MANILA, Philippines—If the predictable lineup of this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival doesn’t encourage you to get your entertainment fix at the cineplexes this Christmas season, why don’t you switch to music—at least, until after the festival of (mostly) cinematic retreads shall have run its course.
This week, three new albums top our list: Sitti’s “Ngayong Pasko,” JayR’s “Holiday of Love,” and David Foster and Friends’ live-concert recording, “You’re the Inspiration,” which features the much-talked-about performance of Charice Pempengco in the acclaimed musician’s all-star concert.
JayR’s “Holiday of Love” is an expanded version of last year’s “Christmas Away From Home,” and features six more tracks. Without a doubt, the young soul singer possesses one of the best pipes around: His technique and improvisational style are as polished as the quality of his silky voice and the clarity of his delivery.
The 14-song compilation has no throwaway tracks, but must-hear cuts include JayR’s covers of “The Christmas Song,” “This Christmas” “Do You See What I See?” and his a cappella version of “O Holy Night.”
Adding sizzle to the lineup are his gifted guests: Kris Lawrence (“This Christmas”), Jhing (“Spread the Love”) and Amber (in the playful “Santa Baby”).
We’re also seeing Sitti in a new light after listening to her Christmas album, “Ngayong Pasko,” which is noteworthy for its musical diversity and fresh takes on popular Yuletide tunes. Yes, the Latin sound that brought her fame is still there (“Winter Wonderland”), but this time, the songs sound like they’re inspired by Bong Peñera more than Astrud Gilberto, especially in the carrier track, Lambert Reyes’ “Ngayong Pasko.”
Surprisingly, Sitti shines brightest when she veers away from the bossa nova beat—especially in the moving ballads, “Someday at Christmas” and “Grown-Up Christmas List.” And, she soars even more in upbeat numbers like “Jingle Bell Rock” and “Boogie Woogie Santa Claus,” in which her palpably optimistic spirit is as catchy as Santa’s laughter!
There’s not a single Christmas song in David Foster’s live recording, “You’re the Inspiration,” but the 12-track commemorative CD oozes with hope and Yuletide cheer. The album is doubly special for the followers of Charice Pempengco, who performs a show-stopping medley of Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” and “I Have Nothing” in the album.
The collection also includes inspired performances from Celine Dion, Katharine McPhee, Peter Cetera, Brian McKnight, Andrea Bocelli, Kenny G and Boz Scaggs.
But, the duets are even more notable: Josh Groban performs with McKnight in “Bridge Over Troubled Water”; Michael Bublé sings “Home” with Blake Shelton, and Bocelli collaborates with the dazzling McPhee in “The Prayer.” You can’t getter any better than that!
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