Tuan Ngoc – Nho Em Giu Lay Tinh Ta
I am still picking up my man Tuan Ngoc’s old albums whenever I get a chance. The most recent one is Nho Em Giu Lay Tinh Ta (released in 2000 by Diem Xua productions), in which he once again demonstrates his mastery of approaching ballads. And no, Tuan Ngoc doesn’t need any further introduction so let’s cut straight to the recordings.
With a refined, relaxed technique, he gives Ngo Thuy Mien’s “Mat Biec” and “Tu Giong Hat Em” a soul-calming rendition, especially on “Mat Biec” where his voice melts the lyrics around Jack Freeman’s soothing sax. His signature style of hovering-over-the-next-bar is also displayed on the former piece. On “Ta On Doi,” his flow becomes intricate to match Pham Duy’s complex lyricism. I love the way he phrases, “Dam eo seo nhan the / Chua phai long say me.” The words “eo seo” sound so sensuous, yet I have no clue what they mean. And of course, Duy Cuong’s orchestration is as luscious as always on the production.
On Tung Giang’s “Toi Voi Troi Bo Vo,” Tuan Ngoc’s quiet beauty marks the pinnacle of his vocal artistry. He emphasizes the words “lanh lung” (noticeably the cracked timbre on “lanh”) so natural that we could feel the chilliness as well as the coziness in his expression. Beneath the superb technique is a human spirit that moves us when he delivers, “Ai cho toi mot ngay yen vui / Cho toi quen cuoc doi bao noi.” The eerie, lust arrangement produced by Vu Tuan Duc added a mysterious image to the gloomy, lonesome night.
The only performance that is somewhat disappointing is Anh Bang’s “Khuc Thuy Du” (poem by Du Tu Le). His breathing was labored. Yes, I do have high expectations for Tuan Ngoc—nothing less than perfect—but he meets them most of the time. That’s why I got love for him. Even though he cheated on me once, he’s still my main man when it comes to Vietnamese music. I sound mad gay, don’t I?
Brokeback sure has soften you up, hasn’t it?
His breathing has to be labored in Khuc Thuy Du, D. Otherwise it wouldn’t be “agonizing” enough. Think of it in terms of the vocal sound it produces, a release of expression. If laughter is actually repeated sharp breaths, the gasping of air utters a sense of exertion, of difficult outward manifestation of grief. “…vi` sao va` vi` sao ?!?”, chum. That’s no abstracted, invisible pain. I like it like that. :) Besides, it’s Tuan Ngoc. He’s not some amature. But then again, not every song he sings is perfect.
Hi Danny,
I think the best album Tuan Ngoc was ever made was “Du Nghin Nam Qua Di – Tinh Ca Dang Khanh”. Tuan Ngoc’s complexity, added with Duy Cuong’s ( http://www.duycuong.com ) thoughtful, multi-layering arrangements, and should we not forget, jazzy and mesmerizing melodies of Dang Khanh, all make the CD a must sought-after of all Tuan Ngoc’s fans. I’m sure you must have it in your collection already.
Cheers from another Tuan Ngoc’s fan.
“Tam Su Goi Ve Dau” cung la 1 trong cac album hay nhat cua TN.I’m also a crazy fan of TN. Mot giong ca nam sang tro.ng, truyen ca?m hie^’m co cua VN nhung tiec rang tuoi tac da bat dau “xuat hien” trong his recent albums. Phai chap nhan thoi.
Nguoi ta khong the tre? mai…