Basil gives vocals masterclass

Basil Valdez has been singing for over 40 years. That is a really long time. Yet I am hard put to come up with names or the name of any young singer around who can equal, let alone surpass Basil’s tone, musicality and hitmaking capability. If you have somebody in mind then I would like very much to hear him sing, as he must be very special.

Basil’s singing continues to mesmerize. You always think you have had enough of him. Then you watch a show, like Seasons of Love last week at The Newport Theater for the Performing Arts at Resorts World Manila, and you realize that he still sounds great and how much the audience loves his hit songs. And there are a lot of those enduring songs. Not only that, Basil has a new album out titled Basil S. Valdez. It is a big hit and the verdict is unanimous. As a singer, he is matchless.

Ryan Cayabyab, who composed and arranged many of Basil’s hit songs, among them Iduyan Mo, Nais Ko, Tuwing Umuulan At Kapiling Ka, Kahit Ika’y Panaginip Lang, must be thinking the same thing. In fact, he thinks so much of Basil as a singer that he has asked him to conduct a special class on singing. This is the Pop Vocal Performance Masterclass with Basil Valdez which will be held at The Music School of Ryan Cayabyab at Robinsons Galleria in Ortigas, Quezon City on Feb. 26, at 2 to 6 p.m.

The one-time masterclass will include the philosophy of singing; phenomenology of singing; melody and text analysis; phrasing, enunciation, rehearsal and performance practice and techniques, how to make a song your own plus lots of reminiscing about Basil’s own experiences.

As Ryan himself says of the why-fores of Basil, “why and how he sings the way he does; why he is the way he is that sends many generations swooning all over again...” and many more that Basil will share in an intimate afternoon session of discussion, performance and lecture. I have a feeling that an afternoon will not be enough for all these, let alone that there will be room for all those who will want to be there to learn from the master.

Truth to tell, I believe that young singers who are serious with their careers should take advantage of this chance to learn from Basil. Heaven knows, they can use lots of improvements. At the very least they might learn to be careful of their diction and to better understand the songs they perform. Call The Music School of Ryan Cayabyab at 637-9840 and at 914-5055 for more information about this rare event.

Meanwhile, Basil is now going full blast into promoting his big-selling Basil S. Valdez CD. Fans can catch him in free shows at Eastwood City on Saturday, Feb. 25; at McKinley Heights on Friday, March 2; and at Trinoma in Quezon City on April 1. Catch him perform the songs from the album, Kanlungan, Ikaw Na Nga, Muntik Nang Maabot Ang Langit, Minsan Pa, Paano Na Kaya, Kung Ako Na Lang Sana, Hanggang, Ikaw, Sana’y Maghintay Ang Walang Hanggan and Pagdating Ng Panahon plus his greatest hits.

For the love of Jojo: Music industry veteran Jojo Villalva needs help for his heart surgery. So the ’70s Superband is doing two shows to raise funds. These will be held at 19 East in Parañaque on Friday, Feb. 24 and at Hard Rock Café Manila on Wednesday, March 8. Come and watch these gigs, help Jojo and have a grand time dancing and singing along with the fun oldies dished out by this band.

The ’70s Superband is called such because it is made up of members of popular bands from the ’70s era, the time considered the golden days of Filipino pop music. They were all once part of those groups who came up with some of the most enduring examples of the Manila Sound.

The ’70s Superband is made up of Nonoy Tan and Rey Magtoto of Wadab (Pag Tumatagal Lalong Tumitibay); Monet Gaskell of VST & CompanY (Awitin Mo At Isasayaw Ko); Snafu Rigor of Cinderella (Bato Sa Buhangin); Mon Espia of Labuyo (Tuloy Pa Rin); and brothers Jun and Nitoy Mallilin of Abrakadabra (Bote Diyaryo).