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.
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.
posted by yung | 1:34 am
1 Comments:
oh no, it's come out all wrong then...i meant to say that LDs were really expensive those days and i wouldn't have bought it for myself. If not for my mum (look, she isn't exactly very rich either) i may not have discovered Sammi's magic!
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