3 decades with Martin in 3D

Martin Nievera is celebrating 30 years in the music business this year. It was way back in 1982 when this boy from Hawaii, son of the much admired balladeer Bert Nievera, came home to the Philippines and became the hottest discovery of the year. Getting to the top was easy. He could really sing and was a natural for recording and the concert stage. He also had a gift of gab that would open the doors of television talk shows for him.

It is now 2012 and Martin, who had been married, separated, and is now the father of three boys is still at it. He says it is because he has to work. “I have a family here and in the States. In the Philippines singers cannot just relax at this age like they do in the US. You have to work. Also, I’ll die if I don’t work. I so love what I do. I thought of becoming an architect but too much Math. Besides, I love singing more. I’ll die without it.”

Maybe we would, too, if we were deprived of the songs of Martin. What would it be like if you have never had a heart aflutter to the tune of Be My Lady or basked in the love of You Are My Song or wallowed in heartbreak with Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin? Maybe that is why he is still around. Also, admit it, they don’t make them like him anymore. Can you name somebody who came along during these past 30 years who became his equal or whose success came close to his? One or two nearly did but have now fizzled out.

So this means we will be stuck with Martin for many more years. No one is complaining. Not the girls, Sharon Cuneta or Sarah Geronimo who both like singing with him. Some boys, too, like his contemporary, Gary Valenciano or Side A’s Joey Generoso. Not the X Factor kids like Kedebon Colim or Jeric Medina whom he has chosen to continue mentoring up to now after the show is over. Not me or his other fans. This is because Martin is one pop star who has never taken his success for granted.

What I appreciate most about Martin is how he never takes his career for granted. He makes sure he attends and sings his heart out in all his promo gigs. Fans get their fill not only of his songs but also of pictures and autographs. He is one of the few who comes to appointments on time and who makes sure that he looks and sounds good. Most of all, although his singing style is the sort that will serve him well up to when he is 70 or 80 years old he has not ceased experimenting with his music.

Martin Nievera 3D Tatlong Dekada is a good example. A Martin album is easy to do. You can take any nice song. He will sing it and it will sound great. And he can keep doing this for ages and will continue to sell. This time around though, he decided to sing a lot of originals. A risky move for these hard times but he wants to do more songs by Filipino writers. Then aside from the usual power ballads, he threw in club beats that echo Enrique Iglesias, Far Away and Taken, that people can dance to. Very nice. This is something that he can explore more in future releases.

But of course, the cuts to die for are the ballads which Martin does so well. Standouts are Wala Nang Magagawa which is oozing with massive airplay, Carry On, which is so encouraging and Only In My Dreams which is simply beautiful. The CD also has Magic, Ipadarama, Panaginip, After All This Time, Are We Really Praying, Pangarap Ko Ay Magpakailanman, Ikaw Kailanman, On My Own Again, Pangako, Pag-ibig Ko’y Ikaw, After All a duet with Vina Morales and the Paul Anka classic, Times Of Your Life.

Then because this is a special release commemorating three decades of hits, there is a bonus DVD with videos of some of his hits. Iisa Pa Lamang, You’re All I Need, Maybe This Time, Pasko Na Sinta Ko, Hard Habit To Break, Right Here Waiting, When I Met You, Goodbye (a duet with Pops Fernandez), Just The Way You Are, Times Of Your Life, Never Say Goodbye, Hanggang Ngayon, The Promise, You Are My Song and You’re My Everything.