Marco brings back the romantic ballad

Mechanical rights to original Filipino works are expensive. That means about double the usual for the foreign cover. These local songs are also difficult to promote and need a lot of exposure. So at a time when sales is at an all time low, record companies are shying away from using these works and are making mostly cover albums. However, an angel smiled on lucky balladeer Marco Sison and he got his hands on ten of them and has now released the all OPM album.

Titled Hindi Ko Akalain, the CD is the first venture of Ami Almerol’s California-based Crossing Bridges Entertainment International into recording. It was recorded entirely in the US and is made up of compositions by Odette Quesada and Bodjie Dasig, who also jointly produced the album.

You might not know who Odette and Bodjie are but those in the music business know that they are good songwriters, producers and recording artists themselves. They were both doing well in their solo careers when they met, got married and settled abroad. That is why we do not hear much about them now. I am sure though that although their names might not ring bells nowadays, mention of their songs will.

Bodgie had this band named Bodgie’s Law of Gravity and he did songs like Sana Dalawa Ang Puso Ko and Ale Nasa Langit Na Ba Ako, Sakayan Ng Jeep Iwas Pusoy and many more.Odette, on the other hand, composed ‘Til I Met You for Kuh Ledesma, To Love Again for Sharon Cuneta and Farewell for Raymond Lauchengco plus also lots of others. Even if we have to judge from only this short list, you can already get an idea of the quality of the songs in Marco’s new album.

Now you all know Marco. He has been around for quite a while. Remember It’s Just A Make Believe, My Love Will See You Through and Si Aida Si Lorna At Si Fe, way back in the 80’s. He is one of the few whose looks, include hair and waistline, and vocal chords have stood the test of time.

He still sings in the same masculine but gentle tones, which is now combined in his new CD with the easy pop sensibility of the songs of Odette and Bodjie. The result is a new Marco Sison, who interprets his songs with a light, deft touch that younger pop balladeers should take note of. Here is proof that you don’t have to strain your larynx, voice box or whatever to get your message across.  

Those who love listening to old songs will enjoy his covers of the Odette classics ‘Til I Met You, Friend Of Mine and I Don’t Want To Be Your Friend. Then there is also plenty to like among the rest. Try My Number, Hindi Ko Akalain, Don’t Know How Long, I’ll Be Away, Baby Pwede Ba, Right Beside You, Huwag Na Lang and the first single, May Iba Na Ba?

Marco remains active in the touring circuit. Those of you out there in the US of A, who want to watch him perform these new songs and his old hits live, can catch him in the Hitmakers show with Rico J. Puno, Rey Valera and Nonoy Zuniga. These balladeers will be on tour this coming September. They will visit Reno, Las Vegas, Miami, Washington D.C and New Jersey.

Still on romantic ballads. This time around, the CD is made up of the early hits of Martin Nievera. This is the latest from Vicor’s 18 Greatest Hits compilation series and it features the very young Martin performing mainly compositions by local composers like his breakthrough hit Be My Lady, which was written by Vehnee Saturno.

Yes, there was time when Martin made hits out of originals. These songs were of course recorded, a long time before he decided to concentrate on the covers bit. Those days are gone although we can still hope that he will do more Filipino compositions at this point in his career.

Among the songs included are Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin, Be My Lady, Each Day With You, Please Don’t Throw My Love Away’ Pain, Say That You Love Me, Hanggang Kailan, You Are To Me, On The Right Track, Holiday, Miracle, and two covers, I Dreamed A Dream and Paradise.