More nostalgia with The Stylistics

We spent a good part of 2005 tripping down memory lane with the sounds of the Beach Boys, the Cascades, Peter and Gordon, Teri de Sario and other hitmakers from the past who came to do shows in the Philippines. So what’s to stop us from ending the year with more of the same. Nothing, I hope. More so because now in town for performances that will cap this year of reminiscing in a big way, is the famous soul group, The Stylistics.

The Stylistics is set to perform at the PICC Plenary Hall on Thursday, Dec. 29 and Friday, Dec. 30 at 8 p.m. Founding members Airrion Love and Herbert Murrell will be around plus later additions Harold Brown and Van Fields. Formed during the late ’60s, by Russell Thompkins, James Smith, James Dunn, Love and Murrell, the group is best known for its achingly sweet falsetto vocals which is a unique blend of Motown and Philadelphia soul.

They were introduced via You’re a Big Girl Now, which was soon followed by even bigger sellers. Remember I’m Stone in Love with You, Let’s Put It All Together, Betcha By Golly Wow, You are Beautiful and Stop Look Listen to Your Heart. There were also Payback is a Dog, You are Everything, People Make the World Go Round, Can’t Give You Anything But My Love, Rockin’ Roll Baby, Children of the Night, First Impressions, Country Living, Hurry Up This Way Again, Break Up to Make Up and the biggest of them all, You Make Me Feel Brand New.

It was love at first sound for local listeners and The Stylistics and I’m sure many of you out there recall the time in the early ’70s when all you could hear on the radio, in the jukeboxes, or in the clubs and everywhere was the music of The Stylistics. Come to think of it, those were also the early days of Martial Law in the country. Nostalgic and romantic. That is how we will always think of their music and I can already imagine the oohs and aahs that will greet the intro of every number during the concert.

Tickets to Stylistics Live in Manila are priced at P3,500, P3,000, P2,500 and P1,000 are now available at all SM Ticketnet Outlets, Ticketworld at National Bookstore and at the PICC box- office. As an added treat, booked to open the show are four enduring hitmakers who gave the Stylistics a big run for its money with hits of their own in the local charts. They also promise to be nostalgic and romantic and more. These are Rico J. Puno (The Way We Were, Kapalaran, Buhat), Hajji Alejandro (Panakip-Butas, Tag-Araw, Nakapagtataka), Marco Sison (It’s Only Make Believe, My Love Will See You Through) and Rey Valera (Maging Sino Ka Man, Pangako Sa ‘Yo, Walang Kapalit).

Incidentally, most of the biggest hits of The Stylistics are now available in The Stylistics Live in Norfolk recording from Viva Records. It also includes the group’s versions of Heavy Fallin’ Out, It’s Too Late, and You’ll Never Get to Heaven if You Break My Heart. The Stylistics will be at the Atrium of Megamall on Wednesday, Dec. 28 to meet fans and launch this new album.

Top videos on MYX

From MYX, the Filipino music channel, here are the top videos among local viewers as 2005 comes to end:

Kung Wala Ka by Hale; Una by Sponge Cola; Sandalan by 6Cyclemind; Ulan by Cueshé; You Raise Me Up by Westlife who are also arriving for shows next year; I Still by the Backstreet Boys who are also coming in January; Confessions of A Broken Heart by Lindsay Lohan; Beat of My Heart by Hilary Duff; My Humps by The Black Eyed Peas; Hung Up by Madonna; Stickwitu by the Pussycat Dolls; Don’t Forget About Us by Mariah Carey; Talaga Naman by M.Y.M.P.; Posible by Rivermaya; Akin Ka Na Lang by Itchyworms; Para Sa ‘yo by Parokya ni Edgar; The Ghost of You by My Chemical Romance; Crazy by Simple Plan; Because of You by Kelly Clarkson; and Luxurious, the new single by Gwen Stefani.

The radio playlist also has Kung Wala Ka by Hale at the top slot followed by Makita Kang Muli by Sugarfree, Posible by Rivermaya, Don’t Forget About Us by Mariah Carey, Magmahal Muli by Sam & Say, Stickwitu by The Pussycat Dolls, Push That Button by Sugababes, Pinoy Ako by Orange & Lemons, Sandalan by 6Cyclemind, I’m Feeling You by Santana featuring Michelle Branch, Because of You by Kelly Clarkson, Ulan by Cueshé, Somebody by Jinky Vidal, Wake Me Up When September Ends, Much Has Been Said by Bamboo, My Humps by The Black Eyed Peas, Akin Ka Na Lang by Itchyworms, Luxurious by Gwen Stefani, The Day You Said Goodnight by Hale, Don’t Love You No More (I’m Sorry) by Craig David and Sorry by Cueshé.