Nguyen Khang – Dong Doi
Besides Tuan Ngoc, Nguyen Khang is the only hope left for the male vocalist in the Vietnamese-American music scene. And no, Nguyen Khang does not imitate Tuan Ngoc. That’s an erroneous statement I have heard and read over and over again. So let me set the record straight. Tuan Ngoc is a technical master. He could make a straightforward ballad like Dieu Huong’s “Vi Do La Em” sounds complicated with his skillful delivery and vocals manipulation. The only drawback is that average listeners would have a hard time absorbing it. How many times have people complaints that Tuan Ngoc is boring? On the other hand, Nguyen Khang simplifies his performances and allows his emotion to pour into the songs. His technique is not to use technique; therefore, his style is accessible to a broader audience without suffering the aesthetic values.
What I find interesting about Nguyen Khang is that he could bring a new dimension to timeless standards as well as providing a raw, unique quality to popular tunes with his dark, throaty, and broody voice. In his new album Dong Doi, released by Asia Entertainment, he revives Frank Sinatra’s classic “My Way” in a Vietnamese rendition translated by Nam Loc, and reinvigorates Nancy Sinatra’s “Bang Bang” (Vietnamese lyrics by Pham Duy) with the help of Diem Lien. I rarely find translated tunes to be listenable, but the lyrics in these two tracks are well crafted, the vocals are tight, and the arrangements are refreshing, especial “Bang Bang,” which comes with three different flavors.
Truc Ho is undoubtedly a talented producer, and also a reputable songwriter. The problem is that he always spoon-feeds Lam Nhat Tien, even though the whippersnapper has not been able to articulate Truc Ho’s compositions to their fullest potential. Thank goodness, Truc Ho handed his weeds to the right carrier this time. With a bohemian style, astringent voice, and unconstrained flow, Nguyen Khang delivers “Nho Den Em,” “Chang Khac Gi Nhau,” and “Neu Khong Co Em” the way they should be: powerful, thoughtful, and soulful. In Vu Tuan Duc and Truc Ho’s “Nhung Dieu That La,” Nguyen Khang rides effortlessly inside the tasty keyboard licks and swinging programmed drums.
Out of the three guests—Diem Lien, Lam Nhat Tien, and Vu Tuan Duc—the lady is obviously the ideal companion. Diem Lien’s sweet, tangy voice reflects perfectly with his hoarse, bad-boy’s timbre. Together they soar and sting like birds and bees on Anh Bang’s “Mai Toi Di” (poem by Nguyen Sa) and the savory medley of “Ky Dieu” (Anh Bang, Nguyen Sa) and “Anh Con No Em” (Phan Thanh Tai). With Asia’s unmistakable sound, Nguyen Khang’s gifted voice, and a handful of well-chosen tunes, Dong Doi is not a letdown at all. So don’t beat yourself down, man. The new generation of Vietnamese-American music is on your shoulder. Keep pushing that weight, Khang.
might have to try this one… but speaking of sinatra, has anyone one heard michael bolton’s new album “bolton swings sinatra”? I heard a sample of it and it seems pretty good.
Say no more! I’m getting this album! I also love the way he delivered “Duong Ve Viet Bac” way back in an Asia DVD that I cannot remember the tittle!
BTW, do you happen to know name of the song he sang in the introductory part of the interview he had with Vu Phung? I like that song even though I only listen to a piece of it!
Tuan Ngoc is not boring, just way too painful with his veins popping…
Still don’t like the Viet translation especially the song “my way” but the dude did a good job with it though .
BTW, have anyone here been following American idol? I know I know but it is my secret indulgence on Tuesday and Wednesday night. So glad my man the “soul patrol” won. He is really a fun and good singer/performer. I cann’t stand that chick Catherine McPorn when she started to sell her curves instead of her voice. Early on I liked her cause she was refreshing and natural, but after watching her calculated porny sexy move and swooning her eyes and lips at the camera, I really dislike the Mcporn face here. So glad American gave my “soul patrol” unconventional looking dude a chance to do what he loves which is singing his heart out!!
yeah I luv luv luv Taylor Hicks and will buy his CDs.
Tuan Ngoc is too technical for me. He seems cold and distant. Watching him performing a duet with someone is like watching two solo performers at the same time. I don’t feel that he is sharing the stage with his partner at all. He is too busy showing off his technical superiority. And yes, Anonymous, his veins’ popping is not helping.
Hey hey hey… Give Katharine some credit ! Her voice is undeniably beautiful. I’m so happy Taylor won ’cause I really liked him since the first audition but Katharine, Katharine’s quite a talent. And it doesn’t hurt that she’s a looker. Looking at a pretty face has me going goo-goo gah-gah any time. :)
Sorry I strayed from the main topic but Nguyen Khang sucks. Big time.
As we’re staying in America’s idol subject, beside Kelly Clarkson, none of the idols is worthy to listen to!
Even though Nguyen Khang has yet achieved the technical skill at the level that Tuan Ngoc has acquired over the years, he is quite promissing. He will get there one day as long as he continues working on refining his technique.
There you go… I could not agree more with your precise and yet so elaborate comments on Nguyen-Khang’s vocals and talent as well as the reputable talented producer, music director,entrrpreneur & business man – Mr. Truc Ho.
However,I ‘m very impressed by your writing skills & want to
know more about “you” your background.. .is it possible ?
Cheers..
;)
Ducster, that’s true about Tuan Ngoc. I actually don’t like to see Tuan Ngoc’s face or performance (even live performance, he still looks ke^nh ke^nh & unapproachable), but I have to admit his voice is very skillful. I haven’t liked any songs that Nguyen Khang sing that can impress me more than Tuan Ngoc.
Another thing I don’t like about Tuan Ngoc is he plays too safe in social banquets. Believe it or not, I went to 3 different occasions in a month (a singer’s wedding, a friend social celebration, and a fundraising banquet) that had Tuan Ngoc in there and yet, he sang “Rie^ng Mo^.t Go’c Tro*`i” again and again. Come on, it maybe your best song but don’t pull it out every time you have to sing socially.
Well, if Nguyen Khang can beat Tuan Ngoc in techniques and be approachable at the same time, imagine how crazy the musical fans out there will be! :-)
htc,
The song Nguyen Khang sang in the intro of the interview w/ VNCR (Vu~ Chung) you mean? It’s called Co^ Ddo*n by Nguye^~n A’nh 9. I include here the lyrics from dactrung.com for you:
Cô Đơn
Hạnh phúc như đôi chim uyên, tung bay ngập trời nắng ấm.
Hạnh phúc như sương ban mai, long lanh đậu cành lá thắm.
Tình yêu một thoáng lên ngôi, nhẹ nhàng như áng mây trôi.
Dịu dàng như ánh trăng soi, êm êm thương yêu dâng trong hồn tôi
ĐK:
Nghe như chim trời phiêu lãng, theo mây trời lang thang,
rong chơi cùng năm tháng.
Ôi đêm đêm cùng tiếng hát, cho vơi niềm thương nhớ,
còn gì cho ước mơ.
Người hỡi cho tôi quên đi, bao nhiêu kỷ niệm xa xưa.
Người hỡi cho tôi quên đi, bao nhiêu mộng đẹp nên thơ.
Tình yêu đã chết trong tôi, nụ cười đã tắt trên môi.
Chỉ còn tiếc nuối khôn nguôi cô đơn bơ vơ, tiếng hát lạc loài…
( => ĐK … … … )
Come on, singing “Rung Mot Goc Giuong” at the wedding is just perfect! :)
Is it true that we sometimes just want to have “Rieng Mot Goc Troi”?!
Have a nice Memorial weekend guys and gals! Peace out!:)
Yes, it is it!
Thanks Phong Lan!
I agree with Bobo on Donny’s writing skills and great knowledge about music. I wish that I can write in English as well as in Vietnamese but I’m going to try.
Tuan Ngoc is the only Vietnamese male singer that can control his voice, sing and pronounce each word to perfection. When he sings the word “he^’t”, you could feel that it’s over. When he sings the word “me^`m”, you can also touch its softness. If you listen to him carefully, you can feel his emotion, just enough so you have room to add your own personal feeling for the song.
Nguyen Khang is a great singer. To me, he is right behind Tuan Ngoc. However, I think that he often put a little too much of his emotion into his songs. His emotion is often buo^`n. When I listen to a great song, there are different parts of its lyrics that give me various feelings: excited, happy, nho’/ and buo^`n. Listening to “La Thu (Vang)”, I could really tell why I prefer to listen to Tuan Ngoc.
Bobo, I am flattered that you’re interested in getting to know me. As you can see, I am written all over this site :)
Miyo, don’t even start throwing rock at my throne.
“Katharine’s quite a talent?” Her rendition of “Come Rain or Come Shine” is a disgrace to Louis, Ella, and Lady Day. Her boobs must have clouded your eyes and struck your ears.
I agree with Anonymous, it’s just too painful to watch Tuan Ngoc sing. The reason that he has to use techniques to control his voice is because he does not have a strong voice. So every tine he uses his technique, he just looks too painful with his veins almost popping out of his face and neck.
How could Tuan Ngoc not have a strong voice when he always sings half of a note higher than the original compositions? Not only that, but he has the ability to carry his vocals over the next bar without a rest. Listen to his version of Trinh Cong Son’s “Xin Tra No Nguoi,” Tu Cong Phung’s “Giot Le Cho Ngan Sau,” or Le Tin Huong’s “Co Nhung Niem Rieng,” and if you find another singer that could hold his vibrato and crescendo the way he does, than I would be convinced that his voice is not strong.
Yep ! My man is the best ! =) Awesome voice, Natural, Good sense of humor, funny, sweet, nice, cool , cute ect… he’s perfect !!! =) YOU ROCK ANH KHANG ! =)Love Ya ! =)
Meh. Nguyen Khang is good, but has quite a ways to go still. I do like that he does not adhere to only one production company though. If more singers did that, then they wouldn’t have to be at the mercy of the pop-music factories (ie, Thuy Nga & Asia) all the time.
Re: Tuan Ngoc. He was/is one of the kings of Vietnamese music (along with Elvis Phuong and the late Duy Khanh and Hung Cuong). “Not a strong voice” my ass.
quote Nguyen:
“Tuan Ngoc. He was/is one of the kings of Vietnamese music (along with Elvis Phuong and the late Duy Khanh and Hung Cuong). “Not a strong voice” my ass”
DITTO
“Katharine’s quite a talent?” Her rendition of “Come Rain or Come Shine” is a disgrace to Louis, Ella, and Lady Day. Her boobs must have clouded your eyes and struck your ears. ”
Donny, you said it ! And what’s up with that yellow dress ripping at the crotch? Gee, you can tell Katherine wants so bad to be famous !
Tuan Ngoc is my man. I only like him to sing in Viet. His French and English is still not right and I don’t think he can make it right at his age. His voice is n’t strong? OMG, you must be a nut? His voice is awesome and strong. He carried all the strong and high notes for his wife Thai Thao who sing like banh canh without salt.
Thu Hoai,
Your analogy of ba’nh canh without salt … hihihi… true though. :-)
I am going to get him. I heard him one time and I prefer him on top of Tuan Ngoc. He reminds me about Si Phu.
tuan ngoc’s version of tuong niem is good too =D
personally i think tuan ngoc is very charming…he has a way with words and quite witty… i just think hes more of a quiet/private person…and also one cant have it all, when ur were born wid such great talent…u cant be that good lookin… ;)
phong lan, if i get to meet tuan ngoc at a party im attendin, i would definitely request for “rieng 01 goc troi” as well…hehe…
thu hoai, eventhough tuan ngoc is older..but i still think his english is betta than nguyen khang. i was told that ba’c Lu~ Lien sent all his kids to french/english speaking school all their life. it is practically their everyday language…also gotta love ur cookin… banh canh w/out salt anyone??? hehehe :)
also check out dis interview i found of tuan ngoc…gotta give him some credits…he sings well AND wash da dishes…wouldnt u want him for a husband ladies….
http://netmode.vietnamnet.vn/sao/2006/05/568448/
Anh Khang is one of the most talented viet singers in all the community. Tuan Ngoc is a very good Singer and NK too… They have the same kind of voice and I love Tuan Ngoc voice… but I ADORE Nguyen Khang’s voice… It’s so strong and it warms you up ! His voice has something that I can’t describe that make me choose him as my number 1 singer more than other singers. I never get bored listening to his voice! And all the songs he sings are really good! Especially when he sings with chi. Diem Lien !! OMG ! So AWESOME !!! The best duet ever !! We all agree that NK’s voice is amazing but it’s not only his voice that make him a shining star… It’s also his personnality. I’m pretty close to him and he’s one of the best person I’ve ever met ! He has a real strong personnality. He’s funny, he’s talented, he has a good sense of humor, he always make me laugh, he’s direct, he’s friendly, he’s sweet, he’s handsome, he’s sexy, he’s cute and much more !!! Nguyen Khang is perfect for me ! =) He’s my man ! I read a text and in it Chu’ Nam Loc said this about anh Khang… : “Chú này, tuy nhỏ (nhỏ tuổi, nhỏ con và nhỏ nhiều thứ), nhưng chịu chơi lắm!” I totally agree ! I know that when anh Khang is in something, he won’t go back, he won’t stop and he will never regret (Well… anh Khang.. if you read this hope you agree with me)! =) I’m a huge fan of Nguyen Khang I can say the biggest fan of anh Khang since the first time I heard him sing and I will never stop loving him ! He deserves all my respect.
TO ANH KHANG : I started to talk to you not a long time ago and we’re already really close. With some people I have a connection but some people there’s no connection. But with you it was 200% connection !! hihi… Since the that I’ve met you I feel like being a better person each day.. You give me all the courage to go and reach for the stars. That’s why I want to THANK YOU ! Hope we’ll get more close ! Whatever you do anh Khang.. I’m with you ! I know you won’t give up in everything. I won’t give up on you so I hope you won’t give up on me! And you better come here as soon as possible cause I miss you to death !! You the BEST BF ! heehee…Love ya ! God bless you anh Khang !
his duets with diem lien on asia are good. i like mai toi di and lk: ky dieu a lot
donny… you need to start censoring some of these comments. they’re getting way too mushy; it’s starting to clash with your cutting colorblind criticism style.
What Joseph? You can’t handle the love Nguyen Khang is getting? :) I am getting envy myself, man.
Trang. Your glorification on Nguyen Khang is way over the top missy. :) Thank you for the entertainment though.
Donny. What a sharp and accurate evaluation. I’m taking my hat off to you for setting the record straight dude.
“Nguyen Khang does not imitate Tuan Ngoc.”
Justice is well served. :)
Thu Hoai: Performer’s attire ??? Mmm… I suggest you not disturb this lion’s domain. She prefers keeping her roars on object communication under wraps on Visualgui as the focus is on music but let’s get to the main point here — who claimed “I wouldn’t mind getting paid for allowing my lil man to think” again ? Get off Donny’s trail of crap you’re riding on there and spare me the yeehaw, mon cherie. Whatever reason it is, personal fulfillment, fame, fortune… every artist or artist-wannabe out there wants to have his/her work or talent acknowledged and recognized by — ranging from only several immediate family members, a few close friends to the mass media. Being a singer yourself, you would know already, that a little favorable notice would mean acceptance, support, or even the only purpose to sing. Sure, Katharine did overuse nonverbal communication to her advantage a little bit but isn’t the intention to hold the attention of such a large audience with just one’s voice too naive to your understanding ? For your perusal, take Tua^n’ Ngoc. for example. Many love his voice but how many are there enjoy watching him perform ? Like it or not, non-verbal communication counts. It complements the voice like a gift-wrap. What really matters is inside but who doesn’t love a little extra something, especially in the world of show biz ?
D: Sorry I didn’t pay attention to her cleavage like your Highness had keenly observed. I was busy reading that lovely mouth creating nonverbal cues with her tone, pitch and accent. If your beloved Ngoc Lan could sing Come Rain Or Come Shine half as good or expressive, I’d start considering you statement about disgrace but hey, unlike you, I will leave it as such with a smirk on my face. Nice job ruining my attempt at having a bit of fun dissing NK there by the way. Hate to admit to you that I love this boy of yours too but don’t gloat just yet, he’s just another Tra^n` Thai’ Hoa` that I’m waiting to see some breakthrough creativity.
hahhahahha,I love Nguyen Khang, Si Phu but I like my lady Thanh Thuy sings : TUONG NIEM better than Tuan Ngoc, Khang and Sy Phu.
“Tuong Niem” is Thanh Thuy’s signature. Nambo.
Miyo, I’ll leave the nonverbal communication aside because I have many times heavily slammed Thuy Nga’s babes, yet I am the one that being accuse of being sexist, old-fart, or as they said it, “hate pretty people.” For me, voice still plays a main role in music; therefore, I don’t give a damn that Tuan Ngoc doesn’t look good performing, as long as he could bring the music to my ear. For chris’ shake, he could turn his back on the audience if he wants to and not have to grin at the audience. Hate them grinning faces, even with Louis Armstrong and Fat Waller. Love thier music but hate the way the carry themselves on stage.
I am glad you have brought out Ngoc Lan, finally. I know it’s been bugging you every time I praise her. :) Unfortunately, Ngoc Lan is no longer with us to take this debate further. Or else I could also argue that Ngoc Lan could carry “Come Rain or Come Rain” in a different direction along the line of Lena Horne, but then I am BSing it just like you since we will never hear Ngoc Lan’s rendition.
As for Nguyen Khang comment, you have use that “breakthrough creativity” as much as people comparing NK to TN. It’s a passé but still sound wonderful, isn’t it? I guess I shouldn’t have disturbed the “lion’s domain.” It’s funny that when I praise a singer, I am his boy. When I criticize one, I am a hater who is harsh and brutal. I should follow major publications and just start praising singers I like. The Way Truong Ky and many Vietnamese publications do it instead of follow my heart with my ghetto style. But that’s the different between me and them.
By the way, I wouldn’t mind letting my little man think, but I woul mind showing him off. That would be an aweful sight. I am sure this site will have zero visitor left if I do that. See, even my lil man knows not to pop out in public places. :)
“Nice job ruining my attempt at having a bit of fun dissing NK there by the way.”
I apologize for my inappropriate, tasteless, sexist joke.
“I like a man who grins when he fights.”
-Sir Winston Churchill
Come on D, joking or not, like I care if you dub me as a bisexual, so put that segment of your comment about NK back. I enjoy beauty, whether it is a man or it is a woman, a gay man or a lesbian. I’m a bisexual, and then some, sure, in your head I am. Diversity of perspective is another wonderful thing in life as long as it doesn’t end up in violent resolutions. If I didn’t think so, I wouldn’t have come to Visualgui in the first place. Besides, you don’t think my sense of self can be shaken off that easily, do you ? :)
Now, having said that, about Ngoc. Lan, again, if you haven’t acquired the intellectual hold already, music is approximately 65% “cam? nha^n.”. But you have to bring that topic up in such a way that would submit me to an angry mob, don’t you ? All right, “ca^y muo^n’ la(ng. ma` gio’ cha(ng? chiu. ngu*ng`”, bring on the iron hooks to tear flesh from my bones, damn it ! :) NL’s voice definitely has that frail, delicate, girlish/childish quality, like that of Ambrosia of Shivaree that I like, yet other than that, I don’t think she has the skills to command her vocals so don’t even think of comparing her to Lena Horne on any technical level. There, happy ? I’d already told you, I acknowledge your affection for NL, thus I chose to stay at respectable, courteous distance whenever you rave about her; I prefer discussing the exquisite artistry of her music videos (May production) instead but if you have to undermine me because of my differing view about her voice, sorry I have to demonstrate my thinking bluntly. :)
Donny and Miyo, you two really made this site so excited. I really like your elegant and intellect when you duel(t):)
Miyo and donny,
For the sake of entertainment please go on!:)
Otherwise, remember that Mohandas Gandhi once said: “You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist.”
HTC, I don’t know what the heck you’re trying to say chum but my understanding is that a clenched fist is great for punching and a sharp blow can be produced with the palm of an open hand !!! Lol.
Miyo,
I’ll be very reluctant to shake that hand!:)
BTW, make sure you protect your under arm and your chest when you decide to use your palm to punch. It’ll take you a little longer to pull your elbow back using your technique than the clenched fist. :)
So who would be the one who decides to make peace first?:))
Make peace ? As in restoring serenity & order by putting the opposition to death, wiping out any sort of variants or affiliation and destroying the entire habitat ? Good idea ! :) However, on second thought, being a tyrant is not that fun. I like prolonged torture better. It excites my creativity. Devil’s thrill, you’d understand. ;)
Come on, you won’t be the first! Someone already tried it before. It was called re-education. My Dad had been through that for more than ten years and based on what he recalled it was not pleasant! Devil’s thrill alright! :)
See Miyo, this is the problem. You always jump into my throat like a godamn snake. I was not even comparing Ngoc Lan to Lena Horne. I don’t even know if Lena had covered “Come Rain or Come Shine.” Maybe she did and I have never heard of it. I was just saying that Ngoc Lan would approach the song like the way Lena would with her soft, light-touched, and sultry style, which is in contrast of, let’s say, Ray Charles’s soulful style. I was just naming Lena to illustrate my point instead of comparing the two. But yeah, feel free to spill your gut out.
Come to think about it, I have to agree with your point about Nguyen Khang needed a “breakthrough.” I think that he should try to put out a rock album so that I can write about it. That way both him and I can “breakthrough” the skills we have yet to master. Better yet, he should “breakthrough” by coming out with an English album. Yeah, just like the way Tran Thai Hoa did on Paris By Night 81. Damn, he did a fantastic job of “breakthrough” didn’t he? The cat took on an English song. That shit was just amazed me. So when he sang “If you go away,” I was like, “Get the fuck out da here and don’t ever come back.”
I think that Ngoc Lan’s voice went through many different phases. Your comment, “NL’s voice definitely has that frail, delicate, girlish/childish quality” definitely referred to the first 5-7 years of her career. While during that period there was nothing wrong with her voice, as she never had a pitch problem, nor the problem with breathing or any other technical aspect, it didn’t quite have that very soulful, very “I-want-you-to-feel-what-I-feel” quality that it later acquired. In fact, she went and lowered her voice by one octave. Her voice then could not be thought of as “sweet/delicate” but it was very “chin mui” like that of a woman who had lived. I am hoping that when you dismissed her, you actually never had the opportunity to hear her in “Ve Day Em” or my all-time favorite “Trong doi mat em anh la tat ca” (what’s the name of that song again?” or take a listen to Ngoc Lan’s 5, and dare to admit to yourself, a voice like that could draw millions of hearts to her. Now would she have sung “Come rain or ocme shine”..tsk tsk.. you know that is not a fair statement. There are voices that are not compatible to certain types of songs. Could we ask that other girl to sing “Ve day em” as well?
some of us have to shout into the microphone to be heard while others just speak/sing normally without much effort. Is that what you meant bumbum? :)
Lo and behold… What d’ya know ? There’s plenty more to come, isn’t it ? Lol… Geez folks… Remember what I said about “cam? nha^n.” please and let’s not whip up some sort of mass hysteria here.
Huy, I didn’t happen to have almost every single one of Ngoc. Lan albums for you to conclude that I “dismissed” her. In fact, I didn’t bring up her name in our firm’s meeting about an upcoming fund-raising walk to cure multiple sclerosis to have Ngoc-Lan-who-?!? expressions throwing my way. You’re right about “there was nothing wrong with her voice”. About 65% or so on that part. ;P I also agree that it became more soulful later on, too. However, I have to come back to saying that her vocal techniques weren’t outstanding. I hope you don’t expect me to go excessive or fanatic about her because it’s not my habit to be so with any artist out there. You can say that I love almost every singer and dislike most of them too, depending on separate individual performance. Each has his/her strength & shortcoming, every song has its own structure & progression. There are also many other relative aspects that I don’t feeling like listing them all up here right now. Oh, but let’s not forget about fairness. No, it’s unfair of me to suppose Ngoc. Lan sing Come Rain Or Come Shine, but is it fair calling a newbie like Katharine a disgrace to jazz legends ?
D, look at the trouble your “I know it’s been bugging you every time I praise her” has caused me so far. Like I said, you just had to put in such a bad way to create controversy around my opinion of NL whether negative or positive, huh ? It’s all right, if that’s your ploy to make this blog more exciting. But who’s been jumping into whose throat again ? Which domain did you think I claimed mine again ??? As for the breakthrough thing, sorry but I can’t help being greedy. I want to push for better, more creative works every day. Music rules ! :)
a sharp blow can be achieved with the palm of a hand… a sharp blow to the ego.
as they say, “talk to the hand, because the ear’s not listening”
“It’s easier to stay out than to get out.”
-Mark Twain
Miyo, I do not like or dislike NL, I think it is very bad taste that you come to someone’s site, someone you know is crazzzzy about NL, and say what you did about her, to bring up her name when she’s not even remotely associated with the subject. If what Donny said about Katharine did not accurate describe her singing prowess, and here again it is completely a matter of personal taste, therefore very subjective, just state your opinion? What makes you bring up NL anyway, if not to hurt him? Unbelievable! (and Taylor beat Katharine hands down, although I love her look!)
:) Bad taste it is. Thank you.
Nga, even though this is my site, anyone that comes here are free to express her opinion the same way that I do. I have said a lot of bad-taste, harsh, and even hurtful things in my reviews and I expect people to react to them as well. Although the brought-up of Ngoc Lan is somewhat personal. If Miyo didn’t bring her up, I am sure many others who disagree with my opinion and taste would. I have expected that to happen all along ever since I decided to go all out with my words without holding anything back. As a result, there’s no hurt feelings on my part. If Miyo wants to hurt me, she needs to work much harder than that because I have 99 problems, but being a bitch ain’t one :)
Taylor has a magnetic stage presence. On the very first audition, I loved Katherine and I predicted that she would take the title as she goes on, her performance has less and less emotion. The only memorable song was “somewhere over the rainbow”. One great song is not enough to win ! Taylor is unique, with dynamic and soulful performance, his win was inenvitable. I also love his sincerely and he kept it real something was lacking with Katherine. Sorry for writting out of subject.
I don’t know much about Nguyen Khang but Tuan Ngoc is a really cool guy. He has a very warm and manly voice “bac accent” which is so alluring to me..He appears very intelligent and especially extremely witty and funny with a very dry sense of humor. I like Nguyen Khang ‘s voice, but I like both Tuan Ngoc’s singing voice and I especially love his speaking voice ! :)
I finally get the CD and spend the whole morning listening to it. My Way proves how powerful Nguyen Khang’s voice is. The translation is, well, okay. Sorry for being a lyric junkie like someone once said!;) I guess it’s hard trying to translate “…Regrets, I’ve had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do and saw it through without exemption
I planned each charted course, each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way…” into vietnamese and still reflect the gruffness in the english version.
They should drop all the intros. It’s kind of bug me! I really don’t need someone to tell me ahead of time how to feel about the song, I can come up one on my own. Thank you!
Overall, it is a decent CD. It just likes donny said, it’s not a letdown one.
He’s also right to say Diem Lien’s “the ideal companion”. I love her voice. When you heard she rendered “…anh co`n no’. em…” you feel (or really wish?!) you’re really indebted to her!:)
Dear Thu Hoai, and pardon me everyone else, but let me say one more AI thing: go to idolonfox.com and listen and watch clips of TH singing. I particularly love “Try a Little Tenderness” I first heard this song in some movie about an Irish “soul” group, it was mind-blowing. And Taylor was no less talent than the lead singer of that group. Also, if you want to, you can watch the clip from the beginning, when the judges were saying “OK you’re going to Hollywood” to contesttants like Paris, Kelly, and Katharine. And when it was Taylor, he actually had to say “give me a chance” bec. it seems we had a dissenter (Simon said “no”) My poor Taylor Hicks had to beg to go to Hollywood, but look how far he went.
Sorry I went on and on Donny, but I don’t know how to talk to my fellow AI fan Thu Hoai.
Yes, yes Hong Nga I ‘ve been a AI crazy fan for three years now and I just love the fact that someone like Taylor made it and beat all the odds… I think he is cute also.. love his crazy dancing. My English repertoir of songs for dancing is very similiar to Taylor so we have very much similar taste.
hahhahha, I read all the comments in this topic. Love it. It is not fun for this website if everyone always agreed with Donn. Do you ask WHITE GUYS how you look. They all answer the same: VERY NICE.
I love my Thanh Thuy but oh my God if I listen her at the day time, she is damn F. awful. I researched couple CD of Ngoc Lan. Her voice is TOO CLEAR for me but she is not bad. She could sing different types of music. Nguyen Khang is a lot better to look at and more sexy than Tuan Ngoc for sure. NK reminds about Neil Diamond. Tuan Ngoc, I saw him to sing in Sheraton Hotel in Vietnam. Anytime, he sings with the low or deep notes…he looks not naturally. His face looks like that he is trying to sh*t. I wont go to see his live show any more but maybe buying his CD. Anyway, both of them have many fans for sure. Good day….heading to Cambodia with NK, TN, NL and TT songs with me.
Donny…Donny…
You did not give me a straight answer to my request …
;(
Bobo, I did you you a straight answer. There isn’t much exciting about me to know. The info section is pretty much about me.
So..you’re from the East Coast..! I’ll find out..
;)
donny, I don’t know if Hobo is a guy or girl, but looks like you have an admirer a.k.a stalker hahaha… I would run if I were you :)
Hi Donny,
It’s purely an admiration for your writing skills .. so I want to know more about your academic background..!
That’s it!! It’s so scary to know how people’s mind works… ;(
Best,
Bobo, I graduated from La Salle University in 2001 in Digital Art & Multimedia Design. I have no writing skills whatsoever; therefore, I chose design to allow my art speaks for my word. As I am getting into design, I am becoming interested in re-learning English. So I started a blog just to do that. I started out blogging about my personal life and it got quite boring because my life is so damn excititing. So I decided to write about things that I like. Music has always been a part of my life and whenever I come across a great song, I wish I could share it with others and tell them how I feel. As a result, I began to write music for fun as well as honing my writing skills. That’s pretty much where I am at today. When you said you were interested in my background, I was not sure what you meant. But now I hope I have answered some of your questions. Don’t worry Bobo, I know you’re not a stalker. Luat was just playing. :)
Miyo, calm down my darling !!!
I don’t really care what a singer look like as long as she/he can convey the music to the listener. I do make a great effort to look appropriately for each performance but I am not into looks !!
Thu Hoai, I think the lion has found her way home, back to the jungle and out of this time-wasting, maddening cyberspace called Visualgui.com. So let’s us not disturb her.
Bobo, like donny said, I was just kidding. Hope i didn’t upset you :)
Luat, look like you’re starting to get controversial on your blog too, huh? I hope “Hobo” was a mispelling and not intentional. :)
OMG, donny, stop it :) It’s purely a mispelling I swear :)
Huy, “Nhu da dau yeu” is the name of the song (Trong doi mat em anh la tat ca)
It’s fun to visit visualgui site. Miyo impressed me the most.
BTW, donny, I saw BICH VAN in DVD “ME TRONG LONG NGUOI DI” (for a non-profit org.)She performed Le Trong Nguyen’s song: LA ROI BEN THEM. She’s a star! I rerun her song everyday! She’s as pure as a white lily, and her voice is superb.
I can listen to that song Phuongtim? Hey Luat, your blog looking great. I like the look, color combo and the content itself. How do you have time to do all that plus work ?
Speaking of “Me. Trong Long` Ngu*o*i` -Di” DVD, if you guys are interested in serious, no-nonsense orchestral performance, it is a rather large Vnmese musical ensemble of the Ngan` Kho*i orchestra & chorus troope (conductor Vu~ To^n Binh`). Appearances include Bich’ Va^n, Nguye^n Khang and many others whose names I’m not familiar with but very interested in finding out. This is a charity pursuit in support of the Vietnamese American Cancer Foundation. To find out more or to contribute, go to http://www.ungthu.org/vacf/home/ . Perhaps we’ll get to enjoy an exciting post on this DVD soon ? ;)
Thu Hoai,
Thank you. I’m busy with work but as soon as I have time, I jump right to my blog. It is a place where I feel very relax and can write whatever I want to. Besides, music is a big part of my life and I love to write, talk, discuss, and share it too :)
In a way, I feel blogging is very addicting, especially when you met people who share the same passion and interests with you.
I prefer looking at TN delivering a song 1000 times more than watching Taylor H dancing. He looks like “dau kho vi binh tri”.
“Loi Thu Toi” in Dong Doi is a great song. The arrangement with Flamenco touch did it for me. Also, it turns me on when VN lyrics mention about sex “Tu*`ng du*o*`ng cong mong manh tre^n tha^n xa’c…”
Have NK and TN ever duet in a song? I would love to listen to TN instead of VTD duet with NK in DVVB.
Miyo,
Thank you. DVD “Me Trong Long Nguoi Di” got my vote for the best Vietnamese DVD-so far- of the year 2006
Thu Hoai,
I sent a request to Dr. Bich Lien (she’s the director of the cancer foundation)Hopefully we can watch/listen to Bich Van on their website.
I can’t stand taylor hicks. he’s consistent only because he sings songs that don’t really challenge his voice. i thought “you are so beautiful” was overly praised. he was short of breath, didn’t have much vibrato, couldn’t do the signature falsetto notes. Katherine wasn’t as consistent, but she has a wider vocal range- i don’t like her much either.
AI has lost its appeal in my opinion =D
ok on the cd, “coi mong” is the same arrangement for one of LNT’s albums from about 10 years ago, and its still suprisingly fresh- but Nguyen Khangs voice is a bit too heavy in this one, he sounds like a drunk. That goes the same for Neu Khong Co Em, which LNT has also already covered- I actually prefer LNT”s pop sound on those two songs. Otherwise the rest of the CD is quite nice, especially Bien Chieu Nay Vang Em, Mai Toi Dio, the LK Anh Con No Em, Nhung Dieu That La (nice lirycs), and Mot Coi Vo Vong-
Taylor H. got the WPS. He can’t jump, can’t dance, but can age quickly. He tried to kick and missed the stand just 2 ft away :-) He’s 29 but looks like over 40.
NK has let his voice go free lately; especialy in this album, he didn’t try to “go`” his voice too much.
“Loi Thu Toi” is an adapted version of Josh Groban’s “My Confession” which is one of my favorite songs. So the arrangement is about the same; nothing spectacular with the NK version. Also as a point of comparison, NK doesn’t bring enough emotion to the song as JG does. Of course JG is a fantastic vocalist with a wonderful personality… i’m a little biased here because one of my friends suprised me with two hand autographed cds. hehe. gotta love the personal touch.
my favorite song of JG is “To Where You Are” from his debut album.
i did buy NK’s album and listened a couple of times… maybe it was those intro in-between songs but i just couldn’t get into it. not that i’m trivalizing his performances but the fact i can’t listen the whole way through without skipping irks me. at least in phu quang’s work w/ ngoc anh they stylized the transition tracks.
Try Nguyen Khang’s “Tinh Vo” in album “Coi Mua” which is the vietnamese version of “Broken Vow” sang by Josh Groban in “Josh Groban in Concert”.
“Coi Mua” actually is a better album, in my opinion, than “Dong Doi”.
hey donny i absolutely love your straightforward thoughts. check out this amateur voice (i got it from this website http://www.vietnameseidol.info/
he’s contestant 18.
I like NK but only listen on Benxua. But do not even pair up NK and Josh Goshban in the same sentence Joseph. JOSH ‘s voice so so so so so great.. I confess, I don’t own any Viet’s singers album except whatever being given to me during shows. Donny you should be getting these CDs free too. Loan Chau gave me like 10 Cds everytime I see her.
number 198 sounds liek dinh ngoc =D cute too
i meant 18
I’m sad that you called Lam Nhat Tien a “whippersnapper”. What did he do? He deserves better recognization. He has good voice and great performance. His duet with LTV in “Nguoi o lai Charlie” was unbelievable. His touching voice singing the line “oiii, canh chim trung khoi van lyyy’ ” takes my breath away every single time.
I can’t wait to see Lam Nhat Tien going stable with Asia and getting more of Truc Ho’s songs.
Yeah I like LNT too. He got his own style. He did pretty well with Khanh Ha or Thanh Ha only.
oh plz, LNT voice is so 1 dimensional and like donster said, is always spoonfed by Truc Ho. He never takes a song to the next level, sings it at one same tone every freakin time.
BTW, Nguyen Khang does imitate Tuan Ngoc, except he can’t really yell. Always seems to be closing his eyes as if he’s really giving the audience something great. Even Tuan Ngoc calls him “dan em” in VS. His voice is so boring, Tuan Ngoc can at least wake you up with his higher register.
I am listening to “loi thu toi” as I write this. I love this song. I can listen to this 100x and not get bored. I love it…love it….love it. Tha arrangemnet is perfect, his pitch, tone,everything…there is passion in his voice…love it
love it …love it
i ‘ve just seen TN at his live concert on Aug 18. The melody of “ieng 01 goc troi” is still in my mind. TN is still the best Vietnamese singer.
NK will always be the best!
stumbled upon your blog… anyway, Nguyen Khang is not the only hope left for male Vietnamese vocalist. I quite like Tran Thai Hoa’s voice. It’s strong and warm. Although it’s a miss and hit sometimes with THH depending on the type of songs he’s singing, I have to say his “Tro Ve Mai Nha Xua” performance with Ngoc Ha was done to perfecto. Straightforward and dynamic. There are a few excellent ones out there, but none quite as good.
Have you heard Nguyen Khang’s CD Cung La Tram Nam? That’s still my all time favourite of Nguyen Khang’s singing!