Pops Fernandez

Feature sa album ang compositions nina Vehnee Saturno (Kung Malalaman Mo at You Said Goodbye), Moy Ortiz/Edith Gallardo (Anong Sabi ng Puso Mo) Babsie Molina/Edith Gallardo (Mahal Kita Dahil Mahal Kita), Cecille Azarcon (Huwag Kang Mangako), Jim Brickman (By Heart), Martin Nievera (Still in Love with You) and Robin Nievera (Friends).

Inawit din ni Pops sa kanyang new album at bi-nigyan ng bagong tono ang dalawang popular hits from way back ?" What I Did For Love, pinasikat ni Jack Jones, at Wrong for Me to Say I Love You ni Pia Zadora from the sound-track of the 80s flick, Butterfly.

Ang Silver ay ang much-awaited treat for Pops’ fans na matagal nang naghihintay ng follow-up to her last album, When Words Are Not Enough na ini-release 2 years ago ng Warner Music Philippines.

Reaffirming her stature bilang isa sa most prolific recording and live concert performers, Pops admits that hindi na niya maala-ala kung ilang albums na ang kanyang naga-gawa magmula nang pumasok siya sa mundo ng musika.

“I’ve always made it a point to come up with one at least every two years at the most,” she points out. “I owe it to my fans who always ask me when the next one’s coming out. It just so happened that this release coincides with my 25th year in showbiz,” Pops adds. “Since most of my previous albums were love-driven, we decide to emphasize the 25th year aspect of my career - hence the title.”

Ang dalawang taong hindi niya paggawa ng album, prior to the release of Silver, was marked by some major changes in her career. Ang pinakamaha-laga rito ay ang pasiya ni-yang magpailalim sa ma-nagement ng ALV Talent Circuit headed by respec-ted talent manager Arnold Vegafria. At hindi naman siya nagkamali sa career move na ito. Nagkaroon ng bagong init ang kanyang singing- acting career mag-mula nang i-manage siya ng grupo ni Arnold.

Kahit lumipat ng ibang ‘bakuran’ pinananatili pa rin ni Pops ang kanyang stylistic hallmarks ?" the plaintive ballads, the sparse, bare-naked arrangements, the same radio-friendly and easy-listening OPM ditties that defy time and convention. Pero, ipinakita ni Pops ang kanyang musical boldness sa Friends ?" ang natatanging track that stands out with its jumpy, alternative roc-kish vibe.

Definitely, highlight sa album ang Friends, sa duet nila ng anak na si Robin na nagkaroon ng pagkakataong i-share sa music lovers ang kanyang songwriting prowess, husay sa guitar at boses na tipong John Ma-yer. Technically his first recorded work, ang Friends ay isa lang sa maraming compositions ni Robin, na ang karamihan ay sinulat niya para sa kanyang kina-bibilangang church.

“It’s a dream come true!,” wika ni Pops. “I’ve always wanted a song from him, and have always looked forward to getting first shot at singing it professionally. Hes a talented musician and a great artist, and that’s co-ming from a very proud mom. More than anything, I love that duet we did for sentimental and emotional reasons. A mother and song doing a song together , that’s a first for me.”

Interestingly enough, Silver also features yet ano-ther track by ex-husband Martin, peculiarly titled Still In Love With You.

“He was in Manila when I told him that I was working on a new album, and he came up with this,” paliwanag ni Pops. “It’s not as commercial-sounding as the other songs, but I love its ar-rangement. It’s the type of a song that grows on you.”

Tulad ng kanyang pre-vious labors of love, sa Silver ,ipinahihiwatig din ni Pops ang kanyang gratitude at appreciation for her fans.

“I don’t think I’d last this long through all the ups and downs, the good times and the heartaches, if not for my followers and my friends,” she confesses. “I’m so grateful and blessed kno-wing I’ve survived more than twenty years in the business.”