I STARTED A JOKE – from Nov.28, 2006

if i can describe the voice of bee gee Robin Gibb, i’ll take the title of his 2003 album “Magnet” and just say it’s magnetic. Sure, Barry Gibb is the more famous, charismatic, and successful one. But it’s robin gibb whose voice you would always look forward to. try really listening to it and if you have the passion for the dramatics or just simply knows how it feels to have a broken heart, you would just get magnetized and captured by his unusual voice.

 

after seeing the One Night Only bee gees concert in Las Vegas (on TV) 8 years ago, i told myself that when i’m older and the bee gees ever bring their show to Hong Kong or Singapore ( i knew Manila won’t be considered for a one per continent special they were doing), i’ll move heaven and earth to be able to watch them live. That was my entertainment dream (along with seeing The Tonight Show with Jay Leno live!).

 

But then, Maurice Gibb died in 2003. how saddened i was that i will not be able to hear the best three-part harmony in history (yes, better than John, Paul, and George) live.

 

While on one of the saddest part of my life a few months back, i suddenly learned that the bee gees are planning to include manila on their asian tour itinerary…how delighted was i! 2/3 of my dream could come true.

 

it took, i think upto September before the concert was confirmed. but what i suddenly learned over the net was that it will only be robin gibb. i was disappointed.

 

yeah, robin gibb is my all-time favorite vocal. The best 3 include 1. robin gibb 2. david gates 3. karen carpenter. but i was expecting barry and robin!

 

however, after the initial disappointment, i got back to my senses and realized, hey, it was THE robin gibb!

 

i’m in some sort of financial stress lately and so i couldn’t afford the expensive ringside and lower box seats for 1/3 of my entertainment dream. at some point, i even contemplated on general admission tix.

 

in the end, me and my brother josant (for the bee cees, hehe, i sing the barry part and jos does an almost perfect robin part) settled for the upper box B seats. ei, what’s important was to hear robin live, backed up by a full band and an orchestra. we won’t miss the chance of blending our own little voices with the actual robin gibb!

 

but it was so hard for us to sing along coz upon hearing robin belt out songs such as I Started a Joke, Saved by the Bell, First of May (his version of the Barry song), and Nights on Broadway, we knew we were hearing the real thing and all we wanted to do was listen…

 

“…i looked at the skies, running my hands over my eyes. and i fell out of bed, hurting my head with things that i said…”

 

“…saved by the bell on your own carousel. now, who can tell, if you’ll love that man as well. now, i’ll walk that Heartbreak Lane…”

 

“…but you and i, our love will never die. but guess who’ll cry, come first of may…”

 

“…well i have to follow you, though you did not want me to. but that won’t stop my loving you, i can’t stay away!…”

 

all in all, it was a great show. i’ll blog about the actual concert next time. all i have to say for now is that thank God He sent Robin to perform here in manila. and i hope he keeps his promise to bring Barry next year/time.