Thanh Lam – Ru Mai Ngan Nam
Beside Thanh Lam, I could not imagine any other singers in Vietnam would have the confidence to release a Trinh Cong Son album with only 6 tracks. Since Trinh had more than 600 works and at least a hundred of them are extraordinary, I wonder why only 6 at first but once I listen to Thanh Lam’s Ru Mai Ngan Nam, the answer is in every track. Each piece is carefully crafted in an intimate atmosphere (thinh phong) to offer listeners a pure appreciation for Trinh’s work.
From “Nhin Nhung Mua Thu Di” to “Ru Em Tung Ngon Xuan Nong,” Thanh Lam and her musicians lull Trinh’s magnum opuses to an exquisite level with her exotic voice, mellowing piano, soothing violin, and grooving guitar. Together they breathe everlasting life into Trinh’s work of art. On “Uot Mi,” Trinh’s lyric is wet (uoc); Lam’s flow is pouring rain. Her vocals ride intricately into the brilliant piano composition to generate an aesthetic experience. On “Ru Ta Ngam Ngui,” her delivery is more refined, focused, and sharpened than her previous performance on Ru Doi Di Nhe. She also shows her innovative stylishness with Opera experimentation on “Rung Xua Da Khep.” She sounds as mature, fresh, and full of passion as ever on “Tinh Xa.”
If Trinh Cong Son were still alive, he would be enchanted to witness his works have finally flourished into their full potential. It’s a joy to see an artist like Thanh Lam to constantly elevating her crafts and pushing herself. She takes Trinh’s music to a place where no other artists have taken us before. Thanks Lam for bringing us “real” music we’re all thirsting for.
Many thanks to Thao Suong for the album.
Beside her exotic voice when presenting the music of Trinh Cong Son, I also like to listen to Thanh Lam sings the work of other artists such as with the song “Bong Toi Ly Ca Phe” – Sweet!
I know what you mean.She could sings very well of other music composers such as Thanh Tung,Duong Thu etc. and this is a very first song she release to public over 10 years ago “Hoa Su~a”-powerful and emotional.That how i hooked on her voice.
Yeap…She is a talented singer.
I don’t know about you guys, but I feel like she isn’t exploring the possibilities with TCS’s music. She performed all the very common (I really meant to say “catchy”) TCS songs like Ru Mai Ngan Nam, Ru Em Tung Ngon Xuan Nong… etc, which in my opinion has been done by other singers a million times over. Hong Nhung was a bit more creative in her picks for TCS’s music. Hong Nhung picked almost all of the none popular songs and performed them well. With over 600+ songs, why picked the most popular one (regardless of how well-done she could do it)?
Yes! These songs have been done a million times by other singers yet Thanh Lam brings them to another level by combining Classical into Trinh’s work. The piano drops beautifully like Chopin on “Nhin Nhung Mua Thu Di” as Lam’s voice kicks in.
I am not 100% sure but I think these songs were chosen because they fit in with the “Thinh Phong” style she tries to convey. Not all of Trinh music could be done this way; therefore, there were only 6 presented. I think it’s an absolutely smart move on her part instead of trying to cram in 4 more filler tracks that would ruined the whole experience.
I am positive that she could sing almost every Trinh’s song if she wants to but this album isn’t just about her voice. It’s the combination of vocals and instrumental that makes it work.
I don’t disagreed with you on Hong Nhung’s rare songs selection. She, too, has an unique style that I adore greatly.
Donny,you’re so convincing.i can’t wait to get it for this weekend.Hopefully they’ve already in the city where i lived.Otherwise you may have to let us hear one of your favor song on this CD.(only suggestion!!)Thanks.
Since I rave about this album too much, it’s only fair to provide you a sample of it. The album is amazing and I can just give you any track to listen to and you’ll convinced but let me present you the uoc ac (soaking wet) “Uoc Mi” where the blend between piano and violin rides as smooth as a V-12 Bentley.
Enjoy!
Donny, I hope you get pay for this rave review. :)
“Uoc Mi”- for my opion this is a best music composing ever on this song (pecfect for movie sound track) .Thanh Lam’s voice interpreting with great soul and emotional.I definetely buy this master piece.Thanks Donny.
Just want to share a brief article Thanh Lam talks about Le Minh Son who is the musical producer of this album.
Congratulations to Thanh Lam for the best album of the year in Ha Noi accroding to VietNam News, “Surprisingly, Hanoian singer Thanh Lam’s new CD, Ru Mai Ngan Nam (Lullabies Forever), received the prize for best album.”
I’m not sure what everyone’s using to listen to CDs, me.. I like to listen to it using reference speakers and high-end stereo equipments and this album really shines. This is the first of its kind that ACTUALLY utilize real accoustic guitar, violin, etc. The second track, “Tinh Xa”, middle of the song instrumental is astounding. It mixed a little bit of classical and the result is almost reference material. All of the tracks are meticulously recorded but not without flaws. Ru Mai Ngan Nam, Thanh Lam’s vocal is so powerful that it actually distort a little bit, but it’s just so raw. I guess it’s more of recording engineer fault than anything.
The only other song that I can think of was this high of recording quality for a Vietnamese artist was “Dung Xa Em Dem Nay” by Duc Huy and his beloved wife Thao My. I wish more Viet music are done this way and not with all the electronic keyboard that sounds oh-so-flat when heard.
I still stand firm on my initial comment that this six tracks are too popular. I really wish it was something new or something that we’ve never heard of from TCS’s library of songs. This album really deserves the Album of the year award (which it was so), and other artists would embrace this trend.