An album of Side A gigs

Side A always puts on an enjoyable gig. This was true 20 years ago and remains so until today. The band has totally mastered the art of putting together one song after another to cleverly manipulate the audience until the people have no choice anymore but to stand up and start dancing their hearts out.

Now although Side A gained its large following through their live gigs, this aspect of the group’s popularity has been largely neglected as far as their recordings are concerned. So while Side A on disc is best known for hits like Hold On, So Many Questions, Forevermore and others, Side A on gig is something else.

Success with the original materials is most commendable and is proof of the group’s remarkable talent. However, a Side A gig is a most enjoyable experience and it is good to find out that the group has at last decided to make a live recording of one of these shows. Titled Side A Gig, the album focuses on the foreign songs that their fans expect the group to perform in their shows.

I know that some fans might miss the Side A hits in the repertoire. It is only right that no Side A show should be without those. But I can assure them that the fabled energy, tight band interaction and Joey G’s remarkable vocals are fully intact. If they will take the time to listen to the album, I am sure they will also get caught up in the music and will be dancing like mad by the time that Side A gets to the Queen Medley and Simply Red’s Stars.

Aside from those and the first single release All I Need, the live Side A Gig also contains Heart of Mine, Later, Whenever I Call You Friend, Wild World, Heart to Heart, Stormy, Rosanna, Rainbow’s End, Sailing, Our Love, I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing, a Queen Medley that includes We Will Rock You, We are the Champions and Bohemian Rhapsody and You to Me are Everything, and Faithfully.

Side A is made up of Joey Generoso on vocals and acoustic guitars, Naldy Gonzalez on keyboards and vocals, Joey Benin on bass and vocals, Ernie Severino on drums and vocals and new addition Lee Von Cailao on lead guitars and vocals. Side A Gig was recorded live at the Tavern on the Square in Greenbelt, Makati. It is now a Gold Album having sold over 15,000 units on its first week of release.

Barbie, The Singles

Another all-hit compilation in the market today is Barbie, The Singles. Before she became simply Barbie, Barbie Almalbis was part of the trio Hungry Young Poets and fronted Barbie’s Cradle. Contained in this new collection are select recordings from those periods plus new ones she made as a solo artist.

From Barbie’s Cradle come Tabing Ilog, Goodnyt, Money for Food, Belinda Bye Bye, Shiny Red Balloon, Dear Paul, Langit Na Naman, Pangarap, Everyday, Idlip, Independence Day, Good Day, Limang Dipang Tao, The Dance and All I Need. From Hungry Young Poets are Torpe and Firewoman. Then from Barbie Almalbis, soloist, there is the hit single Just a Smile. The two-disc set costs a hefty P350 but Barbie fans are not likely to complain because the package includes a 12-track VCD made up of new live performances and all of Barbie’s music videos.

Top 20 Videos

From MYX the Filipino music channel, here are the Top 20 videos of the week ending Sept. 2. Take note, just as no pop act these days should be without a music video, then that video is not going to help sales any if it will not be played by MYX. Then of course, these tunes will not also be hits if they do not get lots of downloads as ringtones, caller ring backs, etc., etc. Thanks to the digital revolution hitmaking these days has truly become very complicated. Anyway, here’s the list from MYX:

The Day You Said Goodnight by Hale; Gemini by Sponge Cola; Stay by Cueshé; Someday (I Will Understand) by Britney Spears; First by Lindsay Lohan; Wake Me Up When September Ends by Green Day; All I Need by Side A; Wake Up by Hilary Duff; Behind These Hazel Eyes by Kelly Clarkson; Break You by Marion Raven;

Ang Ating Araw by Dicta License; Makaaasa Ka by Rivermaya; Helena by My Chemical Romance; Wordplay by Jason Mraz; Cool by Gwen Stefani; Don’t Lie by Black Eyed Peas; Fix You by Coldplay; Cater 2 You by Destiny’s Child; Especially for You by M.Y.M.P.; and What I Do Best by Sheryn Regis.