Joey Albert returns for shows

At a time when true stars come few and far between, it feels good to know that a few of those whom we loved in the past can still be counted on to provide real entertainment. Among these is the lovely Joey Albert who has been residing in Canada during the past 20 years. She is arriving next week to do some shows.

Joey is one of the featured performers in the 70s And 80s Relived, a concert from Viva Concerts and Events, which will be held at the Music Museum in Greenhills on June 29 and July 6. She will join the powerhouse cast of Eugene Villaluz, Jacqui Magno, Ding Mercado and Pat Castillo as they revisit the music of the two eras when they also made their big hits.

The concert series marks a reunion of sorts for Joey with the New Minstrels, the group with which she began her singing career. Eugene and Ding were founding members of the show band while Pat and Jackie were with the rival Circus Band. I am sure that many of you still recall those years when a great night-out meant listening or dancing to songs from either The New Minstrels or the Circus Band.

Joey had then just graduated from Assumption Convent with a degree in Mass Communications. It was the fulfillment of a promise she made to her parents who asked her to finish college before going into show business. What Joey really wanted to do was sing and it was with the New Minstrels that she first learned the secrets to giving a good live performance.

Joey went solo in 1984 and took to stardom like a duck takes to water. Her light pop singing style was a refreshing change from the dramatic ballads then dominating the hit charts and Joey was soon making one big hit after another. I do believe that she proved true to the qualifications of the Dream Girl Filipina beauty contest that she won. She had great looks, lots of talent and most of all, was a hard worker with a sweet disposition.

Joey is often referred to as a diva nowadays but she is no diva in the real meaning of the word. She is only a diva as far as creating hits is concerned and she had many. Among these were Tell Me, A Million Miles Away, Over And Over Again, Memories, Points Of View, Yakapin Mo Ako, I Remember The Boy, Ikaw Lamang Ang Mamahalin, Without You, Maybe Next Year and Iisa Pa Lamang.

Joey’s latest album is Music Of The Heart, which is made up of original Filipino pop compositions of recent times.

Included are Forevermore by Side A, Kahit Isang Saglit by Vernie Varga, Special Memory by Iwi Laurel, Minsan Pa by Janet Basco, Kahit Kailan by South Border, The Way You Look at Me by Christian Bautista; Muntik Na Kitang Minahal by Company; Kung Ako Na Lang Sana by Bituin Escalante; You’ll Be Safe Here by Rico Blanco; Saan Ka Na Kaya Ngayon by Anna Fegi; Stay by Cueshé; Kung Nasaan Ka Man by Martin Nievera; I Believe in Dreams by Janno Gibbs and the carrier single Rainbow also by South Border.

But we can expect Joey to sing some of her hits in 70s and 80s Relived, just as Eugene will do his Gulong Ng Palad; Pat, her Aso’t Pusa; Ding, his See You There; and Jacqui, Laging Buhay Ang Buhay. But what will really be exciting will be the ensemble numbers that these five performers are going to do. Watch and prepare for plenty of sweet reminiscing of those bygone days.

Tickets to 70s And 80s Relived are now available at the Music Museum and at TicketWorld. Ticket prices are Gold P3,000; Silver P2,000; and Bronze P1,000. For details, call Viva Concerts at 687-7236.

Meanwhile, for those who want a spectacular respite from all the concerts going on around town, here is Masters of Illusion Live!. This is the acclaimed magic show based on the hit TV series on MNTV and which now runs at the Magic Castle in Hollywood. Presented by Ovation Productions, this will run at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resorts World Manila starting today up to June 17 at 8 p.m. with matinee shows on June 16 and 17 at 2 p.m.

Expect to be treated to world-class magic tricks, comedy, escape acts, breathtaking stunts, and even singing and dancing. Among the most exciting are Blades of Doom, Circle of Fire, Floating Light Bulb and the Fire Spiker. And take note, there are no animal performers. While we may enjoy watching them do tricks, the circus life can be cruel to animals. So I am glad that talented humans are the stars of Masters Of Illusion Live!

Get your tickets to Masters Of Illusion Live at Ticket World (891-9999) or at Resorts World Manila (908-8000 loc. 7219).