By Michael Sj Lim
The best present a singer can give her followers this holiday season is a timeless gift of Christmas songs. “It never goes out of style,” volunteers Sitti, the country’s undisputed queen of bossa nova, adding, “It’s every singer’s dream to have his own Christmas CD, and I’m glad that this year, my dream has come true.“
Sitti tells us that when the Christmas season comes, she gets into a melancholic mood. “ I do not know why, but I get very sensitive and sentimental at the same time when the holidays are near. My closest friends tell me that I can use that to my advantage as a singer, since I may be able to give the songs I sing more depth, emotions and meaning.”
Christmas is also a time for reflection for this singer who propelled herself to greater music heights when bravely took the road less traveled and came up with a bossa nova CD when all other signers were into acoustic music and the bands were reviving alternative rock.
“I guess I was just at the right time and at the right place,” she explains, adding that she is grateful for everything that has happened in her career. “ Contrary to what many are thinking, this did not come to me on a silver platter. I worked hard for this; I spent so many nights singing in music lounges sometimes, empty music lounges. That’s why this Christmas is also a celebration of thanksgiving.”
Sitti’s new CD under Warner Music Philippines titled Ngayong Pasko comes as the perfect gift for the season, It features a wonderful mix of the traditional and the new—including timeless songs like “All I Want for Christmas,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Someday At Christmas,” “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,” “Grown Up Christmas List” and “Jingle Bell Rock.”
Perhaps the most interesting cut is her version of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” a soft and hauntingly beautiful ballad where Sitti is backed up by the angelic voices of the Las Piñas Boys Choir. “I am from Las Piñas and I always want to involve these talented kids in my projects,” she tells us.
Another special cut is the duet of Sitti and Christian Bautista titled “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.”“Collaborating with other gifted artists is always a joy for me”, the singer muses. “Christian was my only choice for that song. He gives so much of himself in the recording.”
The lone local track Ngayong Pasko also scores well for its wonderful arrangement and Sitti’s clarity in her rendition of the song.
Tags: Bossa, Ngayong Pasko, Official Sitti, Sitti, Sittionline.com
