Keeping up with Lani

Lani Misalucha now lives permanently in the US and aside from short working visits to the Philippines, there does not seem to be any chance of her returning home for good soon. They sure miss her in the concert circuit but she cannot be blamed for making that decision. While I am sure she would have continued to have a flourishing career out here had she stayed, there is really something fascinating about the lure of Las Vegas for any performer and Lani has fallen for that.

Judging from what we have been hearing from that part of the world these days, Vegas has also fallen for her charms and given her another successful phase in her career. Lani shares the stage with the Society of Seven (SOS), the now legendary group of Filipinos which has been performing all over the US for over 40 years.

The SOS members are total performers who put on an excellent show. Lani blends in very well although most of the raves she gets are about her singing. They started out at the Main Showroom of the Las Vegas Strip last year but have since moved to the bigger and poshier Jubilee Theater at the Bally Hotel where they are booked for over a year.

However, that does not mean Lani has totally forsaken her fans. A short visit late last year resulted in an album simply entitled Lani Misalucha. It is made up of love songs, most of which are big favorites among Pinoys now presented to you done the Lani way. Among the cuts included are Very Special Love, I Live for Your Love, Love Me Again, Come in from The Rain, Someone in the Dark which I think is the best of the whole package, Never Knew Love Like this Before, A Certain Sadness, All in Love is Fair, Hold Me, Never My Love, and because it was released late last year in time for the Yuletide season, the final cut is Christmas Won’t Be The Same Without You.

The CD carries a flyer about Lani’s homecoming this year. This will be celebrated with a concert at the Araneta Coliseum in QC on March 17. For details, call 712-9755, 731-1667 or 911-5555.

Still on Lani, for a taste of some of her early recordings, you might want to check out the Silver Series. Released to celebrate 25 years of Viva Music, the special edition albums cost only P150 each and include hit compilations from some of the biggest names in Filipino music. And that line-up includes Lani.

Lani Misalucha at the Silver Series features Sana Dalawa ang Puso Ko, Tag-araw, Tag-ulan, Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin, Never Never Never, Amazing Grace, Tunay Na Mahal, You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me, Sing, Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang with Freestyle and others.

My Mega Valentine 2

It will not be a homecoming concert but it is surely a welcome treat for all fans of the Megastar this Valentine season. Sharon Cuneta returns to the Big Dome for My Mega Valentine 2 on Feb. 10. She will have as guests Pops Fernandez in what will be the girls’ first concert performance together and the trio of the hour, the Apo Hiking Society. For inquiries, call Artist House at 817-4660 or 815-1953. Tickets are priced at P5,000, P3,000, P1,500, P700, P500 and P150.

Take note that one of last year’s most successful albums was Sharon’s Isn’t It Romantic which is made up entirely of old love songs. Aside from the title track, it also contains Sometimes a Love Goes Wrong, It Takes a Man and a Woman, How Deep is Your Love, I Have to Say I Love You in a Song, Laughter in the Rain, Terminal, Simply Jessie, Birthday Song, If I Keep My Heart Out of Sight, Heaven Knows, With a Little Help from My Friends and the best of the lot, I Don’t Want You to Go.

Rachelle Ann’s Obsession

Going against this trend is Rachelle Ann Go who is releasing an album made up entirely of new originals this week. Provocatively entitled Obsession, the CD boasts of an international repertoire by songwriters from Europe, the US and the Philippines. Produced by Christian de Walden, Obsession will be launched on Jan. 23 at Mugen Bar in Metrowalk, Pasig City. Songs from the album, plus some of Rachelle Ann’s earlier hits will be featured in a special show during the event. Come Valentine’s Day Rachelle Ann will be in concert at the Fiesta Pavilion of the Manila Hotel with steady date Christian Bautista.