Tribute to APO part II

What makes a good revival? What possible improvement can an artist still do to an original that already sounds definitive? How can an artist make an original like his own without disrespecting its maker, especially if it’s the highly-esteemed Apolinario Mabini (APO) Hiking Society?

There’s a renewed interest in the music of the APO Hiking Society what with the two consecutive tribute albums jointly produced by Universal Records and MYX Channel. In one interview, however, APO member Jim Paredes admitted—without naming names—that there were revivals that he wasn’t too ecstatic about in the first tribute album “Kami nAPO Muna” released last year. There’s no word yet if the same sentiment applies with its recently-released sequel, “Kami nAPO Ulit Muna.”

I just had my copy of the “Kami nAPO Ulit Muna” and let me just say that some of the bands went to great lengths in terms of effort and imagination in reviving APO classics, incorporating jazz, hard rock, reggae and ska, among other musical styles, while others stayed close to the original (well, better safe than overdone).  

A stand-out for me was the “Salawikain” by Mcoy Fundales of (the now disbanded, if I’m not mistaken) Orange & Lemons featuring The Spaceflower Show. “Salawikain” enjoys an amped-up energy with the reggae-ska beat to it, plus I’ve always been partial towards Mcoy’s 60s-ish vocals.  

Sponge Cola makes an emotive cover of “Saan Na Nga Ba’ng Barkada” that could send you scouring for long-lost college friends for that instant reunion. Also noteworthy was how the The Bloomfields captured the multi-faceted “Love Is For Singing,” while Imago strikes a gem through its slower and haunting version of “Show Me A Smile.”

I have mixed feelings towards the Kamikazee vs. Parokya ni Edgar’s version of “American Junk.” While I get their playfulness, as in staying true to their signature riotous image and sound, I still find the approach distracting. As for Up Dharma Down’s version of “Kaibigan,” while I appreciate the very sentimental rendition, I honestly could not find anything the least bit APO in the remake, save for the lyrics.

Other artists featured include True Faith, Itchyworms, Radioactive Sago Project, Hilera, Silent Sanctuary, Paramita, Dicta Silence, and Chillitees. Cebuano band Scrambled Eggs, which is fronted by Jay R Siaboc, also made a contribution to the album via “Suntok Sa Buwan.”

 Still and all, the album brings the anthology to an impressive close. It should not be a surprise if, just like the preceding album, this follow-up album is doing well—commercially and artistically.

The tribute albums tell us that APO is easily the most creative and prolific group in the OPM scene. While the remakes that worked for me were those that had minimal styling if not cautious yet complementary experimentation, it wasn’t hard to realize that whoever or whatever group re-interprets or radically re-conceptualizes APO’s songs, the songs will still come out good.

Reviving immortalized songs, especially those of a group as big and long-standing as APO, is risky and may turn out futile, because whether these artists like it or not, they are expected to come up with no less than transcendent versions. But for an APO fan like yours truly, I’m glad these bands took that risk.   

*****

While we’re on the subject of remakes and tributes, we just learned that Junior Kilat will be coming up with a couple of covers in the group’s yet-untitled album.

In an interview with frontman Budoy, Junior Kilat will pay tribute to Yoyoy Villame by reviving “Magellan” and “Granada,” two of the most well-known songs of the late “King of Novelty.”

Budoy also said their album will present fresh sounds that somehow deviate from what their fans have been used to.