Devoted till the end

Manila is bracing for the concert event of the season – in time for the season of hearts.

Instead of the usual man-woman tandem, Artist House, Artistation, and Headline Concepts, Inc. have put together three of the country’s best and brightest singing stars in the Valentine concert Devoted, set at the Grand Ballroom of the Westin Philippine Plaza.

Devoted is an unprecedented concert experience featuring a troika of pure talent and musical prowess. They are three of the music industry’s finest, most seasoned solo vocalists – admired and respected as much for their individual gifts as for their countless achievements throughout their stellar career.

These artists are among the rare few who can go by their first names alone: Basil (Valdez), Kuh (Ledesma) and Zsa Zsa (Padilla).

These names signify the finest the Manila scene can offer. They have scored just as numerous hit songs as awards and accolades.

That is why casting them in one concert is a touch of genius, an inspired musical concept.

Basil points out that Devoted offers a one-of-a-kind concept.

"It’s my first time to sing with Kuh and Zsa Zsa," he proffers. "I’ve worked with them separately in the past, but never as a triad. It’s hard to put it in words. It’s simply unique. Magical."

"Wonderful," Kuh describes the experience of sharing the stage with Basil and Zsa Zsa.

Recently, Kuh and Basil teamed up for the Power of Two Concert Tour in the US. "He never failed toimpress the audience," Kuh recalls.

Same goes with Kuh’s triumphant team-up with Zsa Zsa.

"We’ve been working for two years now," Kuh says of Zsa Zsa. "I’ve learned so much from the Diva2Diva concert, tour and an album with her. And now we’re even co-hosting A.S.A.P. Mania. It doesn’t feel like work when you’re with Zsa Zsa."

Zsa Zsa agrees wholeheartedly. "It’s easy because we’ve worked with each other before, Basil for a Valentine show and Kuh for Diva2Diva."

The combination of voices alone is quite dazzling and divine.

"I’ll be singing with a soprano and an alto and I’m a baritone/tenor," Basil qujps.

Devoted presents a mighty challenge for the three gifted performers.

"It’s challenging to memorize all the songs in so short a time," Basil volunteers.

The repertoire pushes the envelope for the three artists.

"I am excited with this show," Kuh chimes in. "We’ll get to play around with our repertoire."

Aside from their OPM hits, the usual Broadway tunes and standard classics expected of them, the artists are doing contemporary, R&B and pop hits, for a change of pace.

"The challenge lies in working together on the songs," Zsa Zsa affirms. "Especially since the arrangements are not that easy. There’s a lot of new material."

A favorite of Zsa Zsa’s is a cute, quirky reworking of the Burt Bacharach ditty I’ll Never Fall in Love Again.

"It starts out as a regular love song, but later turns into a novelty number," Zsa Zsa explains. "There’s a twist in the end."

"Ten of the 12 songs I’ll be singing are totally new," Basil shares. "I even have a Spanish song, No Me Ames.’"

Basil the soloist had to relearn singing with other voices. In a lot of ways, it was like coming full circle, a homecoming to his Circus Band days.

"It’s been a long time since I had to harmonize with other singers onstage," Basil remarks. "I’ve been a solo performer for such a long time now. But in this show, on top of the new lyrics, I have to memorize all the notes Louie (Ocampo, the musical director) has assigned me."

"It’s important to be precise in hitting the notes," Basil avers, "so the blending with Kuh and Zsa Zsa will come out fine."

"I consider him a genius," Kuh describes Louie.

"I was surprised that in spite of the amount of work he had to do, he was not just able to meet the deadline, but came up with excellent work. His work is truly excellent. Nothing half-baked. No compromises whatsoever. He always comes up with beautiful arrangements. Romantic. Sentimental. Full of emotion," Zsa Zsa adds.

Valentine’s, after all, is primarily for lovers.

"It’s always special because it is the audience who dresses to the nines and goes out on dates that night," Zsa Zsa beams. "It’s like we’re celebrating Valentine’s with them."

Kuh concurs that they are pulling out all the stops for Devoted: "In the past few years, a lot of foreign acts have been staging Valentine’s concerts in Manila. Devoted is special because we all want to put together a show that can compete with foreign acts."

(A production of Artist House, Artistation, and Headline Concepts, Inc., Devoted goes onstage at the Grand Ballroom of The Westin Philippine Plaza on Feb. 13 and 14. Dinner starts 7:30 p.m.; show at 9:30 p.m.

Ticket prices –inclusive of dinner – are P5,150, P4,120 and P3,605.

For details, call Artist House 817-4660; Artistation, 750-0350; Headline Concepts 551-7255 and Westin Philippine Plaza, 551-5555.

Major sponsors are Alaska, YKL Fujifilm, Superferry, and ABS-CBN 2. Minor sponsors are Mossimo, Flower Line, 99.5 RT. Wave 89.1, Jam 88.3, Joey Rhythm 92.3, Magic 89.9, and Crossover 105.1).