VICTOR NORIEGA: Alay

Victor Noriega

Alay

© 2006 Victor Noriega (678277120327)

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*2006 NW Recording of The Year* - Golden Ear Awards, Earshot Jazz, Seattle. Original compositions and interpertations of classic Filipino songs.

tracks

1 Alay I
2 Pandangguhan
3 Saan Ka Man Naroroon
4 Dahil Sa Iyo
5 Alay II
6 Bayan Ko
7 Maalaala Mo Kaya
8 Kuya
9 Alay III
10 Harana
11 Bahay Kubo
12 Dahil Sa Iyo (ulit)
13 Alay IV

notes

"Victor Noriega's second release 'Alay' rises way above most of today's jazz recordings with a unique concept and expert craftsmanship. By introducing Filipino songs into a jazz context, Noriega pushes the jazz envelope and follows tradition at the same time. He is clearly an artist to watch." --Gordon Todd / KBCS

Victor Noriega’s inventive stylings of selected Filipino songs in his new album, ALAY, pay homage to both the music of Victor’s heritage and the American jazz tradition. The result is a uniquely imaginative musical experience.

ALAY (meaning offering) fuses the traditional and the modern using a variety of textures and colors. Dahil Sa Iyo (Because of You), a popular Filipino love song, is completely transformed through intricate rhythms and complex harmonies. Kuya (Older Brother), an original composition, captures the personality and character of his late beloved cousin — playful, gregarious, loving and hopeful. Pandangguhan, a traditional rural dance, is re-created in layers of distinct and contrasting musical themes. The Filipino folk song Bahay Kubo (Nipa Hut) goes fully modern in this unconventional interpretation. In Victor’s hands, the touching melodies of Maalaala mo kaya? (Do You Remember?) and Saan ka man naroroon (Wherever You Are), both Philippine standards, are joyous and delightful musings. Victor’s arrangement of Bayan Ko (My Country) is an almost cinematic, evocative rendering of this song, one of the most cherished in the Philippines. Harana (Serenade) is a composition by Victor’s great-uncle, the late Emilio Maraan, composer, award-winning band conductor and a long-time member of the Manila Symphony Orchestra. Interspersed throughout the album are four original interludes inspired by paintings by Lee Añonuevo, Victor’s uncle.

ALAY is an offering of engaging material, and a wonderful expression of Noriega’s bold approach to his music.

Victor Noriega - piano :: Willie Blair - bass :: Eric Eagle - drums

reviews

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  • author: Paska

    Este cd,es maravilloso,me encanta,mejor dicho me fascina.Esta musica que tiene tanta passion es musica por alma,que toca el corazon de personas.Gracias de esta alegria que ne has icho con este cd,gracias para que nosotros podemos a escuchar esta linda musica

  • Pretty good, but...
    author: Jharvis

    what killed the musical experience for me were Noriega's renditions of Dahil Sa Iyo (both takes). The track sounded like a scale exercise with only sparse hints of the melody. I was not moved, and I found myself sorely missing Bobby Enriquez' version which I lost. If not for this sour taste, I would have given four or five stars. Technical prowess and passion are delicate ingredients in making good art. I experienced less of the latter.

  • coming of age for Filipino Jazz Musician
    author: Chinggoy Castro

    As a Seattle based Filipino, hearing a folklore from back home in our local airwaves is unheard of. Hearing it done on a jazz format and getting played on air is unthinkable. After listening it the first time on one of the FM Seattle stations, Alay, as the CD is called, has transformed in a sense of a real offering, as it is loosely translated in English of the title, and as a gift both to Filipinos and jazz afficionados. It is the best of both worlds.

  • Tastes of the Traditional and the New
    author: Paul de Barros - Seattle Times

    Imaginative ideas flow like water from University of Washington graduate and former Marc Seales student Noriega, who won Earshot's 2005 Emerging Artist of the Year award. On his second album, "Alay," Noriega trains his imagination on his Filipino heritage, applying a smart variety of strategies to traditional songs. "Pandangguhan," "Bayan Ko" and "Kuya" suggest classical influences, including the whimsical question marks of Erik Satie. "Saan Ka Man Naroroon" and "Maalaala Mo Kaya" combine skipping traditional rhythms with flat-out swing. "Harana" sounds like a slow-motion Cuban air and "Bahay Kubo" explores the dissonant, haunting arena of layered electronics with a fixed backbeat. Noriega is a bit like a young Dave Brubeck. His music has a friendly, good-natured feel, no matter where he takes it, and his approach to crossing cultural boundaries is fresh. Paul de Barros: 206-464-3247 or pdebarros@seattletimes.com

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