Noel Cabangon's Tuloy ang Byahe Listening Session

Noel Cabangon

After 2011’s Panaginip, Noel Cabangon’s goes back to re-introducing some of Filipino music’s treasures from the past years to today’s listeners as he releases his latest album Tuloy ang Byahe. This album, his third under Universal Records, is the thematic follow up to his double platinum seller and Awit Award winning album Byahe released back in 2009. Tuloy ang Byahe continues Noel Cabangon’s musical journey down memory lane via 16 well-loved OPM classics along with some interesting regional tunes personally handpicked by him.

Having an album with 16 tracks coming from someone like Noel Cabangon, known primarily as a folk/acoustic act, carries the risk of sounding monotonous. He avoids this by adding more variety, texture and color via the arrangements and inclusion of instruments, like the flugelhorn and harmonica that are not normally associated with an acoustic set up. The flugelhorn was used in a more laidback and relaxed version of Paano, originally sung by Dulce. The harmonica gave character to the bossa nova tinged Kahit Na, a Zsa Zsa Padilla original. Pumapatak ang Ulan (originally by the APO Hiking Society), on the other hand, was given the 6/8 time signature treatment reminiscent of Byahe’s Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika. Smokey Mountain’s biggest hit, Kailan underwent a minor change in the lyrics shifting the perspective of the song from an unrequited teenaged girl crush to a more mature and brooding male angle. The Visayan folk song Usahay and a new composition in Noel’s native Ilocano dialect Sika Laeng Iti Biag give the album a rural feel which is nicely complemented by Hotdog’s Manila, given the urban vibe by collaborator Gloc-9. Anak by Freddie Aguilar, Handog by Florante and Malayo Pa Ang Umaga by Rey Valera serve as poignant moments in this album. There are more tracks in this album that resonate clearly with the Filipino soul and Noel Cabangon’s renditions and updates don’t deviate much from the essence of these songs.

Noel Cabangon at Radio Republic’s Live at 2299

I’ve also had the chance to meet Noel Cabangon recently at Radio Republic when he performed for the station’s Live at 2299 program. Tuloy ang Byahe wasn’t released back then so he performed songs from his previous releases. After the program, I’ve had the great pleasure of discussing with him various aspects of the local music industry. It was an enriching experience hearing his views and insights regarding the industry considering that he is also the current president of Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, Inc. (FILSCAP). Whenever I listen to his records (specifically his latest releases Byahe, Panaginip and the subsequent Christmas repackaged edition and now, Tuloy ang Byahe), I realize immediately how his music, whether his originals or covers, connect not just with Filipino listeners but also with foreigners residing here as well. And having the opportunity to talk with him also made me realize why he is one of the most respected persons in the music industry. I will not be surprised if Tuloy ang Byahe will continue reaping the same success and accolades that his previous album has achieved.

Noel Cabangon’s Tuloy ang Byahe, released by Universal Records is now available at record stores nationwide. Its carrier single Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka and the rest of the album is also available for download over at MyMusicStore Philippines.

Tuloy ang Byahe

Tracks:

1. Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka

2. Anak

3. Kahit Na

4. Kailan

5. Malayo Pa ang Umaga

6. Ikaw Lang ang Aking Mahal

7. Usahay

8. Huwag Mong Sabihin

9. Sika Laeng Iti Biag

10. Paano

11. Lagi Na Lang

12. Iduyan Mo

13. Pumapatak ang Ulan

14. Manila with Gloc-9

15. Joey’s Theme (Umaga na Naman)

16. Handog