Always a joy to listen to

Because she turned out to be an incredibly-gifted actress, people often forget that Nora Aunor was first and foremost a great singer. Not only does she possess this voice of such a rare, wonderful quality but she also has this ability to turn every song into a complete performance. People found it was remarkable many years ago when she was but a wisp of a girl putting so much emotion into every line. It is remarkable still, now that years of stardom and a lot of living color her every song.

For some reason, Nora has decided it is time to once again showcase Nora Aunor the singer and many of us are understandably grateful. She is always a joy to listen to. I recall similar instances in the past like one night at the Araneta Coliseum or a few weekends at the Captain’s Bar in Makati. Those happened few and far between but when they did, Nora never disappointed her audience, who I witnessed, came in droves, during those times. She offered nostalgia, drama, bits of her usual self-deprecating humor and lots and lots of beautifully interpreted songs.

This time around the concert is titled Legend ... Live. And a legend Nora Aunor really is indeed. It will be staged for two nights on Oct. 18, Thursday and on Oct. 19, Friday at the Music Museum in Greenhills. Nora has prepared a repertoire of old favorites like Didn’t We, Here Comes the Sun, Can’t Buy Me Love, Moonlight Serenade, I Will plus those famous tunes that became her passport to fame and which are now considered signature songs like People, Softly and many others. Jo Awayan is guesting in the show so you can also expect some rock belting.

Tickets are priced at P1200, P1000 and P700 and are now available at the CCP Ticket Office, all branches of the National Bookstore and at the Music Museum. Call (0917) 834-8839, (0917) 649-9570 and 524-3744 for inquiries.

Reader’s request

From the mail: Ms. Evelyn de los Santos of Cefel’s Park Subd. #3 Kaloocan City, wrote in to inquire about the lyrics of the song I Dream of You.

Please help me find the complete lyrics of the song I Dream of You. For several months now, I have been searching for this beautiful song but all my efforts are of no avail.

I do not think I Dream of You comes from a Broadway musical. This beautiful ballad was composed by Marjorie Goetschius and Edna Osser. It dates back to the late ‘40s and has been recorded by the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Perry Como and Teresa Brewer. The best known version though is the one recorded by Frank Sinatra. Most of Sinatra’s early recordings have been reissued on CDs so I am sure you will be able to get a copy.

As for coming out with the lyrics, I have been unable to find my copy of the song. I am putting out the lyrics relying only on my memory. I hope I got the entire thing right.

I dream of you, more than you dream I do

How can I prove to you, this love is real

You mean to me more than you mean to be

You just can’t seem to see the way I feel

When I am close to you

The world is far away

The words that fill my heart

My lips can’t seem to say

I want you so, more than you’ll ever know

More than you dream I do, I dream of you

Katha feels the pinch

These are hard times for everybody, more so for the piracy-beleaguered music industry. Recently I got the sad bit of news that regretfully, Katha, the association of Filipino composers, has announced the closure of its offices at Unit 301, Cristina 1 Building, #71 Kalayaan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City. Katha has not been able to generate enough revenue these past two years. The music awards have been cancelled. Members have not been paying their dues. The demo recording studio is not also making any income.

All phone and fax lines and e-mail address will also be terminated. To get in touch with the organization you can send your e-mail to the personal addresses of Peewee Apostol, cmapostol@yahoo.com or to Trina Belamide at trinaly@surf-shop.net.ph or Ivi Francisco at ivi@angelic.com. For the time being, you can still send your letters to the old address. Ivi promises to check on the mail until Katha is able to get a new office address.

Meanwhile, here’s hoping for a "godfather" who will take Katha in hand and lead it into better times.