Two big voices belting on one stage

LANI MISALUCHA and Morissette Amon

A VERSATILE songstress often called “Asia’s Nightingale,” Lani Misalucha shares the stage with up-and-comer Morissette Amon in a two-night concert this Sept. 22 and 23 at the Theatre at Solaire Resort and Casino in Parañaque City.
The concert titled “A Lani Morissette: Musical Journey” (a play on the name of Alanis Morissette, the Canadian-American singer behind Jagged Little Pill) will consist of “unexpected song choices that showcase their versatility, vocal range and own style of performance,” said a press release.
Ms. Misalucha first burst into the Philippine music scene with her 1996 hit “Ang Iibigin ay Ikaw,” which was a finalist at the Metro Manila Popular Song Festival (Metropop) and the winner of the Record of the Year award at the Awit Awards in the same year.
Three years later, she once again entered MetroPop with the song “Can’t Stop Loving You.” This time, the song, written by Elzar “Dodjie” Simon, won the contest’s top prize.
Her career in the Philippines following her debut earned her more honors, including 1999’s Artist of the Year Award, Aliw Award for Best Lounge Act, Awit Award for Best Performance by a Female Recording Artist, and an Awit Award Nomination for Best Stage Actress for her role in S.K. Production’s musical play Rama at Sita, where she played the titular Sita.
She has released 15 albums so far and her hits include “Sana Dalawa ang Puso Ko,” “Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin” and “Tunay na Mahal.”
In 2004, she moved her family to the United States and continued her career by performing in Las Vegas. Her stint there earned her another nickname: “Siren of the Strip.”
In 2008, she was voted the Best Singer (staff pick) in the 27th Annual Best of Las Vegas poll by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Meanwhile, Morissette Amon, gained prominence after joining the first season of ABS-CBN’s The Voice Philippines (the Philippine edition of the Dutch singing contest franchise, The Voice). Though she failed to make it to the finals, Ms. Amon eventually signed with Star Records, which produced her eponymous debut album. Her song “Akin Ka Na Lang,” which was part of Himig Handog’s 2014 slate, became popular because it showed her mastery of the whistle register.
“They’re asking for a showdown, although we don’t want the concert to appear like a showdown between Morissette and I, we might give the audience a little of what they’re asking for,” Ms. Misalucha said during the press conference on Aug. 21 at Solaire Resort and Casino.
Ms. Misalucha admitted that, at 46, she doesn’t have the same stamina she used to have. “I really need to prepare myself,” she said in the press release. Meanwhile, Ms. Amon is working on calming her nerves at the thought of sharing the stage with Ms. Misalucha. “She’s one of the music icons I really look up to,” said Ms. Amon of the older singer.
“I’m also very happy that we jive in so many ways—not just in our singing style but also our personalities,” Ms. Amon said in the release. — Zsarlene B. Chua
“A Lani Morissette: Musical Journey” will be held on September 22 and 23 at the Theatre in Solaire Resort and Casino. Tickets are available at Ticketworld: visit ticketworld.com.ph or call 891-9999.