Rick Price to serenade Filipino fans in acoustic show tomorrow

Rick Price

“I now have a sense of reverence for the song when I perform it,” Australian singer Rick Price said of his popular ballad, “Heaven Knows,” which he released almost 27 years ago, and helped introduce him to the Filipino audience.

“I celebrate its message today as I did back when I wrote it. It has evolved because people have developed their own relationship with it,” he told reporters in an interview ahead of his concert tomorrow at New Frontier Theater (call 911-5555). “And that’s a beautiful thing.”

It’s the 57-year-old singer-songwriter’s first visit to the Philippines since his promotional trip here in 1992, and he looks forward to spending more time here and celebrating Valentine’s Day by serenading his fans.

“My first time here was very brief, just a day or two. But now I have a whole week to look around and see things. I don’t know why I didn’t return sooner; things just worked out this way, I guess,” said Rick, who’s now based in Nashville, Tennessee.

His other hit songs include “Nothing Can Stop Us Now,” “Not A Day Goes By” and “Walk Away Renee.” He has also written music for fellow Australian singer Tina Arena.

“I will also do duets with my guests, Jinky Vidal and Joey Generoso,” Rick said. “It’s going to be an acoustic show—it gives me freedom with the arrangement and go wherever I want with it. After all, I began playing music at the back doorstep of our house, with just a guitar.”

Our interview with Rick:

When did you realize that you had something special with “Heaven Knows”? It was right away. I had my manager listen to it; he freaked out, said it was amazing. We then sent it to my record company, and it was the song that sealed my deal.

But I don’t feel like I can always take all the credit for it. I just played the piano and wrote the song, as if it were something I already knew.

After so many years, do you think the song still represents that artist you are now? I don’t think the song necessarily represents who I am. But I can stay true to its message … It’s not just about heartbreak, but faith and understanding that what is meant for you will come to you.

Tell us about your other hit, “Nothing Can Stop Us Now,” which was also  popular here. I have lots of songs about heartbreak, which I love. That one is an antithesis to “Heaven Knows,” in many ways. It’s a celebration of being in love and how wonderful that is.

How would you describe your music now? What has changed?  I can still write songs like “Heaven Knows.” But I have always had this longing for roots-style music that has an old-school R&B or blues flavor, almost. I had many different influences growing up. And I think I’m more and more moving into a more soulful sound.

And my voice is changing. All the range is still there, but the tone is  huskier, which I like.

Does that make your older songs trickier to sing? Sometimes. But mostly, it’s fine. The tone of my voice has just evolved over years of singing. And that happens to everyone.

If you listen to James Taylor today, then go back to his early recordings back in the 1960s, it sounds very different.

Are you working on new music now? I’m doing a new album of my own music this year.

I have a song that’s a tribute to Aretha Franklin, who was a big inspiration to me.

And the sound, as I have said, will be leaning toward my soul influences.

Who among the younger artists do you listen to? Norah Jones, Alicia Keys, James Bay and Kacey Musgraves, who has just won at the Grammys. I love her songs and sound.

Has anyone approached you and said that your music has changed or touched their lives? Recently, after a concert, two women came up to me, and we all wept.

One of them was suicidal and told me that she played some of my songs over and over to comfort herself.