Review: Barclay Martin's 'Zamboanga' concert

The mellow music of Barclay Martin never sounded so righteous.

Martin, the music director and featured musician for the forthcoming documentary "Zamboanga: Poverty, War, Music," led a large cast in a powerfully poignant benefit concert Sunday afternoon at Yardley Hall.

He began traveling to the Philippines on behalf of the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging three years ago. "It's been a great privilege and an absolutely brilliant eduction," Martin said.

By the conclusion of Sunday's extraordinary event, most of the audience of about 1,000 probably shared that sentiment.

The documentary, which Martin said should be completed in the spring of 2010, focuses on the struggles of the people in the war-torn area around Zamboanga City. Part of Martin's mission there was to connect Filipino youth with their indigenous musical culture.

"The concept of a great concert at the end of this journey was more and more clear," Martin said.

Sunday's presentation included film footage from that concert as well as interviews with several Filipinos. None of the youth featured in the documentary was on hand Sunday, but a clip about a young man named Rex provided some of the evening's most compelling moments. The yearning sense of optimism displayed by the charismatic Filipino gave a human face to the efforts of CFCA.

Remarkable displays by the Sinag-Tala Dance Troupe were similarly mesmerizing. Thanks to the startling production values provided by Quixotic Fusion, the contributions from live musicians and dancers were seamlessly melded with film clips. When Martin was joined by the Sampaguita Choir, for instance, it initially seemed as if they were part of the film footage. The uncertainty symbolically shortened the distance between the Johnson County concert hall and the people of Zamboanga.

Most of the concert, however, featured the music of Martin. The Kansas City-based artist is a tasteful purveyor of melodic folk music. He bears a striking physical and musical resemblance to the young James Taylor. The material he performed from the film's soundtrack retains his characteristically gentle approach. "Raindrops" incorporated Filipino rhythmic elements, but for the most part Martin maintained the familiar approach that's made him a regional favorite.

His new songs are sympathetic depictions of the trials and tribulations of the people he encountered in the Philippines. "Demolition Day" details the plight of squatters. "Dignity" deals with environmental crisis. The tender ballad "Love Lies Awake" -- Martin said that it's "about the universality of a mother's love" -- was the most instantly memorably song of the concert.

Martin continues to surround himself with exceptional musicians. Drummer Giuliano Mingucci, bassist Rick Willoughby and vocalist Shay Estes provided marvelous support, but the group's ringer is Mark Lowrey, whose imaginative and lively accompaniment on keyboards added a nice counterpoint to Martin's sincere approach.

The entire ensemble joined Martin for "The Wheel," the presentation's gorgeous closing number.

"I know that learning is all we have to break the chains," Martin and the Sampaguita Choir sang. "While the wheel of poverty remains."

In another setting, the sentiment might have seemed preachy and cloying. On Sunday afternoon at Yardley Hall, however, it generated a transcendent sense of hope.

The soundtrack to "Zamboanga: Poverty, War, Music" is available here. 

| Bill Brownlee, Special to The Star

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