Martin: My voice is the actor

MANILA, Philippines - “What makes me fall in love is the beautiful arrangements that hopefully complement my voice and hopefully my voice can do justice to,” replied Martin Nievera when asked about his music. “If someone thinks music as a background, (I think) I’m the background of the music.”

This idea of how vital vocals and instruments play in a song makes Martin’s singing endearing and engaging to listen to. He is showcasing this musical gift — plus his gift of gab, replete with funny antics and witty repartees — in a show titled Martin, Home at The Theatre on Sept. 18, 8 p.m. at the Solaire.   

Martin and fans will go down memory lane through his catalog of hits he has worked on in the past 33 years as an Original Pilipino Music (OPM) icon.

According to Martin, Be My Lady, I’ll Be There For You, Say That You Love Me and You Are My Song are some of his memorable songs. Isang Saglit is the most painful song and “the most magical,” however, is I’ll Be There For You, a collaboration with songwriter and long-time friend Louie Ocampo.

“I was looking for a melody, and he (Louie) was looking for lyrics,” recalled Martin. “When I asked him who was your inspiration, he said his children. My inspiration for the lyrics were also my children. They were still babies at that time. It‘s the most perfect song when it comes to a promise for a child.”

But what’s distinct in every Martin’s album is his full and clear voice — a baritone — and the innate storyteller that resides in it, so to speak.

“My voice is the actor,” he said. “If it moves you, then it is good acting. If it doesn’t move you and you switch to the next song, while my CD is playing, the acting job is not good. You’ll see more of that, you will feel more of that in a live performance, mahirap kunin yung feeling sa isang CD lang… If my song makes you cry or laugh, (it means) I’m doing something right.”

This vocal styling is perhaps the same reason why some established and up-and-coming artists have ventured into “remaking” Martin’s signature songs and eventually have made them their own.

“It’s flattering,” he said. “The only thing that I don’t like is the remake of my songs is always better, (laughs) especially when Lea (Salonga) sings it or when Regine (Velasquez) sings it…You know what’s funny, how many kids have come up to me and said, I love your remake of Say That You Love Me (which Christian Bautista has a version).” As if you don’t know, Lea also did How Can I? in the album By Heart, which, Martin added, Aiza Seguerra has another version, while Regine had interpreted You Are My Song as part of the soundtrack of Wanted Perfect Mother.

These songs will hopefully make it to Martin’s repertoire in his Solaire show, where Martin will be seen taking over The Theatre as his latest performance playground.

“The Filipino audiences can be treated to a real class act,” he said. “I’ve never been able to sing in a theater with such high quality and everything. The only thing I have to worry is my lyrics.”

The fan-shaped The Theatre can sit 1,760 people and boasts of its constellation acoustic system, which according to the statement released by the resort and casino hotel “enables the acoustical properties of the hall to be altered to suit the nature of the performance taking place at the flick of a button.” 

Since, as an artist, Martin has come full circle, he can now sing to sing. “I don’t have to prove anything or to worry about being No. 2. (I’ve) been there, done that. I’ve been  number last. What’s good about being last is getting up. If there’s anything I have learned in my 33 years is learn how to brush (the dirt) on my knees and stand up. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. I’ve made so many mistakes in my life and in my career, I’ve had kids, I’ve had misses. So many other singers have come since my time. I don’t think that (competition) anymore. I don’t think about being the next hit maker. Wala na akong kumpetisyon kundi ang sarili ko... Time is my competition… This is my philosophy in life, there is no such thing as a small gig — whether I’m in theater or (a venue) with 500 people. (In every gig,) for me, I attack it like it’s my first and consider it my last.”

To paraphrase some lines of the Pippin musical ditty, which the balladeer had a powerful rendition during a fundraising show for the Brave 44, Martin has found the place where “his spirit can run free” and found his corner in the musical sky.

(For ticket inquiries, call 888-8888.)