Thuy Tien – Xin Cho Toi
Damn, another Thuy Tien? Damn, another Trinh Cong Son album? Damn, another Xin Cho Toi? Despite her name has already been taken by two young popular singers, her album concept has already been recorded by numerous singers, and her album title has already been used by Cam Van, Thuy Tien brings a sweet sensation to Trinh’s music.
Like most Vietnamese singers, Thuy Tien doesn’t dare to ruffle Trinh’s compositions. She sings them the way they were written. What makes her performances stand out, however, is her so-beautiful-it-hurts voice. On the title track she soars like a dove with a broken wing begging for peace over a fine and mellow keyboard companion. On “Mot Lan Thoang Co” her vocals float like chill wind around the cascading piano ostinato. The rhythm section also added a subtle mysteriousness into the tune. The best part is on the break where the violin saws along her vocalization creating an enticing effect.
While her delivery on “Doi Cho Ta The” is free and effortless weaving in and out of the fun strumming guitar and lively plucking bass, she performs “Hay Cu Vui Nhu Moi Ngay” as if she is forcing herself to enjoy life. Her stilted flow comes across as if it is still raining inside even though the sun has shined. The album offers no novelty, but rather another fresh voice on Trinh’s work.
Man, you’re such a devoted TCS fiend. I’m so tired of the same old rendition of TCS songbook. I’m still awaiting for someone to do TCS with just a piano or guitar&bass like “Loi Cua Giong Song” Cd.
I didn’t post the title track, “Xin Cho Toi,” because of the skips, but she sings this song with just the piano, and I am guessing it is Hoang Cong Luan is playing it. He has that choppy going on that I like. The performance is exhilerating.
No dude, this is not just another one of those average TCS songbook.
I did not own a single Thuỷ Tiên CD because I thought she was just a pretty face with a slightly above average voice. This album clearly proves me wrong, and I will purchase it to add to my nhạc Việt collection.
Xin Cho Tôi is a ballad full of tender yearnings, and Thuỷ Tiên, in this rendition, does justice to the incomparable lyrics of TCS. She started the first few bars a little coquettishly (like a cold tease—in her own unmistakable way) but then she gets smoothly into the flow of the music with her sure-footed phrasing. Her technique is superb, and her singing here provides great contentment for this TCS fiend… :-)
Anh Trong, you weren’t wrong about Thuy Tien with the pretty face and average voice. This is a different Thuy Tien. Here is a great article on her.
Oops! Thanks, Donny. No wonder the CD is inexpensive. Got to go have my glasses replaced, maybe get cataract surgery as well.
Just read the VnExpress article about Thuy Tien. Wow. What an inspiring story. Good dig, Donny.
The voice, the music… the whole story is just amazing!
Good job Donny you never cease to amaze me…
Great voice & style for TCS music. I’ll get a copy for my library.
By the way, has anyone tried TCS music album of Lo Thuy called “Toi Oi Dung Tuyet Vong”. This is quite a good album too.
Lo Thuy sings too much like Khanh Ly. Like Madeleine Peyroux and Billie Holiday, but without the indivduality Peyroux brings to her style.