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Concert recap: Lani Misalucha, Morissette team up for powerful vocal showcase

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Leah C. Salterio

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/news/09/25/20180925-morissette-lanimisalucha.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Lani Misalucha and Morisette Amon. JM Ferrer</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA -- Learning that Asia’s Nightingale Lani Misalucha and Asia’s Phoenix Morisette Amon would team up for a major concert, it wasn’t easy to conclude that the show would be loaded with decibel-breaking songs rendered in stratospheric keys.The title of the show, “A Lani-Morisette Musical Journey,” is interestingly a pun on the name of Canadian-American singer-songwriter Alanis Morisette, from whom Morisette was named after. Expectedly, Misalucha and Amon did their first duet together and it was Alanis Morisette’s’ “Ironic.”The concert was a clear testament of the enviable vocal gifts of the two female artists. Misalucha started the powerhouse ballad, “Listen,” as Amon left the stage, but the latter quickly emerged again after her change of outfit to join Misalucha in completing the song.Both artists later traced their musical journey, as the title of the concert implied. Their parents brought music into their respective lives.Amon, whose real name is Johann Morisette, was named after German musician-composer Johann Sebastian Bach and Alanis Morisette. She started joining singing contests with “Little Big Star” in Cebu, where she hails from. Then, she went on to join “Talentadong Pinoy” on TV 5.Later, Amon was in “Star Factor,” where she became a grand finalist, and “The Voice of the Philippines,” on ABS-CBN. She didn’t become a champion in all those singing contests as the “doors closed” on her. However, more windows apparently opened.Today, Amon is undoubtedly one of the young female singers who has made a name for herself in the local music scene, doing concerts here and abroad, recording songs, performing on TV and heard on radio.Only last February, Amon enviably packed the Big Dome to the rafters when she headlined her first major concert, “Morisette is Made.” She lost no time in staging another unforgettable milestone, this time teaming up with Misalucha in “A Lani-Morisette Musical Journey.”Misalucha, meanwhile, shared with the audience her belated entry in the local entertainment scene. She was the multiplex queen, earlier tagged as “Vocalani Machinalucha,” recording songs from Whitney Houston to Celine Dion. Holding a VHS tape, Misalucha proudly shared she used to be seen and her voice used to be heard from that small, rectangular box.“Ano ‘yan, power bank?,” Amon smilingly asked.“VHS ‘yan,” Misalucha said. “Before that, may Betamax pa.”“Di ba pagkain ‘yun?,” Amon smilingly countered, as she brought out her USB. “Ibibigay ko naman itong flash drive ko.”The generation gap notwithstanding, Misalucha and Amon obviously set that aside and simply offered the audience beautiful melodies throughout the two-hour concert.Misalucha carried out “How Can You Mend A Broken Heart,” the hauntingly sentimental tune that kept lonely her when her hubby, Noli, was away from her and working as an overseas Filipino worker in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.With four grandchildren whom she endlessly adores and have become her “source of joy,” Misalucha literally sings a different tune now, though happily. “Before, I mimicked divas,” Misalucha shared. “Today, I need to sing like Barney or Elmo for my grand-kids.”The divas dished their respective powerhouse numbers. Misalucha’s line-up included Deniece Williams’ “Healing,” and even Mariah Carey’s “Emotions,” classical-style, while Amon rendered Minnie Riperton’s “Loving You,” Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” an even Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb.”They later belted out their signature songs. Amon with “Akin Ka Na Lang” and “Diamante,” while Misalucha soared with her greatest hits – “Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin” and “Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin.”They also paid tribute to soul queen Aretha Franklin, who passed on last August, by doing a medley of her hits – “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” “Respect,” “Freeway of Love.”The Theater at Solaire was packed on the first date of the two-night concert last Saturday. The divas had another show on Sunday, so they were careful not to strain their voices, even if they belted out Regine Velasquez’s “Narito Ako,” Aegis’ “Halik” and “Basang-Basa sa Ulan,” Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing” and “I Will Always Love You” and other high-pitched ballads like “My Heart Will Go On,” “Climb Every Mountain,” “This Is the Moment,” “And I Am Telling You.”Directed by Carlo Orosa, with Louie Ocampo as musical director, “A Lani-Morisette Musical Journey” also featured the Baihana trio (Krina Cayabyab, Mel Torre and Anna Achacoso) backing up the divas. Misaucha and Amon donned gowns by Cary Santiago and outfits by Albert Andrada.

The concert was a clear testament of the enviable vocal gifts of the two female artists.

The concert was a clear testament of the enviable vocal gifts of the two female artists.