Gift Guide: Christmas for Your Ears
/
Songs for the Philippines.
For those who want a meaningful Christmas:
Songs for the Philippines. The 39-song benefit iTunes album features a wide array of artists such as The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, Adele, Jessica Sanchez and Justin Bieber. All proceeds go the Philippine Red Cross helping the victims of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). Every little bit and byte helps.
For those who want it Old School style:
“The Christmas Album” by Lea Salonga
“The Christmas Album” by Lea Salonga. Released in 2008, this is a collection of classic and Filipino Christmas songs beautifully sung by the Broadway and West End star. It’s Lea Salonga, so all your comments are invalid.
“One Christmas” by Ryan Cayabyab
“One Christmas” by Ryan Cayabyab. Long before Pentatonix, Sam Tsui and Nick Pitera became youtube vocal sensations, multi-awarded composer Ryan Cayabyab is the original a cappella boy wonder. Released in 1991, “One Christmas” features one-man multi-track renditions of Filipino Christmas favorites.
“George Canseco Works” by Various Artists
“George Canseco Works” by Various Artists. A collection of Tagalog classics by the master composer himself and sung by the best Filipino talents, such as Regine Velasquez, Zsazsa Padilla and Basil Valdez. This is not Rosetta Stone Tagalog but real Tagalog that speaks from the heart.
For the Proudly Pinoy:
“Doo-Wops and Hooligans” by Bruno Mars
“Doo-Wops and Hooligans” by Bruno Mars. Before Bruno Mars-mania reaches fever-pitch at 2014 Superbowl halftime show in New Jersey, let’s revisit his 2010 debut album, which gave us pop anthems such as “Just the Way You Are,” “The Lazy Song,” “Grenade” and “Marry You.”
“Me, You & The Music” by Jessica Sanchez
“Me, You & The Music” by Jessica Sanchez. After rallying Fil-ams to push her to a runner-up finish in the 2012 American Idol, Sanchez finally releases her first album, which features a duet with award-winning R&B artist Ne-Yo.
For “sexy music” lovers only:
“Something Good” By Charmaine Clamor
“Something Good” By Charmaine Clamor. The Jazzipino artist brings a bold and sultry take on old time favorites such as “Something Good” and “Doodlin’.”
“Bossa Love” by Sitti
“Bossa Love” by Sitti. The latest album by the Philippines' “Queen of Bossa Nova” delightfully plays with contemporary hits such as Maroon 5’s “Sunday Morning” and the New Radicals’ “Someday We’ll Know.”
For those who want it spicy (PG-13, not safe for younger ears):
“Matira Matibay” by Parokya ni Edgar
“Matira Matibay” by Parokya ni Edgar. It’s hard to believe this novelty rock band is twenty years old. If you want one album from Parokya, this is for you, their hits from 1994-2007. Best listened to with beer.
“The Radioactive Sago Project” by the Radioactive Sago Project
“The Radioactive Sago Project” by the Radioactive Sago Project. Launched in 2002, this is the first album by the Filipino jazz band headed by the Palanca-award-winning poet Lourd De Veyra. Their music is a fusion of De Veyra’s social commentaries backed-up by a rock and brass ensemble.
Readers: share the music on your holiday wish lists in the comments!