Fra Lippo Lippi’s main man in Manila

Although the duo has long parted ways (Rune Kristoffersen has since formed his own record label), lead singer/songwriter Per Sorensen, has carried on the group name and continues to share their gift of music all over the world.

Sorensen returns to the Philippines after almost four years to do a series of Valentine’s concerts around the country to give long time fans a chance to reminisce and introduce the younger generation to their unique style of music.

In an interview with The Manila Times on Monday at the Bayview Hotel, Sorensen said he loved performing for the Filipino audience. Asked which of his songs he would like to dedicate to the Philippines, Sorensen answered that it would have to be the song “Coming Home.”

“Where is my thoughts and inspiration?
And where are all the good intentions?
I can’t express myself no longer
Strangled by lies and disbelief 

Well I need time to see more clearly
To recognize the things gone missing
In times like these I have no answer
Nothing to say at all
I’m coming home, I’m coming home
I’m going back where I belong.”

“The Philippines feels like a second home to me,” he said. “I’ve always received such a warm welcome every time I’m here,” Sorensen said adding, “you [Filipinos] have been so nice to me and you’ve shown so much appreciation for what I love to do.”

Sorensen even compared the reception he gets here from his own country of Norway. “Maybe it’s because of the cold weather in Norway; that is why they seem reluctant to show their feelings, unlike you Filipinos whose warm climate reflects whenever you show your emotions.

“It’s so easy to fall in love with the Philippines, the warm and hospitable people, the food and the tourist attractions,” he added.

Though humbly stating that he couldn’t claim he was the group, Sorensen said he promises to sing all their hits such as “Angel,” “Beauty and Madness,” “Everytime I See You,” “Shouldn’t Have to be Like That,” “Light and Shade,” “Stitches and Burns,” “Later,” “Some People,” and more.

The Fra Lippo Lippi Greatest Hits concert series kicked off on February 10 at the Ormoc Astrodome, and will continue tonight, February 11, at the Tacloban Coliseum. This weekend, they will play on February 12 at the University of Baguio, February 13 at the Waterfront Cebu, and February 14 at the NBC Tent at the Fort.

He also revealed that he might be singing a couple of songs from his upcoming album which was first released in Norwegian, and is currently being translated into English. He described this upcoming album as similar to the kind of music he’s made in the past. “I never go away from the formula of music we’ve made, simply because that is what people loved about us; instead I try to stretch and develop myself from the inside to make it evolve and sound refreshing,” Sorensen described.

Fra Lippo Lippi has released a total of nine albums including A Brilliant White, In Silence (Uniton 1981), Small Mercies (Uniton 1983), Songs (Easter 1985), Light And Shade (Virgin 1987), The Colour Album (Record Station 1989), Crash Of Light (Easter 1990), Dreams (Easter/Sonet 1992), and Best Of 85-95 (Easter/Arcade 1995).

The FLL series of shows is presented by Steve O’Neal Productions. For ticket inquiries call Ticketworld at 891-9999 or e-mail:[email protected].