How I remember James Ingram

I met James Ingram only once…just once, to quote the title of his hit song…and that was in August 1999, two decades ago when I did a one-on-one with him during his promo tour for his album Forever More (Love Songs, Hits and Duets). And yet, I feel close to the man, thanks to his music (One Hundred Ways, I Don’t Have The Heart, etc.) that never fails to lift your spirit when you’re feeling low. There’s a certain something in James’ songs that caress your heart and make you feel whole and well again.

That memorable encounter was facilitated by Renen de Guia (of Ovation Productions) who produced three Ingram concerts (1991, 1994 and 2015). James also did a Valentine concert with Patti Austin (a frequent Philippine visitor).

In memory of James (who succumbed to brain cancer last Jan. 29, at 66), I retrieved a clipping of that 1999 Conversation with him and found portions very relevant today.

Excerpts:

What is it about the Philippines that you like so much?

“Well, the warmth of the people. When I first came here sometime in 1991, the United States was having some kind of a problem –– you know, it was during the Gulf War. There was some kind of a situation where the Philippine Government was jockeying up to the US Embassy for something. There was a press conference and somebody asked me, ‘Aren’t you afraid to come here?’ And I said, ‘You are like me’ (touching his skin). ‘We have the same color.’ And they kind of laughed. There was instant rapport.”

Your fans (this one included) are happy to know that the three top favorites (Just Once, One Hundred Ways and I Don’t Have The Heart) are on the Forever More album. Why those songs from among the many that you have done?

“Because those are among my most notable compositions. When I sing those songs onstage, you guys just go…wow! Those are also among my favorites, especially Just Once. There’s a story behind it. Well, back in 1980, I was on TV singing Just Once in a demo tape. A publishing company needed new songs for an album. So the producer went to the TV studio, got a copy of Just Once and gave it to Quincy Jones. Quincy said, ‘I love the song, but who’s gonna sing it?’ Somebody said, ‘Oh, some demo singer named James.’ That was in 1980. Just Once got me started in my career.”

Love plays a significant role in your work and, I presume, in your life, too. You must be a person full of love.

With Your Funfarer during an exclusive interview at EDSA Shangri-La during his album promo tour in August 1999.

“Well, you know, my parents are still together now. I’ve learned a lot from my parents. You know, God is love. You wake up in the morning and you don’t have to have religion to tell you that God is there. You know, the sun rises on time and sets on time. It’s something that doesn’t happen by accident. The earth continues to exist because Somebody Up There loves all of us, a greater Love than just love itself.”

Did you say you don’t have any religion, that you are not religious?

“No. But I’m a spiritual person. God is spirit. Those who worship God must worship Him in spirit, too. That’s according to the King James Bible. There are many religions but there’s only one God.”

So you are neither Protestant nor Catholic nor whatever.

“No. I was brought up believing in God. There are so many religions, just like when you go to the store and there are so many things to buy –– you know, which one do you choose? I choose God; I won’t choose religion.”

God the Supreme Being…

“…yeah. I understand His Son.”

Is that also the guiding principle in your life –– God and love?

“Yeah! Love between man and woman, between father and son, between man and God, between man and nature. You understand? God and love. Look up to the heavens and you see those stars in position for millions of years. It couldn’t just have happened by accident, you know. Somebody made it happen. There’s an Intelligent Force keeping us and all these things together. That’s God.”

By the way, besides color, what else do you think you have in common with Filipinos? They are full of love and romantic, too, just like you.

“The Filipinos are the closest to the American Blacks when it comes to soul music. There’s no other culture that comes close to ours as that of the Filipino people’s. That’s why when I first came over here, I said, ‘Hey, we’re of the same color!’ You know.”

Do you have any unforgettable experience as a singer?

“Yeah. It happened here in Manila. I was singing Just Once and it was the first time in the world that the audience sang that song with me, loud and clear. I was so overwhelmed that I wanted to cry. So I stopped. And when I went back to the song and tried to catch up, I forgot some lines. I was just so overwhelmed.”

Meanwhile, excuse me while I play the song not just once but over and over again.

…Just once, can’t we figure out what we keep doing wrong/why the good times never last for long/where are we going wrong/just once, can’t we find a way to finally make it right/make the magic last for more than just one night/I know we could break through it/if we could just get to it/just once, I want to understand…

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)