The return of Engelbert Humperdinck

I heard nice things from friends about the Engelbert Humperdinck show at the Araneta Coliseum for the pop icon’s Legacy Of Love tour two years ago. They said that the guy still sounds good and really knows how to work his audience, particularly the ladies. It helped of course, that he had retained his youthful looks. He was just a bit heavy around the middle but on the whole was still his old attractive self.

Truth to tell, I took a look at the handsome man in this photo with the trademark sideburns and I wondered, is this really Engelbert looking so good or merely another wonder of botox or photoshop? I say though that if the guy we will see next week when Engelbert comes back to town for more shows, looks anything like this, then I say, not bad, not bad at all.

Engelbert rose to prominence in the ’60s alongside other Brits like Tom Jones and The Beatles. He has since then sold over 150 million records, made 64 Gold albums, 24 Platinum singles, won four Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe and a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He was dubbed by The London Times as the premier voice of the 20th century.

Bigger and I believe better than Engelbert’s looks though and the real reason people still go to his concerts, is his music. His hits still get played frequently on the radio and are big favorites in karaoke joints. Pinoys of that certain age absolutely adore his songs. He has not had a new one released out here in years, but his list of hits from four decades ago is more than enough to see him through another successful Big Dome show.

Fans will expect him to do The Way It Used To Be, Release Me, Quando Quando Quando, Strangers In The Night, Where Do I Begin?, After The Loving, Dance The Night Away, Spanish Eyes, There Goes My Everything, Am I That Easy To Forget, Love Me With All Your Heart, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Everybody Knows (We’re Through), Il Mondo, A Man Without Love, Winter World Of Love, The Last Waltz and others. I am sure they will also be delighted with his covers of hits by other artists like Elvis Presley, Santana and Bruce Springsteen.

Engelbert will be at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Feb. 15. However if you want the works for your Valentine’s Day celebration, you know, as in dressed-up dinner, flowers and a great show, then you and your date can catch Engelbert at the Fiesta Pavillion of the Manila Hotel on Feb. 14. He will have as special guests, Pilita Corrales and The Angelos.

Still on shows for the Valentine Season. Unit Asia will also be back in town to perform at the Sky Dome of SM City North EDSA in Quezon City at 8 p.m. on Feb. 13 with our very own Cooky Chua as special guest. The all-star band was here four years ago. The event is part of the Nihongo Fiesta celebration of The Japan Foundation, Manila.

There are several reasons why the Unit Asia show deserves watching. Unit Asia is a jazz group composed of five outstanding musicians. They are Isao “Sankichi” Miyoshi on guitar from Japan; Hiroyuki Noritake on drums also from Japan; Shigeki Ippon on bass from Japan; Tay Cher Siang on piano from Malaysia; and Koh Mr. Saxman on sax from Thailand. Then Cooky, who I must say, is such a treat to listen to when she sings jazz, will bring in the Philippines to the group.

Take note, too, that Unit Asia, which is currently on a tour of Asian cities, will perform the Asian Jazz of the Future. It would be nice to find out what jazz musicians around us think will be the sound of the future. Besides, we rarely get jazz concerts out here and this should be a sweet breather from all the big concerts happening around us. And most of all, admission to the show is free. Do get in touch with The Japan Foundation at 811-6155 to 58, [email protected] or visit the website http://www:jfmo.org.ph for inquiries and reservations.