Thanh Lam – Tu Su
First of all, I would like to thank Hoang, a Visualgui.com reader, for providing me an album that I enjoy greatly. Tu Su is a showcase of both Thanh Lam’s artistic vision and her father’s (Thuan Yen) innovative composition. Thuan Yen must be exceedingly proud to have a daughter who can express his music gorgeously. I presume it runs in the family.
Tu Su is an aesthetically beautiful work of art that can be experienced from start to end without skips and many replays are necessary because of the brilliant collaboration between refined vocals, sharpened music, and tranquility poetries. The album kicks off with the sentimental “Em Toi” (poem by Xuan Truong) with the soothing traditional instruments. Together they have created an emotional and beautiful song. On “DangVi Tinh Yeu” (poem by Khanh Nguyen) demonstrates her skillful wordplay. The way she adorably recites, “Em dau co nho” shows her fearless attitude when it comes to push the limit.
On “Tu Su,” “Tinh Ca Mua Thu,” “Tim Anh,” and Thanh Pho Vang Anh,” she delivers breathless performances. “Tinh Yeu Khong Loi” could have been flawless if they didn’t include those nonsense remarks. Thanh Lam definitely exceeds Dam Vinh Hung vocally on this track but what is up with “Uh Yeah! Shake it like a white girl” (Not from Thanh Lam)? That kind of intro degrades the value of the song greatly. Fortunately, “Khac Vong” beautifully wraps up the album with a smooth beat and meticulous flow.
Similar to Tuan Ngoc, Thanh Lam has an incredible style of her own and she is an artist to be reckoned with. Tu Su presents both her passion for making music and her seriousness concerning her craft. Once again, my appreciate goes to Hoang for sharing with me this invaluable piece of music.
it’s “shake it like a ‘wild’ girl” not a “white” girl LOL
I swear she said “White girl” and she sounds like a white girl to me.
Oh, let’s see what others think. Here is Thanh Lam’s “Tinh Yeu Khong Loi.” Enjoy and tell me what she said.
Thanh Lam mispronounced it! It’s supposed to be “Wild” with the tongue roll an “L”. But it truly sound likes “W(h)ite” more than “Wild”.
Anyway, “Tinh Yeu Khong Loi” performed by Thanh Lam is not the best of her, not powerful expression enough. I have to give credit to Dam Vinh Hung for this song.
Trung, I don’t think the voice is from Thanh Lam herself because the pronounciation is perfect. The producer must has sampled it off some American dance songs.
The first time I listened to it, I felt the same way you do. As I listen to it more, however, Thanh Lam sounds much more mature than DVH on this one. She does her own things on each song; therefore, she chooses a softer touch on this one instead of screaming on top of her lung (which she could have done if she chose to). The outcome is more elegant and smoother than the hard and heavy expressions DVH gave.
Donny,you’re a quite welcome…i’m glad you enjoyed. I’m a bit bias when it compared this song between DVH and Thanh Lam .I would go for Thanh Lam any time because i heard this song from her 5 years ago….original always work for me and properly she ’s a very first one to sing it !!!!I’m like you or most people felt those VNmese singers insite VN,they ‘re really tried to hard to be different…or try to be look like those top international artists.
Well, most of the time they seems so akward and sillies…some of them are have a wonderful voices..i wishes they just be themself .That is a reason Hong Nhung still a very best.Even for my own taste most of the time i referred Thanh Lam voice…..especially,lives show she’s a true artist… !!!
Donny & Hoang,
All of your points are very well taken.
Hoang, think it this way:
We’re all talking about music entertainment. Sometime, it’s very common to be selective or obsessed with a particular singer or song, but I don’t see it as “being bias” in this very particular case of “Tinh Yeu Khong Loi” performed by Thanh Lam. We’re all music enthusiast. We’re all having a different point of view in term of selecting our own taste of music. When I choose DVH’s performing better than Thanh Lam’s in “Tinh Yeu Khong Loi” is just an expression of my point of view; base on my own judgment, in term of outcome of the whole product: the singer’s performance, the music background, the quality of producing, etc… I’m never bias or even obsessed to any singers or songs, because if I do so, then I don’t have a clear conscience to judge or critique any more in that matter.
You have mentioned “original always work for me” I completely understand your point of view; the original (first produce) is likely leave a deep memorable expression to the listeners and it’s hard to accept any of later reproductions, which perform by others, because of the special feeling of the first time that people find it hard to replace. But I’m beyond that stage of feeling. I’m open and willing to explore any other reproductions. And of course, there are some I like and dislike.
Here is what I like about Thanh Lam, sings “Cho Em Mo^.t Nga`y”, created by Duong Thu (Du*o*ng Thu.) (Reproduction) more than Hong Nhung singing it… Even though, Hong Nhung firstly performed that song. And I believe sometime ago or maybe in the future, you find out and enjoy more in the reproducing materials of the other singers.
Hi trung,
I totally agreed with you….as a music listener we have to open minded…give other singer another chance .
Just like Khanh Ly performed TCS’s songs most of them as a master pieces.But,once in a while we love those new generation artists they give us a nice surprise…. with a jazzy influence.Don’t you love it sometimes ?
Anyway,I quite enjoyed reading both of you and Donny chatting a long on this site.
thanks you guys and have a wonderful weekend.
Thanks Hoang for the greeting! I wish you the same. ;)
I have been able to move beyond “being bias” when it comes to reviewing a song or an album and I am also opened minded when it comes creativities. I still think “Roi Nuu Da Ngay Ngo” reproduced by Hong Nhung is the best. The Jazz and Blue touches make the song quite unique. On top of that her voice is exquisitely beautiful and matches the music quite nice.
Back to Thanh Lam’s Tu Su, the album has a very Northern style (Am Huu Nguoi Bac). I guess because Thuan Yen is from the north. Although Northern style is beautiful, it is too deep and heavy for me; however, this album doesn’t give that hard feeling.
I haven’t had the chance to listen to the whole album, however, i’ve heard the song “Tu Su” and i have to say it is exquisitely beautiful. The composition, the lyric, the reflective mood & Thanh Lam’s vocal together make it a true gem.