Sounds of the ’70s… and more!

There is something seriously wrong with the picture. What is Louie Reyes doing there? There in this case is a picture of Jacqui Magno, Pat Castillo and Tillie Moreno. Then off to the side is legendary hitmaker Basil Valdez. Once upon a time, all of them were members of the Circus Band. It was with the Circus that they rose to prominence as performers and eventually landed solo careers. Mention of one usually triggers memories of the others. 

Not of Louie Reyes though. The sweet-voiced Louie belonged to the opposite camp. She was a member of the New Minstrels. Back in the Martial Law-ruled ’70s, the Circus Band and The New Minstrels were the top show bands in the land. They dominated the entertainment circuit but were never together. Because of this, Louie had never done duets with Basil. She usually sings with Eugene Villaluz.

Recent times have seen both groups star in fun reunion concerts that recall their heydays in the ’70s. Fans love the shows and keep coming back year after year after year. It was the success of those shows that gave Viva Live the idea of having Basil perform with just the girls, who are Jacqui, Pat and Tillie. And particularly because it has never happened before, with Louie.

This will finally happen on Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day in Here’s To Love, a most special concert that will be held at the Grand Ballroom of the Solaire Resorts and Casino. Basil, a balladeer for the ages, will be singing with the leading divas of the ’70s. Here’s To Love will be an unforgettable evening of beautiful voices singing the most beautiful love songs.

Think of Basil and his Hanggang Sa Dulo Ng Walang Hanggan, of Tillie and her Saan Ako Nagkamali or of Pat emoting to the achingly sweet Somewhere In Time. What about Louie’s show-stopping My Funny Valentine or Jacqui’s wistful Someone To Watch Over Me. Those and many other love songs will make up the repertoire of the powerhouse grouping. It will be quite a show.

Basil Valdez with the ’70s divas Jacqui Magno, Pat Castillo, Louie Reyes and Tillie Moreno, Celeste Legaspi

Call TicketWorld 891-9999 or Viva Live 687-7236 for tickets.

Now just because Basil has a show with the ’70s divas does not mean that they will not be doing the reunion concert this year. Why, these reunions are almost like a tradition by this time and you dare not miss it. So I say no need to fret that you will not get your chance to laugh and jive at the New Minstrels and Circus Band reunion show. This will be held once more at the Philippine International Convention Center’s Plenary Hall on Feb. 13. Grab your tickets now. Lots of fans are already looking forward to another fun time and seats are selling fast.

The show is titled Reunited In Love The Greatest Hits Concert and it boasts of an all-new line-up of hit songs. Basil, Jacqui, Pat, Tillie and Louie will also be there, plus the old gang. Eugene Villaluz, Ray-an Fuentes, Ding Mercado, Chad Borja, Hajji Alejandro and a most welcome new addition to the group, Celeste Legaspi. No raised eyebrows please as to what a theater, movie and television actress is doing in the reunion. Celeste more than deserves to be there, and like you and me, she will also have lots of fun.

Like most of her contemporaries, Celeste started singing professionally with a group. She was part of the famous Ambivalent Crowd back in the ’70s. She went on to greater fame when she turned solo with hit songs like Mamang Sorbetero, Gaano Kita Kamahal, Ako’y Bakyang-bakya, Tuliro and others.  She also appeared in the movies like Mamang Sorbetero with Joseph Estrada, Sa Kabila Ng Lahat for Lino Brocka and others, on television with Iba’t-ibang Celeste, on theater via Tales From The Manuvuu, Katy, Larawan and countless concerts. She emerged from semi-retirement last year and appeared in the TV series, Ang Dalawang Mrs. Real.

Tickets to Reunited In Love are available at SM Tickets (470-2222), TicketWorld (891-9999), TicketNet (911-5555) and Viva Live (687-7236).

Note that Here’s To Love is not the only off-shoot of the annual New Minstrels and Circus Band reunion shows from Viva Live. There will be more love to celebrate on Valentine’s Day when the New Minstrels Divos descend on the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu to perform in A Love Affair with no other but the one and only Asia’s Queen of Songs Pilita Corrales.

As the Divos, Eugene, Ding and Chad will be joined by Rene Puno and the visiting Ray-an from Vancouver. A Love Affair is a first-ever for them with Pilita. Given Pilita’s way with love songs and the romantic harmonizing of the Divos, you can bet that this show will be truly special.

For details, call Waterfront at (032) 232-6888; Ayala Customer Service Counter at (032) 231-5342; SM Tickets at (02) 470-2222; Ticketnet (02) 911-5555; or Chiqui Lastierre at 0922-3996455.