"All of Me" is probably my most favorite John Legend song so far. I like the how the production is pretty simple – just a piano, the main vocals and the background vocals. But the melody and the lyrics are really compelling. So I decided to make a cover this song.

For this cover, I used my handheld condenser, my prized Neumann KMS 105. [I usually use my Audio Technica AT-4040.] The problem with this mic is that there isn't a problem with it. What do I mean? The vocals come out really clear, so you can't behind it. [The built-in pop filter isn't so good, though. Or my plosives are just too explosive, heh. ] Also, using this mic made me realize that I have to improve my handheld mic technique.

As for the backing track, I used a commercially available arrangement and transcribed it to a MIDI file. It isn't ideal, but it's better than practicing for a couple of years.

Overall, I'm happy with how this track turned out. The verses aren't perfect, but I'm not John Legend. I'm confident that I can add this to my repertoire of karaoke and wedding songs, though. Well, after some practice.

All Of Me [cover]

After weeks of this song looping in my head (mainly thanks to having watched "Wicked" for the first time), I decided to make a cover of it. But, even prior to watching the show, this song has been one of my favorite "liberation" anthems.

This version is inspired by Jemma Rix's rendition of the song. Idina's Idina, and she's awesome, but I love Jemma Rix's consistent rendering of this piece. I got goosebumps when I saw and heard her perform it live here in Manila.

My cover isn't in the original key, of course. It's four half-steps higher, just so I can sing it lower. A few rough spots here and there, but I like how it eventually turned out.

Defying Gravity [cover - male version]

My first collaboration on Soundcloud! This our acoustic version of "Rewrite This Story" from SMASH. Abbie and I did the vocals [plus the shaker and the kahon] and Gene did the guitar track. We recorded and mixed this track in stages. [I added the piano later.] I'm so happy with how it eventually turned out! Yay, collaboration!

Rewrite This Story [cover]

Finally got around to learning this song on the piano! I can play the whole thing now, but I still forget a chord or two every now and then. This is me singing to a very rough take of the last part.

Go the Distance [rough cover – snippet]

So, this Paulo managed to record a quick and dirty take of “What Dreams Are Made Of” from “The Lizzie McGuire Movie”. I might record a cleaner version one of these days. | This version is five half-steps down from the original key of A Flat.

#SingToMePaolo

What Dreams Are Made Of -Ballad Version- [rough take]

Partial piano+vocal cover of "Let It Go" from "Frozen" just because.

Let It Go – Piano Cover [partial]

My first original song! It's still unfinished; it's missing a second verse.

The inspiration for this song came to me one fine Leg Day at the gym, and the lines formed in my head in between deadlift reps.

The theme, melody and lyrics are hardly original, I know. There's a bit of Taylor Swift in there, with some early 2000s boyband melodies. But I had to start somewhere!

Date with Disaster [Original Song - Unfinished]

Here it is! My first song ever—properly recorded! The lyrics aren't meant to be taken seriously; trust me. I just thought I'd start with something simple first.

Chords for the verses and chorus are: G–D‒Em‒C
Then a key change, where the chords become: A‒E‒F♯m‒D
Chords for the pre-chorus and bridge: Em‒C‒G‒D

Hope you like it!

Date With Disaster

It’s a throwback from 2011! Back during the TV series Glee’s heyday, I made this a cappella cover of Katy Perry “Teenage Dream”, which, in turn, was covered on the show by the all-boy a cappella group, The Warblers.

Recorded all of the vocals at home, so the acoustics could be better. Regardless, I’m pretty proud of what I’ve done. 

One of these days, I’ll work on a “remastered” version of this track, adjusting the levels.

J.P.'s Mixes

Teenage Dream [a cappella cover]

I never thought I'd ever get to do a cover of this song, let alone play the guitar! Maybe one day I'll do another one with all the voices.

J.P. Mercado

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