'Anak' is Freddie Aguilar and Freddie Aguilar is 'Anak'

By JULIO CINCO N.

                                              Freddie Aguilar

A NUMBER of people  know that sometime in their unchildhood the legendary Freddie Aguilar has composed an entire original album for that other legendary, Nora Aunor. Whatever happened to that music in the wind?

    Now that La Aunor is back, isn't it about time they revived those unheard-of melodies before they are finally forgotten and forever consigned to oblivion?

    The thing is, when it comes to singing Ka Freddie is almost lightyears away from my audio-vocal conciousness. And more so visually, now and then. I have to be honest, the adolescent Golden Voice  of Nora Aunor is quite unique and remains unmatched in my musical memory. Too bad, she abused, spoiled and lost it to the so-called six degrees of addiction that she navigated, and drowned her in the process.

    Money, fame, cigarettes, alcohol, sex, drugs.

    So where does the Pinoy Bob Dylan fit in?

     For the first time, one humid night in August, I negotiated the dirty and darkish roads of Manila's belly to catch THE Freddie Aguilar's Friday performance in his eponymous music bar and restaurant along Adriatico, near the corner of Pedro Gil Street.

     Only a few souls had gathered inside when I came in--mostly a motley of ageing fans, friends and youngish viewers eager to have a taste of some late-night gig, circa 1970s and 2011. The sound trip from down memory lane to the current is an emotional roller-coaster of low and high notes, with some surprises thrown in in between.

      Fronting Freddie's act was youngest son Jericho's electrifying take on Guns n' Roses' "Knockin On Heaven's Door," it was almost metallic. Sporting the family's long- hair trademark Jericho's curly top was more energetic, just like his music. But, let's face it, Jericho is no Freddie and his thing is far, far behind his father's feathers, so to speak.

      Jericho's group followed it up with "Funky Town Blues," (?), and now you know where to place them in music history. Of course, they have their own share of the small audience that night, but a daunting instrumental version of "Anak" promptly quieted their applause.

      Another performer claimed the stage, this time a soloist with a guitar, plucking the faint strains of "Meditation," sans vocals. Leo Romero's fingers were tentative and his voice was unsure in his second number, the Bread's "Everything I Own." He tried crossing "We May Never Pass This Way Again," but didn't come across safe for my ear.

      At exactly 11:20 P.M. Freddie Aguilar mounted the stage with the Watawat Band and son Jericho on rhythm. So this is the internationally famous Freddie Aguilar, who I've known mostly from records, radios, videos and TV. Sa opening song ("Pinoy") pa lang ay wala na akong masabi. The old deep, haunting voice is intact, the performance signature. Clad in an all-black outfit with some bright purple combination in the short sleeves and black medium-brimmed hat, Freddie's customized look is enough to stun any doubting Thomases.

       Mostly, or so I noticed, he sang with his eyes closed. At may paliyad-liyad pa siya a la Pilita Corrales, male version. His highly emotional take on "Mindanao" makes one think it's a separate republic he's cooing about.

      The good thing about Freddie Aguilar is not his long straight hair (although it surely sets him apart from the rest since Day One) but his singular voice. When speaking, it's different, huskier, fuller and gentler, with a thick volume. The same voice transforms into a different tune when singing. By the way, just how many singers do we have with good distinct voices? Katy de la Cruz, Fred Panopio, Diomedes Maturan, Ric Manrique, Jr., Pilita Corrales, Merci Molina, Eddie Peregrina, Jose Mari Chan, Yoyoy Villame, Nora Aunor, Rico Puno, Dulce, Lea Salonga and who else?

      Another thing, Freddie Aguilar does not merely strum and pluck his guitar; he breathes life into the instrument as though it's an organic extension of himself. The secret, I think, is in the feeling he pours into his performance and the kind of guitar and strings that he uses. Hindi ordinaryo at basta-bastang gitara at "tangsi" (guitar strings in the Visayan). Is Ka Freddie using El Cajon's (California)Taylor guitar (or any other of Bob Taylor's and Kurt Listug's creations from way back in 1974) and D'Angelo or D'Addario (Italian) strings?

      At one point, Freddie hummed the harmonica to introduce his signature and most successful song, "Anak." Later, nagsabay sila ni Jericho sa plucking ng kanilang mga gitara para sa main intro ng "Anak." The 58-year-old voice (FA was born on February 5, 1953) still captures the salient nuances  of the universal song as he brings it to a different level.

       Sadly, Jericho's attempt at doing a duet with his father for the song's refrain fell flat, and failed. It's still Freddie--and Freddie alone--who could carry the same song  to a new canon. "Anak" is Freddie Aguilar and only Freddie Aguilar is "Anak."