MANILA, Philippines — After establishing their names in their chosen fields, artists need to reinvent themselves or experiment to offer something new.
Kuh Ledesma knows the value of it, song- and show-wise.
“Of course, it’s important,” said the Original Pilipino Music (OPM) icon in a recent chat with The STAR.
She and her team would think of themes and concepts or tweak the existing format that could be explored every time. Thus, there’s always something new the audience can anticipate.
“It’s always important to have a theme, a concept para may pinanghahawakan yung artist, yung palabas (so that the artist or the show has an idea to anchor himself/herself or itself),” shared she, “and also the people who are coming, they will know more or less what to expect.”
For Kuh, it’s also important for a singer to experiment with songs and expressions.
“Tinitignan mo (you figure out) what works and what’s best for you. For me, I just let go when I’m singing,” said she.
With her upcoming show titled “Kuh Sings Her ABCs” on Oct. 18, 8 p.m., at the Music Museum, fans and music enthusiasts may have an idea about the presentation, but they will be treated to a musical experience like no other. She did such a musical concept last August.
“Hindi naman exactly repeat (it’s not exactly a repeat), because we are doing perhaps many new songs, especially these French songs,” said the country’s Pop Diva, who was referring to Edith Piaf’s La Vie En Rose and Hymne A Lamour. She used to sing the former in her shows, like in Kuh’s 10th anniversary. To capture the nuances of the French language, she has a French tutor, Damien.
If segments of a show are deemed well-applauded, they will be presented again.
“Of course, we are going to sing songs they (the audience) like very much. I got the feel of more or less the ABCs that I used to sing before that they like to hear.”
The concert will also see Kuh do a medley of Carole King songs and a collection of the Carpenters hits.
David Young, Kuh’s daughter Isabella, Nathan Randal and Tim Pavino are joining her as guest featured artists. Each has shared the stage with her before.
At Kuh and composer Cecile Azarcon’s concert in L.A., Tim performed So It’s You and will do it again and other Azarcon’s hits, plus a duet with Kuh for the upcoming show.
“He’s just an amazing singer,” said she. “He’s so dedicated to his craft. He has one of the best voices.”
Speaking of performing abroad, Kuh successfully wrapped up three different shows, including the L.A. gig. She topbilled “By Special Arrangement” with another OPM artist Nonoy Zuñiga in Reno, Nevada, and “I Love OPM” with 4th Impact in San Diego.
Kuh and the people behind “Kuh Sings Her ABCs” are in the thick of rehearsals.
“Hindi namin tinitipid yan (we give ample time for the rehearsals) because you know our musicians are very in-demand. So, it really has to be many hours of rehearsals with them because they also do music for other people,” said she. “Kailangan maging recent yung rehearsals sa kanila.”
Kuh added that “actually, it’s good to have a lot of songs you know by heart. So, when you’re hired, you can come up with a good show.”
Given her years of recording and singing before a foreign audience and her kababayan, Kuh knows what the audience wishes to hear come showtime.
David, on the other hand, has recently launched his debut single, Long For Your Love, under the label Star Music. He graced the first “Kuh Sings Her ABCs.”
“Ang ganda nung single niya, a very nice song. He’s gonna sing it,” said Kuh, whose shows have also become platforms to present emerging and new artists.
That’s why she’s always blessed and enjoys career longevity because she knows how to give back and pay it forward.
The publicity team of Kuh reminds one that letters in the latter’s ABCs could mean the following: “A’s as the music of Adelle, Azarcon, America, and Apo,” while the “B’s could be a Barbra, Bocelli, and Bamboo.”
“The C’s could be a Canseco, Cayabyab, Carpenters, Cyrus, and Celine,” it adds.
What would pique concertgoers’ interest is they are definitely in for new surprises.
(Tickets for ‘Kuh Sings Her ABCs’ are available at Ticketworld, with tel. no. 88919999 or call HeadlineConcepts International at 0960-8850288 and 0920-2868895.)