‘Grease’ was the word; Valli’s still got the groove

FAMILIAR songs are a trademark of Valli concerts around the world.

Monday last week, “Grease” was the word that we heard and 1960s pop superstar and first-time Manila visitor Frankie Valli showed his Filipino fans how the groove, the motion and “the way we are feeling” was still the best way to define musical time and space.

With the youngest configuration of his band The Four Seasons (TFS, crisp-looking, slick-haired gents), Valli, reportedly turning 80 this year, rocked Newport Theater at Resorts World Manila with pop hits clearly still beloved after 40 years. The sing-along incited by “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You” (1967) has to be among the most robust in recent local concert history.

For nearly two hours, Valli shared with his audience the infectious beat ticking inside of him, kept with rhythmic movements of his left hand—yes, only his left hand for the most part but there it was, the beat.

Something should be said about the songs he continues to entertain with, whether TFS originals or covers: That they are still applauded in esteemed venues around the world, including the Royal Albert Hall in London (June 2013), is testament to the respect accorded this artist. In May last year, with much-deserved fanfare, he took to the “American Idol” stage with the last five guys standing.

The Newport show from Ovation Productions showcased a formula that can’t go wrong: good, familiar music (a sentimental ring certainly helps) lovingly arranged, expertly instrumented (the musicians, including Filipinos in the horn section, were flawless) and enthusiastically performed.

FRANKIE Valli and TFS at Newport photos courtesy of Magic Liwanag/Ovation Productions

Speaking of which, how was it possible that Valli’s voice had barely changed? The boys in his backup quartet were all efficient vocalists and gave him commendable support in slow exhibitions like “Silence is Golden.” But the best-remembered vocal peaks and flights remained integrally Valli.

Impressive was the mash up of two versions of “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” (TFS’ and  Frank Sinatra’s). Still, it was the unmistakable 1960s dance ditties that brought the audience to its feet, among them the bouncy “Working My Way Back To You.”

Until this band of utter professionals finds its way back here, well, “Let’s Hang On” (to what we’ve got). Emmie G. Velarde