Kean and Eunice to make everyone Happy Together with new album

Eunice Jorge and Kean Cipriano

Kean Cipriano and Eunice Jorge, vocalists of their respective bands Callalily and Gracenote, team up for a new concept album entitled Happy Together: A Trip Down Memory Lane that aims to reconnect generations through music. This album, released by Universal Records, features 10 tracks that will take listeners on a nostalgic journey through music.

Taking the trip several notches further is Kean and Eunice’s upcoming concert, also entitled Happy Together: A Trip Down Memory Lane, happening on September 19, 2014, 8:00 PM at the Music Museum where the duo is expected to perform tracks from their album and a whole lot more.

The album, composed of solos and duets by Kean and Eunice, is filled with timeless tunes, arranged for today’s listeners but without destroying the essence of the songs as Kean said during a press conference held at Universal Records. He also added that recording the tracks made the both of them wonder how the songwriters came up with these beautiful songs. Kean concentrates more on vocal duties for this album while Eunice, an accomplished musician, plays the piano/keyboards and the violin in a few songs.

The tracks in the album include My Love originally by Paul McCartney, Never My Love by The Associations, To Sir with Love by Lulu, Islands in the Stream by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You by Frankie Vallie, Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight by James Taylor, How Can I Tell Her by Lobo, You’re In My Heart by Rod Stewart, Because by Dave Clark Five and the title track Happy Together by The Turtles.

Kean and Eunice bring Happy Together in concert at Music Museum

BREAKING NEWS: Due to inclement weather, Happy Together the concert has been rescheduled to October, 16, 2014.

September 19, 2014, 8:00 PM Postponed

Music Museum

Greenhills Shopping Center

San Juan

Kean said that the album came about due to numerous requests by his folks, aunts and uncles to sing certain songs from their era. I guess that his folks and a lot more will be pleased that he’ll get to sing those songs and a lot more at their upcoming Music Museum concert. Presented by Redlines Entertainment Productions, the concert Happy Together, hopes to be a bonding experience between the Kean and Eunice’s fans (who are mostly young) and their folks through the music that the duo will perform on that night.

The concert will be directed by Enzo Valdez of Sindikato, Inc., co-directed by Darwin Hernandez of BBS and narrated by Ramon Bautista. And I just have to mention my good friend Al Bernard Garcia of Daloy Dance Company who will be the choreographer in this concert.

Ticket prices:

P1500 VIP

P800 Orchestra Center

P500 Orchestra Side

P350 Balcony

For inquiries:

Music Museum 721-6726

SM Tickets 470-2222

TicketWorld 891-9999

Happy Together: A Trip Down Memory Lane, released by Universal Records is now available in CD format at record stores nationwide and in digital formats at online music stores.

Happy Together: A Trip Down Memory Lane

Tracks:

1. Because

2. Islands in the Stream

3. To Sir with Love

4. Can’t Take My Eyes off You

5. Don’t Let Me be Lonely Tonight

6. How Can I Tell Her

7. You’re in My Heart

8. Happy Together

9. Never My Love

10. My Love

Callalily's Flower Power Album Launch

Eugene Domingo (center) with Callalily (from L-R) Lem Belaro,
Kean Cipriano, Aaron Ricafrente and Tatsi Jamnaque

Pop/rock band Callalily hoped that a successful album launch would set the tone for their newest album Flower Power, their fourth overall and their first under new label Universal Records. Band members Kean Cipriano (vocals and guitar), Tatsi Jamnague (guitar), Aaron Ricafrente (bass) and Lem Belaro (drums) had their expectations exceeded as Callalistas composed of children (some still in their school uniforms), lots of college girls, yuppies and even a few senior citizens trooped over to the Eastwood Central Plaza for the band’s album launch.

Everyone who purchased a copy of the album that night also got a poster and a guitar pick. And at that time, the album wasn’t yet available in retail outlets so those who got their physical copies there were among the first to have them. But probably the most important of all, those who bought the album were able to watch the band’s live performance at the area reserved for them. And after what basically was a mini-concert, these lucky people were able to have their CD’s and posters signed by the band. Throughout the performance area, there was a very generous supply of GSM Blue drinks for everyone. Thankfully, it seemed that everyone drank responsibly that night.

Before the show started, some bloggers and I were able to meet the band at their dressing room. And to our surprise, one very special fan came in and gave the band her support. That fan was no other than Ms. Eugene Domingo who co-starred with Kean at the film Ang Babae sa Septic Tank. It’s no surprise that she’s returning the favor since Kean also was in full support of Eugene when she starred in the Bona more than a month before. And during the band’s performance, Eugene quietly watched on the side largely unnoticed and ignored by the crowd since they all had eyes on the stage.

The performance started later than usual but the fans didn’t mind the delay at all judging by the screams that greeted the band as they went out on stage. Callalily played a bunch of songs taken from all of their albums, Flower Power included. Some of the older songs performed were Pasan, Susundan and Magbalik. Their cover of the Eraserheads song Minsan was also performed as well. What I found most remarkable was how the audience reacted when the new material like Buhay, Sabik na Sabik, Buhos ng Ulan, Pansamantala, and HKM where performed The album hasn’t been out on record stores yet but the die hard Callalistas responded to the new songs as if they were already part of Callalily’s greatest hits. I would’ve understand if they reacted that way towards Pasasalamat since the song has been released at MyMusicStore Philippines for about a month now and it’s been getting substantial airplay. But for them to respond so positively regarding the new and previously unheard material only means that Callalily truly has a very dedicated fanbase.

After the performance, it was time for the CD signing and the fans lined up orderly with most of the younger women applying some make up in preparation for the photo ops with the band. I took the chance to ask some of them a few questions regarding their dedication to the band. I was amazed to know that a lot of them have been fans since day one. One even made the journey from outside Metro Manila to be at the launch and she was leaving it up to fate her journey back home. A lot of the fans gave letters, gifts and of course, lots of flowers for the band. Lem reciprocated by also giving something else to the fans who stayed behind: he gave away packs of LALA, the chocolate/candy that his family owns that brings out the child in everyone.

Kean Cipriano

After the launch, I was able to put the CD Flower Power for a few spins and I surprised myself for recognizing instantly most of the songs even if I’ve only heard them once or twice before. Listening to the studio versions of Pasasalamat, Sabik na Sabik and Buhay also brought me back to the listening session when the band performed those songs but with a more stripped down arrangement with Lem using only the HandSonic 10. I am still regularly putting the album for some spins and so far, it’s the acoustic Pansamantala that is always get stuck in my head recently.

Callalily will also be touring several malls to promote their newest album Flower Power. Catch the band at these dates:

October 21, 2012, 5:00 PM Robinsons Nova Market

November 2, 2012, 5:00 PM Robinsons Place Lipa

November 3, 2012, 5:00 PM Robinsons Sta. Rosa

November 4, 2012, 5:00 PM Robinsons Metro East

November 11, 2012, 5:00 PM Robinsons Place Dasmariñas

Flower Power

Tracks:

1. Pasasalamat

2. Sabik na Sabik

3. HKM

4. Lapit

5. Buhay

6. Pansamantala

7. You and I

8. Buhos ng Ulan

9. Walang Sumipot

10. Para Sa’Yo

Callalily’s Listening Session and Bloggers’ Conference

October 12, 2012, 7:00 PM

Eastwood Central Plaza

Quezon City

Ever since Minsan, Callalily’s cover of the Eraserheads classic from the Reunion: An Eraserheads Tribute Album came out; I wondered when the band will come up with a studio album containing new material. It had been three years since the band’s self titled album and a lot has happened since then: Alden Acosta left the band, their former label closed their Philippine office and frontman Kean Cipriano ventured into acting and did a project with BBS. But now, Kean and the rest of the band Tatsi Jamnague, Aaron Ricafrente and Lemuel Belaro have gone back to the studio, signed up with Universal Records and are in a thankful mood via their latest single Pasasalamat as they await the release of their newest album entitled Flower Power.

Callalily's Tatsi Jamnague, Aaron Ricafrente, Kean Cipriano and Lemuel Belaro

In anticipation of the album’s upcoming release, Callalily recently had a listening session and a bloggers’ conference preceded by a contract signing over at Universal Records. I was really looking forward to this since I’ve been bumped into Kean a few times in the past few months and I kept asking him when Callalily’s new album would come out. He kept on answering that it would be soon. And sooner than anyone thinks, Flower Power will finally be launched through a special show this October 12, 2012, 7:00 PM at the Eastwood Central Plaza.

Callalily signs contract with Universal Records

First things first, the whole affair started with the actual contract signing by Callalily and Universal Records executives headed by Ms. Kathleen Dy-Go. Then, the band quickly set up for a teaser of their upcoming album launch show by performing three songs, Buhay, Sabik na Sabik and the new album’s lead single Pasasalamat. This single shot through the top of MyMusicStore Philippines' charts and trended on Twitter when it was first released. Throughout the performance of these songs, I got really drawn towards the HandSonic 10 Hand Percussion Pad that Lem was using thinking that it would be a very nice Christmas present to give myself. Then, everyone got the chance to listen to some of the tracks from the upcoming album. The most notable for me was Walang Sumipot, a possible second single, for it featured a very complex drums part that almost never duplicated a measure. This track featured a whole drum kit but I wondered how Lem would pull it off if he used the HandSonic 10 instead during a live performance.

During the Q & A that transpired after the listening session, Kean expressed that this album feels like a first album for them, since they’re beginning anew with Universal Records. And that they hope that the launch happening on October 12 will set the pace for this album. The band chose Flower Power for the title since Callalily is indeed a type of flower and it evokes the movement from the 1960-70s. And they feel like that they are on a comeback campaign after three years since their last album. This new album feels special for them since it’s the first time for the band to go on a collaborative songwriting process in which Kean likened it to building a puzzle. Before, members just came up with a finished song and they would just finalize the arrangement. But now, it’s a more intense process that allowed them to feel the emotions and lyrics more. Also, they teased that Tatsi’s vocals will be showcased on the track called Buhos ng Ulan.

Callalily has been around for seven years and they’ve dealt with each other through the good and the bad. They’ve earned the respect of each other and have learned how to treat each other as family. And there’s nothing left to do but to be thankful as the days tick off until Callalily release Flower Power. See you peeps on October 12, 2012 at the Eastwood Central Plaza!

Flower Power

Kean with Aaron right behind him at Radio Republic

Kean with Noel Cabangon after watching Bona

The Callalily’s Bloggers’ Conference was presented by Universal Records, LionhearTV.net, Pinoy Song Magazine and GSM Blue.