The Bloomfields must really love old rock ’n roll. Only kids who do so with a passion would know there exists a rock ’n roll tune titled Iskul Bukol. Composed by Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon, it was the theme from a weekly TV series in the ’70s. People don’t remember the song anymore but back then it set the stage for wacky situations in the popular show.
Now Iskul Bukol was so closely identified with Tito, Vic and Joey, who starred in the sitcom and recorded the original version. It will take a lot of guts for anybody to sing it again. Besides, it would have been also useless to do so now that the show has been off the air for many years. But take note, The Bloomfields, whose members were not even born yet when Iskul Bukol was on the air not only remember the song they also had the guts to record it again.
A lot of guts is definitely what The Bloomfields have. At a time when most local bands prefer to record only their original compositions or facsimiles of what is selling abroad, this group has chosen to be the voice of old time rock ’n roll. They call it Daddy Music or maybe even Granddaddy music because it comes from a time of so long ago. But for The Bloomfields, the rhythm and sense of fun this imparts make them as current as any tune in the hit charts.
So sporting fitted suits and moptops, Rocky Collado on drums, Louie Poco on bass, Pepe Lozano on guitars, JJ Lozano on guitars and harmonica and Lakan Hila on keyboards sing the music of Elvis Presley, the Beatles, the Beachboys and in rare quieter moments, songs of even Burt Bacharach and Astrud Gilberto.
The Bloomfields started out as a regular band. Then during one show, the group played La Bamba, an old song by Richie Valens, just on a lark. The people liked it. So they added more. And more as their audience grew. It was not long before everybody was talking about those boys who did rock ’n roll very well. Soon they had a loyal following that followed them around during gigs and were opening for foreign nostalgia acts like Gary Lewis and Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits.
I would also describe record label EMI as gutsy. Recording The Bloomfields means having songs like Little Honda by the Beachboys and If I Fell by the Beatles. Why do covers of those old songs when the originals in improved digitized conditions are available in stores? Why indeed?
I would say it’s because of the young and carefree sight and sound of The Bloomfields. They perform music from a lost innocent time. Those who remember adore the experience of being transported back by these kids. Those too young to know find kindred souls in the band and are encouraged to also explore old music.
Just take a look at the songs they have included in their first album. At the Hop, Girl from Ipanema, Ale, Never Let Her Slip Away, Your’re Gonna Lose That Girl, Little Honda, If I Fell, Wouldn’t It Be Nice, Surfer Girl, Walk on By, Iskul Bukol, King Creole. Not all of these are from the ’60s but they all share the same sweet, good time vibe found in old rock ’n roll.
Then as though to prove their musicality, The Bloomfields have also included their own originals. Wala Nang Iba, Alam Mo Na Yun, The Way I Care, Say You Do and Please Don’t Go are new works but they all echo the sounds that Daddy enjoyed in his youth.
ReMARKable at Club O
On the local front: Mark Bautista performs tomorrow, May 31 in ReMARKable. The concert will be held at Club O on the ground floor of the ABS-CBN Compound at Mother Ignacia Ave., Quezon City. Special guests are Rachelle Ann Go and Yeng Constantino.
Mark will perform his early hits like I Need You and You Win the Game plus songs from his big-selling album Every Now and Then. This is his first oldies collection and results are truly outstanding. The first single out is Break It To Me Gently. Also included are These Dreams, Kasalanan Ko Ba, I’ll Be Over You, See You There, Special Memory, I Don’t Want You to Go, Got to Let You Know, It’s All Behind Us Now, Naaalala Ka, Hold On and the title cut.
Call 413-0603; 687-5853 locals 705 or 748 and 0928-5055245 for inquiries.