Hard rains did not deter Jessa Zaragoza from pushing through with the launch of her new album last Saturday, August 1, at the Entertainment Center in SM North Edsa. After a long break of six years, the Philippines' Phenomenal Diva is back with another album titled Jessa Sings the Great Musical Icons Volume 1.
Jessa who had migrated to the U.S. with husband Dingdong Avanzado and daughter Jayda, told the entertainment press that she really missed recording albums.
"Sobrang na-miss ko talaga. Kaya lang sabi ko nga, ayoko ring gumawa ng album na just for the sake lang na makagawa ng album... Siguro as an artist, very important sa 'kin na nandiyan yung passion mo," Jessa said.
The diva narrated that she continued honing her voice by performing in several concerts in the U.S.
"Actually nung nasa States kami, dun ako nahasa sa mga concerts. Kasi I had a concert with the Cascades, the Platters, sa New York... I've been all over," Jessa explained.
She also explained that this new album feels different from her previous projects because it contains English cover songs. The diva was previously known for her Tagalog songs like Ikakasal Ka Na, Di Ba't Ikaw, and Bakit Pa.
"I'm very proud of that that they are going to see another side of me. Masasabi ko na yung artistry nandyan sa album na to. Kasi nandyan si Elvis Presley, Diana Ross... pinag-isipan talaga," she enthused.
THE ALBUM. Jessa Sings the Great Musical Icons Volume 1 contains 12 main tracks that showcase Jessa's versions of classic hits from groundbreaking artists in the past. It also contains a bonus track, the Didith Reyes original "Bakit Ako Mahihiya," which was used as the theme song for the ABS-CBN soap opera Eva Fonda.
Among the artists that Jessa covered were Elvis Presley ("Don't Be Cruel"), Madonna ("La Isla Bonita"), Tina Turner ("What's Love Got to do With It"), The Police ("Every Breath You Take"), Diana Ross ("When You Tell Me That You Love Me") and The Beatles ("I Will").
The album's carrier single is a rendition of Anne Murray's "Broken Hearted Me," which is about suffering from a failed relationship. The album also includes a bonus minus one CD.
Jessa Sings the Great Musical Icons Volume 1 is distributed by MCA Music Inc. and is now available in major record bars nationwide.
TRACK LISTING.
- Don't Be Cruel
- Broken Hearted Me
- La Isla Bonita
- Here I Am
- What's Love Got To Do With It
- Every Breath You Take
- Call Me
- When You Tell Me That You Love Me
- Lately
- I Am Woman
- The Winner Takes It All
- I Will