In perhaps the first time in more than two decades the original (or should I say the very first incarnation) Rivermaya has regrouped on stage (sans Bamboo) and I was not present. Being a so called Rivermaya aficionado, I'm pretty darn disappointed that I missed this once in a lifetime event. Had to healed up my stubborn Plantar Wart. So pretty much the next logical thing to do is just catch the whole reunion gig on YouTube. So this Rivermaya reunion gig was masterminded by Perf de Castro, who ironically is the last man to be expected to call up the others to make a reunion gig possible. Perf, if you know the story, left Rivermaya after they released their debut album. Perf is here in the country to do a series of shows as he recently released a new single thru CD Baby. According to Perf, when he called his ex-bandmates, all were game and ready to join him on stage. Rico Blanco (who originally played keyboards before being forced to play lead guitars to replace Perf) went back to his keyboardist role, Nathan Azarcon donned his ax as the original bassist of the band, and Mark Escueta (who continues to play with Rivermaya as a guitarist along with some new members) went back to his drumming chores. Unfortunately, the original "voice" of Rivermaya, Bamboo Manalac was absent. Bamboo is said to be out of the country, thus missing this one night engagement.
The band played five songs, namely 214, Awit ng Kabataan, Ulan, Himala, and Kisapmata. In 214, Rico Blanco took up the vocal chores as he valiantly stood his ground amidst comparisons to Bamboo's original work. Rico is no stranger to singing this song live (as he normally includes this in his setlist during his gigs) but this is the first time you'll hear him sing it with the original arrangements played by the very same musicians that recorded the song for their debut album. The song has been acknowledged as the national anthem of Rivermaya fans, and it always automatically drives the audience to sing along to its chorus. They were also (as expected) titillated to hear Perf do his guitar solo for the song. In Awit ng Kabataan, Nathan Azarcon seemed to have lost a chord or two as he stuttered in his opening bass riffs (as well as throughout the entire duration) of the song. It was said that Nathan seemed to be the most nervous among the four as he now rarely plays old Rivermaya stuffs since he split up with Bamboo. So he had to relearn some chords on the spot. This time, Perf de Castro did the vocal chores and the audience as well as the band themselves had a kick listening to Perf's scintillating guitar solos in the song. In Ulan, the band exhorted the crowd to do the singing as Perf announced that none of them could remember the lyrics of the song (though I doubt it), to which the crowd gamely sang with the band. Hearing Rico's keyboard solo together with Perf's rhythmic guitars is so sweet to the ears. I mean I've never heard both of that together in the various Rivermaya gigs i've attended since Perf left. Nathan even managed to lead the band to twist the song to some reggae araangement.
Curiously, the songs Himala and Kisapmata were singles from their second album which no longer featured Perf on lead guitars. In Himala, Rico again took over the vocal duties and would work the song on the keyboards (a specialty he has been doing for years) with Perf on guitars. Perf had to improvise some chord lines to complement Rico's keyboards. Not to mention that he had to announce to everyone that it was actually Mark's birthday on that day. Kisapmata meanwhile was a free for all jam as the band members kind of let free a sampling of their smorgasbord of talents. But through the entire set, Mark Escueta proved to be the one that held the band together, the glue guy who made sure that the band still sound as Rivermaya as they could be, despite years and years of not playing together.
I had a silly smile on my face while watching the videos on YouTube. I'm sure the crowd was electric in the event proper. I mean, no 90s kid who loves OPM music would not rejoice at the thought that these guys actually played together after more than 20 years. For sure we all have those silly smiles on our faces while listening/watching them strut their stuff. Like taking us into some time machine to relieve those wistful years of the past. The feeling is great (even if I'm reduced to watching videos on YouTube). Now I don't know if this night is a portent of the things to come, but if another night like this never happens again, consider yourself lucky for those who actually witnessed the reunion of Rivermaya (again sans Bamboo) live in person. And if ever there would be another magical night where we could see these guys together on stage again and this time with Bamboo in tow, I certainly will never dare to miss it again. Even if I'll have to deal with another stubborn Plantar Wart again!
P.S. The video above is one of many that you could find in YouTube, try searching Rivermaya Reunion 19east and you'll see a number of videos uploaded. I also could not post photos of the Reunion gig in this entry as I have yet to ask permission to those who have photos of the event. But I will try to update this entry with Photos once I get a chance to ask permission. Really sucks to miss out an event like this.
