MANILA BULLETIN ONLINE – CONCERT REVIEW

Petula Clark dazzles Manila Hotel crowd

Everyone who was at the Manila Hotel Tent City last Sept. 12 had great nostalgic fun listening to Petula Clark’s rendition of songs of the 60’s and 70s which she popularized during her heyday as Britain’s most successful female singer who also later became America’s No. 1 vocalist during the British musical invasion of the US in the 60’s. It was admirable that at her age, Petula’s voice has remained powerful, and her style easy and comfortable, sounding the same even after several decades of performing. She proved to all and sundry that her being a Grammy Hall of Famer has not lost luster and that she still could command an audience to sit down and listen. And be awed by the legend that she is.   Starting off the concert at the packed Tent City (the rather inclement weather didn’t deter people from trooping to the Manila Hotel that night) was fast-rising classical-pop quarter Angelos who sang “Canto Alla Vita,” a staple on their repertoire which they have performed in shows here and abroad. After them, the Three Tenors (former Sen. Joey Lina, MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando and DoE Sec. Angelo Reyes) went onstage to dish out lively numbers like “Volare” and “Amor, Amor, Amor.” Each of the Three Tenors also came up with impressive solo numbers: BF sang “Don’t Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes,” Reyes belted out “Let Me Try Again,” and Lina rendering “Climb very Mountain.”   As to Petula, she began her repertoire with “Who Am I,” followed by “This is My Song,” “Sign of the Times,” “Answer Me,” “You and I,” and “Kiss Me Goodbye.”   It was Petula’s first visit to the Philippines, and so she introduced herself as British, then went on to explain that she developed her love for singing because her mother was Welsh. The Welsh, apparently, love to sing. She also noted that famous singers and actors were Welsh like her, such as Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, Sir Anthony Hopkins and Richard Burton.   She also reminisced working with the legendary Fred Astaire on “Finian’s Rainbow.” She related how nervous she was dancing with him that she was surprised to find out that he was just as nervous singing with her. Then she went on to sing “Look to the Rainbow,” which she said always reminds her of Astaire.   Towards the end of the show, Petula called back onstage the Three Tenors and together they sang “Let it Be Me” and “Smile.” The number turned out beautifully, even though Lina kept on insisting that they had “no talent.” Petula enjoyed it though, even kidding BF that she’s going to vote for him (but as to be winner of the “Celebrity Duets” or president of the land in 2010, she didn’t elaborate though).   Of course, the show wouldn’t be complete without Petula’s signature song “Downtown,” which the crowd gamely sang along to. The night ended with the song “I Couldn’t Live Without You Love” to which the audience gave a roaring applause.   Moments after the end of the show, Clark who didn’t seem tired at all, came out to sign autographs for fans who bought her “Greatest Hits” CD and even brought their old LPs which were in mint condition. For a great show and an up-close encounter with Petula Clark, it was all worth it for Filipino fans of the 60s.   “Petula Clark…Downtown” at the Manila Hotel Tent City was produced by Beth Sison-Tagle of Newsmakers and presented by Smart Communications. Other sponsors included the LT Group of Companies, Absolute Distilled Drinking Water, and Agatha of Salon Isabel.   Proceeds of the concert will go to the following beneficiaries: The livelihood projects of Bayanihang Pilipino, Inc., the feeding programs of the Rotary Club of Manila 101, and the day care centers and feeding programs of the Inner Wheel Clubs of the Philippines, Inc.