Thu Phuong – Nhu Mot Loi Chia Tay
In order to present Trinh Cong Son’s music to its full potential, a singer must live and breathe his lyrics. While dealing with personal dramas in her life, Thu Phuong found consolation in his words. When she performs his songs, they comfort her heart and bring peace to her mind. As a result, she was able to tap into his emotional consciousness on her newest album Nhu Mot Loi Chia Tay, which translates as Like the Word Goodbye.
In the introduction, Phuong shares with listeners why she chose Trinh’s music and the reason she selected “Nhu Mot Loi Chia Tay” for her album title. She would like to show her appreciation to those who have supported her throughout her career, especially her family members and fans she left behind in Viet Nam. So when she pours her heart into the title track, she means every word she sings: “Muon mot lan ta on voi doi / chut man nong cho toi / co nhung lan nam nghe tieng cuoi / nhu chi la mo thoi” (Want a time to thank life / for giving me passion / several times I lie down, hear laughter / but it’s just a dream). She devoted so much soul into the work that by the time Luan Vu’s violin break saws through our hearts, we are completely shattered. In addition, Peter Pfiefer’s light brushwork is a wonderful enrichment for her singing.
Phuong’s enthusiasm continues to excel on “Mot Coi Di Ve.” Her big, deep, and raspy voice is the heart and soul of the melancholy ballad. The lyrics emulate her life and she holds nothing back. She keeps on streaming her emotional vocals into the notes until they overflow. Again on “Tien Thoai Luong Nan,” the words mirror her hopeless state of mind, and her sincerity is evident. She has not only found her way inside the music, but also allowed her spirit to transcend the lyrics. As a consequence, her singing is calm but filled with fervor.
Phuong and her musical producer give “Dau Chan Dia Dang” a rebirth. They have demonstrated how jazz can reinvigorate Trinh’s work. Despite the age of the song, the feverish jazz spins along with Phuong’s elegant phrases, making the tune sounds as contemporary as ever. Her slightly raucous voice, which coarsens or strains when the word required, is essential for coloring the jazz aesthetics.
Phuong can be as quiet as the underworld, or as huge as the earth itself. While her calm, almost meditative, version of “Nhu Canh Vat Bay,” “Nhin Nhung Mua Thu Di,” “Uot Mi,” and “Cat Bui Tinh Xa” are urging to soothe, her soul-stirring interpretation of “Song Ve Dau” is waiting to explode. The major revelation of all is her voice, big but never brassy, even when the notes are high and long. “Chiec La Thu Phai” is another unforgettable track where she flows passionately in and out of the rumba ballad.
Nhu Mot Loi Chia Tay is what a Trinh album should be: expressive in vocal performance and exquisite in musical production. Not too many of Trinh’s music recordings meet my expectation, but this one fulfilled it. With this album, Phuong has raised the bar for those who would seek to record his work. They cannot just study the lyrics and the phrasings, but they must experience them in order to bring out the true feelings. What could be more devastating for a woman than her inability to return to her homeland and to be with her children? Even as tough as Phuong is, she needs an outlet, and Trinh’s music provided that emotional grip. Phuong, keep your head up. I feel your pain, but if you can make it through the night, there will be a brighter day. The sun won’t rain forever.
Thua anh Donny,
Love your web site! You’ve done such a fantastic job to keep it so nice, fresh, and entertaining. Anyhoo, I’d to point out a little typo you’ve made on your thoughts on Thanh Lam, who was singing Trinh’s Uoc Mi. Actually, it is spelled Uot instead.
Oh, and I am a fan of Khanh Ly singing Trinh’s music. I still have a couple of real old cassette tapes of her, one of which contains her performance on Uot Mi. It is just so moving to me to hear her singing that song even though the musical arrangement isn’t that special. Thanh Lam’s performance on Uot Mi is okay to me. It’s a bit guong gao (awkward), less fluid, and too much effort. Perhaps I’m not used to her styles just yet. But the arrangement is really cool. I dig that!
hmm .. i like this cd.
Here is a Vietnamese translation of my review by Hoai Thuong.
As a singer I really respect Thu Phuong. I have performed with alot of Calif singers and I must say that Thu Phuong’s live performance is just intoxicating. As a mother, I don’t even begin to understand how painful it is to be without her children!!! My children are my life and I wouldn’t trade anything…in the world to be away from them for more and a few hours!! I feel her pain, but don’t understand the justification for her being here.. Personally, I think she made a HUGE mistake leaving them.
I can’t really speak on her situation, but I am sure she was not planning on leaving her children behind. It was a mistake she made and it turned out uglier than she has predicted. In any rate, she learned her lesson, but can’t go back or move forward just like the track “Tien Thoai Luong Nan.” And that’s why her performance is so touching.
I am sure she will find a way to bring her kids over for thier brighter futures, and I wish her all the best.
agree with donny’s comment.
I hope she will find a way soon. I am sure that is why her voice now is so full of emotions and anguish.. I wish her best of luck !!
Dear Vinh,
Thanks for your compliments on my site and pointed my typo on “Uot Mi.” About Lam’s performance, she doesn’t sound awkward at all. That’s the way she punctuates. Lam always does her own thangs, and she is the only singer who has the gut to chop up Trinh’s lyrics, take them apart, and re-assembled them with her own interpretation. Lam’s intricate phrasing makes her version of “Uot Mi” unique and refreshing. And I agree with you about the delicious production.
TH Truong,
Yes! Her voice is full of emotions and anguish. If you listen to “Mot Coi Di Ve,” pay close attention to the way she phrases, “Nghe mua noi nay lai nho mua xa.” Her personality is right inside the music. She sounds like she almost breaks down and cries. She sings with so much emotion that she doesn’t even pay attention to her breathing, which is quite heavy on this album.
Hmm.. that la bai phuc cac thay/co viet nhung loi phe binh tren wedsite nay. Qui vi chang nhung hieu nhieu ve am nhac, ma con la nhung chuyen gia ve tam ly. Kham phuc… kham phuc…
Donny,
Songs like “Mot coi di ve” and “Phoi pha” are difficult
to sing. TPhuong did a great job. Do you like My Linh? I like her in two songs especially “Trua Vang” and “Huong Ngoc Lan”. Melody and lyrics wise, these songs are perfect.
ttruong,
Yes! I do like My Linh; however, she is too sweet and too perfect for my taste. I prefer a bit more drama like Thanh Lam and Hong Nhung.
wow!!! sis HT oi! Kim Dung like My Linh ca, sing “Trua Vang” and “Huong Ngoc Lan” too! KD also like My Linh sing “To’c Nga(‘n”…They’re all nice!-smile-
Anh Don ui, Anh thi’ch, like drama he’n! Kim Dung think Thanh Lam ca, sing 50/50…drama/else. Co`n, about Hong Nhung, 100 drama. hehehe…
KD
Hi Donny , I don’t know if your had hears about Duy Manh . a young artist/composer in Vietnam , he have a degree in Music, he can play the sax, flute and piano . He wrote most of the songs for Dam V Hung , He just cut his first CD called Duy Manh volume I . I found his music by total accident thru the internet. If you have a opportunity to listen to it , I would like to read about your input on Duy Manh , his voice is very soulful , his lyrics are soft and about real life experiences , everyday’s people. Just 30 years old , he sounds beyonds his years , at first his voice sound kinda ” nha que ” but the more you listen to it the more addicted it get. Please try it , I hope you won’t be disappointed , I’m a big fan of him not and hope to see lim live in person if he ever get to come to the States to performance. L.
Coach, sorry to say, but I am not feeling Duy Manh at all. His songs sound too much like Chinese and he sings too “sen.”
From your recommendation, i’ve seeked to listen to this CDs.
I’d never thought i’d be able to feel Trinh’ music so much especially through Thu Phuong’s intepretation.
The song ‘Tien Thoai Luong Nan’ really brought tears to my eyes.
You can really feel her anguish and longing through the song, but not hopelessness which is what’s Trinh music is all about (I think)
A speciall thanks to your blog, through it, i’d be able to find more great CDs to listen to (e.g Khanh Linh, Canh Cung etc) and your description about Vietnamese food always make me feel hungry. You’re so lucky your mom is such a great cook =)
Hi, i LOVE duy manh. I was just wondering, where can i find his lyrics?
Thu Phuong can’t sing Trinh Cong Son’s music. This is one of her worse CD.
ta.i sao chi. khong o* ben viet nam ma phai di qua day luon vay con con chi. va` gia dinh thi sao, nghe noi’ chi. va` ong xa~ chia tai dieu nay co’ that khong hay tin don, nhung em tin la khong co’ dieu ay say? ra vi em lu’c nao cung mong rang chi. van giu tinh yeu cua? minh danh cho ong xa cua chi. la` anh Huy
Thu Phuong , once again , i just want to let you know you deliver such a powerful performance last night at Diamond club , i love it and I am sure everybody do too , I don’t know how to get to your personal website , pls email me how at [email protected] if you have a chance
I have to agree with TH Truong. I know Phuong personaly and as a singer she is amazing. Her personal life is not thought! She did know she would be without her children for a long period of time. She also knew what she was doing when she had an affair and left Huy MC. Maybe she uses the drama and pain she causes, to fill her music with emotion. But I wouldn’t be a friend to her if my life depended on it!
Typical singer! Self-centered and vain! Thu Phuong is just one of many.. I am so glad I choose to sing just for my own amusemnet!
I just discovered Thu Phuong. I am a white guy that speaks, reads and writes Vietnamese. I even sing a little but just for friends. I really like her music, where can I get the lyrics to the songs like “Giay Phut Dau Tien” Giây Phút Đâu Tiên.
Thanks,
Tuan Nam….aka John
T rat yeu nhac va thich hat nhac…kg hieu sao?kg fai la ca si, nhung. co loi suy ngi.va su thong cam va thau hieu duoc noi vui va noi buon cua doi ca si.theo T.doi ca si rat vui va rat buon.Vui nhat khi duoc dzang hien cho doi nhung dzong nhac cua nhung nhac si da bo het feeling cua ho va minh duoc hat voi cam suc that su cua minh va tam trang ay,kg sao dzieng ta noi,that cao qui’.nhung roi buon la khi buoc suong sang khau chi con ta va ta,doi minh van la cua minh,kg ai hieu chuyen minh duoc va set doan theo mat ay ma thoi.but the bottomline is be understanding,Feel the Music and let it brings u where ever it takes u to the Max.Much love to all of the ppl got soul,especially anh chi yeu nhac va ca si.i know 1 thing for Fact,neu co T o trong nhung buoi da vu,nhung fong tra,nhung dam cuoi,bac cu o noi nao la T se duoc nge duoc nge va thuong thuc voi nhung loi ca cua anh chi em ca si hat chuyen cam tham thiet ay.Day la nhung loi suy ngi cua T,su hieu biet nho mon cua T theo loi yeu nhac cua T.Neu co loi say fam dzi thi sin thu loi,i’m just keeping it Real!btw,if whomever feel what i feel,i would love to be ur friend as a MUSIC LOVER![email protected] ME!HIHIHI!