David Foster (Facebook)
David Foster and Friends is one for the books as it is the first concert residency at the Theater at Solaire in Paranaque City which runs for eight shows from March 21 to 26.
With a career spanning 40 years and almost half a billion records sold worldwide, the 73-year-old Canadian musician, composer, arranger, record producer and music executive is a dream maker. He has helped build the careers of global superstars Celine Dion, Josh Groban, Michael Bubble, Whitney Houston, Andrea Bocelli, to name a few.
“We’re gonna have a lot of fun tonight!” Foster told the crowd on March 25. He said he loves the energy of the Filipinos because we love music, sing, and we know the lyrics to every song.
“Especially you guys up there (pointing at the audience in the balcony) I love that. The rich people down here, they don’t clap so much,” he joked.
He opened the show with a medley of his instrumental compositions from the Calgary Winter Olympics in 1988 and St. Elmo’s Fire released in 1984 with Kenny G joining on video.
Foster confessed that he could not get inspired by the movie “St. Elmo’s Fire”, but things turned around when he received something in the mail.
“I got a tape of a wheelchair athlete from Canada named Rick Hanson who was wheeling around the world to raise money for spinal cord research. He wheeled 25 thousand miles around the world. Such an inspiration. That became the inspiration that went number 1 all over the world in 1984,” he told the audience how “Man in Motion” from the movie became a global hit.
“If you ever meet the director of “St Elmo’s Fire” don’t tell him that the movie has nothing to do with this song,” he jested.
Foster introduced Daniel Emmett, who has been touring with him for a year now. He said the former “America’s Got Talent” finalist reminded him so much of Josh Groban, whom he plucked out of high school and made him a big star. “He’s not here. With the kind of money, you paid for these tickets, you don’t get Josh Groban.”'
Emmet performed “You Raise Me Up” which Foster produced for Groban. He also delighted audiences with his performance of “Nessun Dorma” from Giacomo Puccini’s Italian opera “Turandot”.
Also on the Manila leg with Foster is Pia Toscano, an American Idol alumna who is no stranger to the country, as she was in Manila for the American Idol Live Tour in 2010.
“I made a fatal mistake on this girl. I introduced her to Andrea Boccelli, and he stole her. Now he gets to tour around the world with Andrea. When he’s not working, we get her,” he said.
A most welcome treat was the guest appearance of Fil-Am Troy Laureta, arranger, composer, and producer. A former musical director for Ariana Grande and Foster, he produced an album entitled “Kaibigan” which includes Toscano’s version of Regine Velasquez’ “Kailangan Kita”.'
Toscano performed the song with Laureta on piano. It was major goosebumps moment!
“I don’t want to give up my piano to anyone, but tonight I’m going to do it because you’re extra special and extra talented. They should all be proud of you,” Foster told Laureta.
Katherine McPhee (Facebook)
Many fans wondered if Charice Pempengco, now Jake Zyrus, who was once Foster’s protége, was going to make a surprise appearance. He did not. It seems Foster had his eyes set on a new star - Morisette Amon.
“She’s so famous here. She’s so good, she sings so well. She’s quickly becoming your own national treasure. It’s only a matter of time before the entire world knows who she is. So be proud of your own,” he said.
Morisette owned the stage with her rendition of “Never Enough” the love anthem from “The Greatest Showman”. And then followed it with back-to-back Houston hits “I Have Nothing” and “I Will Always Love You”.
Katherine McPhee, Foster’s wife, opened her set with “Over the Rainbow” and then “Terrified” with Emmet. She said she was pleasantly surprised to find out that the greatest number of streams from her hit song came from the Philippines.
McPhee then told the audience how she and her husband met. Foster was then guest mentor for “American Idol” along with Bocelli. She sang “I Have Nothing” which Idol judge Simon Cowell did not enjoy.
“Simon’s a d**k,” Foster joked. “I am actually good friends with him. That time he got it wrong,” he added.
McPhee then went on tour with Foster, they did a Christmas special together and he played the piano on the band at her wedding.
“And then I was invited to one of David’s weddings. And then we ended up at each other’s wedding,” she shared.
What’s a concert without a sing-along? Looking back at some of the greatest hits he created for the pop-rock band Chicago, the audience sang along to samples of Foster’s hits “You’re the Inspiration”, “Will You Still Love Me” and “Hard Habit to Break” – a song which he said the band initially declined to record.
The song was later nominated for four Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year, Best Vocal Arrangement, and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group in 1985. It won Best Instrumental Accompanying Vocals for Foster and Jeremy Lubbock.
“There’s always somebody whose parents or family have told them that they’re better than Celine Dion, they’re better than Whitney Houston, they’re better than Bruno Mars and the fact is they’re not! They think they are and that makes it fun,” he said.
Foster asked two members of the audience to volunteer to sing a song of their choice with him and the band for 30 seconds each. It was amusing!
The show reached a new high when concert king Martin Nievera was called in. “It’s a childhood dream. I have waited for 40 years to become a Foster child,” he said.
Nievera sang “Forever” a song Foster co-wrote with Loggins and his very own hit “Be My Lady”.
Despite 16 Grammy Awards tucked on his sleeve, Foster said he has never won an Oscar. He has been nominated thrice for “Glory of Love” from Karate Kid Part 2 in 1986, “I Have Nothing (The Bodyguard, 1992), and “The Prayer” from “Quest for Camelot” (1998).
No worries, Foster and his music will always be a winner for his fans worldwide. - Contributed by Andi Requintina
Front view of Samgyup sa Farm restaurant. (Nico Buenaventura)
