own arcade at his Los Angeles abode (you lucky bastard!).
McKnights musical roots are supposed to lie primarily in gospel and jazz. While in high school, he had composed a number of jazz instrumentals and, get this, had formed a jazz-fusion ensemble by the age of 17.
However, the lad was kicked out of Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama for sneaking a girl into his room. The authorities of the school that is strictly rooted in Seventh Day Adventist fundamentals were clearly not amused. But as it often turns out, misfortunes prove to be doors to better things.
Brian found himself with more time to devote to songwriting. When he was 19, he penned 65 songs during summer. Mercury Records snapped the artist up within two weeks of hearing his demo.
As per Filipino standard, the concert started an hour later than the appointed time of 8 p.m. But that was okay, a lot more people were stranded outside desperately looking for parking slots. Two for the Knight was well under way when my date and I found our seats.
Regine was in a silver-black gown and way-high heels, singing a duet with McKnight, who was ably tinkering with the keyboards. They sang Whenever You Call, which Brian originally sang with a pre-breakdown Mariah Carey. Regine, with her complement of high notes in tow, did an improvement with her brilliant voice (compared to the then breathy squeak of Mariah). Score a point for Filipino ability which McKnight was only too willing to acknowledge.
Brian later took a breather backstage while Regine ably kept the audience riveted. She regaled the fans with standard tunes and her OPM hits (dont ask me what, but Im sure they sounded familiar, thank you very much). The audience was certainly appreciative of both Regines talent and her joy de vivre, especially during her giggly spiel about her concert partner. She must have said "sheeet" a gazillion times.
Brian then retook the stage, seamlessly weaving his way through songs while displaying equal dexterity with the guitar and keyboards. McKnight sang Youre My Kind of Girl, a duet with Justin "Britneys Babe" Timberlake. Video footage of Justin appeared on a couple of projection screens while his recorded voice accompanied McKnights live rendition on stage. It called to mind Natalie Coles duets with her departed dad, the great Nat King Cole.
Another highlight of the show was when Mc-Knight pulled MTV VJ Belinda Panelo up on stage. He admitted that she was a "special girl" to him and that theyve been spending time recently. A million pogi points to Brian for the candor and the courage. When was the last time you were serenaded in public and presented with a bouquet of roses?
Of course, everyone was waiting for the hit One Last Cry. When McKnight did sing the opening bars, you nearly couldnt hear his voice above the din of thousands yelling themselves hoarse. People settled down long enough to wave wave their cell phones in the air (whatever happened to lighters?), creating an illusion of blanket of stars. Sigh, how romantic, indeed!
So dont believe everything you hear, or rest in everything you believe. There is room for mush especially when it has this much musical value. Brian has the Filipino taste in his pocket. A true purveyor of love notes.
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