not to many artists ever go to Asia to perform (and if they do, they opt for mainland Asia and not the Philippines). having said that, i really enjoyed Kevyn Lettau live. she surpassed expectations with her vocal instrument. she can sing ellington, jobim and joni with a high level of musicianship.
i was also bowled over by the manhattan transfer almost 2 decades ago when they toured asia. their four-part harmony is still unmatched. not even take 6, new york voices or rare silk come close to their virtuousity (or maybe because I am just a big fan). and swing out sister's early 90s concert in manila was also smooth. corrine drewery's alto-flute voice is as beautiful as she is onstage. she moves her arms in that expansive way of hers and she recalls 1940s jazz vocalists. finally, acoustic alchemy (before nick webb died) really created a soundscape so potent, i still get goose bumps remembering their guitar wizardry. when they did "sarah victoria" while colored smoke billowed from somewhere, you are transported to a land where mornings are still as sublime and fresh and almost psychedelic. the disappointing performers for me were: kenny rankin and this british band workshy. rankin did not connect much to the audience. when he started to sing "hiding inside myself" -- a huge hit here in manila, people clapped appreciatively. he stopped playing and said along these lines: "stop clapping. its rude to interrupt a performer when he is playing something". people were disappointed and not a few heckled and booed him and left. workshy is a favorite band because of their smooth jazz sensibilities. when vocalist crista jones went onstage, it was evident on the first song that she had severe colds. she sang anyway, and people were seen cringing when she tried to hit a high note but can't in carole king's "its too late". people who were just as embarrassed as her just left the concert hall in silence. it was pretty pathetic. joseph in manila (heard luciano pavarotti and frank sinatra separately in manila but was not impressed... they were past their prime then)
