Stephen Speaks from the Passenger’s Seat

The words "I love you" have been said in song so many times. The best way to do it is to go directly to the basics. I give her all my love/that’s all I do/and if you saw my love/ you’d love her too/I love her. Another one is to go all-out poetic. She may be the reason I survive/the why, the wherefore I’m alive/ the one I’ll care for through the rough and rainy years. Magic though also happens when the writer comes up with a unique way of looking at something so mundane that makes one wonder why he never saw it that way before.

Such is the case of Passenger Seat, the big hit tune from the new group Stephen Speaks. And I’ve got all that I need/ right here in the passenger seat/and I can’t keep my eyes on the road/knowing that she’s inches from me. Anybody who has ever driven a car with the one he loves sitting in the passenger seat knows the feeling and this must be the reason why the song became an instant favorite. Not only does the song convey its message simply and effectively, it also has a breezy melody that is just right for driving around.

This, though, is what really surprises a lot of people. Passenger Seat, one of the cuts in the album No More Doubt by Stephen Speaks was actually inspired by Song of Songs, 4:7-9 from the Bible. The Song of Songs by the great King Solomon contains some of the greatest love verses ever written. Stephen Speaks has taken inspiration from them and transported the seating to present times. Very ingenious!

There is a decidedly Christian bent to Stephen Speaks and his music. Almost every song in the album has reference to a verse from the Bible. Then there is the group’s name. This comes from St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr. It is said that before he was stoned to death, St. Stephen was able to speak about his love for God. Hence the name Stephen Speaks. These guys are indeed speaking in a very enjoyable way through their songs. Stephen Speaks is made up of TJ McCloud on vocals, acoustic guitars and blues harp; Rockwell Ryan Ripperger on vocals, acoustic and electric guitars; Dain Samuelson on percussion; Amber Sturges on vocals; Blake Farmer on drums; and Blake Howard on bass. Rockwell and TJ have been friends since sixth grade and were inseparable throughout high school. They were seniors when they decided to record a CD in Rockwell’s studio as a keepsake before they went off to college. This became the album Doubting Thomas which sold out fairly quickly.

Stephen Speaks was born a year later, when the boys were already in college. Unable to shake off the idea of having a band, TJ and Rockwell decided to record a real album. Dain, Rockwell’s younger brother was there from the start. Amber, also a high school buddy, became the girl singer. The two Blakes became members a year ago. Each of them is still in school so despite the great showing of No More Doubt, the band’s future is in some sort of hold. That is aside from special promo trips they can get into their schedules like the recent Manila visit. Watch out for the big things come the latter part of this year when they will be free to give more time to their music.

Meanwhile enjoy Passenger Seat. You might want to sing it for somebody seated beside you now.

Greatest Hits 2

Great news for music lovers and all of you out there who wanted to be there but couldn’t get tickets anymore. Those of you who missed Greatest Hits 2, that much talked- about Valentine concert that sold out the Music Museum for three nights, will now have another chance to watch Rico J. Puno, Marco Sison and Nonoy Zuñiga together in action. These three great balladeers will be back at the Music Museum in Greenhills on Friday, March 21 and Saturday, March 22.

So brace yourselves for a night of the most memorable performances by Rico, Marco and Nonoy and some of the most beautiful love songs ever written like Kapalaran, Damdamin, Kumusta Ka, Never Ever Say Goodbye and Make Believe, My Love will See You Through and many others. Tickets to Rico, Marco & Nonoy, The Greatest Hits Series 2 are available at the Music Museum, Ticketworld at all National Bookstore branches and at the Viva Concerts office. Tickets are priced at P1500, P1200 and P900.