David Foster and Friends: A night of fun, good music

BY ROBERT REQUINTINA

Jun 20, 2024 09:05 AM

  

---

AT A GLANCE

• Stell, 29, captivated the audience during the middle of the concert with his performance of All By Myself, leaving everyone in awe.

---

David Foster (left) and Stell during the 'Hitman' tour (images courtesy of Araneta Coliseum Facebook) 

Despite the rain, fans' anticipation for the HItman: David Foster and Friends Asia Tour 2024 concert at the Araneta Coliseum in Araneta City on June 18 was unwavering.

The much-awaited show began with the Love Theme from St. Elmo's Fire, setting the stage for an unforgettable evening. David then introduced two promising Original Pilipino Music (OPM) singers, JV Decena and Joaquin Garcia, to the delight of the audience.

When David Foster, 74, opened the show, he was profoundly touched by the Philippines' unique and deep-rooted passion for music. "There's no country I have been to; I have been to many countries. No country loves music more than the Philippines. This is true."

ADVERTISEMENT

David Foster

Stell opens 'Hitman' show

Prior, the audience's excitement was palpable when Stell of SB19 unexpectedly opened David's show. He kicked off the much-awaited concert with the soulful All I Ask, a song made famous by British chanteuse Adele. The energy in the arena was electric as he followed it up with his solo debut single, Room, and Defying Gravity.

Stell, 29, captivated the audience during the middle of the concert with his performance of All By Myself, leaving everyone in awe.

David shared a backstory when he first offered All By Myself to Celine Dion, originally done by Eric Carmen in 1975. He said Celine initially complained about the high notes in some parts of the song. 

"When I was doing this song with Celine, she complained about this high note. It's an impossible note to sing, and she hated me in the studio that day.

"If you ever read her book, pages 37 and 38, she devotes two pages to how much she hated me that day in the studio.

"But we got the job done. She hit the high notes and it took her a few tries. Tonight, my friend Stell, you only get one try," David said. Then, the crowd cheered again.

David showed the clip of Celine talking about the high notes in All By Myself.

Celine said: "David Foster called me, and I was in Montreal, and he was in California. He said, 'You're going to freak. It's so amazing. And I said, 'Oh, okay." It's a new track.

"And then he changed the key that we agreed on to a key and a half. I said, 'David, how could you do that?"

"Then David said, 'If you can't do that, other singers can. And that's all I need to know to hit the notes," said Celine.

David told the crowd in Araneta: "That's a true story. I said to her, 'Hey, if you can't do it, other singers next door can do it. Whitney Houston was in the other studio, but I didn't say her name. Anyway, it was all for fun, and Celine hit the notes."

When it was released in 1996, Celine's cover of All By Myself peaked at No. 4 on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart in the US and became a worldwide hit.

After Stell performed "All By Myself," the crowd let out a deafening roar of cheers as they celebrated the moment.

A few hours later, Stell trended on social media with clips of his performances from the "Hitman" concert. On X, Stell wrote: "Thank you, Lord. The best ka po talaga."

All-4-One

All-4-One

All-4-One wowed the crowd with their hit songs I Can Love You Like That, So In Love, Beautiful As You, and I Swear.

The group last visited the Philippines in 2015. "We love the Philippines! You guys can sing!" said a member of the group.

Katharine McPhee

David and Katharine

Enter Katharine McPhee with her rendition of The Power of Love.

Katharine told the audience she was excited to be part of the tour. Then, David and Katharine shared their unusual love story that led to their marriage on June 28, 2019.

"We met almost 19 years ago on a little show called American Idol. We toured together as friends," said David

Katharine said: "I was excited for Andrea Bocelli, not David Foster. But you were at my very first wedding. And I was invited to one of David's weddings. But I wasn't able to make it."

"So we were at each other's weddings," David added.

Katharine said: "Life is a very crazy thing. You'll never know what's ahead of you. We didn't expect to be touring the world together."

Before she left the stage, she performed her hit song Terrified. Then she wrapped up her set with Last Dance, a Donna Summer classic.

Brian McKnight

Audience participation

The "Hitman" show is not complete without the audience's participation. Two female fans volunteered to perform with David as they shared the Grammy-winning song That's What Friends Are For.

David also encouraged fans to sing along to the songs Hard To Say I'm Sorry and You're The Inspiration, which he wrote for the band Chicago.

"I want to try the chorus again. I want to hear the people who are not on the floor. I don't want to hear from the rich people. I want to hear from real people (lower and upper boxes and general patronage)," said David as the crowd laughed.

He added: "Shall we? And then, when I get to the chorus, we'll let the rich people sing along with us."

At the Oscars

David told the audience he lost at the Oscars three times.

"I've been nominated for three Oscars but lost all three to: The Bodyguard. I also co-wrote for The Prayer with Carol Bayer Sager, and I lost the Oscars. Who would not vote for a religious song? Peter Cetera and I wrote The Glory of Love for the movie The Karate Kid 2. Now we lost the Oscar. I know it's a crime.

"The movie that beat us was Top Gun. I hate that movie. Let's analyze that movie: jets, aircraft carriers, sex, drugs, rock and roll, motorcycles, Kelly McGillis, Maverick, and, of course, Tom Cruise.

"Our movie Karate Kid 2 starred the guy from Happy Days. The song that beat us was Take My Breath Away. I hate it. She still needs to finish the lyrics, and she won the Oscars. If our song The Glory of Love had been in Top Gun, I could have won the Oscar," David said. 

Then, scenes from Top Gun were played on the big screen while The Glory of Love was playing.

Brian McKnight opened his set with the hit song Mornin, a song originally done by Al Jarreau in 1983.

Then he segued to other hit tunes such as After the Love Has Gone (1979), Look What You've Done to Me (1980), and Back At One (1999).

"I am thrilled to be singing his songs, reminiscing, and spending time with him. I appreciate the things that you have done," Brian told David.

David and his friends finished the show with the bouncy number Got To Be Real, a Cheryl Lynn classic from 1978.

For his encore, David played a piano-driven untitled instrumental track, which he wrote at the height of the pandemic. "Goodnight, guys! Keep safe as you drive home." It was a night of fun, laughter, and good music that will be remembered over time. Thank you, David, for these unforgettable soundtracks of our lives.

How Cecile Azarcon creates hit songs in just a few minutes

BY ROBERT REQUINTINA

Apr 28, 2024 08:11 AM

  

---

AT A GLANCE

• Cecile revealed she would treat music fans to new songs at the concert.

---

Cecile Azarcon

Cecile Azarcon's story as a singer and songwriter began when she was 19. At this age, she wrote the powerful, inspirational song "Lift Up Your Hands," which was popularized by Basil Valdez.

"Ang daming storya ng 'Lift Up Your Hands.' That's the song that ushered in my music career. Who would have thought an inspirational song would be played on the radio?" recalled Cecile during a recent Zoom from California with the entertainment media. Cecile is set to celebrate her 45th anniversary in the music business with an all-star concert at The Theatre in Solaire on May 24 and 25.

After 45 years in the music industry, Cecile can still vividly recall how she created this smash hit. 

"When I wrote that song, words and music came to me in 10 minutes. It's a divinely inspired song. I didn't even have a Bible in front of me. Hindi ako nag bukas ng Bible tapos sinabi ko, 'Uy maganda itong verse na ito magawa nga ng kanta.' I didn't have an idea that it was based on Matthew 11:28.

"May alam naman ako sa Bible. Somehow lumabas na lang yun. I was on the phone with a friend of mine. She's the daughter of our pastor. Mahirap kapag pastor's kid ka. Marami pa ring challenges. She was troubled at that time, so I told her not to do anything drastic and I prayed for her. After we put down the phone, the words and the music came about.

"So excited ako. And I was hanging out at Vicor or Blackgold Records yata. And there was a piano. Kapag may piano nangangati ang kamay ko. So I played the song. Hindi ko alam dumadaan si Basil Valdez. Nakikinig na pala siya sa labas ng pintuan. 

"After I sang the song, pumasok siya at sabi niya,  'What's that song?' Sabi ko it' nothing. Then sabi niya, 'Well, I'm doing my first English OPM album. Can I include it?" Tuwang-tuwa ako. Hindi ako makapaniwala. Kasama yan sa album niya na Corner of the Sky. Ang 'Lift Up Your Hands' nasa Side B. It's not even the carrier of the album.  

"Tapos wala siyang payola. Hindi siya tinutugtog sa radyo. This DJ naman (George Poon) got into trouble with the station manager for playing 'Lift Up Your Hands.' It's not on the playlist. He broke the playlist rule. It became an overnight success so pinatawad siya ng boss niya. He wasn't fired. And the rest is history," Cecile said.

Now living in the US, Cecile was amazed that she was still part of the music industry after 45 years.

"Masayang-masaya ako. I cannot contain the joy and gratitude I have in my heart. Kasi wala naman nag-expect na aabot ka ng 45 years in your career lalo na sa music industry. Yung ibang kasabay ko mga ka-contemporary ko wala na like Willy Cruz, Rico J. Puno, George Canseco. Inabot ko pa si George. We used to hang out at Vicor. 

"I am grateful. And I feel bad dahil yung iba hindi nabigyan ng ganitong pagkakataon na mabigyan ng tribute. Siguro nabigyan man pero wala na sila," she said.

(I am grateful. And I feel bad because the others were not given this opportunity to be given a tribute. Maybe they were given, but they are gone.)

Cecile once joked with pop diva Kuh Ledesma about arranging a concert tribute in her honor. 

"Niloloko ko nga si Kuh Ledesma noon. She recorded most of my songs. Sabi ko, 'Kuh baka naman bibigyan mo ako ng tribute kapag patay na ako. So she gave me one in 1988. It was the first concert that featured all Azarcon songs at the Music Museum. I'm so happy na yung mga kanta ko kinakanta nila sa karaoke and nire-revive pa rin," she said.

(I was telling Kuh Ledesma then. She recorded most of my songs. I said, 'Kuh, maybe you will give me a tribute when I am dead.' So she gave me one in 1988. It was the first concert that featured all Azarcon songs at the Music Museum. I'm glad they are singing my songs at karaoke and are still reviving them.)

In 2013, Cecile's song "One More Try" became the Kapuso series "My Husband's Lover" theme, starring Dennis Trillo, Tom Rodriguez, and Carla Abellana.

Kuh, who was also part of the series, convinced Cecile to use the song in the primetime series. Cecile was okay with her music being included in a gay-themed project.

"I'm very open-minded naman. At maganda ang naging kwento ng series. In fact, ang nag convince sa akin na gamitin yung kanta for that teleserye was Kuh Ledesma. She was part of the series, playing a mother. I'm very happy na nabuhay muli ang kanta because of that serye," Cecile said.

"One More Try" came when she had been writing depressing songs. She needed to write songs that conveyed positive thoughts.

"One of my favorite songs is 'One More Try.' I wrote that for my sister. I hope she won't mind if I share it. My older sister was going through a difficult time in her marriage.

"I just realized na ang dami ko ng songs na isinulat pero depressing. So parang gusto ko naman magsulat ng something positive. Nagdasal naman ako. Sabi ko, 'Lord, bigyan mo naman ako ng song na positive.' That's how 'One More Try' came about. Huwag kang mag-give up. You hold on," she added.

Songs for other artists

Cecile has been approached by some artists who asked for songs, but she has yet to offer anything. She had to decline because the songs needed to match their personality.

"It's always a privilege when a singer approaches me and asks for a song. Hindi naman ako mapili na dapat sikat ka or may pangalan ka. I have given songs to total unknowns, and it doesn't matter. Minsan hindi ko alam ang kahihinatnan ng kantang binigay ko. Basta magaan ang loob ko, mabait siya, gusto kong tulungan, bibigyan ko talaga ng kanta.

(It's always a privilege when a singer approaches me and asks for a song. I'm not picky that you must be famous. I have given songs to total unknowns, and it doesn't matter. Sometimes, I don't know the outcome of the song I gave. As long as I'm happy, they are kind, and I want to help, I'll provide them with a song.)

Cecile mentioned being friends with the late singer Rico J. Puno and Divine Diva Zsa Zsa Padilla, but couldn't provide any of their songs.

"Isang tao na may sama ng loob sa akin ay si Rico J. Puno. He's also my kumpare. He's been asking for a song and wala talaga akong maibigay sa kanya.

"But I was touched and blessed because nakausap ko yung anak niyang si Tosca. When Rico was in his death bed, the last song that he sang, na pinakanta niya sa mga anak niya, was 'Lift Up Your Hands.' Sayang sana binigyan ko siya ng kanta. 

"Si Zsa Zsa Padilla naman she did a video noong birthday ko. Nag sentiment din siya na hindi ko raw siya nabibigyan ng kanta. I was thankful when she said yes as one of the singers who will interpret my songs.

"Zsa Zsa is also a good friend. She was just a voice student when she was starting. Noong humihingi siya ng kanta, hindi ko talaga siya mabigyan. Pero noong meron na akong kanta, hindi naman siya nag re-recording. So it was not yet meant to be. I hope in the future I would be able to give songs na babagay sa kanila," Cecile said.

Writing songs

Cecile disclosed that some of her greatest hits were composed in just a few minutes. And she was inspired when she wrote these songs.

"Kapag inspired ka, walang effort. May flow lang. You picture the moment. Kapag tumagal ka ng tumagal, hindi na inspiration yun eh. Pwersado na. Kadalasan kapag lumagpas na ng isang oras, tumitigil na ako.

(When you are inspired, there is no effort. There is only flow. You picture the moment. When you take a long time, it is no longer an inspiration. It is forced. Usually, after an hour passes, I stop.)

"Sometimes it lands in the trash. Minsan may mga kanta na dapat balikan mo. Yung mga nag-hit yun ang mga mabilis ko lang talagang ginawa. So ang advice ko sa mga songwriters, kapag inspired ka sa moment na yun, huwag mo ng pakawalan. 

(Sometimes, it lands in the trash. Sometimes, there are songs that you have to go back to. The hits were the ones that I made quickly. So my advice to songwriters is, don't let go when you're inspired in that moment.)

"There was even a time na nasa restaurant ako. I was having lunch with a friend, and then tinanong ko lang siya, 'Did you sleep well last night?' Sabi niya, "Yes, but with a heartache.' Alam mo sa table napkin nakasulat ako. You have to capture the moment," she said.

In some cases, Cecile treats herself or her best friends when her song becomes a hit or is featured in a movie or TV show.

"I treat my friends. Halimbawa may naghit akong kanta, or nafeature sa isang pelikula and then nabayaran ako, manlilibre ako or I treat them out.

"One time 'Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin' was featured in a teleserye. Tamang-tama, from Seattle kaka-move lang namin sa California ng family ko. I remember I bought a grand piano. That's how I treated myself," she said.

Asked about the formula for longevity in showbiz, Cecile said: "Wala talagang nakaka-alam nyan eh. Ako rin hindi makapaniwala na tumagal ako ng 45 years. Ako I just wrote to express myself. Just be true to yourself. If it's meant to be, then it's meant to be. 

"Sa akin, yung mga naghit, tulad ng 'Lift Up Your Hands,' 10 minutes (ko lang ginawa). 'How Did You Know' 20 minutes. Matagal na yung 30 minutes or isang oras para gumawa ka ng kanta," she said.

Making music for 45 years

Cecile said she was coming home to Manila on May 10. The last time she visited the country was in 2017. People thought her songs would only be featured in the concert, but she would be part of the tribute show. She revealed that she would perform new songs at the concert.

Kuh Ledesma, Janno Gibbs, Jam Morales, Fe de los Reyes, Jackie Lou Blanco, Mark Bautista, Timmy Pavino, and Isabella Gonzales will join Azarcon to perform her works in the concert.

Martin Nievera, Iwi Laurel, and Nicole Asensio will also participate in the celebration on May 24, and Ogie Alcasid, Zsa Zsa Padilla, and Katrina Velarde on May 25.

Among Azarcon’s other big hits are "Reaching Out" by Gary Valenciano and "Special Memory" by Iwi Laurel from the soundtrack of the movie Hotshots, "So It’s You" by Raymond Lauchengco from the Bagets soundtrack; "I Think I’m in Love," and "One More Try" by Kuh Ledesma; "How Did You Know?" by Chiqui Pineda and Valenciano; "Even If" by Jam Morales, "Sana ay Ikaw Na Nga" also by Valdez; "Ikaw ang Lahat sa Akin" by Martin Nievera and others.

Cecile revealed she would treat music fans to new songs at the concert.

"Meron pa akong mga songs na nakatago pa sa baul at ipaparinig ko sa inyo. I have a song na kakantahin ko for my mom. She passed away in November 2021. She was just a few weeks shy of her birthday. The year after December 2022, pagpasok ko sa bahay, derecho agad ako sa piano. Wala siyang lyrics. Talagang piano lang. It's called 'Memories of You.' I'm going to play that at the concert.

"Of course, the people will be looking forward to the hits. Pero para sa akin, I want to impart something. That night is about making memories. I am making memories with all of you. Na minsan magkasama tayo. Parang kanta ni Florante. I want to share yung mga kanta ko na hindi pa naririnig. As in wala pang nakakarinig," she added.

Jose Mari Chan recalls story behind 'Christmas in our Hearts'

BY ROBERT REQUINTINA

Sep 7, 2023 11:23 AM

  

---

AT A GLANCE

• Jose Mari also said that he does not like being called the King of Christmas. "There's only one King of Christmas, and that's our Lord Jesus Christ. The baby Jesus. Some people call me Chan-ta Claus."

---

Jose Mari Chan (Images courtesy of Fast Talk With Boy Abunda)

It's September, and Jose Mari Chan's Christmas carols are playing. But what exactly is Jose Mari doing, and where is he when the "ber" months haven't started yet?

"I'm neither at home nor at work in my business," said Jose Mari, when asked what keeps him busy, during an interview on "Fast Talk With Boy Abunda" on GMA Network recently.

Jose Mari, 78, has been known as "The Father of Philippine Christmas Music" following the release of his blockbuster album "Christmas In Our Hearts" in 1990. 

Jose Mari answered about his music-making process. "Almost always, it's the melody. Sometimes I hear that at night, and I tell myself tomorrow morning when I wake up, I will write it down or record it. Almost always at night, the song disappears."

He continued: "That's why, from now on, every time I hear a melody, I have to sing it right away and write it down. So that I won't lose the melody. And then the lyrics come afterward."

Jose Mari also said he had yet to get a vocal coach in his five-decade career.

"I never got a vocal coach. Since I was a little boy, I would sing along to the songs I heard on the radio. I even performed in a children's hour's show in Iloilo City at one time," he said. 

As he got older, he admitted that he was also becoming forgetful.

"Before a concert, I would vocalize for almost an hour. I would clear my nose so that I could breathe normally. And then I also have an idiot board because sometimes I forget my lyrics at my age. Sometimes I'm forgetful na," he added.

'Christmas In Our Hearts'

Jose Mari reminisced about the origins of "Christmas In Our Hearts."

"The melody itself was composed in 1988 to a poem by my friend Chari Cruz Zarate, "Ang Tubig Ay Buhay," which she used as a high school jubilee song.

"So I wrote the melody, and I never thought that two years later, I would use that melody for a Christmas song. And Universal Records approached me and said it's time we make a Christmas album because of the success of "Please Be Careful With My Heart," "Beautiful Girl," etc. 

"So I thought of that melody, and I got a friend of mine Rina Caniza to come to the house, and I gave her the melody. Together, we worked on the lyrics. 

"At that time Lea Salonga was a hit because of Miss Saigon. So I approached her and asked if she could do a duet with me. Sabi niya, 'Yes, I'll be glad, too!' She heard the song and liked the melody, except that her recording company would not allow her to record for a competing label.

"So my next choice was Monique Wilson, an understudy of Miss Saigon. I like her. She's a nice person with a beautiful voice. Unfortunately, she went to Tagaytay and lost her voice. She called me.

"I think the Holy Spirit was leading me towards my daughter Liza. Since Universal Records was rushing, 'Joe, it's October, we need to come up with an album!' I went to my daughter's bedroom and said, 'What are you doing?' She said, 'I was cramming for my exams.'  I said, 'Can you learn the song quickly? I want to record this with you. Okay. When? This Wednesday. To make a long story short, she and I went to the recording studio, and the rest is history."

 

Advice for young musicians

Jose Mari shared his advice with the younger generation of musicians.

"Especially now with the technology change, it's very hard to live on music. That's why my advise to the young composers and singers is that use that as a hobby or on the side but get another career either in law, accounting, or medicine.  And then just do music on the side. Don't lose it completely 'cause that's God's gift given to you," he said.

On his memes, Jose Mari said: Natutuwa ako except for this one na medyo irreverent. It showed Saint Joseph and Mother Mary riding a donkey. She was pregnant of course. And then it said, "Jose, Mary, Tyan." 

Jose Mari also said that he does not like being called the King of Christmas. "There's only one King of Christmas, and that's our Lord Jesus Christ. The baby Jesus. Some people call me Chan-ta Claus."

 

 

Vehnee Saturno

Famous Filipino composer Vehnee Saturno reacted to the advice of Jose Mari on young musicians.

"Tuloy lang. Even Jose Mari Chan is a very good songwriter, a very good singer, and a very successful businessman.

"Pero ang puso kasi ng isang musikero, hindi pera eh. It's not the money kundi yung passion n'ya on what's inside. Ano ba yung magagawa ko? What can I deliver?

"So sa akin, ang masasabi ko lang sa aspiring songwriters, and musicians, tuloy lang. Kung kakayanin.

"But of course totoo naman ang sinasabi ni Jose Mari Chan na kapag wala kang finances, wala kang pampabuhay ng pamilya, mahirap din.

"Think wisely kung paano ka makakatawid doon sa tulay na kahit papaano masaya ka pa rin na even hindi ka equipped with everything. So puso at pagmamahal pa rin sa musika. Yun pa rin ang importante.

"Sabi ng mother ko, when I was starting as a musician, naku anak, hindi ka makakabuhay ng pamilya dyan. That was late 70s noong nakikinig ako ng mga music. 

"Pero sabi ko gagawin ko talaga yung makakaya ko, at talagang nagsikap ako. First and second attempts ko sa Metropop wala. And then noong 1982, I was able to write a song 'Isang Dakot.'  Ang inspiration ko noon mga squatter's area na pinagbintangan. During that time, paparating si Pope. So yung mga squatters area pinapuntahan. Parang naawa ako sa mga Pilipino parang ganun. Pero sabi ko susulat ako ng isang kanta, yung iyak ng isang mahirap na maramdaman na sila ay may puwang sa society," he said.

"Isang Dakot" won the best composition at the 1982 Metro Manila Popular Music Festival.

Vehnee is also the composer behind the monster OPM hits "Be My Lady," "Sana Kahit Minsan," "Mula Sa Puso," "Till My Heartaches End," "Bakit Pa?" Wala Na Bang Pag-Ibig," "Forever's Not Enough," and more.

Jeri Violago

Rising singer Jeri Violago also reacted to the advice of Jose Mari.

"Family friend namin si Mr. Jose Mari Chan. It depends on where you're coming from. Mr. Jose Mari Chan is very established. When you think of Christmas, you think of Jose Mari Chan. Because of that, he has a lot of exposure and endorsements. It's not just music, but he has different businesses. I think if you're passionate about something and you see yourself becoming what you believe, through your support system, I think it's something that you can push through," said Jeri, who will release his two songs entitled "Gusto Kita," and Ipapangako Ko," both composed by Vehnee, under Tarsier Records.

Mariah Carey cites Filipino lambs as 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' gains steam in September

BY ROBERT REQUINTINA

Sep 3, 2023 09:14 PM

  

---

AT A GLANCE

• On Sept. 2, Mariah owed the early success of her popular holiday tune in September to Filipino lambs after it gained 316,000 streams on Spotify.

---

Mariah Carey (Facebook)

It's September and Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" is already gaining popularity. Thanks to her Filipino fans who streamed her holiday classic as early as September.

On Sept. 2, Mariah owed the early success of her popular holiday tune in September to Filipino lambs after it gained 316,000 streams on Spotify. 

 

Mariah reposted an art card from her fan page about her chart-topping Christmas song in September.

The 54-year-old chanteuse couldn't be happier for the early Christmas gift from her Filipino lambs. 

 

"Not yet," wrote the "Vision of Love" singer. "I'll allow it for my Filipino lambs, though. I don't make the rules!"

Released in 1995, the song written by Mariah and Walter Afanasieff first appeared in the Billboard Hot 100 chart in January 2000. After 19 years, it finally hit No. 1 for the first time in November 2019.  The popular tune was lifted from Maria's Christmas album "Merry Christmas."