Two C's with Universal Appeal

If there is any reason for being optimistic about the youth of today, we have exhibit A and B : Charice and China Soul. Charice started her career (really) at You Tube, after joining a lot of contests in Manila (Philippines) and didn't quite make it initially anyway. That could have been very heartbreaking for a kid who simply wanted to sing, earn some money, strive for a more comfy life but she didn't give up. Fate (or maybe serendipity?) intervened and somehow, Ellen and Oprah's we researchers "found" her You Tube Channel. (Yes, exactly the same thing happened to Arnel Pineda..google his name NOW!)

Another young lady making it in the music scene is China Soul. She is "doing" her career through a blend of the traditional and digital medium and she's getting rave reviews. Both come from entirely different backgrounds and both have their own style and are equally talented performers.

Charice is great at singing remakes and the blues. She is more of a balladeer and some people forget that it was in 2005 when she "started" her career as guest of Martin Nievera at the Mall of Asia. I was there and was captivated by her when she did her first gig. I had no doubt at all THEN that someone would notice her -- but who would ever think it would be someone like Oprah? (or her researchers) Charice is great at mainstream music remakes -- she's definitely into ballad, blues and and pop.

China Soul, yes Julia Nickson and David Soul's daughter is more of the artiste' singer. She is more involved in her craft and co-writes her own songs herself. Must be the "individuality" factor in the soul of an artist. China is amazing because she can be her own lyricist and her influences include Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, yet she has come up with her distinctive style -- soulful, honest, real, haunting, funky and yes, a little of rock and pop. Well her songs do have the 70's and 80's "California influence" but she does it with 21st century spunk, watch and listen to her video "Whisper" and you can practically feel (and see) those "wildflowers in her eyes... and wildflowers everywhere". Her voice is so cool and innocent .. so refreshingly NEW and inviting.

China is so GUTSY that she does her distribution herself (like the way she collaborated writing with Chaz Jankel). On the other hand Charice does it a bit "safer" with David Foster as her "mentor" and picks out the best of ballad and pop from the 70's. 80's, 90's -- but hey, she started at 16 and just turned 18. Considering her Asian background, she needs all the help she can get as she faces the challenges of "culture shock" which she seems to be coping with so admirably.

Both are courageous kids trying to share something universal -- their songs, their music and their performances. I doubt if Charice, ever imagined, the day when she would sing with her "idol" Celine Dion or guest on Oprah or the Ellen Degeneres show. On the other hand, China is definitely a lady who wants to be as original as possible and she's extremely determined to be loyal to her own craft.

China, David Soul's daughter, also has decided to make her music available to her own audience as quickly as possible. That's an innovative idea considering that most people bring their songs on their Ipods and Mp4 players by simply downloading the songs they like after a preview. How cool and easy is that? After all, most people predict that soon CDs will be passe' and this is the era of digital purchasing (and marketing, for that matter).

Both are fine young ladies who have proven their own capacity to perform and bring this rather lonely planet the joy that only music can bring!