A tribute to the APO

The tribute album to the Eraserheads by various new acts sold so well, so it is only to be expected that other producers will follow suit with other tributes. The concept is not really new. It hews closely to the still lucrative revival of oldies trend but has a single artist or group of notable accomplishments in focus. Now it is always a good thing to do honor to great talent but there are also plenty of other reasons why we should pay tribute to the stars from the past.

A tribute album allows new acts to show off their versatility with the remakes. Hey, we can do other sounds. It activates old catalogues. Most of those who liked the tribute also want to hear the originals. That means added sales. And most of all, it reminds people about the greatness of Filipino musicians. And I tell you, at a time when the music industry is at the doldrums, we can all use a lot of reminding.

So here now is Kami nApo Muna, a tribute to the Apo Hiking Society and I am not at all surprised. Jim Paredes, Danny Javier and Boboy Garrovillo put over 30 years of their lives into creating music that is always hip and very Filipino. The Apo started out as an all-male singing group that called itself The Apolinario Mabini Hiking Society. They dished out a mish-mash of gag songs like Otis Elevator, Lettermen hits, The Seventh Dawn, and their own original compositions, New Day in campus shows.

Members dropped out one by one until there were only three and by that time in deference to respect for the Sublime Paralytic, the name had also been shortened to The Apo Hiking Society. These reductions however did not in any way affect what fate had decreed for Jim, Danny and Boboy. And it was at that point that the trio entered what was to be the most productive and I must add, also most successful period in their lives as songwriters, producers and performing artists. Some of the most popular output from those years made it to the Apo tribute album.

These are Pumapatak ang Ulan by Parokya ni Edgar; Yakap Sa Dilim by Orange & Lemons; Doo Bidoo by Kamikazee; Awit ng Barkada by Itchyworms; Nakapagtataka by Spongecola; Ewan by Imago; Batang-bata Ka Pa by Sugarfree; Kumot at Unan by Boldstar; When I Met You by Barbie Almalbis; Bakit ang Babae by Sandwich; Kabilugan ng Buwan by Drip; Di Na Natuto by Sound; Anna by Top Suzara; Blue Jeans by Rocksteddy; Panalangin by Moonstar 88; Paano by Shamrock; Pag-ibig by Kitchie Nadal; and Bawa’t Bata by The Dawn.

Featured artists of Kami nApo Muna will perform their versions of the Apo songs at the SM Megamall Cinema 9 on Aug. 22. Entitled MYX Presents Kami nApo Muna, The Concert, the show is a production by MYX, the Philippines’ No. 1 music channel as a tribute to what might well be the most successful trio in the history of Filipino pop music. Of course, the Apos, Jim, Danny and Boboy will also be around to savor the honor and hopefully once more perform their songs. This is the trio’s first appearance together since Jim and his family migrated to Australia early this year.

Tickets to the Apo tribute concert are available at all TicketWorld outlets. Call 891-9999 for inquiries and reservations or check out website www.ticketworld.com.ph.

Still on classic recordings by Filipino artists. Now available in the music shops is The 2 in 1 Series. This is made up of double-disc compilations of the best works by some of the most talented musicians of recent times. The recordings belong to assorted categories but they all in varying degrees influenced the development of local music. And not to forget, some of the albums included in the Series are rarities that have been unavailable for quite a while.

Artists and albums featured in 2 in 1 are Wolfgang with Semenelin and Serve in Silence; Razorback with Beggar’s Moon and Two Star; Birthday and One Million Stories by Mojofly with Kitchie Nadal as soloist; Oracle and Womb by Sugar Hiccup; Freeman by FrancisM; Recycle Deluxe by The CompanY; Tao Music and Opo by Grace Nono; and Grip Stand Throw and 4-Track Mind by Sandwich. The two-disc set retails for only P285.