The CompanY, lighthearted again

The first one was such a joy to listen to and a wonderful de-stresser. Also at a time when selling an album took so much effort and I believe, also lots of prayers, Lighthearted proved to be a big hit. So it is no wonder then that The CompanY is back with more of the same. The new album is Lighthearted 2 and like the first one it is made up of today’s Top 40 big sellers but arranged in the distinctive CompanY style.

You all know The CompanY. It is made up of Annie Quintos, Moy Ortiz, Cecile Bautista, Sweet Plantado and Jay Marquez. It is the country’s leading performing group that is best known for its extraordinary vocals. The members have been around for over 20 years and have a lot of hits to their credit. Think Now That I Have You, Everlasting Love, Pakisabi Na Lang, Muntik Na Kitang Minahal and others. While versatile enough to be able to sing anything, they had made it a point to stay away from US Top 40 hits. Perhaps they might do some pop classics once in a while but record a current hit? Never.

Then came Vivacom CEO Vic del Rosario with a suggestion. Why not record an album of current hits but all arranged CompanY-style? Produced and arranged by Sunny Ilacad, the result was Lighthearted. It had songs like Empire State Of Mind by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys, Do You Remember by Jay Sean, Thinking Of You by Katy Perry, One Less Lonely Boy by Justin Bieber, Fireflies by Owl City, You Belong With Me by Taylor Swift and others. Market response was overwhelming. The album opened up a new batch of music lovers to the sound of The CompanY and they liked what they heard.

And so a year later, here it is, Lighthearted 2 by The CompanY with an even better batch of songs. Also produced and arranged by Sunny with vocal arrangements by Moy Ortiz of the group, it includes Marry You by Bruno Mars; California King Bed by Rihanna; Rolling In The Deep by Adele; That Should Be Me by Justin Bieber; Price Tag by Jessie J; For The First Time by The Script; Need You Now by Lady Antebellum; Love Love Love by Avalanche City; Marry Me by Train; Just The Way You Are also by Bruno Mars; Firework by Katy Perry; and Rocketeer by the Far East Movement.

If you enjoyed Lighthearted, I am sure you will also love this one. If you have not yet heard both, then now is the time to do something to cure your thirst for good sounds.

More feedback on enduring singers

Here’s more feedback on my column about the 25 enduring singers last week. From edayauon: “If you trace the beginnings of some of the best singers and performers we’ve had through the years, especially from the ’70s, you’ll find that they started out with such power-packed, stand-out groups like The New Minstrels, Ambivalent Crowd, Kuh Ledesma with the Music and Magic and of course, the Circus Band.”

A reaction such as this makes you really long for the good old days when you think of all those groups and the music they made. But while we are awaiting the new generation of bands with superb singers, we can still enjoy the likes of The CompanY and Side A. Incidentally, these two super groups are set to get together for their very first gig together in 26 years.

Viva Concerts and Events presents In The CompanY of Side A at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila on Sept. 16. Brace yourselves for a nonstop experience of great music. You will get to watch them do all their original hits plus more. Tickets are available at Ticketworld 891-9999 and at the Resorts World Manila box-office. Prices are: VIP (P3,500); Premiere Left, Right and Center (P3,500); De Luxe Left and Right (P3,000); and Balcony (P2,500). For details, call Viva Concerts at 687-7236.

’70s relived

Speaking of more great singing, you might want to check out ’70s Relived on Aug. 20, 8 p.m. at Teatrino at the Promenade in Greenhills, San Juan. The show will feature Jacqui Magno, Tillie Moreno and Pat Castillo of The Circus Band and Ding Mercado and Eugene Villaluz of The New Minstrels. Tickets are available at Ticketworld outlets and at the Music Museum box-office. Prices are P1,500 for reserved seats with one free drink and P1,000 for first-come, first-served basis seats.