"Enchanting Melodies on Native Instruments" was the phrase used to introduce the Ne Pomoceno Quartet to mid-western audiences in 1917. Nowadays, those words are ironic, considering that, outside of the International Expositions, Filipinos playing in clubs and chautauquas rarely played native instruments, although they did play Philippine adaptations of European string instruments. This website is dedicated to Filipino musicians in the United States, especially those "old-timers" who performed during the early 20th century. My father was one of them: he played in a band in New Orleans and other cities during the 1930s. My grandfather and granduncle played in the Philippine Constabulary Band in international expositions. Filipinos have been entertaining audiences with their music since at least the early 20th century. Considering that "Manilla Men" first began settling in the Louisiana territory during the 18th century, it's possible that Filipino musicians have been making music in the Americas since the 19th century or earlier. My aim for this website is to post information on these little-known and under-appreciated musicians, and update as often as possible. This is a labor of love. Thanks to the "Redpath Chautauqua Collection and Traveling Culture exhibit, Special Collections, University of Iowa for making some of this material (photographs and documents about Filipino musicians in the Chautauqua) available.
If you have information or photos of Filipino musicians or bands from the early to mid-20th century (1960s) and would like it posted on this site, contact me at okir2k@gmail.com.
Sunday, December 05, 2004
Once again I am violating my no-post-WWII music rule. Here's a review I wrote for the Bobby Banduria Band a couple of years ago:
"Recently, when I listened to the first song on "Pandanggo ni Bobby," I was reminded of my youthful days of mandatory Filipino folk dancing (my mother made me do it). The "Pandango" is a traditional Filipino folk dance derived from the Spanish Fandango. But this version of the song had an "edge" to it that evolved surprisingly into a rhythmic track that reminded me of Brubeck's "Take Five." OK, now imagine "Take Five" played with a small stringed instrument that sounds like a mandolin. Yup, it's hard to describe.
Shiny Silver Jeepney: Can we say "eclectic"? Sometimes they sound like early 1960s elevator music with funk. There's always a strong rhythmic feel; sometimes there's a rock and roll backbeat, and sometimes they slide into cool jazz. In their latest album, Fernando Funk even scats in "Juan Tamad." But what's different is their use of traditional instruments: the banduria (similar to a mandolin) and octavina (imagine a small guitar that plays an octave lower than a mandolin). A lot of bands are experimenting with sounds from the past, whether it's the 60s or 70s, punk, or Texas swing. Many of them sound like they are just recycling another retro trip, but Bobby Banduria adds to the mix something it didn't have before – Filipino American cultural history and music.
the rudiments of conversation, volume 6. Bobby's vocals have a low-key, ironic tone that's not unpleasant. Maybe it comes from his past life as comedian, Kevin Camia. In "Brown-Skin Lady," his voice gives a humble, humorous touch to a song that might otherwise be too sweet. In "Burn," it takes on a rougher edge which feels exactly right. There's a sense of humor in both and that's refreshing. Sometimes it's in the subtly ironic turn of Bobby's voice, or in the outrageously sleazy "Barry White" introduction to the seduction song, "Chin Droplets":
...Bobby? He's in the back of the mansion right now, just busy in the stable; one of his thoroughbreds is giving birth. Don't worry; he'll be right with yo fine self
...Mmmmmm! My, that's a beautiful color you're wearing...
Both (where did volumes 1 through 5 go?) are short albums, containing only five songs each. Nevertheless, they are accomplished, surprising, sometimes funny, and often lyrical (listen to Dr. Boogie Night's piano and G's violin on "Let Go My Jewels."). It's well worth your time and money.
Shiny Silver Jeepney
the rudiments of conversation volume 6
Bobby Banduria (Kevin Camia): vocals, banduria and octavina
G (Gayle Romasanta): vocals violin and flute
Bong Agong (Ogie Gonzales): percussion
Fernando Funk (Raym Picardo): back-up vocals and bass
Dr. Boogie Nights (Theo Gonzalves): back-up vocals and keyboards"
