Candy? Check.
Card containing amorous sentiments? Check.
Romantic dinner? Check.
With such a list in tow, an ideal Valentine’s Day in Southwest Georgia could be within reach.
But what if you’ve done all that in the past or just want to add something a little different to this year’s Valentine’s Day celebration? If your significant other is a soap fan, ABC Daytime’s “Love Affair” could be the answer.
Available through Buena Vista Records for $18.98, the 12-song CD features stars from each of ABC’s three daytime dramas putting their spin on well-known love songs in a variety of genres, including big-band-era ballads, jazz, hits from the ’60s and recent chart-toppers.
When “All My Children’s” Bobbie Eakes decided to lend her voice to the project, she chose Celine Dion’s “Because You Loved Me,” which topped Billboard magazine’s charts in 1996.
“I’ve always loved that song,” she said in a recent telephone interview from the show’s New York studio.
Eakes, who plays Krystal Carey on “All My Children,” pointed out that when she approached the song, she had no desire to try mimicking Dion’s original performance.
“Nobody can copy Celine Dion,” the Warner Robins native said.
Instead, Eakes took an entirely different approach with her version of the tune.
“It’s not as big and broad,” the former Miss Georgia said, explaining that her version has more of a country music flavor. “It’s more scaled down.”
Alternatively, “One Life to Live’s” Kristen Alderson decided to do a contemporary version of Shania Twain’s country music hit “From This Moment On.”
Her motivation for picking the ballad?
“I sang it at my cousin’s wedding last winter,” Alderson said in a recent telephone interview from the “One Life to Live” studio in New York.
Because the original version was just as palatable to pop music fans when it crossed over in 1998, Alderson, who plays teen Starr Manning on “One Life to Live,” didn’t make many changes when she tackled the love song.
“The ending is a little different,” she said. “It’s totally cool.”
When “General Hospital’s” Bradford Anderson approached jazz standard “My Funny Valentine,” he knew he had his work cut out for him.
“The thing is, it is one of the most depressing songs in the world,” he said in a recent telephone interview from the soap’s Los Angeles studio. “This person is miserable because they’re pining for the person they’re singing to.”
Not only that, but the actor follows a long line of more than 600 singers to perform “My Funny Valentine” since Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart penned it in 1937.
“Everyone’s sung it,” said Anderson, who plays Damian Spinelli on “General Hospital.”
Everyone from Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand to Van Morrison and Carly Simon.
But Anderson found conquering the song, itself, to be the most formidable task.
“Vocally, it’s pretty challenging,” he said.
But when the New York University Tisch School of the Arts graduate recorded the tune, he had a little inspiration from someone special, who sat in on the session.
“I sang it to my girlfriend,” Anderson said.
“Love Affair,” which hits stores Tuesday, is the second theme album to feature ABC’s soap stars. Its Yuletide predecessor, “A Holiday Affair,” debuted in November 2006 and was re-released last Christmas.
Both Alderson and Eakes took part in each of the projects. As did “All My Children’s” Susan Lucci and “One Life to Live’s” Kassie DePaiva, Tika Sumpter and Kathy Brier.
“Love Affair” is Anderson’s first contribution to the collaborative albums. The same is true for his cast mates Rick Hearst, Sonya Eddy and Anthony Geary, who recently gave fans a sample of his singing ability on an episode of “General Hospital.”
It’s also the first time “All My Children’s” David Canary takes part in such a collaboration.
Drawing on her experience with both projects, Eakes pointed out a definite distinction between the albums.
“For the Christmas album, we were under a time crunch to put it out,” she recalled.
Eakes pointed out that producer Marco Marinangeli, who came on board for “Love Affair,” made working on the new album a pleasant experience.
“He’s very talented,” said Eakes, who has been singing professionally for a number of years.
Anderson agreed.
“He’s worked with Disney and with such artists as Josh Groban,” the New York musical theater veteran said.
With the CD’s recording and production process complete, Anderson is looking forward to its upcoming release.
“I’m really excited to hear the different tracks,” he said, listing performances of cast mate Rick Hearst and “One Life to Live’s” Sumpter and Brier among those he’s most anticipating.
Eakes is most looking forward to hearing Canary, whom she regularly works alongside on “All My Children.”
“It’ll be interesting to hear how he interprets ‘You Were Always on My Mind,’ ” she said.
Alderson, who got a sneak peek of “Love Affair,” found it difficult to name a favorite song on the project.
“I feel like everyone did a really good job,” said the actress, who balances attending high school with working on “One Life to Live.”
With “Love Affair” set to be released in just three days, would the ABC stars be game for another one?
“Oh yeah,” Alderson said.
“When they decide they want to do something, I’d be glad to be a part of it,” Eakes agreed. “Although, I don’t know what else they could do... maybe an Arbor Day CD.”
Anderson said he would equally enjoy working on another album or in some live musical engagements that ABC periodically presents.
“I would be thrilled to do any and all,” he said. “I just like to be involved.”
For now, daytime drama devotees can enjoy “Love Affair.”
“I just think it’s a great opportunity for guys who are wondering, ‘What do I give somebody for Valentine’s Day?’ ” Eakes said, “especially if it’s for a soap fan.”
VALENTINE FUN FACTS
• Favorite love song:
Bobbie Eakes: Anything by the Beatles
Kristen Alderson: “Valentine” by Martina McBride
Bradford Anderson: “The Luckiest” by Ben Folds Five
• Most despised love song:
Bobbie Eakes: “You’re Having My Baby” by Paul Anka — “It was a little sexist, to me.”
Kristen Alderson: “I don’t really have a song I hate.”
Bradford Anderson: “How Do I Live Without You” by LeAnn Rimes — “I don’t hate it, and I don’t hate LeAnn Rimes. But when she sings it, all I hear is, ‘How do I LEAVE without you.”
• Best Valentine’s Day:
Bobbie Eakes: “You just can’t beat being in elementary school and swapping valentines with everybody in your classroom.”
Kristen Alderson: “My boyfriend got me a white teddy bear.”
Bradford Anderson: “My parents have always been very good to me. My father sends me this box with stuff I love, and my mother sends me a box of Russell Stover candy.”
• Worst Valentine’s Day:
Bobbie Eakes: “When my husband and I were dating. He thought we had definite plans, and we didn’t. I went out with somebody else.”
Kristen Alderson: While in the sixth grade, a boy she liked signed ‘Love’ on his gift. — “I freaked out and got so upset.”
• LIKES LOW-KEY OR ELABORATE VALENTINE’S DAY?:
Bobbie Eakes: Low-key and simple — “My husband and I might go to a nice restaurant the day before or after.”
Kristen Alderson: Most of the time low-key, but occasionally elaborate — “I guess I could call myself a romantic.”
Bradford Anderson: “Very low-key and simple. But someday I’d really like to blow it out of the water.”
CHECK IT OUT
• “Love Affair” CD of love songs featuring ABC daytime drama stars, $18.98, Buena Vista Records
• Available at Southwest Georgia retailers, digital music service providers, www.abctvstore.com and Amazon.com
• For more information, visit ABC.com or Soapnet.com