Regine's 18 Greatest Hits!

Regine's new album is a compilation of just some of her greatest hits. I believe that this is a birthday album present to her fans. It's nice to hear that they have digitally remastered songs that were recorded in the early 90s. So expect better sound quality of her earlier hits like Narito Ako, Urong Sulong, Kung Maibabalik Ko Lang, etc.

This album also included not so popular Regine songs like Maghihintay Ako Sa 'Yo and Kastilyong Buhangin. This is actually a good way to educate new Regine devouts. At least, they will be equipped with necessary Regine discography. Also, they will hear how Regine evolved as a singer thru her voice technique, timbre and style.

A Regine Greatest Hits album will not be complete without the movie theme songs she popularized. The album is just a teaser with her winning song in Ang Bagong Kampeon - In Your Eyes by George Benson. So it's safe to assume that Regine's dog George coined its name from George Benson and George Clooney- the Georges in Regine's life.

Of course the Greatest Hits album will not be Regine's if Belting Songs are not included. It was definitely nice to have On The Wings of Love and I Don't Want To Miss A Thing. These songs will continuously remind everyone that the Songbird is the Ultimate Belter in our country--possibly in the whole world.

I still feel that the release of this album is preposterous! Its goal is not to satiate Regine's fans, but the bank accounts of these recording companies. Nothing new... Nothing spectacular... So soo album layout and pictures. The only redeeming factor is Regine's Amazing Vocal Prowess!

I Will Survive with Marvin Agustin & Nelson Canlas

This medley existed for more than a decade already (first heard in RETRO concert). I still prefer the arrangement of of Mon Faustino as compared to David Foster's! Regine dancing with Marvin Agustin. After the show, Regine didn't show any exhaustion. She immediately granted an interview first with GMA's Nelson Canlas. After the interviews (ABS CBN) she signed cds.

Totoy Bato's Theme Ako'y Sa'yo (Low Key New Eastwood Mall)

I really cannot explain why I can't seem to appreciate Totoy Bato. The pacing is fast, yet it seems forever dragging. All About Eve is more indulging than watching the fight scenes in Totoy Bato ala Street Fighter. Hopefully, it will improve as the story progresses. Regine's talent will be a waste in this teleserye. The theme song is somewhat okay. It grows on you but has a limited time frame. It's not your usual Last Song Syndrome. Regine's Di Na Nag-iisa (DARNA) is still the best teleserye theme, followed by Maghihintay Ako (Atlantika).

Low Key AT SEVENTEEN New Eastwood Mall (3.13.09)

One of my consolations, Regine singing one of my favorite tracks in her LOW KEY album. It must be the Ugly Duckling Syndrome that I can empathize with easily. ENJOY!

I learned the truth at seventeen
That love was meant for beauty queens
And high school girls with clear skinned smiles
Who married young and then retired.
The valentines I never knew
The Friday night charades of youth
Were spent on one more beautiful
At seventeen I learned the truth.
And those of us with ravaged faces
Lacking in the social graces
Desperately remained at home
Inventing lovers on the phone
Who called to say come dance with me
and murmured vague obscenities
It isn't all it seems
At seventeen.
A brown eyed girl in hand me downs
Whose name I never could pronounce
said, Pity please the ones who serve
They only get what they deserve.
The rich relationed hometown queen
Married into what she needs
A guarantee of company
And haven for the elderly.
Remember those who win the game
Lose the love they sought to gain
Indebentures of quality
And dubious integrity.
Their small town eyes will gape at you
in dull surprise when payment due
Exceeds accounts received
At seventeen.
To those of us who know the pain
Of valentines that never came,
And those whose names were never called
When choosing sides for basketball.
It was long ago and far away
The world was younger than today
And dreams were all they gave for free
To ugly duckling girls like me.
We all play the game and when we dare
To cheat ourselves at solitaire
Inventing lovers on the phone
Repenting other lives unknown
That call and say, come dance with me
and murmur vague obscenities
At ugly girls like me
At seventeen

Low Key Clouds @ The New Eastwood Mall (3.13.09)

The venue's pretty ugly. Ugly because of the on-going construction of the fountain. Pretty coz it's somewhat a mini-replica of Greenbelt 3. I just realized that the production didn't match the Songbird's talent. This was just a disappointing scenario to see and hear Regine relying on minus one/multiplex. Are these signs of global economic slowdown? The redeeming factors were the sound system that was three times better than the one in Central Plaza where The Dawn was playing. Also, Regine's exemplary vocals. Here is Regine's not so grand entrance since she had to to walk from the basement parking in stilletos. It just showed her patience and professionalism. Enjoy Rah Band's hit song Clouds Across The Moon in stereo recording!

CHARICE - SHUT UP & Listen!!!

CHARICE: To ELLEN, OPRAH & DAVID FOSTER


Oh, the time has come for my dreams to be heard
They will not be pushed aside and turned
Into your own all 'cause you won't
Listen


CHARICE: to ABS-CBN


Listen, I am alone at a crossroads
I'm not at home in my own home
And I've tried and tried to say what's on mind
You should have known

Oh, now I'm done believing you
You don't know what I'm feeling
I'm more than what you made of me
I followed the voice you gave to me
But now I've gotta find my own

Charice Pempengco LIVE in Shangrila Mall

CHARICE PEMPENGCO The Most Talented Kid in the World once again WOWed the audience at the Shangrila Plaza Mall. She is slowly but surely gaining the admiration and respect of her countrymen. The show is similar to the one she had in Eastwood City last year.

Chasters (Charice devotees) supported their idol and have proven that their presence cannot be ignored anymore. I just hope that their devotion to Charice will translate into Platinum album sales.

This is a strategic move for Charice to subtly promote her first US ALBUM to be released this year. Her album sales may be slow in her nativeland, but let's hope for the best that she will at least, hit the GOLD record mark in her so-called US Debut.

In Eastwood, Charice's opening number was And I'm Telling You. This time she sang David Foster's arrangement of I Will Survive. She is slowly veering away from the songs that were also popularized by Regine Velasquez. This is a good way to show loyalty to her idol Celine Dion. Since Regine has a vast collection of covered songs, it's just difficult not to compare Charice's versions of the songs she performed that night. Listen... Watch & ENJOY!

LUX - Only Pure Touches My Skin

If one patiently researches, one will discover that some things aren't new at all. Even advertising ideas are just being rehashed or modernized to suit the changing times. I thought that the tag line "Only Belo Touches My Skin" was an original idea by one of the top advertising firms. I was wrong. See and hear for yourself.

Clouds Across The Moon

"Good evening. This is the intergalactic operator. Can I help you?"
"Yes. I'm trying to reach flight commander P.R. Johnson, on Mars, flight 2-4-7"
"Very well, hold on please [beeping] you're through!"
"Thank you operator!"

"I'm sorry to interrupt your conversation, but we are
experiencing violent storm conditions in the asteriod belt at this
time. We may lose this valuable deep space communication link.
Please, be as brief as possible.
Thank you."

or it's...or it's..."Hello?" "Hello operator?"
" Yes, we've lost the connection! Could you try again please?"
-"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid we've lost contact with Mars 2-4-7
at this time."

"Ok. Thank you very much...
I'll...I'll try again next year...next year...next year...next year..."


I wonder how Regine would have sounded if she had included these lyrics from the original version by Rah Band. It would have been very interesting. The sound is soo Wave 89.1 and Crossover 88.3.




Here's the music video of the original version by Rah Band. It's so hilarious. Sooo 80s!!! Enjoy!!!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4R97AeM6IE

AT Seventeen

I really love this beautiful arrangement made by Raul Mitra. This time he totally went out of the box and experimented with his sound. The theatrical/musicale influences should take a back seat for the meantime. I still prefer the recorded version since you can really have a MOMENT. Appreciating the instruments used and its classy sound. IT sounded global... International - not your usual OPM arrangement. More beautiful music Mr. Mitra.. Please!

Nakaka LOW KEY!!!

Most younger divas (Charice and Sarah Geronimo) have been using the same humor that Regine has in their concerts. Here's a video of Leader of the Band and Tell Me That You Love Me. She had to hit some notes to veer away from the album's low profile notes. Watch and ENJOY!

Rooftop Concert

The Beatles had a rooftop concert in January 30, 1969. People didn't expect it was their last concert together. In the local music scene, Regine is the only artist who took this kind of risk. It was staged at their house's rooftop in Bulacan. Here's her live performance of Mariah Carey's Butterfly and a duet with Cacai ( His Eye Is On The Sparrow). Have fun!

Low Key's Platinum

Finally! I had a feeling that the album turned platinum last year. They are just waiting for the right moment for the awarding. Congrats Songbird - go for DIAMOND!!!


www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yFYDZke40s


Thanks to RVMM for the screenshot.

Papa Don't Preach

David Cook's version of Mariah Carey's Always Be My Baby was a big hit. It was truly unexpected to have this divaish hit song transformed to a beautiful rock ballad. Regine's version of Madonna's Papa Don't Preach has the same effect. An 80's dance hit immortalized into a pop ballad. Listen and Enjoy!

Wish that this song will be included as a bonus track in her next album.