Constant Change

Album review

Say the name Jose Mari Chan in the Philippines, and it will be the rare person who doesn't know who he is. He's an icon, and has long been respected. Constant Change isn't a "best of" collection, but a studio release that happens to contain some of his most popular songs, all of which he composed. First among them is the melodic and most beautiful love song "Beautiful Girl," a very recognizable song in the Philippines. It's also one of the best Philippine compositions ever written, and could be a hit in other countries as well. Jose Mari Chan may not have a powerful voice, but he has charm, and the beauty of "Beautiful Girl" shines through. Constant Change also contains another big, recognizable hit: the melodic love song "Please Be Careful With My Heart," a duet with local singer Regine Velasquez. She was in the early stages of her career then, and would in the 1990s become what many consider the most popular singer in the country. Also on Constant Change is "Can't We Start Over Again," a tender, catchy love song. Some other songs are nice, including the title song, "Constant Change," and "I Have Fallen in Love (With the Same Women Three Times)." For the latter, Jose Mari Chan composed a melody to a poem written by Philippine icon/martyr Ninoy Aquino about his wife, the country's future president, Corazon Aquino.
© David Gonzales /TiVo