‘I am the only Dionne Warwick; I don’t think there’ll be another one’

But of course, there is only one and there will only be one Dionne Warwick (who has long dropped the “e” at the end of her surname…was it to follow numerology, you know, oro, plata, mata…?).

Dionne herself said so in an exclusive e-mail interview with Funfare in anticipation of her concert series (with Tavares) in Manila (July 20 at the Manila Hotel Tent and July 23 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum) and Davao (July 21 at the SMX Convention Center, all shows start at 8 p.m.).

Maybe more than for her enduring hits (Alfie, Don’t Make Me Over, Walk On By, You’ll Never Get To Heaven If You Break My Heart, A House Is Not A Home, I Say A Little Prayer, There’s Always Something There To Remind You and many more), Filipino fans remember Dionne with fondness for her generosity. Three years ago when she came for a concert, there was a typhoon and she donated a considerable amount to the victims. Bless her!

Here’s more of Dionne in our interview, including her “no answer” to the questions about numerology and what her most personal song is:

You last performed in Manila three years ago. Any memories of that trip and of the previous trips of “long ago”?

“Manila has always been wonderful to me. Doing the show three years ago for charity was a good thing and I do hope it helped those in need.”

The audience in your Philippine concerts will surely include the young generation (with their elders). How are you still able to connect with the younger audience?

“I would think the younger folks love good music, too.”

Which of the dozens and dozens of songs that you have recorded eloquently speaks of you?

“ALL OF THEM.”

Which of your songs do you often hum while at home and why?

“I listen to my peers and Brazilian music...very rarely listen to the radio as the music being played on radio I believe is for much younger ears than mine.”

Many of your songs are about love lost (There’s Always Something There To Remind Me, I’ll Never Fall In Love Again, etc.) and heartbreak (You’ll Never Get To Heaven If You Break My Heart, A House Is Not A Home, etc.). Are you most inspired when singing about these themes?

“All of my songs were written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David and I don’t think there is any inspiration that one can get from unrequited love.”

Was there a time when you couldn’t bring yourself to sing your own songs because you were personally affected? How did you manage?

“NEVER.”

What would you consider your “most personal” song?

(No answer)

That’s What Friends Are For has virtually become the anthem among friends. It involved Elton John, Stevie Wonder and Gladys Knight. Please give a background of this song and who picked the singers. Who were the other singers considered?

“I called them all and they showed up to be a part of the recording. Gladys, Stevie, and Elton are my FRIENDS so it was not a very hard thing to do.”

Your Filipino fans would love to hear you sing your classic hits. I wonder, do you feel the same way when you sing your songs over and over again as you felt the first time you sang them?

“Because the lyrics of my songs have had the ability to grow with me there is always something new when I sing my songs even after 50 years of singing them.”

How do you preserve and protect your iconic voice through the years? No ice-cold drinks, no smoking, no shouting, etc.?

“I get as much rest as I possibly can and try to use it properly. This is the only way any of us can sustain our voices.”

Any rituals that you observe before a concert (maybe “no talk” a few hours before the show and only “sign language,” enough sleep, no heavy meal, etc.).

“I do nothing special at all.”

You dropped the “e” from your surname (as per numerology?). What effect did it have on you as an artist and as a person? What made you believe, if you did, in numerology?

(No answer)

What do you think of today’s female singers? Who is your favorite and who do you think will be the future Dionne Warwick?

“Since I don’t listen to radio that much I am not that familiar with the young females of today, and since I am the only Dionne Warwick I know I don’t think there is another one in the future.”

Looking back, how would you assess your life? Anything you wanted to do or achieve that you haven’t done (yet)?

“I have aspirations of doing the work that will garner the Oscar, Emmy and Tony one day.”

My favorite question for singers: Do you, like ordinary mortals, sing in the bathroom?

“NO.”

If you were a song, what would it be?

“If I were a song I would be LOVE, HOPE, PEACE and HAPPINESS.”

(Note: Dionne Warwick’s concert with Tavares is produced by Ovation Productions. Ticket prices at Smart Araneta Coliseum are P5,280, P4,755, P3,700, P2,640, P1,585 and P740. For inquiries, call 527-0011 or 911-5615. For the Davao show, call 0932-6376185 or 0917-7007088.)      

(E-mail reactions at entphilstar@yahoo.com. You may also send your questions to askrickylo@gmail.com. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)