Subject: [regine_velasquez] " Songbird Sings the Classics "
Reviewed by Regine mailing list mbr 2Net
Sat, 07 Oct 2000
The show should not just be any other show - it was to celebrate Regine
Velasquez's 14th anniversary in the entertainment industry! Thus, it had
to be different. Well, it was different.
Since I was the first one to get inside, I was able to take a good look at
the place. The seats were so near each other. But at least, they placed a
video wall on one side of the ballroom so people could just look at it when
they couldn't see Regine. The stage was small and low but it looked
stylish with those hanging white cloth at the back. As always the case,
the venue was jampacked and the show started late. But then, how could
it start on time if many just went in at 9 p.m. (the scheduled showtime)?
The show opened with "Songbird" that was different since it had an upbeat
arrangement. Regine came from the back like what she did in her previous
concert there. She was ravishing in her black low-back, plunging neckline,
sleeveless gown with black tulle covering her. After singing, she
immediately got the black tulle off. We gasped when she faced us. The
opening of her gown in front almost reached her navel. It was so
flattering to her alabaster skin. I think she's the only diva who can wear
that right now. With our reaction, she said "okay!" Right after singing
"You Will Be My Music," she greeted the audience and talked about the
show. "It's always nice to celebrate anniversaries. Know why? Because it
gives you a good excuse to experiment a little bit with new
things..." That statement did not only apply to the repertoire of the show
but also to what she was wearing. She went on by singing a Mancini
medley. After a few seconds, "Autumn Leaves" followed. I marveled
at the arrangement they used for this number. At first, Regine was only
accompanied by the piano. Then in the middle part, they jazzed up the song.
Since the show featured classic songs, the topic of Regine's spiel became
"classic" artists. One artist who she considers classic is Barbra
Streisand. She revealed how much she admires Barbra and how sad she is
that she cannot see Barbra perform live anymore since Barbra had her last
concert performance already. She sang "Somewhere" as a tribute to
Barbra. It seemed like Regine could have sustained the last note a little
longer but she had to stop since the musicians already stopped playing.
After doing quite a number of foreign songs, she began singing OPM - the
songs of Ryan Cayabyab and Basil Valdez. She started with "Tuwing
Umuulan." But first, she pointed at Robin Padilla in the crowd. She
proceeded with a Basil Valdez medley. She was misty eyed near the end of
this number. To end this "Ryan-Basil" part of the show, she did "Sometime,
Somewhere."
Regine continued the show by doing 2 songs that she considers "martyr"
songs. She sang a mellow "Breaking Up is Hard to Do"complete with sexy
movements. Then she sat down to do a heartfelt "If You Go Away." During
that song, some got distracted because a few cellular phones rang near our
area! Good thing, Regine and the other artists did not mind those phones.
To lighten up the mood, Regine went down and sang "Just the Way You Look
Tonight." Near the end of the song, the person in front of me told Regine
"ang ganda-ganda mo Regine!" Regine got thrilled with the comment that she
asked him to say it again, this time - on the microphone. So the guy
repeated what he said. In response, Regine said "Ito naman, hindi naman...
hindi naman masyado!"
Regine got back onstage and she began singing "What Are You Doing the Rest
of Your Life." "Run to You" soon followed. For me, this was the number
where Regine went full blast with her vocal pyrotechnics. After that, it
was time for her to introduce the musicians. This portion was so different
from her past shows. The musicians usually played after their names have
been called. But in this show, they did not do anything.
To get on with the show, Regine sang a '70s folkish medley that had songs:
"So Far Away" and "At 17" among others. She justified the inclusion of
that medley by saying that she thinks that every generation has classic
songs and for her generation, those are the classic songs.
It was getting near the end of the show so she thanked the
sponsors. Regine called a foreign representative of Bailey's and he
expressed his gratitude onstage while she took a sip of the drink. She
held her glass even after the guy went down. It was quite amusing watching
Regine drink Bailey's while Gerard Salonga (the musical director) just
drank water. Her request of a duet with Gerard ("Madness" ?) was up
next. Gerard's voice lacked power but nevertheless, they were applauded.
By that time, she has sung almost all the classic songs that could be found
in the promo. for the concert. But there was still more - a medley of
Barry Manilow's songs, "Kailangan Ko'y Ikaw" and the final song - "What
Kind of Fool Am I?." Since Regine pointed to Robin early in the show, it
was quite expected that Robin would go up the stage. When Robin was beside
Regine, Regine talked in English. When she asked him to say something, he
said "huwag mo na 'kong Ingglisin." Obviously, the crowd laughed at his
remark. After singing the theme song of their movie, Regine thanked
everyone who went there and sang the final song. She was given a standing
ovation. But of course, the crowd did not let her go just like that, they
asked for more. So Regine came out and did the request portion to the
delight of the people. The songs in the request portion were "On the Wings
of Love," "You Are My Song," "Lets Get Loud," "Long & Winding Road," "Sana
Maulit Muli," "Sun & Moon" [from Ms. Saigon], "I Don't Want to Miss a
Thing," "Fallen'," "In My Life" and "Ikaw." She bid goodbye after singing
"I'll Be Seeing You" (the arrangement they used was the one they did in
"Reminiscin'" in Feb., 1998).
When the people were going out of the venue, I saw Lea Salonga (in a
jacket) congratulating Gerard for doing a great job. I totally agree with
her. Just hearing Gerard's arrangements, one would know that he really
worked hard for the show. As for Regine, she was different in the sense
that she spoke a bit serious. But, her wacky side showed a little once in
a while. I think that's great since most of the songs were
heavy. Performance-wise, she was at her best. She always gave what was
needed in the song. I think she could have gone on and on since she still
had lots of energy as seen in the request portion. For me, the show did
not just celebrate Regine's 14th anniversary, it also presented how Regine
managed to stay long in the business (i.e. give one hundred percent of
herself).
2net : )
musical director and piano: Gerard Salonga
2nd keyboard: Rica Arambulo
guitar: Cesar Aguas
bass: Roger Herrera
drums: Nino Regalado
other musicians: Manila Philharmonic Orchestra
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