The Alejandros in ‘In the Blood’: Perfect harmony

Hajji and Rachel have more than a dozen signature hits between them with which to garner loyal fans once again to celebrate the good old times of the golden age of Original Pilipino Music. But the two proved an endless capacity to not only delight but also pleasantly surprise fans by staging a first ever concert together with Ali Alejandro, drummer for rock band Mojofly, as well as painter and proprietor of Nova Gallery, Eddie Alejandro, lead singer for rock band Aspen Way, and Nino Alejandro, Awit Award-winning singer/songwriter and contestant for the television talent show The Voice. 

The first performance date for the concert at the Music Museum, Green Hills, was on November 15. And judging by their performance that first night, their second performance on November 29 promises to be no less enthralling. 

The five started the concert by wowing audiences with their mind-blowing rendition of the rock anthem “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Eddie further added vibrancy by singing a contemporary alternative rock song “Everybody Talks” by the Neon Trees. For her part, Rachel sang a sultry latin version of A-Ha’s “Take On Me.” Together with her father Hajji, she later tap danced onstage to the surprise and delight of the crowd. The Alejandros all took time to reveal a side of themselves audiences had yet to see. 

The five also gave the crowd what they came to see and hear. Much of the songs were grouped into medleys. All five sang a Beatles medley that consisted of “Do You Want To Know A Secret,” “Till There Was You,” “If I Fell,” and “In My Life.” Eddie, Ali, and Nino also took turns singing the lead in a medley of Michael jackson hits such as “The Way You Make Me Feel,” “Man in the Mirror,” and “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You.” Rachel and Hajji sang well-loved ballads that included The Spinners’ “Just As Long As We Have Love,” The Stylistics ‘ “You Make Me Feel Brand New,” Lionel Richie’s “Endless Love,” Phil Collins’ “Separate Lives,” and “The Time of My Life” from the Dirty Dancing movie soundtrack.

Then, it was the father and son tandem of Hajji and Ali performing manly anthems such as  Billy Joel’s “She’s Always A Woman” and Bryan Adams’ “Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman” while Ali’s paintings and sketches were displayed onscreen. All 5 sang a medley of Motown chart toppers such as The Temptations’ “Get Ready Cause Here I Come,” The Supremes’ “You Can’t Hurry Love,” The Temptations’ “My Girl, Aretha Franklin’s “Respect,” and The Four Tops’ “Sugar Pie Honey Bunch.” 

After all that rhythm n’ blues, It was time for rock n’ roll. Nino brought the house down with his soulful and masterful rendition of classic power ballads such as Journey’s “Faithfully” and Aerosmith’s “Cryin.’” Then Rachel, joined him for duet of several songs from well-loved rock musicales, namely “Grease Lightning” from Grease and a medley of songs from the Rock of Ages, a musical she herself has starred in: Poison’s “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” Extreme’s “More Than Words,” and Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing.’”

The show also celebrated Rachel’s 25th anniversary in show business, a fact hard to believe given her youthful looks. She sang a medley of songs that included “Mr. Kupido,” “KSP,” “Kay Tagal,” and “Paalam Na.”

View some highlights from the show here: 

Not to be outdone, her father sang his several of his many immortal classics such as “Panakip Butas,” “Ang Lahat nito’y Para Sa Iyo,” “May Minamahal,” “Tag-araw Tag-ulan,” “Ikaw At Ang Gabi,” “Nakapagtataka,” and his groundbreaking performance of Ryan Cayabyab’s “Kay Ganda Ng Ating Musika” which won the very first Metro Pop Music Festival in 1978.

Rachel, Nino, Ali, and Eddie joined Hajji Alejandro in a medley finale that spanned several genres. They got the entire audience to get up and dance while singing Elvis Presley’s “Jailhouse Rock,” The Beatles’s “Twist And Shout,” Hues Corporation’s “Rock the Boat” Toni Basil’s “Hey Mickey,”  Los del Rio’s “Macarena,” and Pharrell Williams’ “Happy.” – Rappler.com 

Ticket prices are P5000 and P3,000 for Middle Orchestra Center, P2,000 for Orchestra Center, P1,500 for Orchestra Side, and P800 for Balcony. Tickets available at the Music Museum and at ticketworld.com.ph. For details call 727-4329, 477-5994, 0918-8380319; email gr.rodis@gmail.com; or visit http://alejandrointheblood.com.

Writer, graphic designer, and business owner Rome Jorge is passionate about the arts. Formerly the Editor-in-Chief of asianTraveler Magazine, Lifestyle Editor of The Manila Times, and cover story writer for MEGA and Lifestyle Asia Magazines,RomeJorge has also covered terror attacks, military mutinies, mass demonstrations as well as Reproductive Health, gender equality, climate change, HIV/AIDS and other important issues. He is also the proprietor of Strawberry Jams Music Studio.