Le Quyen – Khuc Tinh Xua
A quick glance at the tracklist on Le Quyen’s Khuc Tinh Xua worried me. It would be a damn shame to witness one of my favorite female vocalists goes down Dam Vinh Hung’s path: fucking up classic sentimental ballads. As soon as I heard the first bar on the opening track, however, my worry was gone. Le Quyen not only didn’t let me down, but she also gave “nhac sen” an elegant makeover.
Le Quyen has learned the art of covering timeless golden tunes. She also understands the challenge of respecting the work and at the same time making each tune her own. In the leadoff track, Truc Phuong’s “Mua Nua Dem,” she bares her soul without being overemotional and expresses the lyrics without belting out her big, smoky pipe. In the second track, Thanh Binh’s “Tinh Lo,” she refined the tune to its core by stripping out the pathos and getting straight to the pain. She sings each word like she lives it. Her version of Hong Van’s “Doi Thong Hai Mo” is not just a threnody. She sings as if she also wanted to buried her soul next to the two graves.
From Y Van’s “Buon” to Tuan Khanh’s “Chiec La Cuoi Cung” to Anh Bang’s “Em Ve Keo Troi Mua” to Minh Ky’s “Tinh Doi” to Tran Thien Thanh’s “Han Mac Tu,” she makes these tunes fresh and “un-sen” with her gentle-but-grainy voice and soulful-but-never-schmaltz delivery. With the exception of the album closer, Anh Bang’s “Ngon Truc Dao,” which ruined by the dull beat, Khuc Tinh Xua is Le Quyen’s most consistent set yet. Some of the productions could benefit from simplicity, but Le Quyen’s voice is right on the money. She had demonstrated how classic ballads should be covered: thoughtful and tasteful.
“Le Quynh have learned the art of covering timeless golden tunes and understands the challenge.” » Huh? Who is Lê Quỳnh?
Great singer love her in “sa mac tinh yeu”
I’ve loved her smoky voice since the CD “Mat Biec” years ago. This is my favorite CD since Ngoc Anh’s “Giet Nguoi Trong Mong.”
Speaking of Ngoc Anh, look forward to her upcoming “Mua Thu Chet.”
“Oh no, she didn’t” was my first reaction going over the track list. But I was quickly sold by her first track. I listened to it 4 times before moving to the next song LOL. She totally stepped out of her comfort zone and tried out this “nhac mui” genre. Solid solid work, although I’m not too fond of the last two songs. And “oh yeah, she did” was my closing statement. This girl can sing!
I agree, the album should have end at “Han Mac Tu.” The good thing is that those two songs are at the end so you can easily tune them out.
what a funny spelling of “le^.”… i thought it was “le^”
Donny, is Ngoc Anh releasing another full CD, “Mua Thu Chet?” I know she performed that song on “PBN: Divas.”
If so, I can’t wait!
I would love to hear either Ngoc Anh or Le Quyen duet with Duc Tuan (whose new CD sucks! – can’t stand modern Vietnamese songs).
She was promoting it on the Diva show. The success of “Giet Nguoi Trong Mong” prompted her and Thuy Nga to release the next one.
Duc Tuan is no longer one of my favorites. His latest album sucks and the way he sings really gets under my skin.
Duc Tuan’s Broadway attempt was a complete disaster. He recently offered his redemption with “Tre Mai” (all songs written by Tran Le Quynh). I’m somewhat convinced he’s on his way back. Title track along with “Chan Tinh” and “Co Gai Den Tu Hom Qua” resonate the most his pop/semi-classique style. Hope you’d have a chance to listen to it Donny.
Bang Kieu, DVH, QD, and now seemingly Duc Tuan is going down that path too!!! poor divos…lol…look like they will ddi vo^ soon… Hope Tung Duong will stay clear of this ” black hole ”
Even international big star diva Celine Dion can become boring! BK is singing just like Celine )
Im not excited about Ngoc Anh new cd seriously i’m bored of the songs! :) Im awaiting for Hong Nhung cd which is well overdue and should have new songs this time.
I find her vibrato a lil grating but in general the album is a lot better than what I thought it would be. Thankfully, it doesn’t seem like she attended the Dam Vinh Hung school of singing. In fact, her covers are kinda similar to the vibe that comes from Bao Yen singing this genre. I find most crossover albums to be silly, but this one was done in rather good taste. If you get the chance, check out “tinh ca khong doan ket” from Y Lan which is a compilation of Lam Phuong’s songs. Suprisingly, Y Lan doesn’t do the standards you’d associate with her usual set… Y Lan singing “Duyen Kiep”? Who would have thunk it?
I cannnot wait to listen to this CD. Le Quyen, one of my fav singers at the moment. Did you know poorly Vietnamese pirated DVDs like PBN are sold for 8 Euros, about 10 USD, in Berlin. Unbelievable!!!
Listening to “Em về kẻo trời mưa” now…
Someone is finally doing justice to my favorite genre. :o)
Tannie, right now. I felt the similarity of Bao Yen as well.
Alright, I gotta go look for that Y Lan’s album over the weekend in Eden since you keep bringing it up :)
Last time I heard, Le Quyen was going to do a liveshow next year! Can’t wait to see her set list, and I guarantee you she’d cover one or two songs from this album.