Noel Cabangon does OPM covers for new album

THIS singer feels naked without a guitar. “It’s like my security blanket.”

Last year, singer-songwriter Noel Cabangon and his label Universal Records turned to social media to crowdsource song suggestions for a new album he was planning to work on. They received more than 1,000 requests in just a week, Noel said, and a number of them were rather interesting.

“Some people were asking me to do Adele and Miley Cyrus songs. One even asked if I could do ‘Titanium’ (by David Guetta and Sia),” Noel, looking amused by the prospect, related at a recent press con.

Needless to say, none of those hits made the final cut. While he’s open to experimenting with other music genres and current hits, Noel said that he’s always mindful of the songs he chooses, and makes sure that the material is consistent with his artistic sensibilities.

“I won’t do those songs just for the sake of it. I’m not sure their topics represent my generation,” he pointed out.

Classics

And, more importantly for Noel, “it would be much better to do OPM (Original Pilipino Music).” He said he also got a lot of request to cover hits from 1990s rock bands.

Thus, his new album “Acoustic Noel,” had the music artist breathing new life to such songs as “Himala” by Rivermaya, “Bilanggo” by Rizal Underground and “Huwag Mo Nang Itanong” by Eraserheads.

There’s a smattering of classic Filipino love songs like “Nandito Ako” by Ogie Alcasid, “Araw, Gabi” by Basil Valdez and “Tuyo Na’ng Damdamin” by the Apo Hiking Society. Noel likewise included two original, previously-recorded songs, “Nag-iisa, Wala Ka Na” and “Awit ng Bahaghari.”

Were there any songs he wanted to do, but failed to make the new album? “I would have loved to do a version of Aegis’ ‘Luha.’ Can you imagine me singing it? That would be fun!” Noel said. “I also want to do ‘Ang Huling El Bimbo,’ ‘Elesi’ and ‘Esem.’”

As its title suggests, “Acoustic Noel” was recorded using acoustic instruments, but with “layers of orchestration.” Having grown up as a folk musician, Noel said that acoustic music would always be his comfort zone.

“I need to have a guitar in my arms whenever I’m onstage. I feel naked without a guitar; it’s like my security blanket,” Noel told the Inquirer. “I’ve performed without one a few times in small shows, and I didn’t feel comfortable.”

“There’s just something about its feel and sound… it’s very organic,” explained the former member of the indie band Buklod. He has around  11 guitars in his collection; his most trusted instrument is the Taylor 914ce.

Other possibilities

Asked if there were other things he wanted to achieve as a musician, Noel said that he has always wanted to experiment with rock or jazz music. “I’m torn between being a rocker and a jazz artist!” he said, laughing. “I want to experience the pandemonium that goes on around you when playing rock music.”

“I also want to be a jazz artist and perform before a relaxed, well-heeled crowd,” he said. “It would be different and challenging for me.”

But acoustic music would always bring out the best in him. “I can play around with the instrumentation and it allows me to give a song a different rendition every time. I think it’s where my music truly shines,” Noel said.

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