MANILA, Philippines - I got so depressed when I first heard Jim Brickman’s hit Valentine. Not because the message was depressing nor was the song bad but because I wasn’t in a relationship at the time and couldn’t use it as a theme song nor could I use it as my goodbye song for a radio program because I was on radio hiatus back then.
I’ve been a fan of Jim ever since he came out with his first album back in 1994 with record label Windham Hill. Back then, he was categorized as a new age artist like Sarah Brightman, Enya, Yanni, the Vangelis, John Tesh and the like. Nowadays, Jim is considered a mainstream pop artist and has even recorded Christmas, children’s and Christian music. I love his original genre new age music because it has a soothing vibe that gets me into a good mood even on bad hair days.
To date, Jim has recorded 37 albums and counting. My favorite albums include his instrumental tribute to the Carpenters’ Yesterday Once More that was released five years ago, his tribute to Disney The Disney Songbook that features vocals and Ballads which feature my two Jim Brickman all-time favorites The Gift and Valentine.
I asked promoter/music aficionado Babes Javier, who has produced pop artist concerts of Air Supply, the World Famous Platters, John Ford Coley, to name a few, over a hearty lunch what made her decide to deviate from her mainstream line and delve into new age music. She intimated a simple response, “I love his music” and then continued “It got complicated though when I visited
the Solaire Theatre, where the concert will be held. I noticed the stage was massive and imagined the artist will appear minuscule if he only had a basic band to back him up so right there and then I decided to book the 50-piece Manila Symphony Orchestra to back him up. Although Jim Brickman is accompanied by American singing sensation John Trones for vocals, I had to secure a female singer to perform the other Jim Brickman’s songs like the platinum awarded (and my favorite) Valentine that features a female voice and got the best — multi-awarded singer and our very own Lea Salonga.” The original recording of Valentine features the American country singer/composer/record producer Martina Mcbride on vocals.
I am excited to watch the concert at Solaire Theatre on Aug. 8 because it not only features a multi-awarded artist/composer like Jim but also our very own multi- awarded artist Lea, and the Manila Symphony Orchestra. Good seats are still available at all Ticketworld outlets and the concierge at Solaire Resort & Casino.