LARRY Marshall, a former US Marine with degrees in Computer Science and Business Administration, is the archetypal Yank (blond hair, blue eyes, etc.)- and, with the recent release of his all-Filipino album, the country's newest balladeer.

Slogan

Marshall is no Filipino, but he professes to have the heart of one, as expressed by his slogan "KKPP- Katawang Kano, Pusong Pinoy."

It was his stint in the Marines that introduced him to Filipinos via a Pinoy community in Okinawa, where he was stationed. Marshall decided to study Tagalog-seriously, mind you-which he has mastered so well that he sounds like a born and bred Pinoy in his album, "Ikaw ang Dahilan" (Viva Records).

This album is far from Marshall's first foray into music, however. He already has one album under his belt, also in Tagalog, which was released last year in the States by KKPP Productions. It was after this that he caught the attention of Viva, and he decided to try his luck in the Philippines.

Extensive background

His background in music is also quite extensive. He majored in voice and minored in piano in college, and took part in various off-Broadway musicals such as "My Fair Lady" and "Annie Get Your Gun."

But it wasn't until after his stint with the Marines, while working with a Los Angeles karaoke company, that he got interested in Filipino music.

This time, it was the numerous Pinoys working in the same company who kindled the flames. Interestingly enough, most of them were Visayans, which is why Marshall has a surprising Bisaya accent that is sometimes apparent in his singing!

He had built up a solid reputation for himself in Filipino communities in the States, where he was constantly booked for parties and concerts. He has also opened for homegrown stars, like Jose Mari Chan, Jun Polistico, Carol Banawa, Haji Alejandro, Jocelyn Enriquez, and Nonoy Zuniga.

It is the novelty Marshall presents that is his main attraction to Filipino audiences. Pinoy-sounding Americans don't exactly grow on trees, after all, and Marshall is particularly adept at the language. He's not a bad singer, either, though the songs in his album are more pleasant than impressive.

Veteran songwriters

The CD contains 12 songs, all of them in Filipino, some from the pens of veteran songwriters Vehnee Saturno and Jimmy Borja. Mico Alvero, Jun Morala and Mitch Morala also lent their writing and composing talents to the compilation.

The opening track, "Hanggang Ngayo'y Ikaw Pa Rin," is representative of the rest of the album. With lyrics and music by Borja, it is the sort of love song that we expect from our balladeers-slow, a little melancholic, and smoothly sung.

The track "Ikaw Ang Dahilan" is hardly any different. Also written by Borja, it is equally laid-back and pleasant-sounding, if a little soporific. This song may prove to be familiar to some people, as it has been enjoying some airplay on a number of radio stations.

Another song that might be familiar is "Sana," which Jun Morala penned to the tune of the Seals & Croft original "My Fair Share." And it is the tune that makes it stand out from the rest.