Oldies and Revivals

 

When they were in grade school, my son and my nieces were held captive to Oldies music as I drove them around in my SUV. Back then, they were content in listening to 106.7 Easy Listening radio. In truth, they did not have a choice because they were “forbidden” to change to any other radio channel.  Thankfully, this was after my son tired of his obsession with Barney and kid songs and he, obediently, ceded the radio control to me. As they grew older, they led their own lives and listened to their own music. Years later, I was pleasantly surprised that they actually appreciated my Oldies music to this day; thankfully (again), they abhor those curse-laden rap songs. (P.S. After my son read this post, he cautioned me against generalizing against Rap music. I clarified that there are some rap songs that I actually like, but I do cringe at the profanity on most of the songs).

Oldies music covers the beautiful music of the mid-1950s to the 1980s: pop, rock and roll, and doo-wop. It is the music of my youth, the songs that I heard growing up in the Philippines. I am glad to hear their music recreated by the youth of today. And when I am being nostalgic and sentimental, I happily search for new covers.

 

I'LL NEVER FIND ANOTHER YOU

A 1964 single by the Australian group The Seekers with strong-voiced Judith Durham as the lead vocal. The song reached No. 1 in the United Kingdom pop chart and No. 4 in the United States pop chart and No. 2 Easy Listening on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. The lyrics make me cry; the song a paean to everlasting love. For those lucky ones who will be together with their loved ones "forever and a day" in the promised land.

When the group toured for their farewell concert in 2013, the guitar intro still thrilled the audience and the then70-year old Judith's voice still soared beautifully and with conviction. This song has become my latest LSS (Last Song Syndrome).

The Seekers - (1964)

Keith Potger and Nicki Gillis (2017)

Keith Pother was an original member of the Seekers.

Mirusia Louwerse (2020)

There's a new world somewhere

They call the promised land

And I'll be there someday

If you could hold my hand

I still need you there beside me

No matter what I do

For I know I'll never find another you

 

There is always someone

For each of us, they say

And you'll be my someone

Forever and a day

I could search the whole world over

Until my life is through

But I know I'll never find another you

 

 

CRAZY

The ballad was composed by Willie Nelson, but the most popular version was by Patsy Cline. My first memory of the song was that of or waitress in my grandmother’s restaurant who used to sing along to the jukebox. She said it was a song for her crush who was in love with another woman.  

Patsy Cline  (1961)

Allison Young (2018)

BEYOND THE SEA

The song was written in 1945 and has been recorded by many artists, but Bobby Darin's version is the most popular one. There was a Navajo version in the movie Finding Nemo.

Bobby Darin- (1960)

Reneé Dominique (2017)

 

HAPPY TOGETHER

A song by American rock band the Turtles. The groovy folk- oriented song was featured in several tv shows and movies: Big Bang Theory, King of the Hill, a Stephen King movie, and the Super Smash Bros.

The Turtles (1967)

REO Brothers - (2020)

IMAGINE

John Lennon wrote his biggest single of his solo career, apart from the Beatles. The song was quite controversial but for me, it was a hymn of comfort, a promise, and an encouragement to imagine a world in peace. Ironically, I remember sobbing in the movie theater as the music played in the end credits of  “The Killing Fields” of the war in Cambodia.

John Lennon (1971)

Davina Michelle (2018)

REO Brothers (2020)

THAT'S LIFE

Written in 1963, Frank Sinatra recorded it later. The song's uplifting lyrics told us to pick up ourselves from any setback whether you were just a "puppet, a pauper, a pirate, a poet, a pawn, a king".

Frank Sinatra (1966)

Dennis van Aarssen (2019)

The Best of Renee Dominique Cover Playlist

 

REO Brothers' Top Favorites (compilation)

 

As an Oldies fan, I am happy to discover young ones preserving this beautiful music. There is still hope for this world. These songs will stand the test of time, and hopefully, the profane and demeaning rap songs will just die a natural death, forever consigned in music hell. 

 Update: 6/21- Because of my new-found enjoyment of K-pop BTS music, I am now enamored of 'some" rap songs. Who knew that this Oldies fan will bop along the rapid-fire raps of the BTS. Consider me part of Army nation now, hahaha!

 

SONG CHALLENGE (PART TWO)

With quarantine fever brought by COVID-19 lockdowns and the slow return to near-normal, the 30-day Song Challenge is back on Instagram.  Users are invited to list the song as per the prompt for that calendar day. It is quite interesting and entertaining to go through the musical bibliography of our life stories to answer this song challenge. Certainly a great diversion from the worries of this 2020 scourge.

Back in 2018, I did an abbreviated version of the 30-day song challenge: https://jcerrudocreations.blogspot.com/2018/07/musical-challenge.html  Like with my 2018 post, I decided to do a shorter list and added a few things on my own. 

   A song that is funky with swag moves

“Uptown Funk” - Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars

I like (but do not understand) the Michelle Pfeiffer reference; the lyrics are (sorry) atrocious, but the music is delightfully infectious. There is abundant charm, cheekiness, and raucous energy in the song. Bruno Mars can do no wrong with that choreography; his moves confident and graceful. The groovy and retro swag dance moves with the Hooligans on the city streets have inspired “euphoric dancing” whenever or wherever it is played. No wonder this song is such a big hit here and abroad and had topped the Billboard 100 for several weeks.

 

1. 

2.     A song I never get tired of

“Save The Last Dance For Me” -Bruce Springsteen

The song was originally recorded by the Drifters in 1960, with versions later by several artists like Michael Buble, and recently by the REO Brothers. Here with my 80’s crush Bruce Springsteen is the sexiest version of this song.  I sit here with a huge smile on my face as I live vicariously through that woman. I am that woman in this video, totally overwhelmed by the song and the man. It is such a sweet, sweet song and I can just imagine myself self-combusting with happiness if the Boss danced with me, sweat and all. I don't know if I would have survived that kiss. Oh my! If it was me, I would have probably thought, "I died and went to heaven."

3.    A song that reminds me of someone I’d rather forget

“That Don't Impress Me Much”- Shania Twain

I like empowered women who are not easily impressed by men who get by on brains, looks, and brawns but are too self-absorbed to provide women with the emotional connection that we all crave. And I have seen a fair share of men like these. I may not be able to pull off a leopard print coat like Shania, but I can be haughty and disdainful with men who mistakenly think they're all that, even if they look like Brad Pitt.

 

4.    A song that I did not expect that I will put on repeat

“Ordinary Song”- Marc Velasco

Marc is a Filipino acoustic/folk-singer who is so unassuming but has totally surprised me with how the song hooked me. It is not really just an ordinary song; it is an earnest, romantic song.  Cannot explain why.

5.    A song I like from the 70s

"Hotel California"- The Eagles

The song lyrics has been misinterpreted in many ways, but I just love the Eagles particularly Glenn Frey and Don Henley, so I don’t care. Maybe it was because my brother played their songs almost non-stop back then in Manila. He used to jam to Eagles songs with his friends. It’s only later when I recognized the exquisite guitar solo between Felder and Walsh which has been the standard by which all guitarists were judged. 

 

6. A song I like that’s a cover by another artist

“All By Myself”- Charice

The song was written by American artist Eric Carmen in 1975 and subsequently covered by the great Celine Dion herself. But it was Charice’s powerful version that gave me goosebumps as she pulled no stops in singing her heart out. She shattered the roof and brought the house down. Charice was poised for superstardom when, out of nowhere, we learned that she transitioned into a man and is now known as Jake Zyrus.  I know he had to do what was best for him and that he is happy with the decision. 

 

7.     A song with a person’s name in the title

“Fernando”- ABBA

"There was something in the air that night, the stars were bright, Fernando.” The song by the Swedish group is a nostalgic toast to old memories. The group seems to have a predilection for persons’ names as titles in their songs like Mamma Mia and Chiquitita.

8.     A song that moves me forward

“Climb”- Miley Cyrus

Long before I got turned off by her gyrations and twerks, Miley performed this country pop song as the lead single off the soundtrack of her movie Hannah Montana. The song is about pursuing your goals no matter how hard the journey, no matter how high and arduous the climb is.

9.   A song I like by an artist no longer living

“I Will Always Love You” - Whitney Houston

Gone too soon.  I know this was originally Dolly Parton’s song but Whitney whipped this song into the stratosphere with a tour-de-force and bombastic performance.

Stephen Holden of the New York Times wrote: “Houston transforms a plaintive country ballad into a towering pop-gospel assertion of lasting devotion to a departing lover. Her voice breaking and tensing, she treats the song as a series of emotional bursts in a steady climb toward a final full-out declamation. Along the way, her virtuosic gospel embellishments enhance the emotion and never seem merely ornamental.”

10A song that breaks my heart

"Tears in Heaven"- Eric Clapton

This is a most tragic song about Eric Clapton’s 4 y/o son who fell to his death from a 53^rd-floor window. The anguish and profound sadness in the song breaks my heart every time I hear it. 

11A song by an artist whose voice I love

“Iingatan Ka” (Taking Care of You) by Carol Banawa

In the late 1990s, I was obsessed with Carol’s voice. She had that airy, melodious golden voice that just rendered the song a sweet, poignant homage to mothers. This song is a grateful daughter's promise to the woman who gave her life; that she will always take care of and watch over her mother. She left Philippine showbiz in 2003 to migrate to the United States to start a family. Now, I like her even more because she is a nurse like me.

12A song I like that’s a cover of another band

“In My Life” | The Beatles- cover by the REO Brothers

Here’s my new obsession, the REO brothers. They’re a band of 4 Filipino brothers (sometimes five) who have astounded professional musicians all over the world with their musical instrumentations and tight vocal harmonies. They are a versatile group who can switch from the Beatles to the Bee Gees, Beachboys, Cliff Richard, Hollies, Critters, Dave Clark 5, the Turtles, Earth Wind and Fire, Eagles, Simon and Garfunkel,  etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. "In My Life" evokes remembrance of people and places in life, with the lead vocalist Raymart sounding Lennon-ish. I discovered them during this COVID-era, and I am pleasantly surprised that these young men can actually do much more than the Beatles.

13A song from a favorite musical

“On My Own” (Les Misérables)- Lea Salonga

Lea is a famous Filipina singer and actress who conquered Broadway as “Miss Saigon” and later sang the voices of Disney princesses Jasmine and Mulan. She even managed to star as Eponine and Fantine in Les Miserables. She transcended the color barrier on stage and became the first Asian Eponine. She is hands down, the best Eponine. The song is about unrequited love for Marius, and Lea infused the song with such emotions with her crystalline voice. What did Marius see in Cosette anyway?

In the rain the pavement shines like silver
All the lights are misty in the river
In the darkness the trees are full of starlight
And all I see is him and me forever and forever

 SONG CHALLENGE PART ONE:

Song Challenge, Part 1

 

A Few of Jo's Favorite Things

As New York City slowly adjusts to the new normal after the frenzied apex of COVID-19, I have become more grateful for the simple things that make life lighter and easier. My mantra in life: counteract those stress triggers at work with my joy triggers in everyday life. For my well-being, I seek out those things that release my “happiness neurotransmitters”.

A few days ago, a song from a long time ago played on the radio. Julie Andrews crooned about her favorite things in “The Sound of Music”. As the governess to Von Trapps’ children, Julie/Maria sang of “raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens” as those things that soothed and comforted her.

Disclaimer: I don’t have the talent of Rodgers and Hammerstein with their genius lyrics. One of these days, I will be able to decide what rhyming pattern to use: alternate, enclosed, couplet, or mono-rhyming. Maybe, my lyrics will somehow flow naturally. For now, forgive me for my inadequate writing skills but I tried my very best. 

Here are some of my favorite things:

Crunchy mango peach pie and purple ice cream
Music from the Reo brothers, they’re a dream
Ceramic mini-cows and Bob Ross paintings
These are a few of my favorite things

My mother’s hugs and “taho” from a passing vendor
White sands, cool breeze, Boracay in full splendor
College classmates fumbling in our Zoom meetings
These are a few of my favorite things

Humans of New York make me both laugh and cry
Fall colors and glorious rainbows in the sky
Getting lost in my sketches and my writings
These are a few of my favorite things




HUMANS OF NEW YORK (HONY)

Who would think that a photoblog of New Yorkers with their own fascinating stories would captivate us and the world beyond. In 2010, photographer Brandon Stanton somehow convinced ordinary, non-celebrity New Yorkers to reveal something special and intimate about themselves.

Some of the stories resonated with me and others gave me a glimpse of a life completely different from mine. The interviews garnered a lot of attention and pretty soon, Brandon traveled the world to share cultures and experiences of a different world, but in many ways, the stories also showed that all humans are also very similar. Humans of the world ache, bleed, laugh, suffer, and cry just the same. Humans are more similar than they are different, after all.

The stories tugged at the heartstrings and made me laugh and cry. Other stories opened my eyes to the atrocities here and abroad. And then, there are wonderful humans who inspired me and gave me hope that it’s still a wonderful world out there. HONY spawned hundreds of similar blogs; I must admit that I dream of having my own nursing HONY.

In 2015, a 14-year-old boy named Vidal from a Brooklyn, spoke about his school principal as his greatest influence, Mrs. Lopez did not give up on her students and persevered to bring hope and a chance for success for the kids in her poor neighborhood school.

https://www.facebook.com/humansofnewyork/photos/a.102107073196735/865948056812629/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/humansofnewyork/photos/pcb.4575980015809396/4575971645810233/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/humansofnewyork/photos/pcb.4209069569167111/4209058372501564/?type=3&theater


REO BROTHERS

Music runs in their family. Out of nine siblings, four of them started to play and sing together the songs of the Beatles and other feel-good songs from the 60’s and the 70’s. Recently their youngest joined the band. The REO Brothers hailed from Tacloban City, Philippines. The band members: RJ, Reno, Raymart and Ralph. REO comes from their first initials and their middle and last names- Evasco Otic.

The REO brothers are a revelation. Check out their Youtube channel and you will be impressed by how many non-Filipinos have become their staunch and ardent supporters. Blame it on nostalgia; blame it on the love of the Beatles and the good old sounds of the Bee Gees, Beachboys, Cliff Richard, Dave Clark 5, the Turtles, Earth Wind and Fire, Eagles, Simon and Garfunkel,  etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. Blame it on their tight harmonies and virtuosity in instrumentations. I believe that it this band’s reverent adaptations and mastery of the songs written way before their time that ensured their internet success and an ever-growing audience of admirers internationally.

It’s the Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda that caused them to lose their home in Leyte which then forced them to transplant themselves to Manila. Raymart spoke about swimming in seawater while the storm raged for two hours. The devastation and hopelessness of the post-typhoon wreckage must have horrified them.

 It is also the benefit/ concert for the same Typhoon that the boys wowed the audience in the music arena filled with big stars and yet, it's this band from Southern Philippines that brought the house down with the only standing ovation for the night. The calls for encores resonated throughout Araneta Coliseum. The boys were visibly touched by the clamor for "more"; the audience members were on their feet dancing and singing along. That is a milestone that will forever stay with the REO brothers.

RJ (Ronjoseph) serves as the leader of the group. The brothers were self-taught but by all accounts, RJ taught his brothers how to play the guitars, keyboards, and drums. In doing so, he established himself as a master of these instruments earning praises from professional musicians around the world for his dexterity, agility, and multi-tasking ability. He is the musical arranger of the band. A musical genius; what can he not do?

Reno is the king of falsetto. From behind his drums, he becomes Barry Gibb with his falsetto and Ringo Starr with his goofy, affable charm. Barry on drums is a surprise. His screams are melodious and exciting. He makes drumming looks easy, but don't be fooled. Many a drummer swears it's hard to sing and play at the same time.

Ralph on bass guitar is suave, cool, and the Rich Little of voices. He does Paul McCartney one day, then croons like Michael Buble with a swagger, sizzles like Elvis, then drops his voice really low like John Turner. He is a chameleon who can switch voices easily. He's an old soul, err, many souls trapped in that young man's body.

Raymart is the spokesperson of the group. He’s also the one with that incredibly chiseled sharp jawline that makes ladies swoon. As he plays his rhythm guitar, his face is so expressive and his voice impressive that you would probably forgive him for any and all sins. He is riveting to watch, his emotions on his face draws my attention every single time. Close your eyes, and you will hear John Lennon. 

Roymark is Brother no. 5, the youngest of the siblings takes the keyboards, probably to relieve his brother RJ from his multi-tasking. He just joined the group but is already showing great promise.

The REO brothers are gaining more fans every day. The band performed in Madison Garden, in Tokyo, Australia, Hawaii, the United States. I can just imagine the group's joy when they performed at the Cavern Club in the United Kingdom. The REO brothers are destined to greatness. They survived the typhoon, because they are meant to give joy to music lovers everywhere.


Beatles




The Ballad of John and Yoko




Your Man




BeeGees