BUZZSTATION

Edgar Cruz

05/06/2008

Richard Poon joins Martin and Gary class

If Richard Poon’s joining ASAP 08 placed him in the same class as crooners Piolo Pascual, Sam Milby, Erik Santos and Jed Madela, his first major concert Richard Poon: I’ll Take Care of You at the Music Museum put him in the level as Martin Nievera and Gary Valenciano!

Value-packed, Richard’s presence was all over the place even with the more established and attention-grabbing guests. Their long list included the following powerhouses: Juris of MYMP, Sam Milby, Pokwang and Pops Fernandez. Pokwang, as to be expected, got the largest chunk of attention, but did not steal the limelight from Richard. This is due to his excellent performance, the effective use of medleys of the most admired songs and singers (including Jose Mari Chan), a flair for drama (e.g. a marriage proposal and the special appearance of his singer/mom), the effective use of the small stage, a tight and fast-paced script and the enthusiastic but controlled helming of the underrated Georcelle Dapat. This concert had heart, brains and balls. It seemed Richard could sing for longest time with undiminished power, his eagerness getting stronger as he went through his repertoire. Clearly professionals were behind this production. 

http://tribune.net.ph/life/20080506lif3.html

May 05, 2008 04:07 PM Monday

By: Tonee Coraza

WHATEVER

‘Yung concert ni Richard Poon sa Music Museum last Monday ang pinakamagandang napanood namin so far this year.
   
Ang ganda ng line-up ng songs ni Richard at kahit standards ito ay nagustuhan ng young audience dahil sa makabagong arrangements na ibinigay rito.
   
Sa totoo lang, mas magaling pa siya kay Michael Buble para sa amin.Gusto namin ‘yung medley niya ng Tagalog novelty songs (Lumayo Ka Man Sa Akin, Remenber Me at Di Ko Kayang Tanggapin) na ni-lagyan niya ng big band  interpretations.
   
Bongga rin ang Jose Ma-ri Chan duet medleys niya  with Juris of MYMP.
Guests din sina Sam Milby at Pops Fernandez, pero ang nagnakaw nang husto ng eksena ay si Pokwang sa kanyang kakaibang dance number.
   
Kapuna-puna lang ang bukol ni Richard dahil sa suot niyang black skinny jeans. Kaya ang mga bading ay  nadi-distract nang husto habang pinapanood siya.
   
Anyway congrats for an excellent show, Richard!

People's Taliba

http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-05-05&sec=3&aid=58404

Still singing their songs

TAKE TWO

Ambet R. Nabus

05/08/2008

Then there was the show of Richard Poon at the Music Museum.

Featuring equally talented guests like Sam Milby, Piolo Pascual, Juris of MYMP, Sitti, Pops Fernandez and Pokwang, any doubts were erased about this concert’s theatrical success. Of course, Richard Poon could well have carried the show alone. He was that good.

Last week I wrote about his roots (pure Chinese, with a Taiwanese mother), but apparently he wants to be called Pinoy as he grew up here, studied and worked here. He eats and breathes Pinoy, so to speak. He may look very Oriental, but his heart and soul speak a lot of his Filipino culture.

We were mesmerized by his soulful voice especially when he sang those medley numbers with the songs of Monro, Sedaka, Anka and other great standard artists. We were awed by the way he gave big band sound to the music of very contemporary Avril Lavigne, Beyonce and even Madonna. Though often compared with Michael Buble, Richard Poon is really beyond comparison.

When he sang for his parents (“If I Could” by Diana Ross), we could barely hold back our tears. It was, for us, the best part of the show.

Pokwang, his show’s comic relief, could have almost made an impact, but Richard was still the main man. The soothing voice, the relaxing sound and his appeal to all, from masa to sosyal, are enough reasons make him stand out in this society where greed and anxieties abound.

http://tribune.net.ph/life/20080508lif4.html