PNS — CONCERT king and now acknowledged King of Remakes Martin Nievera has recorded his new album under Polyeast Records to which he has pledged his allegiance by exclaiming, “I will never move on to another recording company.” It is entitled For Always featuring classic songs from the 80s and the 90s.
Does he mind being called king of remakes or revivals?
“Not at all because this trend has been going on for quite sometime. I grew up listening to songs like “The Nearness of You” or “Misty.” I like singing these songs because they are simple and meaningful. We don’t come out with magical songs like this. Ang mga notes ngayon ng kanta eh halu-halo and it is hard to follow their rhythm kung meron man. The songs of yesteryears are so romantic you feel proud choosing one and dedicating it to your girlfriend.”
How do you choose which songs to include in the album?
“We list down as many as we could and the list could really be long. Then we started crossing out until we settled for the ones we feel na dapat ay irecord. We save the rest for the next album. We also give in to requests from fans who want a particular song included. “
For Always marks Martin’s 27th as a recording artist. It kicks off with the single, “Maybe This Time,” originally popularized by Michael Murphy during the 80s.
Without any doubt, the CD is a trip down memory lane. There are liner notes in the album which Martin himself wrote wherein he shares personal thoughts about every song.
“Every song has a story to tell. Putting them all together would sum up the story of my life. As a rule, I always keep a journal and jot down little piece of events. It should come in handy one day when I decide to write my autobiography. Where would you want me to start? Sa downfall agad ng aking marriage?,” he said with a poker face.
If and when Martin writes his “memoirs,” we are positively sure it will be a sell-out because he is a frank person who calls a spade a spade. His humor might even be mistaken for something else. When he told us in passing how he tried to “repair” his marriage with a pastor at their side, we could only presume the different reaction he will get from his ex-wife once she hears his story.
Anyway, back to the songs of yesteryears. Choice cuts include: Now and Forever, Old Photographs, All at Once, Sometimes When We Touch, Heaven (and Everything I Do,I Do It for you) and The Search is Over to name a few.
No love duet with Pops Fernandez with whom he got reunited even through a Valentine concert?
They sung Reunited, a ballad about lovers getting back which was done by Peaches and Herb in the 80s.