Basil sings contemporary Pinoy music

If like most Filipinos you like ballads with beautiful melodies and sentimental lyrics, then you will surely love Basil S. Valdez, the latest from the country’s foremost balladeer. It is a touching collection of some of the best works by present-day composers as arranged by 10 different arrangers. I can say with all honesty that every cut here turned out special. Here is the latest proof of how musically talented Filipinos are because these songs brought Basil out of semi-retirement from the recording scene.

That takes a lot. You all know Basil and his long list of hits from the past 40 years. Ngayon At Kailan Man, Lift Up Your Hands, Kastilyong Buhangin, Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan, Hindi Kita Malilimutan, Paano Bang Mangarap, Hanggang Sa Dulo Ng Walang Hanggan, Ngayon, Kung Ako’y Iiwan Mo, Iduyan Mo, You, Nais Ko, Let the Pain Remain, Tuwing Umuulan At Kapiling Ka, Kahit Ika’y Panaginip Lang, Say That You Love Me, Sana Ay Ikaw Na Nga, Paraisong Parisukat, Minsan Pa Nating Hagkan Ang Ating Nakaraan and others.

I am sure I still missed out on some titles but you can plainly see that given this catalogue such as this, it will take a truly impressive line-up of songs to get him back to the recording studio. His last album was Filipino Classics with Ryan Cayabyab and the San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra. Now Basil has found 10 songs worthy of his intense baritone. Titled Basil S. Valdez his first CD in five years includes Kanlungan, Ikaw Na Nga, Muntik Nang Maabot Ang Langit, Minsan Pa, Paano Na Kaya, Kung Ako Na Lang Sana, Hanggang, Ikaw, Sana’y Maghintay Ang Walang Hanggan and Pagdating Ng Panahon.

Some are songs he has wanted to do for a long time. Metro Manila Popular Music Festival finalist Minsan Pa by Jose Mari Chan with lyrics by National Artist Rolando Tinio arranged by Beth Martin. Some because he heard it first and could have recorded it a long time ago like Ikaw by Louie Ocampo and George Canseco arranged by Homer Flores. An oldie but recent discovery for Basil like my composition with Willy Cruz Sana’y Maghintay ang Walang Hanggan arranged by Arnold Buena after he sang it as a duet in a show with Zsa Zsa Padilla. And one he has always liked Pagdating Ng Panahon by Moy Ortiz and Edith Gallardo that Moy himself arranged a cappella for Basil to sing with The CompanY.

Among the recent works are Ikaw Na Nga by Vehnee Saturno arranged by Niño Regalado, that Basil first heard sung by Willie Revillame and Muntik Nang Maabot Ang Langit by Medwin Marfil arranged by former Side A member Joey Benin because he has always admired the songs of True Faith; and some he sort of rediscovered while researching for the album: Hanggang by Ronnie and Gigi Cordero arranged by Bond Samson; Paano Na Kaya by Ryan Cayabyab for Bugoy Drilon arranged for Basil by Paulo Zarate; Kung Ako Na Lang Sana by Soc Villanueva for Bituin Escalante and arranged by Gino Cruz; and the Noel Cabangon hit Kanlungan composed by Romeo Dongeto of the folk rock band Buklod arranged by Ric Mercado.

This is a new Basil with a lighter touch. At the same time it is also the old Basil but one who has given these pop hits his elegant singing style. For those who thought that a song recorded by Willie R. like Ikaw Na Nga, or by Bugoy like Paano Na Kaya, this is an eye-opener. A beautiful love song is a beautiful love song, no matter what. For those who wondered what something like Ikaw, whom the late Canseco had in mind when he wrote the lyrics would sound like if done by Basil, here is the answer. 

Basil will not be able to sing all of the songs in the CD at his Seasons of Love show at The Newport Theater for the Performing Arts at Resorts World Manila on Feb. 13 with The CompanY and Rachelle Ann Go. But he will surely perform several of them, plus some of his classic hits and lots of other numbers with the country’s leading vocal group, The CompanY, imagine a live Pagdating Ng Panahon, and it would be interesting to hear him sing with Rachelle Ann who comes to the show fresh from her success as Ariel in Disney’s The Little Mermaid.