25 years of The CompanY

The CompanY is turning 25 this year. Membership has gone down from the original 30-something chorus to only five singers. Sweet Plantado, Annie Quintos, Cecile Bautista, Jay Marquez and Moy Ortiz who is also the artistic director. Theirs is a small group, but they more than make up what they lack in number with their accomplishments during this past quarter of a century.

The CompanY has recorded 19 studio albums, won 39 music industry awards, released two video films, starred in three solo TV specials, performed in countless concerts here and abroad. And most of all, made hits. There are many songs by The CompanY by which we can fondly remember parts of our lives these past 25 years.

Everlasting Love, Muntik Na Kitang Minahal, Kung Ako Na Lang Sana, Now That I Found You, Pakisabi Na Lang, Mahal Kong Radyo, Minsan Pa, Kung Kailan Pa, Baka Ikaw, Pag Nagkataon and others. What I believe has emerged as the favorite of many and will remain so in the future, most especially during times such as now is when another year is nearing its end is, Isang Taong Lumipas.

One of the cuts from The CompanY’s Christmas Album, it is a sweet, nostalgic look at friendship through the years composed by Ryan Cayabyab and Joey Reyes. It is a song for remembering and expressing love to people dear to us, which I think The CompanY must be doing a lot of these days what with the celebration of its 25th year and the upcoming CO.25 concert. Annie Q on solo does it so beautifully in Isang Taong Lumipas.

Truth to tell, there are lots more to like in the Christmas Album, now a staple during the Yuletide Season and which I believe is one of the group’s crowning achievements. There are more. You can find out what the others are in CO.25 at the Music Museum in Greenhills at 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 16 and 30. Tickets are available at Ticketworld with tel. no. 891-9999 and at Music Museum, 721-6726 or 721-0635. Ticket prices are P1,000, P850 and P700.

They promise a total experience. The anniversary concert is a blend of music, dance, photography, film, video art, performance art, theater, fashion and most of all, music. From jazz to classical, from Broadway to folk, from pop to doo-wop, from acoustic to electronica, from World to OPM. The repertoire runs the breath and width of various types of vocal music. Guesting are Jon Santos and Eileen Sison of the Brazilian band Guarana.

I do not know if the repertoire will find a place for the songs from their latest album, which is another big seller. Titled Lighthearted, it is made up of pared down versions of what must be the trendiest line-up of songs ever put together. I am sure the audience will love to hear them perform one or more of these tunes live. But if they don’t, you can always get a copy of the CD and listen to these to your heart’s content.

Sung with the sweet cool sound of The CompanY in Lighthearted are Empire State Of Mind, originally by JayZ and Alicia Keys; Do You Remember by Jay Sean; Thinking Of You by Katy Perry; One Less Lonely Girl/Boy by Justin Bieber; Fireflies by Owl City; Half Of My Heart by John Mayer; Fifteen by Taylor Swift; Let’s Just Fall In Love Again by Jason Castro; Lucky by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat; Smile by Lily Allen; You Belong With Me also by Taylor Swift; Two Is Better Than One by Boys Like Girls; Good Girls Go Bad by Cobra Starship; and Where Are You Now by Honor Society.

Top 20 videos

Out there at MYX, here is the music channel’s Pinoy MYX Countdown for the week. The Top 20 videos are: Jeepney Love Story by Yeng Constantino; I Remember The Girl by Christian Bautista; Disney by Tanya Markova; Lakad by Sandwich; Back To Love by Quest; Pakiusap Lang by Parokya ni Edgar; Alay by Kamikazee; Ang Aking Awitin by Sarah Geronimo and Sam Milby from the Idol soundtrack; I Believe by Jed Madela; and Yakap by Ogie Alcasid.

Magkaibang Mundo by Hale; Kung Wala Ka by Nikki Gil; I Love You Girl by XLR8; Pangako by Cueshé; Bata by BBS, Kean and Madeline; Liwanag by Julianne Tarroja; Suplado Ka Pala Sa Personal by Itchyworms; Meron Ba by Kjwan; Hangover by Sugarfree; and Can’t Help Myself by Toni Gonzaga.