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| New Minstrels with all-star ensemble |
Last Feb. 15, while the Gen Zs were causing traffic to and from Philippine Arena where the BINI concert was being held, and the Millennials were either heading for or leaving the Regine Velasquez concert at Samsung Theater, the early Gen Xers and late Boomers were, er, elegantly filling up the Grand Ballroom of Century Manila Hotel then enjoying to the hilt the "Timeless....Music and Laughter" concert.
Headlined by 5th generation New Minstrels, we enjoyed a night of mostly '70s music both foreign and local.
A force to reckon with especially in the live music scene back then, there were unspoken "rules" strictly observed for everybody's sake: No sexy outfits. No overreaching of notes or convoluted runs (that could prompt one to make a run for the hills).
No fog machine---and certainly no harness! No dance steps proliferating on TikTok.
Instead there was perfect vocal blending and correct technique. Well-curated setlist. Pork medallion or salmon. Nostalgia served on silver platter.
For those who aren't familiar with the sound of the era, 70s music is at times chill and chic yet also disco and demi-daring the next. There's something for any musical persuasion such as the Earth, Wind & Fire medley, the Burt Bacharach Suite and, of course, the Manila Sound all dished out wonderfully by the sextet vocal group.
The guest performers expanded the range of the repertoire. Teenage singer Monique Naga did the '80s staple "I Wanna Dance With Somebody," Janna Tria and Leo Bruno sang recent hit "Ako Na Lang Muna" and had us in stitches over their sketch, Atty Rene Puno was quite the vocal revelation, Chad Borja delivered the 90s hit "Ikaw Lang," Liz Alindogan surprised with "Loving You' and Alynna (of "Kahit Gano Kalaki" fame) performed "Bato Sa Buhangin."
But it was Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) administrator Arnell Ignacio who blew us away. Although he hasn't sung much publicly, if at all, ever since he opted to focus on public service years ago, he nevertheless chose a very difficult number: "Spain" originally by Al Jarreau. If anyone had forgotten that he is a superb singer (and pianist too) then they should look no further than this show. He absolutely delivered, wow.
We could be wrong, but from where we were seated, I think Arnell got a bit teary-eyed or emotional singing "Hahanapin Ko." Perhaps it's because the song reminded him of OFWs that he has been serving or maybe he realized that moment how much he had missed singing? Whichever, we felt him.
As an alumnus of Metropop, myself, I loved how the show ended with "Ikaw, Ako, Tayo'y Magkakapatid" which turned out to be the biggest hit from the third edition of the songwriting festival. Clearly, the messages of the song then were different as with the vocal discipline of the singers of the time. You just have to give the song one listen and you'll know what we mean.
We hope to attend more concerts by the New Minstrels or even by any of the guest performers for that matter. Given that "Timeless" was sold out, surely the New Minstrels, et al (hahaha, sorry, it's just that there were so many lawyers and judges in the audience!) still have a place in the hearts of many Pinoys.
Here are videos of Arnell's "Spain", our interview with him after the show and the finale performance of "Ikaw, Ako, Tayo'y Magkakapatid":
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