Balladeers to bring back romance

We Filipinos are suckers for old songs, preferably, the sweet romantic ones. As promoters have at times disastrously found out, no amount of eye-popping effects or the greatest performances can entice local audiences into parting with their money. They will, however, spend even their savings, if they have the assurance that they can indulge in a reminiscing trip through their old favorites.

That is the reason why the Lettermen still command a big audience after so many shows all over this country during the past 40 years. That is why people regularly flock to watch RJ and his friends. That is why even the trendiest radio stations make sure they allot several hours a week for oldies programming. That is why the Legends of OPM was the surprise blockbuster concert of 2008.

That is also why I have very good vibes about the very first team-up of Jun Polistico, Anthony Castelo and Victor Wood as The Great Balladeers. The concert series opens at the Music Museum on Feb. 7. This was originally slated to be followed by two more performances, also at the Music Museum, on Feb. 27 and 28. But feedback about these heartthrobs was so good that The Great Balladeers will now also be seen at the CAP Auditorium in Davao City on Feb. 14 and at the Thunderbird Resort, Rizal on Feb. 21.

Now what are the fans of Jun, Anthony and Victor looking forward to in these shows? What else but the chance to once more watch these singing idols perform the old hits live. And these three have a lot. If they stick to what their fans expect, their song line-up will cover hits from the crooning ’50s to the mod ’60s, the psychedelic ’70s spiced with country and Broadway and then capped with OPM. They all actually excel with the latter.

Although Jun, alternated between Frank Sinatra and Johnny Mathis songs early in his career, his first big hit was Mahiwaga and he also made good with local compositions like Sana’y Maghintay ang Walang Hanggan, Langis at Tubig, Mahawi Man ang Ulap and other songs. Aside from these, Jun also brings to the concert, the poise and polish he acquired during the many years he spent performing in Las Vegas.

Anthony starred in the rock musical Godspell and was in a pop/folk trio named Gentle Rain as a teen-ager. But it was later with the likes of Balatkayo, Maghihintay Ako Sa ‘Yo, Nang Dahil Sa Pag-ibig, Ibig Kong Ibigin Ka and Hahanapin Ko that he made the big time. One of the stalwarts of the Manila Sound period in the ’70s, he spent the past six years performing and writing songs in the US. As in case of Jun, The Great Balladeers will be his first Manila show in a long while.

Jukebox King Victor was also known as the King of Revivals so he had hits like Eternally and Teen-age Senorita but his biggest and most enduring recordings are Filipino classics like Malupit Na Pag-ibig, I’m Sorry My Love and In Despair. He holds up the country music fort in the series and might be expected to also sing the likes of One More Chance, Fraulein, Lies, Crying Time, Sweet Caroline and many more.

Of course, the other thing that these three guys have in common is the fact that they all have a big female following. So this should be a good opportunity for those fans to remember how they swooned over these heartthrobs some years ago.

Tickets to The Great Balladeers are now available at SM Ticketnet and the Music Museum. Prices are P2,500, Orchestra Center; P2,000, Orchestra Side; and P1,500, Balcony.

Incidentally, the date of the repeat performance of Legends of OPM In Concert at the PICC has been moved to March 5 instead of the earlier announced March 6. This was prompted by scheduling problems among the cast, who are all eager to be present in the encore presentation of the acclaimed show.

Legends of OPM was first presented at a packed PICC last Dec. 30. It stars Rico J. Puno, Rey Valera, Nonoy Zuñiga, Claire de la Fuente, Eva Eugenio and Joey Albert.

Tickets are now available at SM Ticketnet, the Araneta Coliseum and at Ticketworld. Prices are Flat Center P5,250; Flat Left/Right Side P2,625; Level 2 Center, Left/Right P3,675; Level 2 Left/Right P2,625; Level 3 Center/Left/Right P2,625/ Level 3 Left/Right P1,575; Balcony P840 and Gallery P420.