More names in the Great Voices of the Century list

Mr. Frank R. Hernandez of the Slide N’Dive Resort in Banca-Banca, Victoria, Laguna, sent in this reaction to a recent piece on the 100 greatest voices of the century:

"Thanks for your recent rejoinder on the topic List of the 100 Greatest Voices of the Century, especially the listing made by Mr. Eduardo H. dela Cruz. I would have picked many from his list.

"I am happy that he included some personal favorites like Teddy Randazzo, Sue Thompson, Mario Lanza, Vic Damone and Roy Hamilton. I am particularly thrilled that my all-time no. 1 favorite Jerry Vale is among them. I remember when he came here to perform on Christmastime of 1961 at Araneta Coliseum together with the Miss International beauties led by Stella Marquez. Of course, we know Manila was her last stop since promoter Jorge Araneta never let her go. Going back to Jerry Vale, did you hear his rendition of Dahil Sa ’Yo which I think is the best by a foreign singer? It’s still being played once-in-a-blue-moon by some FM stations.

"By the way I have no objection to Perry Como being the no. 1 voice of the century. In fact, his Till the End of Time can also vie for the title Song of the Century. Anyway, I just noticed that two figures who are considered by many as among the greatest are not in the list of Mr. Dela Cruz: Johnny Mathis and Nat King Cole. And how about Matt Monroe and Andy Williams, who both inspired millions of hearts especially during the decade of the ’60s. It’s hard to imagine a listing without their names.

"By the way, it’s obvious that most of those in the list are American or Western. I wonder if any of our local singers can vie in the list. If there’s one, I personally believe the greatest voice of the century in our country belongs to no other than Diomedes Maturan. Do you agree? I first heard him sing in the Tawag ng Tanghalan back in 1958 and I must swear that his golden Perry Como-alike voice has not changed at all after more than 40 years! I just heard him sing live recently. The way we’re producing local singers these days, I figure his voice will remain alone at the top during the next 100 years."

Still on the same topic. This letter was faxed to The Philippine STAR by Atty. R.A. Maclang of 75 Kamagong St., Montevista Village, Marikina City:

"I would like to give my 5 cents worth on Mr. Eduardo H. dela Cruz’ ‘complete’ (or is it incomplete?) list of the greatest 100 voices of the century. Initially, Mr. Dela Cruz and I share the same top choice of the singing barber. Perry Como. It is perhaps his relaxed style, coupled with his velvety and lilting voice that made him our favorite. Don’t you think so, Mr. Dela Cruz? But how come Mr. Dela Cruz failed to be consistent in his choice of the greatest 100 voices when he obviously omitted some renowned singers of the same caliber. To paraphrase Mr. Dela Cruz, "Really I could not imagine for the life of me how such names as Andy Williams, Nat King Cole, Johnny Mathis, to mention a few were not included in the list. Have you not heard such immortal pieces as Moon River, Too Young, and A Certain Smile?

"But I will not refer Mr. Dela Cruz’ own ending quote ‘If so, then I pity him as he lost one half of his life’ to himself because I am sure he will hasten to revise his list to include the mentioned names."

Thank you Mr. Hernandez and Atty. Maclang for taking the time to read this column and to send in your reaction to the 100 greatest voices of the century list. As with all the choices we make, this is all a matter of taste and preferences obviously differ. In fact, some of my favorites like Michael Crawfor, k.d. lang, Alison Moyet and others whom I strongly believe possess great voices also did not make it to any of the listings. As for the local singers, I am sure we can easily come up with a hundred names but then, I have too many friends in the music business and I will surely feel bad if I will have to omit them from the list.