Al Jarreau, unique song stylist

Al Jarreau, surely one of the greatest singers who ever lived and the winner of seven Grammy trophies, died on Grammy day. It was last Feb. 12, when the news came that Jarreau has breathed his last in a Los Angeles hospital where he was confined after complaining about exhaustion. A few days before, on Feb. 8, Jarreau announced that he was retiring from touring and cancelled all his scheduled dates.

I remember a time out here during the ’80s when almost every singer around was trying to sound like Jarreau. No surprise really. The guy was hot. Jarreau and the likes of Luther Vandross, Teddy Pendergrass and George Benson were then the honeyed-voiced heartthrobs of pop music. They had hit songs in the charts. They were young, sexy and they could really sing. Of all of them, it was Jarreau who, aside from his smooth soulful singing, also had a unique vocal style.

No wonder then that although they all tried very hard out here, it was simply impossible to sound like Jarreau. I believe that the closest that anybody got to perfecting a Jarreau cover were Vernie Varga doing Take Five and Gary Valenciano singing Spain. Jarreau’s vocal style encompassed jazz, pop, soul and others combined. But then he also made music out of assorted sounds in his throat like scatting or by imitating musical instruments. In fact, he was also known as the human percussion.

Listening to Jarreau do this was quite an experience but it was just a bonus point to what he had to offer as a singer. He was truly a remarkably gifted one. I hope that the news of his passing will encourage today’s young people to check out his songs on the web and stream them or download an album or two. I am sure they will like his songs. I have noticed that there is a timeless quality to his music. His hits sound very current. In fact, the new caribbean-tinged kind of pop tunes we have today is very Jarreau and he could have recorded songs like Perfect Strangers by Jonas Blue decades ago but definitely with better vocals.

Jarreau’s best albums were Glow, We Got By and Look To The Rainbow. It was somewhat cluttered but I also like the collaboration with George Benson titled Givin’ It Up. There are several Jarreau compilations available but the one I like best is titled The Very Best of Al Jarreau. The collection includes 16 cuts, several of them his big hits plus one new tune titled Excellent Adventure.

The songs in the album are: After All, Moonlighting, the theme from the TV series which starred Bruce Willis, Never Giving Up, Roof Garden, Spain (I Can Recall), Take Five, We’re In This Love Together, Rainbow In Your Eyes, Just To Be Loved, Cold Duck, We Got By, Boogie Down, (Round Round Round) Blue Rondo A La Turk, Mornin’ and So Good.

Speaking of departed pop stars, Elvis Presley is one who keeps on giving like in this charity show Legends A Tribute Concert for a Cause. Spearheaded by Elvis Presley of Japan Douglas Masuda of the Elks Club of America Manila Elks Lodge 761, in cooperation with the original Elvis Presley of the Philippines and founding chairman The Elvis Presley Friendship Club of the Philippines Chito Bertol, this is for the benefit of the Elks National Foundation and will be held on March 2 at the seventh floor Corinthian Plaza Bldg. on Gamboa St. cor. Paseo de Roxas, in front of Greenbelt 1, Makati City.

The show features the best tribute artists in the Philippines led by various Elvises representing the different Eras of Elvis Presley. Aside from Bertol and Masuda, also set to perform are: Chris Angping, the Young Elvis Sensation; Lombardo Eddie, the Elvis Presley of Italy and Jun Elvis Espinosa, another Elvis Presley of the Philippines.

The other featured legends are: TJ Sta. Maria, Tom Jones of the Philippines; Gem Mascarinas, Tina Turner of the Philippines; Roy Zaragosa, Engelbert Humperdinck of the Philippines; Rising Sun Retro Band as The Beatles; George Sarakinis, rock star from Greece who will pay tribute to various rock groups; and Masuda again as Tony Williams, legendary lead singer of the Platters.

(For reservations, call 811-3173 and 811-3188 or e-mail [email protected].)