The return of the Manila Sound

Oldtimers in the local music industry still refer to the period as the Golden Age of Pilipino music. And indeed it was. The late ’70s and early ’80s saw the flowering of talent that remains unsurpassed to this day. Of course, it is undeniable that we do have younger and talented singers and musicians nowadays, but for the best and the brightest and the most beautiful songs, everybody harks back to nearly 30 years ago.

It is no wonder then that much was made of the first performance together of the three living legends to come out of the Manila Sound era. Rico J. Puno, Hajji Alejandro and Rey Valera performed at the Music Museum in Greenhills in a series of performances last year under the banner of The Greatest Hits Series. No title could have been as appropriate. A big hit emerged each time they opened their mouths to sing. The audience knew every song and savored all the memories that came along.

Younger artists take note. The series was not a success just because of the songs. Rico, Hajji and Rey are entertainers in every sense of the word. They danced. They cracked jokes. They told stories about the old days. They laughed at each other and at themselves. But most of all, they sang and much can be said about the quality of the voices that soared and the emotions that went into every performance. In fact, many of those who watched the shows agree that it is now very difficult to find so much talent and audience appeal among the newer batch of artists, let alone three who rose to the top one after the other.

If you are among those who missed those shows and who are taking what you are reading with a grain of salt, then I heartily recommend that you check out the VCD release. The album is a total delight, a feast of sight and sound with, the hits of Rico, Hajji and Rey together in one album for the first and only time. Best of all you get all these for the price of a single CD.

Kahit Maputi Na ang Buhok Ko, Maging Sino Ka Man, Kung Kailangan Mo Ako, May Minamahal, Panakip-butas, Nakapagtataka, The Way We Were, Lupa, McArthur’s Park, Together Forever, Billy Joel Medley, Stevie Wonder Medley, Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo, Tag-araw, Tag-ulan, Kapalaran, Ang Lahat ng Ito’y Para Sa ‘yo, May Bukas Pa, Kumusta Ka, Macho Gwapito, Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika and many others.

Come Feb. 13, 14 and 15, original Filipino music once more takes centerstage at the Music Museum with The Greatest Hits II, the second set of the concert series. This time around the performers will be Nonoy Zuniga, Marco Sison and once again, the redoubtable Rico J. Puno. Like the first combination, this one is also made up of three of pop music’s greatest song artists and they will also perform together for the first time in one concert.

Marco Sison was a regular performer in the TV show Student Canteen during the early ’80s. He has since been a constant presence in the local entertainment scene as a recording artist, actor and concert performer. Among the songs he popularized are Make Believe, My Love Will See You Through and I’ll Face Tomorrow.

Nonoy started out with the Family Birth Control Band until an unfortunate bombing incident during Martial Law thrust him into the solo spotlight. His first hit was Ako ay Ikaw Rin, the song named theme for the disabled in 1980. His collaboration with composer and producer Willy Cruz resulted in some of the biggest selling songs of the ’80s era. Among these are Doon Lang, Kumusta Ka, Never Ever Say Goodbye, Init sa Magdamag and many others.

Then there is Rico, whom the other two acknowledge as the guy who started it all. He was a folksinger who rose to unprecedented popularity with his version of foreign favorites like The Way We Were and MacArthur’s Park and unforgettable originals like Kapalaran, Damdamin,Lupa, Ganyan Pala ang Magmahal and many others.

Greatest Hits II shows every promise of becoming another huge success. Because it is the Valentine season, it will focus mainly on the romantic love songs popularized by these three balladeers. So prepare for a grand time with nostalgia and the superb music artistry of these great performers. Tickets priced at P1500, P1200 and P900 to the show are now available at the Music Museum and Ticketworld at all National Bookstore Branches.