Remember Hall & Oates?

What, only nine songs? This is what will surely be the Pinoy’s reaction after getting a hold of this CD. Interpreting The Masters, A Tribute To Daryl Hall and John Oates by The Bird And The Bee only includes Heard It On The Radio, I Can’t Go For That, Rich Girl, Sarah Smile, Kiss On My List, Maneater, She’s Gone, Private Eyes and One On One. These titles are surely among the famous songwriting duo’s biggest hits but you know how Pinoys are when buying their albums. They want to get everything that can be put in that single disc, plus more.

I cannot really be blamed for wanting to hear more in the CD. Hall and Oates, after all, are among the iconic artists of the ’70s and ‘80s, one of the most successful duos in pop music history. In fact, there was a time when they seemed to be making one No. 1 seller after another. It is easy to understand why people love their music. There is always this sense of fun in their songs and a lighthearted style that makes you want to smile and groove and jump up and down to their pretty melodies. Think early Beatles spiced with Motown. Very fresh, young and most of all urban. And they created really good stuff that made the top of the hit charts in many places, including the Philippines.

Now that you’ve read what titles The Bird And The Bee offers in this tribute album. I now think of the other songs that should have been included. I say, what again? No Out Of Touch! That one was a No. 1 seller. So there are bound to be complaints. I am sure that if a Hall & Oates fan were to do the song line-up for The Bird And The Bee, he would make sure it also includes these titles. Say It Isn’t So, Everything Your Heart Desires, Your Imagination, So Close, It’s A Laugh, Method Of Modern Love, Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid, Adult Education, Did It In A Minute, Back Together Again, Don’t Change, You Make My Dreams, Family Man and the never should be forgotten Out Of Touch.

On the other hand, while the CD is a tribute to Hall & Oates, it is actually an album by The Bird And The Bee. Also a duo, The Bird And The Bee is made up of Greg Kurstin and Inara George. Kurstin is in charge of the arrangements and production while George does the singing. They make a good pair. Kurstin has this knack for taking any melody and giving it a light, jazzy, electronic touch that is easy on the ears, while George has a remarkably angelic voice that softens anything. They are among the hot acts of today, a big favorite with young career people on the way up. Think cool and trendy, never disquieting.

Pinoys will love The Bird And The Bee. Those acoustic CDs where they take Top 40 tunes and turn them into light pop ballads are not much different from what they do. A good example is Princess with her Single Ladies Put A Ring On It. I believe we will be hearing a lot from The Bird And The Bee in the coming months. Besides, as the cover of the Hall & Oates tribute album shows, this is Volume 1, the first of other tribute recordings they intend to do for the music of other acts.

For now though, we can enjoy this mellow kind of Hall & Oates. Maneater still gets you moving. One On One is sweet as ever. Sarah Smile is smoldering fire. Private Eyes gets you sashaying. And have you heard anything as infectious as Kiss On My List?

Because The Bird And The Bee has sent me checking on my Hall & Oates albums and because Tears For Fears is now officially the most successful foreign act of the year, I thought I’d also take a look at how the hit charts were in 1981.

The top singles of that time: Arthur’s Theme (The Best That You Can Do) by Christopher Cross; Bette Davis Eyes by Kim Carnes; Celebration by Kool & The Gang; Endless Love by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie; Jessie’s Girl by Rick Springfield; Just Like Starting Over by John Lennon; Kiss On My List by Hall & Oates; Morning Train by Sheena Easton; Physical by Olivia Newton-John; and Rapture by Blondie.