MANILA, Philippines - Basil Valdez returns on record and is spreading the Holiday cheer with his brand-new album The First Christmas.
In here, Basil trains those unfading pipes of his on a whole set of classic Christmas carols and tunes that all of us grew up with and love.
The First Christmas is off to a glorious start indeed when Basil opens with the rousing A Christmas Carol. The arrangement, choir and vocals set the listener in a Yuletide mood, and that’s just the first track.
A hymnal reading of God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen follows right away wherein Basil racks up his voice against some really fascinating harmonies. With nary an instrument to be heard, the effects of these voices are just divine. No surprise there, as these harmonies are provided by the Philippine Madrigal Singers. It’s the same effect with Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, wherein the Pinoy singers give listeners another goosebump-inducing performance. They polish it off once more with a flourish in O Come All Ye Faithful.
The album at times does give off a traditional feel. Some tunes, starting out slowly with some acoustic guitars, like We Three Kings Of Orient Are, resemble the much-missed Pinoy caroling tradition. So just imagine Basil outside your door singing these tunes (along with the Madrigal Singers) and you’re all set for the Holidays.
Basil does great on his own. Some familiar carols like What Child Is This and O Holy Night are also included. But it is in Ave Maria that we get a measure of how good still Basil’s voice is.
The album title refers to the birth of Lord Jesus Christ. And this occasion calls for some deep reflection — a point not missed by Basil, who sings The Lord’s Prayer. Note that his version harkens back to his memorable tunes of yore: Those types that build up to a crescendo and eventually finding incandescent release.
The album title could also refer to the fact that this is the singer’s first-ever Christmas album. And it’s a treat to hear Basil breathe new life to these classics. With support from the Philippine Madrigal Singers, the album will easily be one of the most unforgettable Christmas albums by an OPM artist.