Quang Tuan – Bai Tinh Ca Trong Chieu
None of the tracks on Quang Tuan’s Bai Tinh Ca Trong Chieu (Tinh Khuc Thanh Trang Vol. 2) sticks. The cheap-ass productions are the main problem. Thanh Lam is not only an unimaginative producer, but he also seems to work in a studio that has not been upgraded since the 80s.
The title track jumps off with a hideous cha-cha drum loop that was popular in the mid to late 80s. “Mua Thu Ve Tham Me” features a smooth saxophone tone that would send you right to bed. Even the jazzy vibe on “Sai Gon Nho, Sai Gon Thuong” is so wimpy and lazy that it makes you think why bothered? Just let Quang Tuan gets his a cappella on. Wait, that would be boring still.
Quang Tuan has a warm, tender, somewhat guttural voice. He is a very relaxed singer and doesn’t like to show that he would break a sweat. Like Quang Dung, Quang Tuan is a productive machine without a bad track. Every song he sings is just about right. He barely gets out of his comfort range or rubs the notes the wrong way (as if it is sacrilegious to do so).
After listening to four of his albums straight (Gui Nguoi Em Gai, Huyen, Canh Hoa Duyen Kiep and this one), I am just yearning to return to Tuan Ngoc for some deep soul searching and octave skipping as well as Duy Cuong’s masterful orchestrations, especially on Pham Duy’s “Ky Niem,” Doan Chuan and Tu Linh’s “Gui Nguoi Em Gai” and Tu Cong Phung’s “Nhu Chiec Que Diem.”
Thật ra mọi người cứ lấy Tuấn Ngọc (để trở về) khi nói đến một giọng nam; một Thái Thanh, khi nói đến nhạc Phạm Duy hay một Khánh Ly khi nói đến nhạc Trịnh Công Sơn. Điều này không sai, vì dòng suối âm nhạc Việt vẫn chưa có những-cái-hơn-những-cái-này!
Nếu mải mê đi tìm cái bằng hoặc cái hơn, mình e rằng sẽ không bao giờ tìm được, vì tất cả như là định mệnh, như là huyền thoại cho những góc cạnh nhạc Việt. Hãy tiếp tục thương yêu những cái có được, những cái “di sản” bất khả xâm phạm này.
Nhưng khi Thái Thanh tóc đã trắng bạc, Khánh Ly (hoa vàng một đoaaaaa’) thì suốt ngày ở nhà hưu dưỡng cho những shows xa, Lệ Thu thì một bài hát không bị bể giọng(sẽ là thành công), Tuấn Ngọc trước khi hát luôn than là bị ốm (luôn luôn).v.v…thì chúng ta cần mở rộng lòng với những bạn trẻ (hơn): Quang Tuấn, Xuân Phú, Quang Minh, Nguyên Khang, Trần Thái Hoà…Chẳng phải là để họ thay thế cái đã định hướng sẵn trong tầm thưởng thức mình đâu, mà là những tảng màu cho đời thêm hương hoa, thế thôi.
Hãy nghe Quang Tuấn hát Đăng Khánh, để thấy rằng “Cánh Hoa Xưa” thật là xưa!
Riêng Nguyên Khang, đã hết rồi cái thời “Một Lần Tiễn Chân Người” của World Productions! Khi chạm vào Vân Sơn, Asia, Nguyên Khang như đi vào ngõ cụt! Rất cụt!
I am not looking for a “better Tuan Ngoc.” I am looking for a fresh new voice. Takes Sinatra and Bublé for example or Holiday and Peyroux for example. The younger generation brings out a fresh vibe, despite the fact that they were so deeply influenced by the older generation. I don’t want to compare Quang Tuan and Tuan Ngoc, but the level of differences are too significant.
Totally agree with you on Nguyen Khang. He has such a great voice, but he is digging himself in a hole. I used to have to much faith in him, but he had disappointed me repeatedly. Rather than investing in creating quality albums, he cops out for the quick bubblegum pops.
Dear Donny,
Donny nghĩ thế nào về giọng Josh Groban?
Mong!
yes quang tuan sings very sleepy, his slow voice makes it seems like they slowed his vocal on a software editor or something.
PTN..yyou didn’t ask me, but here’s what i think about josh groban.
josh groban is sounds wonderful in new ballads/pop songs like “To Where You Are” a song that was played many times on love songs radio stations and to remember victims of 9/11. other good songs that i’ve heard are:
For Always with laura fabian
The Prayer with charlott church,
You’re Still Yo
You Raised Me Up
Let Me Fall
Remember <– has an epic feeling since it was a sountrack for the movie Troy.
Vincent (Starry, Starry Night) <- i’ve heard a female singer sing this song with guitar only and its a shame i didn’t get her name because her version has more soul.
His italian songs are not so great i think, so for italian songs and a few spanish songs i’d listen to Andrea Bocelli, have you heard of his “Te Extraño” and “Solamente Una Vez” great music.
For me Josh is 2nd to Andrea B.
In Nguyen Khang’s case it boils down to the $$. He has to pay the bill and it is sad because he doesn’t really have a good career to fall back on. Still he should be able to make a living singing and keep his style by choosing songs carefully and not putting out too many CDs.
Dear ph: Thanks!
Dear Donny: Thanks! :=)
Dear PTN: You’re welcome :)