One season, three albums

MANILA, Philippines - Christmas season is considered a give-away for album producers trying to come up with saleable concept albums. However, as the pop world is transforming day by day into a more competitive field sales-wise, producers and artists are being challenged big-time to deliver stuff offering that extra spunk. Three locally-released albums related to the season, sprinkled with add-on showcase, are now being sold in the market, serving as window for artists to display more their talents. 

The big band crooner Richard Poon recorded his first Christmas album with the objective of flavoring some cheerful Yuletide classics the jazzy feel that he has embraced ever since going solo. That lots of people are thinking of his standard approach as fitting for Christmas-themed songs made his effort a bit more interesting.

“Many say that my genre of music is best for Christmas songs. Yet I never got a chance to prove that since I came out in 2008. This is my first shot at it,” Poon noted of his year-end offering.

Simply titled Christmas with Richard Poon, the album once again proves how the TV star has continued progressing in his bold move of sticking with the style that made him a significant showbiz name. It’s one that gears up immediately with his delightful breath-of-fresh-air take of Wham’s ever-remarkable Last Christmas. Critics generally agreed that he and his big band “turned the song upside down” without compromising the fluidity of the wonderful tune. 

Always giving premium to harmonies, Poon brought in the rising jazz trio Baihana, who helped him turn Jingle Bells into a ’60s pastiche, relied on proper voicing as nodded only by the sharpest of ears. He also did his take of familiar ditties such as Christmas Song, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, Merry Christmas Darling and Grown Up Christmas List.

Star Records singing jewel Juris, another group singer who found more fame as a solo act, likewise released her first Christmas album with a little twist — having a happy song for a single instead of a tearjerker which listeners expect from her. The seven-song album called Paskong Puno Ng Kasiyahan opens with the title track single she herself lyrically crafted. 

“We first introduced that song as carrier single. I wrote it and it’s how I currently feel. I thank God for all the blessings. And I enjoy introducing a happy song for a change,” she revealed in an interview. 

Somewhat going in counterflow to that song is a piece called Paskong Wala Ka which topnotch songwriter and A&R Jonathan Manalo wrote with some help from this writer. The track, written around the time of Comedy King Dolphy’s death and with Zsa Zsa Padilla’s unenviable experience foremost in mind, puts Juris’ voice in her comfort zone — that area where her talent as interpreter is best magnified. 

She related, “People usually hear me sing senti songs. I remember being told what the inspiration was behind the song and that helped me during recording. It hurts to imagine losing someone you love.” 

Juris also covered one of the finest OPM love songs associated with the period, Sana Ngayong Pasko. She noted, “I really like it. Its lyrics may be sad but when I sing it, I feel there’s still hope because of so much love it conveys.” 

Talking about conceptualizing albums, one project released by the so-called “Singing Mayor of Olongapo” surely gets a high grade for its innovative idea of compiling original songs tackling the various celebrations people annually observe. The package called Let’s Celebrate, a double album at that, is from James “Bong” Gordon, brother of the more popular Richard Gordon but whose singing and songwriting skill give him significant edge in musical sense. As singer-musician he is dubbed “Bonggo,” a shortcut of his name phonetically sounding like the name of that common percussion instrument. 

The 22-song output boasts of the carrier single Pasko Sa Pilipinas, a number inspired by The Beatles’ version of Twist And Shout which is a favorite moptop track of Bonggo himself. 

Let’s Celebrate, Bonggo’s third album, features the talent of premier lyricist Edith Gallardo and noted publisher Margot Gallardo. The A-list sisters helped in crafting the songs that include the straightly titled Valentine’s Day, Happy New Year, Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary To Us.

The Gallardos expressed their liking to the album’s wedding song titled Always With You, penned with veteran musician Niño Regalado.

“This is done with love. Nabuo namin ito sa pamamagitan ng maraming kwentuhan at maraming umaga. I’ll be happy to have this as my next hit,” shares Edith who wrote the words to Aiza Seguerra’s signature piece Pagdating Ng Panahon.