Rock swings with Paul Anka

Paul Anka became a teen sensation in 1957 with the release of his recording of his own composition Diana. That marked the beginning of one of the most successful careers in the history of popular music as Anka produced one big hit after another.

He made songs for lovelorn teen-agers. You are My Destiny, Don’t Gamble with Love, Crazy Love, All of a Sudden (My Heart Sings), Lonely Boy, Don’t Ever Leave Me, Put Your Head on My Shoulder, It’s Time to Cry, Verboten, I Miss You So and Puppy Love.

He turned crooner and became the youngest entertainer to headline Copacabana in New York and clubs in Las Vegas. It was at this time that he recorded My Home Town, Sing Sing, Tonight My Love Tonight, Dance on Little Girl, Eso Beso, The Story of My Love, Love Me Warm and Tender, Cinderella, Do I Love You and Let Me Get to Know You.

As he got older, Anka went into the family mode with hits like Having My Baby and Times of Your Life. He also shared his songwriting prowess with other artists, My Way and Let Me Try Again for Frank Sinatra, She’s a Lady for Tom Jones and others.

Given this massive volume of hits, Paul Anka can just spend his time touring around the world singing these same songs until he decides to retire. But although it has been nearly 50 years since he started, he remains as enthusiastic about his music as ever and is constantly in search of new things to do.

Last year he came up with what many people thought was his riskiest venture since he gave up his studies to become a singer. He recorded swing versions of some of the most popular pop/rock songs of the past 20 years. So while teen idols from the past are busy mining the standards, Anka has done the reverse and remade the rock songs to his own style in the album Rock Swings.

His song choices is an interesting lot and covers such a wide ground that it would have sent jitters to other artists. Anka goes from Michael Jackson and Lionel Ritchie to Nirvana and Soundgarden. Thanks to him, Mom and Dad can now listen to Smells Like Teen Spirit and understand everything. Maybe they will even grow to appreciate what the departed Kurt Cobain was trying to say. As for the kids, Anka has given them the opportunity to still enjoy the favorites of their youth for many years into the future after their ears have gotten too sensitive to the noise of rock music.

While the idea for the album was entirely Anka’s, special credit should go to arrangers Patrick Williams, Randy Kerber and John Clayton who saw beyond the teen appeal of the songs. The whole production is basically jazzy with saxes, horns and easy basslines but the use of the string section takes the album to another level. It is rock and soul, jazzed up, swinging, smooth and thanks to Anka’s dreamy vocals, also romantic.

Now get a load of the unbelievable lineup that Anka serves up in Rock Swings. Aside from Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit, the album also has It’s My Life by Bon Jovi; True by Spandau Ballet; Eye of the Tiger by Survivor; Everybody Hurts by REM; Wonderwall by Oasis; Blackhole Sun by Soundgarden; It’s a Sin by Pet Shop Boys; Jump by Van Halen; Hello by Lionel Ritchie; Eyes Without a Face by Billy Idol; Lovecats by The Cure; Way You Make Me Feel by Michael Jackson; and Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton.

Paul Anka will be in town to perform in two shows at the Araneta Coliseum on the evenings of Sunday, May 14 and Monday, May 15. The show is entitled I Did It My Way Paul Anka Live in Manila. Of course, forming the big part of his repertoire will be his old hits, which Filipinos enjoy listening to to this day. Since May 15 is the locally designated Mother’s Day in this country, it might be a good idea to treat the special mothers in your lives to the show. Then keep your fingers crossed that you will also get to find out how Anka does Wonderwall or Blackhole Sun live!

Tickets to Paul Anka’s Big Dome show are priced at P6,000 Patron; P5,000, Lower Box; P3,000 Upper Box A: and P1,500 Upper Box B; and P500, General Admission.