No. 1 all the way

Martin Nievera and Side A will perform together for the first time at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Nov. 11. Then as if all those 1’s were not yet enough the show is titled All For 1, produced by Viva Concerts with G.B. Sampedro as director.

No one, though, is questioning the prevalence of the No. 1 in the event. It does feel like a tacit agreement that these guys with their more than 50 years cumulative experience in the local music business do deserve to be named No. 1. They have a lot of No. 1 selling songs to their names. Nievera is the Concert King. Can you think of somebody else? Side A is the No. 1 band. Can you name any among the newer bands following in Side A’s footsteps? I do not see any.

The question that was in everyone’s mind, though, was why. Why, indeed, are these two acts performing together when as they continue to prove after over 25 years, they can go solo and still succeed. In fact, both Martin and Side A have just recently come from shows at Resorts World Manila. Martin went solo for two nights in Tribute, while Side A marked its 25th anniversary with The CompanY, also at RWM.

The answer is why not. Why not give local audiences the chance to watch them together while they are at their peak as performers. Most of the visiting foreign acts come to town armed with only a hit song or two that they then perform in mediocre shows. But Martin and Side A are going to the Big Dome with an incredible line-up of memorable songs showcased in a top quality concert. The audience will surely bet their money’s worth in this one-night only event.

The son of balladeer Bert Nievera, Martin has one of the best voices ever heard in the local music scene. He made his mark in 1981 with Be My Lady, an original by Vehnee Saturno and went on to establish his reputation as a soulful, energetic performer that earned him the Concert King tag and to make more hits, Each Day With You Becomes A Valentine, Forever, You Are My Song, Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin, Ikaw Ang Aking Pangarap and others.

Side A’s turn happened in 1985 with Hold On composed by Dingdong Eduque. The group soon solidified its status as the No. 1 band in the country packing halls and arenas wherever they perform and also creating a lot of hits. Tuloy Pa Rin Ako, Set You Free, So Many Questions, Think It Over, Forevermore, Tell Me, I Believe in Dreams, Ang Aking Awitin and others.

Those hits coming one after the other in one show are more than enough to create a truly memorable evening. So can you imagine what it would be like if some of them will be done by Side A and Martin together. I can already envision iconic performances. And what do you think of hearing Side A sing Forever or of Martin doing Forevermore? Neat.

And those are not all they intend to do. Since their era started with the ’80s and ’90s, you can bet that they will be doing many more tunes for their nostalgic fans. Prepare, too, for a lot of swooning, remembering, singing and because this is a Side A show, dancing. Martin will dance? And because Martin is joining them, also laughter. Side A promises to laugh and talk.

Incidentally, Warner Music Philippines pays tribute to Side A with the release of Side A 25, A Silver Anniversary Collector’s Edition, a double-disc album featuring the biggest hits of the band. It is a great set. Warner has made sure that it includes almost everything, from the first recordings with Ivory Music and Vicor Music to the Warner series down to a new song made available for the first time in this album.

Aside from their biggest hits, the album also includes Eva Marie, Windows Of Our Souls, You And I, Think It Over, By Your Side, Foolish Heart, No Other Love, The Girl Is So Right For Me, Endlessly, All This Time, Let The Pain Remain, Give Love On Christmas Day, Will I Ever, and the new original song Before I Let You Go.

I like the fact that the album presents the hits in chronological order. From the first, Di Pa Huli to the final release during the band’s first Warner outing If Only. Save for one or two cuts, this is a very good showcase of original Filipino songs, proof that a band can make it big with only original Filipino songs. The only bummer here is that the new song is a foreign composition. Well, you never really get everything.