SOMEWHERE, someone must be practicing.
Or at least trying to figure out how to get through those several bars of that iconic guitar solo. Only days away from the next rehearsal. A few weeks away from the much-awaited gig. Somebody must be thinking about how to not butcher this job.
Iconic
PERF de Castro made it difficult for musicians to deliver a worthy rendition of the solo in the Rivermaya classic 214. Not that the original lines are too complicated or too technical. There’s an old drummer-bassist a few clicks south of Manila who could strap on a guitar and replicate those phrases accented by pinch harmonics and highlighted by that monster dive bomb.
For the rabid fan, a replacement sideman can play it for the band note for note and the performance will still be considered well below par.
It applies even to Perf de Castro, whose Kaleidoscope World solo is vastly different from the original by Noel Mendez. Great playing, but it doesn’t feel right. For the average listener, it really won’t matter, even if the guy assigned to play the part messes it all up. The internet brouhaha over this is too much.
Is it just marketing strategy?
Should be worth every penny
BAMBOO and Co. can be expected to deliver a performance worthy of every centavo in a reunion show on Feb. 17. The internet jeers over the one song now being disputed will be drowned by all the cheers when Mr. Manalac and the rest of the gang play some of their hits like Himala, Kisapmata and Hinahanap-hanap kita. Tickets could be equivalent to a pair of sneakers for some, a trip to the salon, a meal for others. As long as they’re not from scalpers, concert tickets are worth it.
Before the setlist
Maybe the song lineup will be affected by the concert roster. To me, Nathan Azarcon is the backbone. It would be great to see Mike Elgar take a spot even if it’s on the side, away from the spotlight, on stage at the SMDC Festival Grounds. A percussionist could be enlisted to join Mark Escueta. A second keyboardist may also be tapped. Because. We’re unsure whether Rico Blanco will again take on guitar duties for 214.
Himala
Would it be a miracle if Perf suddenly appears on stage for the Pinoy rock anthem? Awit ng Kabataan would surely be next on the list if that happens. Regardless, there’s bunch of hits from a bunch of albums that will be played and surely the group would rock the night.
My fingers gently weep
I HAD a gig set at a small bar last month, then life got in the way. Two weeks spent recalling my old setlist ended up as a test run for an acoustic channel. I spoke with two old bandmates to make the gig a reunion of sorts, but we have not talked since.
Somewhere, someone must be practicing.
