The many sounds of Karylle

If there is something that can be said about Karylle these past few years, then it will be that she has indeed been merrily juggling her very busy showbiz career.  As of this writing, she has been one of the hosts of the daily noontime variety show, It’s Showtime!, for some years now.  On some evenings, she is the oppressed princess-to-be in the production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella at the Resorts World Newport Performing Arts Theater with Christian Bautista as Prince Charming.  She has also acted in the movies.  Her turn as the dreadful girlfriend from hell in Dalaw with Kris Aquino and Diether Ocampo was  really creepy. And she also acts on TV, most notably in the show, Kitchen Musical, a sort of Glee in the kitchen that still airs in various Asian cities. And then, probably because she is the oldest daughter of Zsa Zsa Padilla, the key that drives this multi-faceted career is Karylle as the singer and recording artist.

Sadly though and as is usual with most stars nowadays, the singing also happens to be the most neglected aspect of Karylle’s assorted identities in the entertainment scene. Given all that she is committed to do, there is just seldom enough time to perform in concerts or do an album. While it may seem easy to do, the process of putting together a CD — from choosing the right songs to the vocals to the final mixing — takes a lot of time and effort.  But a real singer will always try to find the time and I am glad that Karylle finally found this and has recently released K, an extended play CD that is her second album. Not surprisingly, the sound of K is as varied as Karylle is nowadays. It is a mixture of music types, ballads, dance, R&B and theater, and she does very well in all of the cuts.

Not only that, you can also brace yourselves for a new Karylle in K. Produced by Chito Ilagan, the album introduces Karylle, the composer and lyricist. She wrote music and lyrics for Be Out Tonight and also for the first single, Kiss You both with Kix Salazar, who is also the writer of the ballad Kapiling Kita. Karylle is also the co-writer of the bouncy Bad Boys with Alvin Cornista.  Then there are other goodies.  First a remix version of Kiss You done by DJ MOD; Sa ‘yo Na Lang Ako, the finalist at the 2013 Pop Music Festival that was composed by Lara Maige and which Karylle interpreted in the contest; and the sweet In My Own Little Corner, which happens to be my favorite song from the musical Cinderella.

K is a laudable effort but Karylle dreams of something else as far as recording is concerned.  She wants to do a Christmas album.  And her wish is not just for a regular album, but one where she can share singing chores with Mom Zsa Zsa and sister Zia Quizon. Now, having all three ladies together in one album would really be something. More so when the music is made up of Christmas songs.

Speaking of Christmas sounds and also of Zsa Zsa,  please note that she does a heartfelt Ang Aking Pamasko in the Christmas With The Stars CD.  For some strange reason, the Divine Diva has never recorded a full Christmas album.  This is unfortunate and her take on the old Filipino song by Mike Velarde and Levi Celerio, provides proof of what she will be able to do with beautiful Christmas songs.  It sounds very sad and so full of longing. Hopefully, she will also be filled with happy sounds when she finally records her own Christmas CD and surely, doubly joyful should Karylle’s dream of a Holiday album with her and Zia come true soon.

As for Christmas With The Stars, the all-star collection is a real bargain with tracks featuring some of the biggest names in Philippine pop music performing the most popular Christmas songs.  Among those included are Pasko Na Sinta Ko by Basil Valdez; O Holy Night by Regine Velasquez with Willy Cruz on the piano; The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) by Martin Nievera; Merry Christmas Darling by Rico Puno; The 25th Of December by Joey Albert, Mary’s Boy Child by Raymond Lauchengco; Kumukutikutitap by Rachelle Ann Go; All I Want For Christmas Is You by Anya Aguilar, The First Noel by Marvin Ong, Give Love On Christmas Day by Princess, Miss Kita Kung Christmas by Aiza Seguerra, Sana Ngayong Pasko by Sarah Geronimo; and It’s Just Another New Year’s Eve by Sharon Cuneta.