Text by Betty Chacko, Photos by: BerNikz Multimedia
“Megastar”, “Pop Diva”, “Superstar”, “Queen of Love Songs”, etc. What’s with these titles, really? What are they for?
Joey Albert’s show at Burwood RSL on Friday, 26th April, certainly trivialised any identification to these titles. Let me tell you how I knew!
Albert showed her playful chic side with her whimsical printed and multi-coloured flowing top as she opened with a delightful and upbeat song number and then followed by some oldies-but-goodies like, “Betcha By Golly Wow”, “Smile” and “Moon River”, to which the audience sang along. She was determined to entertain her fans and still all smiles, despite the slight hiccup with the sound and audio system to accompany her. What a treat it was to see on the large background screens, a “Charlie Chaplin” silent movie clip as well as Audrey Hepburn’s” Breakfast at Tiffany’s”.
The highlights included the song “Yakapin Mo Ako” which was an emotional number and a dedication to her beloved sister who passed away years ago. She also sang few movie soundtracks like “Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin” and gave her own rendition of the songs by the all-time favourite, “Apo Hiking Society”, one of which was “Mahirap Talagang Magmahal Ng Syota Ng Iba”. Another highlight was her own rendition of the songs made popular by the Brazilian musician, Sérgio Mendes. Her “Mas Que Nada” number not only complemented her vocals to a tee but also proved that she was capable of covering a wide range of styles. A handful of people in the audience started moving to the beat but it wasn’t until Albert belted out the song “I Will Survive” did the audience show their eagerness to dance.
Few internet websites would describe Albert as ”a Filipino pop and jazz singer, musician, lyricist and songwriter”. However, these titles alone don’t define the true Joey Albert. What I had seen and gotten to know on the night was a far cry from the Joey Albert I thought I knew back in the ‘80s. Albert has seemingly turned into a woman who simply loves life. Titles were insignificant to her as she explained, “Listening to you all sing my songs after all these years is what keeps me going.”
Albert’s sweet tones and bubbly persona were reminiscent of an excited child on a Christmas morning. Her effervescent personality was infectious. It was almost as if she was anyone’s instant friend and a listener. Scripted or not, her interaction with the audience was nonetheless, far from cheap and awkward. The audience loved her. She remarked with much delight, “tagay” (a Filipino slang, which means “Cheers!” or a toast in a drinking session) but this didn’t make the audience think less of her. She still maintained her class, charisma and a great sense of humour.
Albert’s career was interrupted by serious illnesses. She survived cancer twice – a cervical one in 1995 and then a series of chemotherapy after her successful surgery in 2003 to treat her colon cancer. She had years of hiatus from show business to raise her kids and devote her time for her family. A few had wondered if her career had hit the skids. But as life would have it, singing and entertaining her fans were far from over.
Now after 30 years in the entertainment business, she said, “I have nothing more to prove. I come to a place because of YOU”. At one stage, she asked the audience, “Did you get bored?”, which only showed that entertaining her fans was what mattered most to her. She also acknowledged the presence of 2 of her fellow members of the The New Minstrels in the audience.
Albert is enjoying life, indeed, and just allowing Life to dance her. Given the title of one of her many