SIMPLY PUT: JIM BRICKMAN AND SHARON CUNETA DISCOVER THAT FRIENDS CAN MAKE BEAUTIFUL MUSIC TOGETHER
by Bayani S. San Diego Jr., April 20, 2002

He jokingly refers to himself as "Americaís newest romantic pianist" or something to that effect.

With his two-night concert at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) Plenary Hall last March 15 and 16, American hitmaker Jim Brickman was able to reintroduce himself to the very finicky Manila crowd as not just "the worldís newest romantic pianist", but also as the worldís funniest.

And thatís precisely what he has in common with Philippine Megastar Sharon Cuneta: their wicked wit, their hearty humor.

Onstage, these two gifted artists looked like two master stand-up comics in action. Nothing seemed scripted. The mood was relaxed; the banter, easy and spontaneous. More importantly, it was very evident, even to the most casual of observers, that their respect and admiration for each other was mutual and heartfelt.

It was like watching two old friends just shooting the breeze, and making beautiful music along the way.

Just a random sample of their riotous repartee:

Jim: In the music video for "In Your Eyes", I was following you and Andy Lau all over Hong Kong. It looked as if I was some sort of private investigator.

Sharon: Or a stalker!

Sharon: I didnít get the Farrah Fawcett wig, though.

Jim: You looked hot!

Sharon: Music helps me in my acting.

Jim: I didnít know that youíre an actress.

Sharon: Sakalin ko kaya ito! ("What if I wring his neck!")

Jim: If youíre the Megastar, does that make me a mini-star?

Sharon: Youíre so cute!

Sharon was very much aware that Jimís jokes were well-timed, so as not to bore the audience. As Jim himself would put it: Piano music is the melodic equivalent of sleeping pills.

So the ad-libbed witticisms (as well as the songs with vocals) injected additional vitality in the Jim Brickman experience.

Jim also masterfully paced and sequenced the show. The first act was highlighted by Sharonís rendition of his three biggest hits hereabouts: "Your Love", "By Heart", and "Valentine". Also in the first act, Side Aís Joey Generoso sauntered onstage, to sing Jimís popular ballad "Love of My Life". In a musical quid pro quo, Jim consented to accompany Joey as he sang one of the Side A bandís biggest chartbusters, "Tell Me".

Act two started with a bangóspecifically with Sharonís version of Jimís latest composition, "Simple Things", with the Mega-Band.

Sharon then reinterpreted her very own Jim Brickman song, "Whereís the Good in Goodbye?" (included in BMGís All I Ever Want album), which they recorded in Hong Kong over two years ago.

To cap the Megastarís appearance in the concert, Jim "premiered" his newest song, "You", which he wrote specially and specifically for Sharon.

With Sharon and Joey G., it was as if Jim finally found the perfect voices to breathe life to his music. Jim, in fact, just had to verbalize it: "You might not believe it, but itís so difficult to find good pop singers in the United States." And in the Philippines, he has stumbled on a goldmine of golden voices. "Itís not just about the octaves, but about knowing the meaning of the songs and being able to convey and communicate these emotions effectively."

That was why he seemed exceptionally pleased every time the likes of Sharon and Joey G. would sing his songs. You could actually see it on the beatific expression on his face.

For the rest of the second act, Jim continued to charm the Manila crowd with his musical gift (most notably with his Olympic song, his new salsa number, and the lullaby melody), along with his gift of gab. (Male and female fans were actually singing along to his songs all throughout the night.)

It was like he was taking the viewers on a musical journey, complete with peaks and valleysóand ending, of course, with a fittingly beautiful denouement.

As finale, Jim was again joined onstage by Sharon and Joey G. who harmonized beautifully on his most memorable hit, "The Gift".

While we are on the subject of presents, Jim also gifted Sharon with a copy of his new book, Simple Things. "Itís a good read!" Sharon enthused about her American friendís latest achievement. "Itís not yet available locally, but itís on sale at Amazon.com."

Simply put, Sharon and Jim made beautiful music (and memories) together.

P.S. As bonus, Jim even guested on Sharonís ABS-CBN talk show, the special "Best of Music" episode. Jim told Sharon that while he was on the road for his US concert tour, a fan who lived in a little suburb of New York told him that she caught his first guest appearance on Sharon last year. Courtesy of TFC (The Filipino Channel), of course. Gotta hand it to Sharonians: Theyíre a legion and theyíre everywhere.

More pictures of Sharon at Jim Brickman's official website