Dam Vinh Hung – Tinh Ca 50 (Vol. 8)
Dam Vinh Hung once said on his liveshow Trai Tim Hat that he likes to slip one or two nhac tru tinh (lyrical music) into his albums for older listeners. In the past seven albums, he has been singing his lung out for his young audience. With Tinh Ca 50 (Vol. 8), however, he devotes the entire album to his fans’ moms and pops by crooning only old standards. The “50” part of the title makes it clear that the album is dedicated to the five-oh generation; however, his die-hard fans can still purchase the record and enjoy it with their parents. Isn’t it just lovely? Mr. Dam is bringing the whole family together. The only problem is, can the parents tolerate his thunderous style?
Dam Vinh Hung is still Dam Vinh Hung. From Anh Bang’s “Hoa Hoc Tro” to Ngo Thuy Mien’s “Ban Tinh Cuoi” to Hoang Thanh Tam’s “Thang 6 Troi Mua,” he does not treat these timeless tunes any gentler no matter how sweet and charming they are. He’s a belter, and that is his forte. I don’t find his vociferous performances to be striking anymore because his timbre is getting way too harsh and losing some of its sensational quality. Do Kim Bang’s “Xin Diu Nhau Den Tinh Yeu” proves that his vocals have deteriorated over the years. His earlier rendition, which could be found in Binh Minh Se Mang Em Di, was breathtaking. His phrasing was natural, and his technical skill was immaculate. The jazz-inflected arrangement was compelling, especially on the break where the saxophone became harsh and expressive. On the latter version, he drags the lyrics longer, and he gasps for air on every line. The rock-inflected production does not do him justice either.
When he turns his loudness down a notch, the result is compelling. For instance, I find his duet with Hong Ngoc on Nguyen Vu’s “Loi Cuoi Cho Em” to be spontaneous. The production is exhilarating, and their voices are stimulating on the hook. It is certainly much better than their previous collaboration on Duc Huy’s “Nhu Da Dau Em.” Still, the most interesting performance on the record is Nguyen Van Khanh’s “Noi Long.” His languorous voice curls like smoke around the intoxicating bluesy arrangement. With strange delivery and bizarre phrasing, he gives the tune an invigorating rendition. He should develop this unconventional style furthermore.
As much as I enjoy some of these refreshing sounds, it is problematic with the sudden trend of young singers recovering old songs. Within two months, we see three albums released—Thanh Thao’s Bay Ngay Doi Mong, Cao Thai Son’s Le Da, and now Dam Vinh Hung’s Tinh Ca 50—with not only similar approach, but also with exact same songs. “Loi Cuoi Cho Em” featured on both Thanh Thao’s and Dam Vinh Hung’s. Both Tran Trinh’s “Le Da” and Pham Dinh Chuong’s “Mong Duoi Hoa” appeared on Dam Vinh Hung’s and Cao Thai Son’s. Is Vietnamese popular music going backward? Or are we lacking of new music? Is the music scene in Viet Nam becoming like Thuy Nga and Asia productions? If that is the case, musicians need to get off the treadmill and start jogging forward.
“Is Vietnamese popular music going backward? Or are we lacking of new music?”
We’re lacking of new GOOD music, definitely!! Thuy Nga’s new Video (Dreams) introduced a few new songs, but they are not good. So I don’t know which one I’d rather listen… old GOOD songs, or new not-so-GOOD songs!! :)
I don’t listen to DVH much, but to me… he’s the male version of Phuong Thanh… and I only like a few of her songs. It’s “different” to sing the way they do, which is cool, but is it really necessary to “scream” in every song?? That style may suit a few songs – the few songs of Phuong Thanh and DVH that I like! ;)
I could not handle to hear D.V.H. With me, I think that he could not sing but yelling. Listenning from My Linh, Siu Black, then D.V.H is out of the list.
you know Phuong Thanh doesn’t scream all the way in her albums. I like her fourth album. I like two or three songs in her TCS cd. It depends on the songs too if she needs to scream or not. Even in her fourth cd, she only used her high tone in two songs “Ngoi Nha Hoang” and “Vi Sao”. I like her hoarse scratchy voice. DVH, on the other hand, I used to like his voice: hoarse, scratchy too(the male version of Phuong Thanh’s, just like you said). Recently I couldn’t listen to him anymore. He needs to tone it down. Phuong Thanh did! so should he!
About the covering old songs, they do it just for fun. Why not? Increasing their range of audience or allowing the young ppl a chance to appreciate the old music in the new styles. It is true that good songs might be hard to find as well.
Throughout 2005 there were LOTS of cds released with new songs: Thanh Lam, Jazzy Da Lam, My Linh, Phuong Thanh, Lam Truong, Doan Trang, Quoc Trung, Le Minh Son, Vinh Tam, Vu Quoc Viet, Duy Manh, My Tam, Ho Ngoc Ha, Thu Phuong, Bang Kieu, Cam Ly, Dam Vinh Huong, Phan Dinh Tung, Ngoc Anh, Minh Quan, Tuan Hung, Hien Thuc, Nghi Van, Thuy Tien, Le Hieu…. etc. Tons more with the lesser known singers.
Speaking of the song “Noi Long” by Nguyen Van Khanh, I recently found an old copy
of Bach Yen’s old tape from my parents (30 years ago). She sang in Viet, English,Hebrew and French beautifully. Her rendition
of “Noi Long” was truely delightful. The two singers I love has the name Yen ! (BAO YEN and BACH YEN)If I could convert the tape into a CD, I would post it for you to listen.
What about Khanh Ha perform “Noi Long” Couple decade ago.I still found that is the best i ever heard of that song.(including Bach Yen, Tuan Ngoc and Khanh Ly etc…)
I’ve never been a fan of Dam Vinh Hung so I can only take your words for it. However, I’m perplex as to why you go out of your way to buy/download/listen to his music when clearly you don’t like his style.
I’m not a big fan of DVH because it seems to me that he trying so hard to sound like he’s singing from the heart. His voice is unique but hot qualitatively good. Anyhow, the reason why music productions are coming back to the oldies because oldies songs are the best songs. Song that actually have meaning and originals (not copied or translated from chinese melodies like a lot of songs now). Those songs you mentioned are in fact “nhung bai ca vuot thoi gian”. Heck, I would rather listen to oldies song than the crap that most musicians spill out these days. By the way, I’m only 20, not some old person defending music of the old days.
DM, I haven’t heard KH ‘s “Noi Long” but have you heard Julie ‘s version. She is a pretty good singer.
For a fresh approach, i like Ho Ngoc Ha’s version in her new album – Va em da yeu. Highly recommended!!
Thu Hoai,
Are you talking about julie (ex-Duy Quang) or Julie Kim?,both are pretty good singers in 70′s and 80′s.I’m not yet hear “Noi Long” version from either of them. will be looking for that version soon(Julie Quang i assumed). Thanks !!
den, You are right !!Ho Ngoc Ha’s version very good.
Damn, I have overlooked Ho Ngoc Ha’s Vol. 2. She didn’t impressed me on the first album, but I am convinced on this bluesy tune. Digging that muted trumpet, and she sounds damn sexy! Nice little scats, too. Perfect for getting your freak on!
DM, Yes, I mean Julie “Quang”. My older sister gave me one of Julie’s CD a long time ago and all of her songs are really mellow and nice. Can someone let me hear Ho Ngoc Ha’s version please?
You can click on DM’s link to listen to it.
dowload gium cho tui ve album moi cua dam vinh hung
Dam VInh Hung Best Singer period end of story!!
And BUU THI u dont know a damn thing about music ur a loser Dam vinh hung sings with a powerful voice that unlike other singer and its not screaming hes just talented so nexts time u so some dumb shit think about it man seriously
dowload dum tinh ca 50
Noi long by Bich Chieu in TN PBN, is the best version….Hmmm..