A wonderful Christmas from Christian

I had misgivings about Christian Bautista doing a Christmas album. I thought, not after Jed Madela and certainly not with the same producer, Ito Rapadas. Jed has this choir boy voice that is perfect for Christmas songs. Christian is more of the pop crooner. Well, maybe if he did only romantic Christmas songs, he might be able to hack it. But his style might come out inadequate for the soaring carols.

I was wrong. Christian’s A Wonderful Christmas produced by Ito is now available and it is good. I had forgotten that Christian has matured as an artist and should be able to interpret songs his own way. It was also good of Ito to give him light and easy arrangements that suit him best. I like most of all the Mariah Carey original All I Want For Christmas. Christian’s version is more rock than soul. Very nice.

Then I find turning a hymn like Amazing Grace into a folksy ballad backed by piano and guitar a brilliant idea. I also like his finger snapping Last Christmas, plus the jazzy Silver Bells and Christmas Alphabet. Then I wonder where they found the unheard of Christmas Shoes. It is a very sad song but is also so full of the Christmas spirit.

There is also The Gift Of Christmas, a duet with Liza Chan-Parpan of a Michael Chan composition. Remember, Liza is the daughter of the famous Jose Mari Chan. Their duet of Christmas In Our Hearts is one of the biggest-selling recordings in local pop music history. She should be able to bring lots of luck to Christian’s album. Besides, although Jose Mari did not write the song, his son Michael did.

Also included are the lovely Nakaraang Pasko by Tats Faustino which still sounds new, Christmas Time, which Christian co-wrote with Jordan Bautista and Ito, plus the standards The Christmas Song; Little Drummer Boy; What A Wonderful World and the traditional, Angels We Have Heard On High, O Come All Ye Faithful and It Came Upon A Midnight Clear. You can listen to these throughout the season and should find lots more to enjoy next year and the next, etc.

Champions update

Incidentally, I am sure you have noticed this. There have been a number of talent searches conducted in local TV shows these past years. But no singer has been discovered whose success is comparable to those of the first batch from 2003. These kids are still around, the go-to people for those who want, young, talented performers with great voices. Christian, whose fame has spread to other Asian countries, is one of them.

There are also Sarah Geronimo, who is working on a new album of originals and who teams up for the first time with Martin Nievera in a Valentine concert at the Araneta Coliseum on Feb. 12. Mark Bautista, who made the big move from ABS-CBN to GMA 7 this year, has a new album of OPM songs out. This is Nagmamahal where he makes his debut as a songwriter with two killer songs.

Rachelle Ann Go, another GMA 7 recruit from ABS-CBN co-starred with Arnel Pineda in the most successful tour of North America this year. She has begun work on a new album. Jed is doing great with his new release, The Classics Album plus his The Voice Of Christmas CD. Eric sings Jim Brickman in his latest. And just in case you have forgotten, Charice Pempengco was a product of Little Big Star. She lost, but look at where she is now.

MYX’s top hits

From MYX. Here is the top music channel’s Pinoy Myx Countdown of the past week. What’s Your Poison by Chicosci; Lakad by Sandwich; Pakiusap Lang by Parokya Ni Edgar; Nakaraang Pasko by Christian; Jeepney Love Story by Yeng; Waiter by Eevee; Paano by Letter Day Story; This Kind Of Silence by Typecast; Going Nowhere by Hilera; Wasak Waltz by Ely Buendia and Francis M.

Can’t Get Enough by Young JV; Nandito by General Luna; Disney by Tanya Markova; Landi by Hansom; We Belong Together by Miguel Escueta; Kung Wala Ka by Nikki Gil; Ang Huling Yakap Ng Mundo by Imago; Spread The Love by Jay-R and Jhing; Time Machine by Nyoy Volante; and Terminal by Piolo Pascual.