En China el año nuevo o lunar se celebra tiempo después de lo que acostumbramos en “occidente”. Su designación “lunar” alude a que coincide con “la segunda luna nueva tras el solsticio del invierno boreal” . Por ejemplo nuestro agonizante 2009 es el año 4707 según el calendario chino e inició el 26 de enero (según Wikipedia). Es mucho más sencillo imaginar que el “año nuevo lunar” representa el inicio de la primavera. Y como nada más representativo de la primavera que el florecimiento, esa imagen -la del árbol en flor- inicia y finaliza una película que acabo de ver. Como imaginarán es “Chinese Odyssey 2002″ que fue estrenada hace siete años coincidiendo con el año nuevo chino. El productor es Wong Kar Wai, por segunda vez en mancuerna con el polifacético Jeffrey Lau (el director). Los protagonistas son Tony Leung, Faye Wong, Zhao Wei y Cheng Chan. Podríamos decir que se trata de una comedia “romántico-absurdo-melodramática” en la que la combinación precisa de esos tres elementos convence precisamente porque Lau y los suyos le faltan al respeto a cosas muy serias del cine chino contemporáneo. Sin ir lejos a la obra del mismísimo Wong Kar Wai (sus diálogos dolorosísimos en “Chungking Express” [1994] y el ambiente tipo “In The Mood For Love”  [2000] con todo y los protagonistas) y a una parte sustancial del cine Wuxia como ”Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” (“Tigre y Dragón”, 2000)”.

El árbol que florece

Quizá pueda ayudar a entender de que va esta “Una Historia de amor en China” (el desafortunado título en español) si pensamos en una canción de Airport Girl llamada “The Foolishness That We Create Through Love Is The Closest We Come To Greatness” que no menciono por un arrebato súbito de euforia preadolescente sino pensando en lo que dice Orhan Pamuk en “Me llamo Rojo“:

“¿Es el amor el que vuelve estúpidas a las personas o es que sólo los estúpidos se enamoran?”

(puesto que nada más estúpido que el pop y sobre esa otra estupidez un himno…de estúpidos)

La película de Lau no atina a respondernos la pregunta de Pamuk. Sobretodo porque se ocupa de cupidos travestidos, peinados afro, inverosímiles coreografías de artes marciales, patos laqueados, duraznos en flor, estúpidos, estúpidas, toneladas de tensión sexual a lo “Ranma y 1/2“, el expresivo rostro de Zhao Wei, pruebas de amor que resultan terriblemente mal y amores a prueba de todo que no lo son tanto así.

Nuestra ciencia, nuestro descreimiento de todo e incluso nuestro cinismo nos preparan para aborrecer el virulento discurso de “Chinese...”. Y todo va bien hasta que llega la escena del durazno en flor. Y ahí -en el ocaso de la farsa- descubrimos que, sin embargo, (la cosa) se mueve.

My last night here for you
Same old songs, just once more
My last night here with you?
Maybe yes, maybe no
I kind of liked it your way
How you shyly placed your eyes on me

Oh, did you ever know?
That I had mine on you

Darling, so there you are
With that look on your face
As if you’re never hurt
As if you’re never down
Shall I be the one for you
Who pinches you softly but sure
If frown is shown then
I will know that you are no dreamer

So let me come to you
Close as I want to be
Close enough for me
To feel your heart beating fast
And stay there as I whisper

How I loved your peaceful eyes on me
did you ever know
That I had mine on you

Darling, so share with me
Your love if you have enough
Your tears if your’re holding back
Or pain if that’s what it is
How can I let you know
I’m more than the dress and the voice
Just reach me out then
You will know that you’re not dreaming

Darling, so there you are
With that look on your face
As if you’re never hurt
As if you’re never down
Shall I be the one for you
Who pinches you softly but sure
If frown is shown then
I will know that you are no dreamer

Source: CRIENGLISH.com

After years of speculation about her comeback after retirement in 2003, pop queen Faye Wong’s much-anticipated return is finally happening.

The diva will launch a national concert tour next October, and a performance at the annual CCTV Spring Festival Gala is also in the cards, according to her agent, Katie Chen.

The tour will start in Xi’an in northwest China, the Chinese Business View (Huang Shang Bao) quotes the concert organizers as saying.

Wong’s paycheck reaches 6.5 million yuan, or just under 1 million U.S. dollars, per night, the highest among Chinese female singers, the report said.The organizers are optimistic about the box office earnings.

“It has been six years since Faye Wong held her last tour show in 2003. The fans are really looking forward to her concert,” a source surname Yu was quoted as saying.

Organizers in more than ten cities are making offers, Chen said. She also confirmed she is negotiating with CCTV on Wong’s performance at its highly-rated Spring Festival Gala.

A crew member of the gala told the newspaper Wong will appear on their stage only if they offer the right song, and so they are looking out for “a good song that has the potential to be popular.”

According to China News Net (20 Nov. 2009), Hong Kong and Taiwan record company executives are claiming that Faye Wong (王菲) will be staging a series of comeback concerts in October 2010. She will receive 50 million yuan for performances in ten stadiums in cities such as Shanghai and Beijing. Katie Chen (陈家瑛), Faye’s agent, is reported to have confirmed this news. When asked for details about time and place, she replied, “It’s still under study.”

Update 22 Nov. 2009: Chengdu Daily’s Zhang Shihao (张世豪）reported today that the comeback will be staged in Shanghai and Beijing, with five performances in each. Their reporter spoke with Faye’s agent, Katie, who said, “Indeed, we are talking about it. It is proceeding smoothly.” When asked what form the return would take, she said, “It may be a concert.” She also said that the event will not be in October. The date has not been finalized.

This is an MP3 of Faye Wong (王菲) singing “Les Rues de Paris” in a live performance in Hong Kong in 1994. It has never been included in an official release. I’ts been available online (audio only) for some time, but I never got around to posting it in Faye Wong Today — that is, until now.

This is Faye Wong’s (王菲) live solo of “Lake Waves” (洪湖水浪打浪, Honghu Waves), in a performance to celebrate Hong Kong’s return in 1997. She is accompanied by Liu Shih-kun (刘诗昆) on piano. (Source: NetEase ent.163.com.) The MP3 audio was ripped from the video. This is a rare performance, and many have never seen or heard it.

A few days ago (27 Oct. 2009?) Faye Wong (王菲), Li Yapeng (李亚鹏), and their daughter, Li Yan (李嫣), were out shopping and dining in the shopping arcade of East Third Ring Road. (Source: Tencent Entertainment, 10.30.09)
Click here for more photos.

This Faye Wong (王菲) and Sally Yeh (葉倩文) duet, “Never Give Up” (永不放棄), was added to YouTube by 1992wtk on 26 Oct. 2009. The video is audio only. The mp3 audio version below was ripped from the video. I’d never heard this before. At the 1:34 mark, the banter between the two is really cool. The song and tune are catchy. Look out. You won’t able to stop listening. Can you tell when Faye’s singing?

The Narcissist is here again!!

Something wrong with imeem. Can’t seem to upload anything.

Anyway, just to share…

iSing – Mei Cuo (Faye Wong’s Beautiful Mistake)

iSing – Ping Chang Xin (Cover of Amei’s hit)

iSing – You Raise Me Up

Later.

This is a list of the top twenty saddest songs I ever heard, seriously. This is of course Asian music wise, since American wise it’d be a bit harder.

20. Think of me – Namie Amuro – I know a lot of of people will be like ‘think of me? why that song? her vocals are horrid!’ but please don’t misunderstand this is a beautiful song and Namie sings it in a way in which I can feel it, seriously. I heard this song when I was really young and it brought me to tears, I was literally bawling, its just… I don’t know, when you listen to how tragically depressed her voice sounds throughout and how she sings think of me its like remembering someone you love and just wanting that person to always remember you too, like when you aren’t doing anything I hope you’re thinking of me. Its quite the tearjerker.

19. Only Reminds Me Of You – MYMP – I’ve only recently gotten into this duo and boy can the lead singer sing. I mean I can say Tell Me Where It Hurts, because that’s a pretty sad song as well, but its just something about this song right here that just gets to me like nothing else. I can totally relate to what she is singing; its like remembering someone you love whose gone and everything just reminds you of that person… its just so heartbreaking. Her vocals are so soft and wistful, and this song doesn’t make me cry excatly, but seriously my heart aches when I hear this and I get the feeling that my eyes are welling with tears. It makes me think of unrequited love, and there’s no love sadder than that, in my opinion.

18. Daisuki da yo.; I Love You – Otsuka Ai – Otsuka has a voice that is just very unique, and is more of an aquired taste, but if anyone can do ballads, it is her. This is my favorite and it just rips at my heart, because it is so beautiful. I know others would lose their minds over Planetarium or Kingyo Hanabi (I love those too), but I’d choose Daisuki da yo. over them any day, because for one it boasts one of her most emotional and powerful vocal performances to date and it just exudes that feeling of just loving someone with every fiber of your being; completely, entirely, utterly.

17. PROUD – Tohoshinki – I’m stuck. Tohoshinki has a lot of sad songs, like Begin, Heart Mind and Soul and Love in the Ice, but its something about this that really touches my heart. The first time I heard this was during a live and I mean EVERYONE but JaeJoong were brought to tears and then because they were all crying I started crying. Well, just got teary eyed and maybe a few stray tears slipped free… this is one incredible song an I just love the emotion behind it, its like they know how hard they had to work to get to this point in they did it together and that’s all that matters.

16. Sakurairo Mau Koro; When The Cherry Blossom Colours Dance - Mika Nakashima – Mika has a few tear-jerkers, one that pops into my head vividly is Yuki no Hana, but this one is the one right here, because its not sad persay, but when I think about it, it makes me pretty wistful. Its just such a lovely song from her, and even though her vocals are a bit hoarse its just right, like she wouldn’t have been able to bring the true potential of this track out sounding any other way. Its beautiful and makes me think of youth, like being a child once again, of innocence and the feeling of being free. I miss those days.

15. Hair Like Snow – Jay Chou – Oh, Jay Chou, you use to make such beautiful music, what happened? This is one of the first songs by him I ever heard and I use to listen to it like it was going out of style, its also the only Asian song aside from Faye Wong’s Everything and Crystal Kay’s flower that my mom likes. I mean I can put Silence on here, I can even put Chrysanthemum Terrace on here, but Hair Like Snow just never fails to tug at my heartstrings, its so lovely (is that a shamisen thrumming so beautifully in the background?) I can’t stand it and Jay’s vocal performance is gorgeous. This song is sad to me because its almost like Only Reminds Me Of You, but in a ‘loving someone you’ll never have kind of way,’ not quite unrequited, because you both love each other, but you can’t be together, because its just not meant; that is why this song gets to me. Its like maybe not in this life, but in the next.

14. Enrai; Distant Thunder – Do As Infinity - This is one that really caught me by surprise, because I had never really paid attention to it before. Its just one day I was listening to their DEEP FOREST album and this song came on and just… touched me. I was so taken aback I listened to it again, and again, and again. And each time I listened to it I was just overcome with such a sadness it was nearly breathtaking. I don’t know if its Tomiko’s somber vocal performance or the dreary yet lilting arrangement, but this is just one sad song; though it does give me a sunshine after the rain vibe.

13. Sweet Memories – Seiko Matsuda – I really love this song, I’m so serious, I love it so much. It has such a warmth to it that just touches me like nothing else. Its so innocent and nostalgic and I always love when she sings sweet memories. This is the type of song that makes you want to grab a pillow and cry your eyes out. I never get sad to that point when I listen to it, but I do get a bit wistful. Its like you and the person you love could not be, but you’ll always remember the times the two of you shared and they’ll remain sweet. Very cute. Sweet Memories never gets old, its timeless and achingly sad.

12. Darling P.P.P. – Crystal Kay – Kuri has plenty of tearjerkers, but this one is so sad, sometimes I really can’t stand it. Its off her first album Crystal Lover Light and when I first listened to it, I cried without meaning to, like I didn’t even know I was crying until I felt the tears on my face. This is one of a handful of songs that have touched me so completely and it never fails to break my heart everytime I listen to it. The arrangement is simple, but effective and Kuri-chan’s melancholy vocal performance is full of so much emotion and heartache that its hard not to get teary eyed especially when she sings darling, darling p.p.p… oh my heart.

11. JEWEL - Ayumi Hamasaki - I can think of a slew of sad Ayu songs, like YOU, Dearest, No more words, Moments… it goes on and on, but its just something about JEWEL that just stands out to me. It not even her saddest song EVAR, but it just really depresses me when I listen to it. It just makes me think of a fragile and fleeting love that you just want to protect. It gives off a feeling of not being enough, but still wanting to be that someone special to the one you love, even though its hard. I thought Ayu’s vocal performance was wonderful and this song never fails to touch my heart as well as pull at it.

10. First Love - Utada Hikaru  - This is my favorite J-pop song ever, I kid you not and the one song that catapulted my into the J-scene; its why Hikki will always hold a special place in my heart, because she started everything. This song use to make me so sad, it was to the point that I couldn’t even listen to it, because I would want to break down. Its almost like who can’t relate to this song? Everyone has had that first love, that true love in which you will never forget. No one will ever replace that person and even though you know that person has moved on, it still hurts, because you haven’t, but you hold on to the hope that someday you will.

09. I Just Want You To Be Happy – Bonnie Pink – Oh wow, this is one of my favorites and its just a really sad song to me, because it just gives me that vibe. Its a tragically underrated song from her, but its one of her best and really drives that i care for you message home. Its like loving someone, but loving them from afar, and even though you know you aren’t the one for that person you want to see that person happy and you’ll do whatever it takes, even at the expense of your own. Its really simple, nothing goes on, but Bonnie puts enough emotion behind it to make it felt. This song is love, but it does sort of leave a numbness in its wake.

08. I Wanna Go To A Place… – Rie Fu – This was really hard, because Rie has a lot of songs that make me want to shed tears, Life Is Like A Boat is definitely one of them, but this is the track that sticks more in my heart, because its almost rebellious in a sad sort of way. Its gives me this feeling of death, like the person you were really close to, is no longer earth bound, but you’re wishing for those days. It hits close to home, and I can definitely relate. It has a totally different meaning that is still just as sad to me, and this is one of those songs that makes you turn your head and wipe away tears so that no one will see them. This is beautiful and very wistful. I wanna go to a place where i can say i’m all right and stay there with you…

07. Everything – MISIA – In truth MISIA is not an artist whose songs make me sad, the only song I can think from her that makes me even remotely blue is Its just love and I almost included that one, but this song is just beautiful. It could be MISIA’s superb vocal performance, but everything about this track is just so melancholy to me and makes me think of standing alone in the wake of an unwavering love, that consumes.

06. Eyes On Me – Faye Wong - This is such an nostalgic song and I’ve never even played Final Fantasy 8, seriously. This is a song that doesn’t make me sad at first, but it manages to just creep up on me, snatch my heart and run away with it. I’ve said this a lot during this list-listing, but this song is just beautiful, lovely, gorgeous, I don’t care what anyone says, Faye really did this track justice. Eyes On Me makes me think of the sensation of love, that feeling you get when your eyes meet for the first time and you know that this is the real thing, this is something that’s going to last forever. It seems nice, but the atmosphere of the song is so melancholy and surreal, like its all an dream, because something that wonderful just can’t be real.

05. Nemurenai yoru – Aikawa Nanase – Aikawa is one rock artist that just kills my heart with her down-tempo’s, but none of them manages to wring it quite like this one; its so beautiful its nearly surprising. I think what strikes me the most is the sheer sadness that this songs exudes, but it always manages to retain a beauty that touches my heart. It exudes love, a beautiful love that is very precious, and you’ll always remember that love, because it meant just that much to you. This track aches, and I love it.

04. Jewelry day – ayaka – OMG! Why is this song so heartbreaking! I LOVE it, and no one but ayaka could’ve pulled off a song of this caliber. I’ve said this a zillion times already, but gosh is this one beautiful song, I can’t even put into words what this song does to me, but it just always manages to break off a little piece of my heart everything I listen to it. I just want to die everytime I hear her sing broken, broken my heart… and those notes at the end and the lovely, lovely arrangement taking the song out and making it so epic. It makes me think of a tried love, a love in which you gave your all to, but it just wasn’t enough, you part ways on good terms and though its sad, you’ll never forget that person, because that person showed you love, a love that though over, will never die.

03. infection – Chihiro Onitsuka – Chihiro is the queen of tragic ballads, but none leaves an impression quite like infection. This song is so depressing, it really is, but at the same time its depressing its so very powerful and therein lies the beauty of it. The sheer emotion in Chihiro’s voice is enough to throw you back, because you feel her pain and it holds you prisoner. It aches of hopelessness, abandonment, loneliness, a heartache in which there is no escape from, and because of that the only thing that is left is acceptance. This is Chihiro at her best, and most broken.

02. Mushi; insect – Dir en Grey - …woah! just woah! I’m not an Dir en Grey fan, but even I can appreciate a good vocal performance when I hear one, and this was definitely one of the best live performances I have EVER heard period. What makes this song so sad is how tragic it is. I always have a hard time getting through it, because Kyo gets so emotional and into it, that its almost like you’re feeling the pain he is feeling so completely and it leaves you breathless with sheer awe. I sometimes find myself staring at the screen wide eyed feeling tears prickle at the backs of my eyes and my heart shattering in my chest. This is one powerful performance, and its definitely one that will leave you touched, if not a little bitter.

01. Aojiroi Tsuki; Pallid Moon – fra-foa – This is quite possibly the saddest, most emotionally moving song I have ever heard, and I’m dead serious. I found this track by chance and it left such an impression on me that I’m sure I will feel always. This song knows no love, only heartbreak and the loss of someone precious, someone whom you’ll never see again. This song was written for her older brother who died when she was young and you can just feel her pain, especially when she gets to those screaming high-notes, it just breaks your heart. This song is very personal to me because I have a older brother who I love dearly, and words could not describe the heartache I would feel if something ever happened to him. If I were to follow the lines of the moons memory, if I could return to that day, I would put a necklace made of three leaf clovers around your neck…

00. I Love You – Yutaka Ozaki – This is a song that has been covered plenty of times, my favorite being the Utada cover, but I liked Mika’s cover of it as well. I think this is a song that surely survives the test of time by the sheer purety of it, because when I think of love, I think of this. I mean Sukiyaki was sad too, but this is just heartache incarnate, but a beautiful heartache none the less, because it speaks of love, a pure love, a true love, a love that is going to go on regardless of the obstacles. If I ever fall in love, I want it to be a love like this, definitely.

04. Evergreen – HYDE – I love HYDE, he has a great voice and he’s gorgeous despite being in his forties! This is a song I heard a long time ago and though I favor the English Ver. the original is just as beautiful and heart-wrenching, because for some reason it makes me think of giving up, and a remembrance of a time when you weren’t so weak, it really does. The lyrics are really touching and I just adore this song to death; it just washes over you in waves of melancholy, HYDE’s soothing vocals lulling you to you sleep, with tears on your lashes.

03. Teddy Bear – Ayumi Hamasaki - This song is a bit underated to me, sadly so, I mean people seem to forget that this is one of her best and most emotionally moving ballads, because other more in your face ballads from her seem to overshadow it, but this song stands out because its so genuinely poignant and is the best ballad live from her I have seen, second only to Memorial Address. I just love the simple and weeping little piano arrangement and Ayu’s squeaky yet heartfelt and somewhat emotional vocal performance. It’s a song that speaks of losing someone very dear to you, who left behind only their heart. Its quite beautiful.

02. Tsuki no Uta; Poem of the Moon – GACKT – This is another song I managed to hear by chance and it wormed its way into my aching heart, because its so emotional and sad. Its like I can’t even place it, because its so abstract, but beautiful. The arrangement is gorgeous and gives off this feeling of being unreachable like the moon; pale, weak, fragile and very lonely. Gackt’s vocal performance was just perfect, he really sung this; its my favorite, gets to me everytime.

01. Dareka no Negai ga Kanau Koro; When Someone’s Wish Comes True – Utada Hikaru – I know, FINAL DISTANCE is sad too, but no Utada song to date has managed to squeeze my heart quite like this one has. Its so heart-wrenchingly depressing, and just leaves you feeling ponderous and cold once it ends. I always feel heavy when I listen to this, its like carrying a burden I can’t bare. I’ve never cried listening to this, because it saddens me yes, but never to the point of tears, because I was always left feeling empty. The first time I ever cried listening to this was during her Utada United Tour, it quite literally broke my heart and I broke down and cried like a baby, because it touched me so completely. This is a beautiful song, one of her absolute best, without a doubt.

00. Forever Love – X JAPAN – This was hard, because Tears, Endless Rain and Longing are so sad I can’t stand it, but this is the one, this is the one that just does me in. It was the first ballad by them I heard and it just tears me apart, because its so sad, oh my goodness, if there was ever a song that would bring you to hysterical tears its this song right here. Why is it so tragic? why is it so beautiful? I can’t stand it. Its like the end of all things, like everything is falling apart around you; what is left behind is only love and dreams, the only two things that seem to go on an on. Yoshika played the hell out of that piano and Toshi depsite not having the best voice really sung this, he really did, he can belt and I loved every minute of it. I also hate that they sung this at hide’s funeral so that makes it all the more sadder. Their ballads are the best.

Faye Wong (王菲) and Li Yan (李嫣) at the wedding of Wang Xue Bing (王学兵) and Sun Ning (孙宁) on 16 Oct. 2009. The event was held at Beijing’s East Third Ring Road. Yan caught the bouquet thrown by the bride.
done

In this 1992 video, Faye Wong (王菲) and Sandy Lam (林憶蓮) perform live on TV, taking turns at a revolving mike. The quality of this video is superior to anything that’s been available up until now. This video was added to YouTube by sandyandme3 on 4 Oct. 2009.

Here’s a rare remix of Faye Wong’s (王菲) “Anaesthesia,” which was included as a bonus track in the Japan release of Scenic Tour (Chang You, Oct. 1998). The original version appeared in Faye Wong 1997 (Sep. 1997), which was Faye’s first EMI album. It was added to YouTube by wanderlustliu on 3 Oct. 2009. The audio below was ripped from the video.

It was totally unexpected but I got to fill in on-air again. It’s funny how I was on-air for Friday, the end of the week and now hosting at the beginning of the new week. I was hoping to be co-hosting with Kristal on her show and weigh in my thoughts on F**ked Up winning the Polaris Music Prize for their album, The Chemistry of Common Life.
On the show, I got to mention in short detail that I will be going to Basia Bulat at The Black Sheep Inn on October 3, 2009. I’m trying to not write as much but listen to the show for anyone who missed it, as you will be surprised with the songs I played and as usual, the playlist is posted up.

Here’s the player for anyone who missed it live or want to listen again. Press play to listen.

New and Current Canadian Indie Tunes
2. Gold Rush – Basia Bulat (Heart Of My Own – Coming out on Jan. 26, 2010)
3. Camilo (The Magician) – Said The Whale (The Magician – Single)
4. Destroyer – Young Galaxy (Invisible Republic)
5. Heavens to Purgatory – The Most Serene Republic (… And The Ever Expanding Universe)

New Non-Canadian Song to Play & A Nod to New York City
6. Empire State of Mind – Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys (The Blueprint 3)

Two of My Favorite Canadian Artists
7. My Moon My Man (Radio Edit) – Feist (My Moon My Man – EP)
8. The Night Starts Here – Stars (In Our Bedroom After The War)

80s Nostalgia – Thanks to Brian Leung at RTHK R2 Who Played It on His Fill-In Show
9. Pet Shop Boys – West End Girls
10. Duran Duran – Save A Prayer
Thank you Brian, for playing the Starz On 80s for 3 hours in the morning (my time).

Three Chinese Songs Dealing With Rain, Cloudy Day and Undercurrents.
Not going to post them up as I want to surprise listeners and possibly overseas listeners. Hint: A Faye Wong and Beyond songs were played.

Courtesy from http://vis-www.cs.umass.edu

She has, in my opinion, the best voice in all of the Chinese music scene. No one will ever come close to her – Her crystal clear voice & her innovative use of techniques. Her voice may be sweet but it is strong so she can take on almost any kinds of songs. She is one of those who has endless breath & a wide range octave.

Beautiful Mistake

I always believed that a singer who has the capacity take on anyone & cover it well is a good singer. Here she does her rendition of Whitney Houston’s I Will Always Love You.

Apart from sounding a little off at the beginning, I think she sounds great otherwise.

I Will Always Love You

I hadn’t heard her do jazz before… it’s pretty nice.

The Look of Love

Later.

The first show of the season was one conducted by Brendan Aquilino! An assorted collection of Asian music was played for the whole show, with commentary from Brendan and visitors. The tagline for the show was dedicated to our friend, Gerard.

Below is the track list for the show. A few have Youtube videos linked in case you want to hear a song again.

• Aikawa Nanase – Bitch
• Faye Wong feat. Tori Amos – Cold War
• AKB48 – Iiwake Maybe (Video 1 -talking part- | Video 2 -music-)
• IKIMONOGAKARI – Futari (Video)
• Buono! – MY BOY (Video)
• Epik High – One (feat. Jisun) (Video)
• Girls’ Generation (SNSD) – Tell Me Your Wish (Genie) (Video)
• Iceman – Shining Collection (Video)
• Jang Ri In and Xiah Junsu – Timeless (Video 1 | Video 2)
• Morning Musume. – Shouganai Yume Oibito (Video)
• (Unknown Artist) – Pokémon Theme Song (Video)
• REMIOROMEN – Haru Keshiki (Video)
• SCANDAL – Shoujo S (Video)
• SeeYa, Davichi and Black Pearl – Blue Moon (Video)
• SWEET BLACK feat. Goto Maki – Fly Away (Video)
• Tanaka Reina – Heya to Y Shirts to Watashi
• tommy heavenly6 – Hey My Friend (Video)
• TWO-MIX – Living Daylights
• Wonder Girls – So Hot (Video)
• Yumiko Cheng – Relative Humidity
• ZZ – BE SURVIVOR
• Hamasaki Ayumi – Evolution (Video)
• the brilliant green – Ash Like Snow (Video)

It was an exciting Saturday night at The Black Sheep Inn as it was Kyrie Kristmanson headlining with guests, Jill Zmud and Adam Saikaley. I was with a few friends and my brother. It’s nice to have good company and talk about funny stories. To the performances, it was a surprise to see CBC Radio One’s Alan “Aquaman” Neal be the MC for the concert. Adam Saikaley, who’s still a producer with the CBC started off by playing with the piano. It was raw and very different from the previous music I’ve seen and heard. Certainly, a nice way to start off his set. The second performer, Jill Zmud, who is an up and comer to the Ottawa music scene. She’s originally from Saskatchewan and now living in Ottawa. She brought a softer tone to her set. Her songs were sultry and calming, which felt engaging to the audience. She had a funny story about her previous guitar being broken thanks to United Airlines and mentioned about Dave Carroll and the broken guitar song.
Onto Kyrie, before she got on stage to perform, Alan Neal was still on stage and I told my brother about him wearing the Aquaman shirt. Alan heard me as it was somewhat of a funny moment because whenever I see Alan, he usually wears a DC Comics… or Entertainment heroes shirt. As for Kyrie and her trademark white furry hat, she delivered an excellent set where she performed her usually songs and addition to some new material. I was surprised with a few French songs she played. As usual, she got the audience to join along with the songs. Overall, great crowd to keep the performers excited on a Saturday.
You can check out photos on this link.
Here’s a clip I took.

I have put some videos from the Chinese songs I played on the bottom of the post. I still cherish the early 1990s Cantopop songs.

Friday’s Entry: It was very last minute being notified but I filled in on the Weekend Warm-Up at CKCU 93.1 FM. This entry will be continuous because I will be covering my post for the concert happening at The Black Sheep Inn for Saturday night. Here’s the first part of the entry for the radio show I filled in.

Anyone can listen to it if they missed out on it live. Note: You may have to lower the volume during Night Lights by Videotape and after. Apologies on the sound issues coming from my laptop. Press Play to listen.

Here’s the playlist that I played during the show.
The 2009 Polaris Music Prize Winner to Start The Show
1. Golden Seal – F**ked Up (The Chemistry of Common Life)

Two Local Artists I Will Be Checking At The Black Sheep Inn for Saturday
2. Song X – Kyrie Kristmanson (Pagan Love)
3. Night Lights – Videotape (My Favourite Thing)  [I couldn't find an Adam Saikaley song to play]

Next Week’s Pick at The Black Sheep Inn – One I’m Not Going to and One I’m Going To
4. A Song About California – Hey Ocean! (It’s Easier to Be Somebody Else)
5. My Heart Is a Warning – Basia Bulat (Friends In Bellwoods 2)

Some Tunes to Keep You Dancing and Grooving for the Weekend
6. Long Live The Fallen World – Young Galaxy (Invisible Republic)
7. The Slo – The Balconies (The Balconies)
8. Girls You Love – Ruby Jean & The Thoughtful Bees (Ruby Jean & The Thoughtful Bees) [Most likely the last time I will try plugging Rebekah Higgs's radio show at CKDU in Halifax. I'm running out of her songs to play]

My Nostalgic Segment – Chinese Songs aka Cantopop from Hong Kong
9. 執迷不悔 (No Regrets) – 王菲 (Faye Wong)
10. 想你 (Miss You) – 張國榮 (Leslie Cheung)
11. 春風秋雨 (Spring Wind Autumn Rain) – 葉蒨文 (Sally Yeh)
12. 喜歡妳 (Liking You) – Beyond

Extra Time to Play a Final Song
13. Bye Bye Bye – Plants & Animals (Parc Avenue)

TV Talk
I finally got the Complete First Season of CBC’s Being Erica on DVD. Aside from that, it returned for a second season this past Tuesday night and what I loved about the show is how Erica, played Erin Karpluk, can fix her mistakes from going back in time. With the help of Dr. Tom, played Michael Riley. It’s a dramedy mixed with time travel. I wish I had a chance to go back in time and fix my own mistakes. What’s in store for season two? I don’t know yet but viewers including myself got a glimpse of Dr. Tom’s past. All I know since Season One and this season of Being Erica, I have been writing on my FaceBook status and Twitter about the show and the songs they played. Another funny thing about the show is that several actors from Degrassi: The Next Generation have appeared on the show. Drake, appeared in an episode from Season One and is now a bonafide recording artist. It’s an excellent Canadian and I know it has a tough competition against CTV.
I finally went into HD in some form. Replaced one of the Bell TV receiver and I’m already stoked with the quality of certain TV shows in high definition. Got to watch Survivor: Samoa in HD and I can say is, “wow!” Unfortunately, the TV I use is not on HD yet. Although, I have is a Blu-Ray player to play high-def movies and TV shows.

Min bror fyllde 30 år i går. Det var vi tvungna att fira, så en stor del av släkten och några av hans gamla kompisar samlades och åt middag och hade det trevligt. Släktsamlingar kan ju ibland vara lite ångestladdade tillställningar, men igår var det rakt igenom trevligt från början till slut.

Dessutom tror jag att min bror blev glad för presenten jag skaffat honom. Jippie.

Idag fyller också Olle år. Grattis till honom. September är en riktigt tät fylla-år-månad. Jag, min bror, 2/3 av min kusinkull. Diverse pojk- och flickvänner till kompisar, därtill några andra kompisar. Fullt upp liksom.

I fredags var det rockafton hos Olle. Vi rockade loss till rockband och jag somnade lite i soffan. Sen spelade vi Probotector II, sjukt roligt spel! Sofia och Erik och Malin var där också och vi lagade purjo och potatis-soppa. Det var riktigt gott!

Söndagen har jag inte gjort så mycket förutom att spela Final Fantasy XII och ta en promenad med Ove genom ett höstigt Stockholm. Det var riktigt trevligt det med. Vi pratade hur jobbigt det är att söka jobb och ta tag i sitt liv. Något jag verkligen känner av just nu. Jag har goda förhoppningar ändå, men ibland ser det lite mörkt ut…

Sen vill jag bara tipsa om en låt, Cheng Ke (乘客) av Faye Wong (王菲). Det är en cover av en gammal Sophie Zelmanie-låt (youtubelänkar).Den är verkligen jättefin både i orginal och i kinesisk cover. (spotifylänkar)

Yan Kiat uploaded these two Faye Wong (王菲) videos to YouTube on 21 August 2009. In his notes, he thanks kcskywelcome1, who uploaded the originals. “I’m Willing” (Mystery, Apr. 1994) was originally in two segments, but Yan Kiat combined the two in this version. He says that this video “Is very precious, and I have never seen it before.” He says that the original “Cold War” (Hundred Thousand Whys, Sep. 1993) had disappeared from YouTube so this is a re-upload.

Update: Dan, on September 20th, 2009 said:

She also sing ‘liu fei fei’ at this event with tony leung. [Click here for this video.]

And faye also sang ‘memories’ with sandy lam and sally yeh at the beginning of this event.

done

還沒好好的感受　雪花綻放的氣候
我們一起顫抖　會更明白　甚麼是溫柔
還沒跟你牽著手　走過荒蕪的沙丘
可能從此以後　學會珍惜　天長和地久

有時候　有時候　我會相信一切有盡頭
相聚離開　都有時候　沒有甚麼會永垂不朽
可是我　有時候　寧願選擇留戀不放手
等到風景都看透　也許你會陪我　看細水長流

還沒為你把紅豆　熬成纏綿的傷口
然後一起分享　會更明白　相思的哀愁
還沒好好的感受　醒著親吻的溫柔
可能在我左右　你才追求　孤獨的自由

有時候　有時候　我會相信一切有盡頭
相聚離開　都有時候　沒有甚麼會永垂不朽
可是我　有時候　寧願選擇留戀不放手
等到風景都看透　也許你會陪我　看細水長流

It’s songs like these..

Melodies like these..

.. that want to make me tell you just how much I’m in love with you.

我常常在想，因該要這麼跟妳說。。？

Hi all,

One of the top Korean drama produced in 2008 has to be “East of Eden.” It has received the honorable MBC Drama Award and numerous other awards. I happen to be watching it now but it’s ending this week. While I was watching this drama, I recognized that there is one song that is very familiar. I have to research it hard to realize the song is called “홍두” which is also the same name as the Chinese song (紅豆) sang by Faye Wong. This song’s Chinese lyrics was written beautifully but after doing the translation of this song, I find the Korean version is also very well written as well. It fits the drama beautifully. For those of you who have not seen the drama, you should check it out. It has the all the top Korean stars including Song Seung Hun, Yun Jung Hoon, Lee Da Hae and Lee Yeon Hee.

Let’s see who from the drama “East of Eden” is introducing the song this time:

Listen to the song:

Lyrics:

그대 거기 있나요 돌아서지 말아요
(You are there. Do not turn around.)

내가 한걸음씩 더 가까이 가고 있어요
(I am getting close to you one step at a time)

더 이상 아무것도 내게 주지 말아요
(You don’t have to give me anything more)

이젠 내가 먼저 그대에게 드릴꺼에요
(Now, I will give you first)

다시는 다시는 그런 사랑하지 말아요
(Again, again, don’t love me like that)

온 세상을 다 준데도 바꾸지 않을 마음은
(Even if you were to give me the whole world, I won’t trade it for your heart)

조금씩 조금씩 모든 것이 잊혀진데도
(Little by little, even if everything gets forgotten)

붉게 타오른 사랑
(The red hot burning love)

하나만 내 가슴에 남을텐데
(would be the only thing left in my heart)

이미 지나간 일들 기억하지 말아요
(Don’t remember the things that already passed)

혼자 얼마나 힘들었나요 정말 미안해요
(I am sorry that you had to bear the hard times when you were alone)

아직 오지 않은 일 생각하지 말아요
(Don’t think about the things that has not yet come)

지금 이 시간에 오래오래 머물러줘요
(Now, at this time, I hope it stays for a while)

다시는 다시는 그런 사랑하지 말아요
(Again, again, don’t love me like that)

온 세상을 다 준데도 바꾸지 않을 마음은
(Even if you were to give me the whole world, I won’t trade it for your heart)

조금씩 조금씩 모든 것이 잊혀진데도
(Little by little, even if everything gets forgotten)

붉게 타오른 사랑
(The red hot burning love)

하나만 내 가슴에 남을텐데
(would be the only thing left in my heart)

다시는 다시는 그런 사랑하지 말아요
(Again, again, don’t love me like that)

온 세상을 다 준데도 바꾸지 않을 마음은
(Even if you were to give me the whole world, I won’t trade it for your heart)

조금씩 조금씩 모든 것이 잊혀진데도
(Little by little, even if everything gets forgotten)

붉게 타오른 사랑
(The red hot burning love)

하나만 내 가슴에 남을텐데
(would be the only thing left in my heart)

The song is actually very simple and repeats a lot.

Vocabulary:
돌아서: Turn back, turn around
한걸음: one step
가까: get close
먼저: first
드릴: give
세상: world
바꾸: change
조금: little
잊혀: forget
붉게: red
타오른: burning, burst into flame
남: left
이미: already
기억하다: to remember
혼자: alone, by oneself
힘들었: hard, difficult
생각하다: to think
머물러: stay

Grammar Point:
verb stem + (ㄴ/은/는) 데도
This means in spite of, even if. The second clause come about in spite of the happening in the first clause.
ㄴis used with descriptive verb in the present tense and 이다
For all those cases, use 는.

Usage in the lyrics:
조금씩 조금씩 모든 것이 잊혀진데도
붉게 타오른 사랑 하나만 내 가슴에 남을텐데
(Even if I forget things little by little, the red burning love would be the only thing remain in my heart)

온 세상을 다 준데도 바꾸지 않을 마음은
(Even if you were to give me the whole world, I would not change ir for your heart)

More examples:
1. 좋아하기때문에 비싼데도 많이 샀어요.
2. 김치찌개 매운데도 너무 맛있어요.

Please comment and make your own sentence with the above grammer point.

For those of you who are interested in finding out about the Chinese version, here they are:
Mandarin version
Cantonese version

Let me know what you think of it. (^.^)

See you next time!