My Voice

I had the opportunity to meet Elim Chew today and was impressed by her dedication in helping aimless or less-privileged youths to find their purpose in life. That, she said, is her purpose in life, to help people around her.

I bought two copies of "My Voice", a project initiated by her and just one of her many attempts to reach out to youths and to help their voices be heard. When I asked her to autograph the books, I was just expecting a signature, but she asked for my name, commented that it was quite special (I think hers is much more unique!!) and wrote a message. She wrote a different one for the other book.

Seize opportunities; Over-deliver; Sacrifice; Constant learning; Creativity; Passion; Dream, Plan & Focus

These are some of the things I brought away with me today.

Sammi Vs Sammi

I have just bought the "Sammi X Live '96" Concert DVD.

Actually I already have it on LD but the last time I played it, the images looked a bit shaky and I suspect either the LD or the player may be running into trouble (touch wood!) soon. Either way, I wouldn't be able to watch it again so I thought I'd better get the DVD before it becomes out of print! Even though J has a DVD recorder and offered to dub the LD for me, well, it just isn't the same, is it? I don't like 'dubbed things' especially when I like that particular singer; I'd rather buy originals.

I first knew who Sammi was after some chance viewings of "Chotto" and "火熱動感La La La" (Red Hot La La La). Then the theme songs to "Ambition", a 1994 TV drama series, caught my ears. Somehow I became attracted to the melodies and the voice. I went to search for Sammi's album even though I didn't have the slightest clue what the song titles were. By a stroke of luck, I managed to buy the correct album "大報復" (An Eye For An Eye) which contained the secondary theme song "愛你還是忘記你" (To Love or to Forget)! (Haha, I think it was destiny!!) This little-known track remains my favourite Sammi song because of this special memory. Incidently, as far as I know, the main theme has never been released on any of Sammi's albums.

But I didn't become a fan, not even after hearing her smash hits like "捨不得你" and "放不低". The turning point came in 1996/97 when her energy and charisma on stage in "Sammi X Live" left a deep impression on me. Lots of Chinese singers were capable of singing ballads only, but Sammi could handle both up-tempo and slow ballads with ease, sing and dance effortlessly, and connect with her audience. And so "Sammi X Live '96" is special to me because it was after watching it that I really became a fan. And I have my mother to thank for this because she was the one who bought it in one of her generous moods.

Initially I thought of buying just compilations as it would be too troublesome and costly to buy Sammi's entire back catalogue (already numbering more than ten titles then). Hollow words. After two compilations, I started sweeping her CDs and then VCDs off the shelves and into my collection. I bought all her concert and movie VCDs or DVDs. All these 'D's add up to more than a hundred now! Then there are photo-books and other memorabilia. I think I should get started on setting up my Sammi mini-museum!

After so many years in showbiz, I guess Sammi has slowed down a little. She seems to be more into making movies recently, but she has not neglected her music. My favourite Sammi album is quite a recent work "Becoming Sammi", an interesting and varied collection of high quality songs many of which incorporated with classical arrangements. I could feel that she had put her 'heart' into making it especially when I listen to the last two tracks "輸得漂亮" (Defeat in Grace) and "現在幾點" (What time is it). She has come to a point when her greatest challenge is herself. In her latest covers album "Sammi Vs Sammi", I could also feel that she has put in much effort. I was impressed by the wide range of music styles tackled and the new singing techniques displayed in that album.

It makes me think that she could hold a concert with a symphonic orchestra, make a jazz album or sing an album of English covers. All these are well-within her capabilities and I look forward to her future projects.

Bohemian Rhapsody

It's been more than 10 years since I first set my ears on "Bohemian Rhapsody", my first proper encounter with Queen when my sister bought the single and played it for me. Although I didn't realise it at that time, that was the re-released version after Freddie Mercury's death in 1991. I found out later that the song was actually originally released in 1975 and is Queen's biggest hit ever, and that before his death, Mercury had donated the rights of the song to the Terrence Higgins Trust, a British charity.

After hearing many Queen songs on English radio a few years after my first audition of "Bohemian Rhapsody", I became interested in the band and bought their three "Greatest Hits" compilations. I even read Freddie Mercury's biography and found out a lot more about this flamboyant frontman of one of the greatest British bands of all time.

The thing I like most about Queen was how they refused to be labelled. They were a rock band definitely, but their music was very much more than pure rock. All four members contributed to writing songs, which added to the variety of styles. Mercury was trained in classical piano and had a keen interest in opera. And so Queen's music contained elements like classical, opera, dance, disco, electronic and anything else you can think of. They were ahead of their time, but the band's lifespan was unfortunately cut short by Mercury's untimely passing. Not before leaving behind a legacy of great songs though. (Even though Queen have worked with a number of vocalists since then, it will never be the same without Mercury.)

"Bohemian Rhapsody" is probably my favourite English song ever. An interesting mix of ballad, rock, opera, it must have been a ground-breaking surprise back in the 1970s. Then there were the rock anthems like "We Are the Champions" and "We Will Rock You", the futuristic "Radio Ga Ga", the haunting "the Show Must Go On", the poignant "Too Much Love Will Kill You", the Elvis Presley pastiche "Crazy Little Thing Called Love", the disco track "Another One Bites the Dust", the impromptu collaboration with David Bowie "Under Pressure", the fast-paced and breathless "Don't Stop Me Now". The list is just endless.

My favourite quote of Mercury (taken from Rick Sky's book "The Show Must Go On":
"I like to deliberately do things that aren't considered Queen. I always believe in doing something different. Otherwise what's the point? You might as well give out copies of your old records."

I think that is one reason why hocc likes Queen too. We both appreciate their daring to be different. And that is also one reason why I like hocc - for doing things that aren't considered hocc, for being different and for conjuring up surprises when we least expect it.

Forensic Evidence is Solid

I like "法證如山" (Forensic Evidence is Solid). I thought it is a good documentary-type programme about forensic science. I have managed to catch most episodes since it started airing a few weeks ago. Even though everything is in Cantonese, it isn't difficult to follow what's going on and they give very clear explanations.

Last week's show talked about victim identification using pathology, forensic dentistry, DNA profiling and something like 'skull-matching' (don't know the proper term). Previous topics included "hit-and-run", "arson or suicide?" and "search for the murderer". Everything is based on real-life cases in Hong Kong and the techniques discussed are those actually employed by the forensic team.

I used to follow the first couple of seasons of "CSI" but gave up afterwards as I found the programme quite unrealistic. I understand that a drama series has to be souped up a bit in order to attract more viewers, but too much happens too quickly in that series! For a drama series, I found "Untraceable Evidence" and its sequel more 'watchable' and believable as a whole.

Just writing about all this makes me feel like giving "CSI" another chance. Maybe I'll try to catch it again and see if I change my mind about it...

Love Joey 3

This is actually the third compilation Joey Yung has released within 6-7 years! And what's more a double disc this time! But is more really better?

There are 6 new tracks including the Prelude and Reprise. But the four new songs are not very impressive. Somehow, I don't really like "明日恩典" (Tomorrow's Grace), a song which includes bits of "Amazing Grace", that much. The idea of combining an old song with some new parts isn't new, and I actually like Gigi Leung's "Today" better than "Tomorrow's Grace". Joey's voice sounded a bit thin and my mum asked if it was Twins (my gosh!) singing!!! I also found her duet with Hacken Lee, "刻不容緩" (Hack But Yung Woon) quite ordinary and forgettable. I am actually looking forward to "容詩奇案" (Yung C Kei Onn, haha!) if it ever happens! It has been a long time since Denise and Joey collaborated in 1:99 live (not including the short JSG segment last year.) My favourite among the new songs is probably "呼天不應" (No One Cares), a very Joey-type song. But still, it can't beat "爭氣" (Buck Up) and "痛愛" (Painful Love), then-new songs from "Love Joey 2" and "Love Joey" respectively.

Okay, they say Joey can only sing K-songs, but that is when she's at her best. My favourite Joey songs are so-called 'K-ballads' like "一拍兩散" (Split Up), "心病" (Illness of the Heart), "心淡" (Fading), "痛愛", "誰來愛我" (Who Loves Me), and "逃避你"(Avoiding You), though she also has a few encouraging ones like "我的驕傲" (My Pride) and "爭氣". What's wrong with a girl singing songs with great tunes well? Those who dismiss her as a 'K-song'-only singer, try her songs in KTV and you will see that they are actually much harder to sing well than you think, as her vocal range is pretty wide!

I also like her fast-tempo songs like "隆重登場" (Appear on Stage) but I think it is a big mistake to make her sing silly ditties like "Chihuahua", which I thought is more suitable for Twins or something. I mean, songs like these don't help her cause to be taken as a serious singer at all, unless maybe her company thinks it can help capture more kids fans.

By her own admission, Joey is a simple girl who's only talent is 'being slightly better at singing than most people'. Her company decides what songs go into her albums and her job is just to sing them well, which she does. I don't really go deep into lyrics of her songs because they are mostly quite typical anyway. For example my most-played song in this compilation is probably "一拍兩散" but I don't really like the theme, about an attached girl who finds herself falling in love with another person and hating herself for it. I, however, was attracted by the melody and music arrangement. I love the flute bits in the song. Joey can play the flute and she did so at her 2002 concert. Though she didn't play it very well, at least she got full marks for the effort. And she has definitely come a long way since her early days. When I first watched her concert some years ago, I was wondering how many songs she could last before her voice would go. But by the time it came to her subsequent "Show Up!" and "Feel the Pop" concerts, she had blossomed into a respectable live singer. She, Sammi and hocc are the only really good female singers currently active in HK, in my opinion.

So I like Joey for her K-songs and simple character. I don't harbour great expectations for her songs to be terribly meaningful or to contain powerful messages. Maybe that's why she isn't my idol. Or maybe it's precisely because she isn't my idol, that's why I don't have such expectations. I leave that for Sammi and hocc. So I think it's sufficient to restrict myself to buying her compilations (incidently I bought all her Love Joey series of CDs) and concert DVDs. "Show Up" is the only all-new album I have by her and I suspect it may well be the only one. I do have her photobook and documentary VCD though, as I thought she is cute in her own way.

One thing about "Love Joey 3", the packaging is really attractive and I felt like a child opening a new toy! There is a Ziploc-type bag containing a colourful book with irregularly-shaped pages, and the two CDs contained inside. The book is actually a 10-question test to see how well you understand Joey. That was rather cute, I thought. But content-wise, I still prefer "Love Joey 2", a compact and tight selection of good songs. "Love Joey" was slightly premature as there obviously wasn't enough good material to include, while "Love Joey 3" had sort of spread itself a little thin by having 2 discs and including some songs repeated in the earlier compilations.

Crossroad

I'm supposed to make a very important decision.
But I don't know how to...

Affecting my mood...

Fly Away

Suddenly I seem to have so many opportunities to travel. None are actually confirmed yet, but all are quite probable.

Canada
The thought of having to travel for more than a day just to reach the place is pretty daunting, but Montreal (yeah!) is such an attractive destination, so it’ll be good if I get to go.

Taiwan
My Hokkien is SLC (Severely Limited Company)! And the trip will be for like one whole month, if it happens, but it’ll be a valuable learning experience.

Hong Kong
I may be able to find myself a tour-guide. And May would be a good time to go, obviously! If something doesn't come to me, then I'll go to it!

Spacesuit

Dear Yb:
It was a name you endearingly conferred,
Yup, in those freezing lecture theatres.
“Poke, poke!” It’s been, what, twelve long years!!!
I wonder if you remember?

Ming Muk Cheung Dam (Ming Mu Zhang Dan)

Recently, I’ve been spending most of my free time practising the guitar. I’m so glad to have rediscovered my love for the instrument.

My love for pop music was what initially spurred me to join the guitar club at school. Amidst mostly classical pieces, we also did some pop songs (usually English oldies plus a few 80s/90s pop hits). Yeah, nearly everyone seemed to be wanting to learn how to play “Right Here Waiting”, “More Than Words” and “Tears in Heaven” then.

Later, I bought an acoustic guitar but the strings really cut into your skin much more than those of a classical guitar. The pain, plus the lack of motivation and company made me stop for several years. At one time, I even contemplated selling or giving away my acoustic guitar cos it was being a white elephant at home, but I’m so glad that I didn’t!

Now, apart from learning new chords and trying to understand the theory, I enjoy working out chords for hocc songs. Guitaryou.com is a pretty useful source, but I found that for quite a few songs, some of the chords don’t quite fit in. I find it very challenging to try working them out and even more satisfying to have finally found (what I deem to be) the correct chords.

I started with “Shampoo”, which is reasonably straightforward, and went on to my favourite songs in the “glam” album – “Glamorous”, “如無意外” and “明目張膽”. Even though I like the former two better, “明目張膽” is my song of the moment. The intro part is so Danny Chan and I like the simple arrangement which makes it very suitable to play on the acoustic guitar. 'If I have the right to love, I also have the right not to be loved'...so bittersweet...

Then I worked backwards and tried out “天使藍" (Angel Blue) and “二位一體" (Two in One), posted by Lf. And thanks to An’s piano score for "娃鬼回魂" (Doll Back to Life), I found it quite easy to work through the chords despite the song’s two key changes. I think it’s a very good piece to practise as it helps me to familiarise myself with three different keys all in one song. “勁愛你” and "千千萬萬個我" (Thousands of Me) sound difficult on CD but surprisingly the chords aren’t too difficult to play (it definitely helps that someone has already worked out the difficult bits!). The chords for "露絲瑪莉" (RoseMary) are not too hard either, but it will take more practice before I can do a smooth and quick chord change. I found "再見露絲瑪莉" (Goodbye RoseMary) harder to play than it sounds; many of the chords posted on the site didn’t sound very good and I tried my best to improvise on them. I will ask Lf for comments when I’m done!