A Trip Down Memory Lane with Dionne Warwick

Truly delighted to see a diva in flesh, a chart topper during the rock era, Ms Dionne Warwick performed at Smart Araneta Coliseum last July 23 to an enthusiastic crowd. She may no longer be in her best element but at 72 years old and still performing to a large audience , she rightfully deserves our big applause. It was a Philippine Tour that started at Manila Hotel, then Davao City, the one I watched at Smart Araneta and finally at Baguio City. I wonder how she can still keep up with that kind of schedule at her age.

Tavares, an American R&B funk and soul group started the act showcasing their 70's and 80's hits. A bit surprised because I'm not familiar with this group but they performed songs that I came to love while in high school and hearing them again became a trip down memory lane. They did about 7 songs and I eagerly sang along when they performed, "A Penny For Your Thoughts", "More Than a Woman" and their encore "Hardcore Poetry". Before they finally bid goodbye uttering Tagalog words like "Iniibig Kita", "Salamat po" and even "Ano kayo baliw?", they promised to be back and said remember who sang this song (Hardcore Poetry) ... not STYLISTICS! Oh yeah, I know that now ;)

Dionne Warwick came to the stage after 5 minutes wearing a short blond hair,  green fitted pants, multi colored top and a posture that says I'm still fit and capable of giving you all a good show. She started the show with the song composed by Bee Gees the "HEART BREAKER". We can feel that she was struggling and her once powerful vocal quality have diminished and now displaying a mellowed tone and a hoarse voice nevertheless she still connected with the audience. Her audience felt her passion and honesty. Everyone was singing along while she was performing her greatest hits.

DIONNE WARWICK SETLIST 

1. Heart Breaker
2. Antonio Carlos Jobim medley (et al Aquarela Do Brasil ...)
3. Do You Know The Way To San Jose
4. Alfie
5. You'll Never Get To Heaven
6. I'll Never Fall in Love Again
7. This Girl's In Love With You
8. I Say A little Prayer
9. Love Is Still The Answer
10. 99 Miles from LA
11. Walk On By
12. I Know I'll Never Love This Way Again
13. What The World Needs Now
14. That's What Friends Are For

Performing 14 songs may have exhausted her and so the audience clamor for an encore did not happen but I can sense that everyone had an enjoyable evening of good music and unforgettable memories courtesy of  Dionne Warwick and Tavares giving us an entertaining trip down memory lane.

GMA News Photo (Even Pres. PNOY took the time out to watch Dionne Warwick)