October 10, Smart Araneta Coliseum
It wasn’t a sold-out show, but Howard Jones and The Human League performed like they’re still far from retirement. Jones was particularly engaging—his pleasing vocals giving life to the enduring optimism of his songs. His synthesizer-based sound resonated throughout the Big Dome and energized the crowd, quite a feat considering that his act consisted of just a trio fiddling with keyboards programmed by Macs. Human League’s Philip Oakley sounded a bit mechanical on certain moments, although fans relived their mobile disco party days upon hearing “The Lebanon” and other hits. We couldn’t leave work early so we missed Belinda Carlisle’s set. No matter, we would’ve wanted to see her with The Go-Go’s.
October 10, Skarlet Jazz Kitchen
There’s something about AMP (Asosasyon ng Musikong Pilipino) that perks our soul whenever we hear its brassy sound. We had to leave in the middle of Human League’s set just to catch AMP’s gig with Skarlet herself. The bouncy groove of trumpets, trombones and saxophones greeted us right upon entering the club’s door. The band was playing Joe Zawinul’s “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” when we arrived, and we couldn’t help going straight to the bar to get some beer.
October 11, Strumm’s
Keyboardist Henry Katindig of the legendary musical clan launched his all-originals debut CD, “You and Me,” with a live performance that echoed the tightness and seamless quality of the record itself. The songs, mostly instrumentals, reflected Henry K’s various moods and knack for whipping up catchy melodies. Some of the tracks brought us back to high school days in the late ’70s, riding in a buddy’s brand-new car, passing by the corner of Morato and Timog and wondering what was inside that club called Birds of the Same Feather. The lone cut with vocals, “I Dream of You,” featured Jeannie Tiongco who sounded as classy and charming as the jazz divas she emulated.
October 13, Charlie’s Speakeasy
This new joint (inside the Makati Golf Club compound on Malugay Street), which celebrated its first year last Saturday, was smokin’ with some hot musicians on the night we visited. Saxophonist Alvin Cornista, drummer Jun Viray, singer Sandra Lim-Viray, pianist Romy Posadas, guitarist Tonet Lipana and the others played with verve and a mastery of the jazz idiom that was awe-inspiring. Singapore-based husband and wife, bassist Johnny and singer Rosanna Gaerlan, dropped in to jam—the latter blowing our mind when she scatted like a muted trumpet and took control of the band.