BASIL Valdez performed before a jam-packed venue at The Theatre at Solaire in his recently concluded concert Basil Valdez @ Solaire, marking his 40th anniversary as a solo recording artist.
As expected, Basil delivered his promise: an unforgettable evening of immortal love songs written for him by some of the greatest Filipino songwriters – George Canseco, Gerry Paraiso, Cecile Azarcon, Manoling Francisco, Arnel de Pano, and the concert’s musical director and his longtime friend, Ryan Cayabyab among many others.
In terms of visual set-up, the concert was actually very simple – the stage was perfectly lit to set its laidback yet grand mood; Basil stood and performed against the magnificent backdrop of the 42-piece ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra and the spotlight was focused mainly on him. But then again, audiences did not come to see the show to witness a visual spectacle. Basil, his voice, and his songs that triumphantly withstood the test of time were the only elements that really mattered that evening.
To last for 40 years (and counting) as one of the best balladeers in the industry with almost 50 certified hit songs under his belt is no easy task and that is where the allure, fondness, and respect of people for Basil emanates from.
Basil’s songs have become part of the soundtrack of countless Pinoys regardless of gender, age, and class. No wedding is complete without “Ngayon At Kailanman” and conversely, nine out of 10 funerals will always play his heartbreaking ballad “Hindi Kita Malilimutan,” and every song of Basil’s in between has played a major role in representing pivotal events in almost every person’s life.
Basil opened the show with his standard classic “Nais Ko” with his original back-up vocalists of 40 years: Elise Cortez, Sylvia Macaraeg, and Babsie Molina. The term “singing songs hit-after-hit” is not an exaggeration when it comes to a Basil Valdez concert as he performed hit song after hit song until the audiences lost count: from “Kastilyong Buhangin” to “Paraisong Parisukat;” from “Ngayon At Kailanman” to “Hanggang Sa Dulo Ng Walang Hanggan;” from “You” to “Ikaw.”
Basil’s duet with Megastar Sharon Cuneta lifted the souls of the crowd to unimaginable heights as they performed a show-stopping rendition of “Tubig At Langis” while Basil’s outstanding collaboration with the Ateneo Chamber Orchestra in his ballad “Ngayon” left the audience speechless and wanting more.
And Basil did give more as he aptly ended the musical event with a sampling of his inspirational classics “Lead Me Lord” and “Lift Up Your Hands.” For his encore, Basil performed “Hindi Kita Malilimutan” plus two other surprise songs that led the audience to an energetic standing ovation that rightfully honored the singer and his amazing body of work.
Due to insistent public demand, Basil Valdez @ Solaire will have a one-night-only repeat on May 26 at The Theatre at Solaire.
For tickets, contact Ticketworld (891-9999 or at www.ticketworld.com.ph) or call NY Entourage Productions at 552-7473. For more information follow NY Entourage Productions on Twitter and Instagram (@nsyshows) and like nsyshows on Facebook.