Dear Martin... 'Forever' yours

Dear Martin,

Congratulations. I just read in the papers that you recently received a Platinum Record award in recognition of more than 40,000 pieces sold of Return to Forever, which was Gold a few weeks ago and which is expected to become double Platinum soon. Now this did not really come as a surprise. This albums is as well-produced as its two predecessors. Besides, when the Nievera voice goes into moving renditions of famous songs, there is not much of a choice left for listeners. They just have to have their own copies so as to be able to emote with Martin singing their personal soundtracks.

If you'll think of it, Return to Forever can in some ways be considered superior to Forever and Forever, Forever. Although it is basically a formula album, old songs plus a composition or two by Louie Ocampo, it is still nice to see you take your chances with unlikely choices like So Very Hard to Go and The Greatest Love Affair. Send in the Clowns, which you do very well, is also something that does not get much revival mileage because it is a difficult song to interpret and it is definitely not as commercial as Weekend in New England.

Of course, I have no quarrel with the others. I love Please Don't Ask Me and Too Shy to Say. I would have chosen Up Where We Belong by I've Had the Time of My Life makes me feel like dancing so it can't be bad. Louie seems to save his best melodies for you so Kahit Isang Saglit and The Gift of Time certainly add to the album's appeal. And everybody seems to welcome the new versions of Against All Odds, Goodbye Girl, The Last Time I Felt Like This, Some Good Things Never Last, Separate Lives and Someone That I Used to Love. In fact, they are already thinking of what songs should be included in your next one.

Indeed, it looks like you have started a new career or your own industry that can go on and on forever. You can do Forever and a Day, Forevermore. Return Again to Forever and you will still not run out of songs to sing. And don't forget compilations. Add a new song or two and you might have Martin Nievera Sings Hits of the '70s or The '80s or by Barry Manilow, Burt Bacharach, etc., etc. And as long as there are people in this world who must store their memories in familiar music, these albums will keep on selling.

But then don't you think it is a bit too early in your career to be another Andy Williams? This is nothing against Andy, of course. Next to Audrey's, I think his Moon River is the best there is. But wouldn't you like to experiment a bit and test how much further your talent can go? Just look at what Santana came up with in Supernatural or what being daring did to Tom Jones, whom people had been writing off since his Delilah days but is still around and more vital than ever.

For all I know you might already thinking along these lines and will not be doing another Forever album soon. The thought disappoints. I'll never get to hear you do When I Look in Your Eyes. I'll never find out how you'll fare with Do You Think I'm Sexy. On the other hand there will be lots of new songs that are distinctively Martin Nievera's. Listeners will still be amassing memories but with music by Martin alone. That I must say seems like a more interesting prospect.

Besides, aren't those Gold and Platinum Awards getting to be a problem? You can take them to a museum or donate them to Hard Rock Café later but for the moment you need lots of walls or else pay a fortune in storage.