One of the funniest moments in Part 1... when she was forced to learn palace etiquette.
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Some kind souls have actually uploaded all 3 series on Youtube and tudou! Amid the writing of post 17, I was already screening through the videos uploaded, searching for some of the funniest moments in this drama serial. I've included the links to view this magnificent drama series on tudou.
Personally I find the third season rather redundant... It came out at a much later time. New cast failed to captivate the audiences with their performances. Most importantly, the script gave me the impression that she was forced to squeeze out some story just for the sake of extending it to the third season.
This album is definitely one of my favourite albums in 2006. For most, I think the bulky package may put some people off in purchasing this album, as it comes in an box, a bit smaller than A4 size.
4 years since the last release of a Mandarin album, Karen's distinctive vocals remains as the main attraction. Even though, 手 composed by Tanya Chua did not came out as a major hit as compared to the success of 爱, this high quality album would not disappoint her fans considering the long wait for this release.
一个人睡 showcases her techniques and versatility as an award winning female vocalist. 如果没有你 which bares some resemblances to 你给我多少时间, happens to be the most popular karaoke song in this album. Liked the way she performed 甜美生活 with ease and perfection, and the musical arrangement amplified the uniqueness of her voice. Overall, this album works on the success formula which she has used in her last 2 Mandarin albums in SonyBMG.
My opinion: Karen really needs some form of breakthrough, planned for the next album. Hopefully, the next wait will not be that long again.
B+
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2008...
In fact the breakthrough actually came in her next album... an elevation to composing 90% of the songs in that album. Indeed as predicted... but this form was not exactly what I would expect to come from her.
Was input-ing her previous works into my ipod a few days ago. Adore her songs... especially during her stay in Rock Records. Just managed to get hold of a second hand copy of her compilation album released by her former company recently and finally. Yes, another fruitful treasure-hunting session.
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T3: 如果没有你 词：李焯雄 曲：左安安
星光插播！
听林宥嘉唱出不一样的感觉。男生版的诠释是否有所不同？
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T5: 一个人睡 词：李焯雄 曲：Rachael Yamagata/John Alagia
Tried my luck searching for the original song... and here it is.
Actually not really in touch with English songs all this while, but I'm truly impressed after hearing it for the first time.
While I was arranging the format of this page, I was listening to this album as the same time.
Frankly speaking, I've not touched this album for quite some time, and was astonished that I was still able to derive listening pleasure from it. Officially, this was also the first album that I've bought which came from Fish Leong, even though I did purchase one of her compilation karaoke albums previously.
There are quite a handful of tracks worth recommending:
- Composed by A-Niu, 给从前的爱, has a impressionable melody especially at the chorus.
- 接受 extended the list of songs available for karaoke frequents, indisputably.
- Romance and happiness surrounds 我是幸福的.
- Collaboration with David Tao in 我都知道, offered a rock appeal.
- Cover version of 纯真 portray an inquisitive feminine charm.
Summing up, this disc definitely deserves to stay in the first few pages of my cd wallet.
Fortunately all the buses and trains arrived on time today... which minus a significant amount of time waiting for public transport.
Was chatting with a student today how he prepares for his coming examination, and what he think lies ahead of him in the future.
Don't know.
Thinking thru' later what I've asked him today, if I was prompted the second question at the point of time when I was the same age as him, I don't think I will be able to answer that.
Frankly speaking, I still have reservations for what I might be doing in the future.
I guess most of us have been surviving in a 'protected' society, constantly achieving for academic excellence. This route happens to be perceived by most of us as the norm.
Think it is always gd to venture into other areas of interest along the way... who knows maybe you may find yourself doing something better off in this area?
Yes, may not be truly practical, but it all comes down to how you manages your life and work at the same time
Of course, if possible, deriving pleasure from your work is the best scenario that everyone would want to look forward to.
... To be cont'd
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By the way, do bear with me because I'm still in the stage of shifting reviews from my previous webpage.
Trying to squeeze time to listen to some of the latest albums that I've bought and borrowed recently.
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Review first published in 2007.
1996年发行/What's Music(上华)
I bought this album at a 2nd hand CD outlet and coincidentally, happened to be my first encounter too.
Even though I was dubious of the quality of the disc initially, I was rather eager to get hold of this album to complete my collection, particularly when Valen Hsu has been my favourite singer all these while. Fortunately, the album I've purchased was relatively new, considering that it was a release almost a decade ago.
The Cloud Knows? showcases most of Valen Hsu's memorable works especially at her peak of her career. We should be more than familiar with 如果云知道 which extended the truimph of 泪海. 2 of Valen's compositions, 突然想爱你 and 寄信人, were recorded in this album as well. For the former, it has been one of my all time favourites from her, and I feel, one of her best compositions to date as well. 独角戏 happens to be the more popular song among many listeners including my friends around me and Valen's vocal performance for this difficult song was very impressive indeed. Specially to mention Track 9 你讨厌, which captures a more youthful and adorable side of Valen Hsu, entirely different from her familiar 芸式唱腔.
A comforting and lasting album that has accompanied me during my 'torturous' exam days.
While you are watching the clips, do look out for Sam Wang from 5566 and 183 Club in 突然想爱你 as well.
A- ======
This is one of the few albums of hers that I still listen to regularly. I find this album best portrayed her title of 芸式唱腔. Left me wondering why this piece of treasure was found 'sitting' in a second hand shop...
Next, enjoy 2 of my favourite tracks in this album.
After a year of study leave in New York, a*mei returned with much eagerness to work on her new album, I Want Happiness? Fortunately with much better drafted promotion strategy by the marketing team this time round, the sale of this album soared beyond expectations and managed to top as one of the best selling albums in Taiwan in 2006.
Comprises mostly of heart rendering ballads, a*mei's sensational vocal performance sets to capture the hearts of the listeners once again. However, as compared to her works during the peak of her career, personally I feel that the selection of songs for this album are less impressionable but more emotionally in depth. If you have always prefer the softer side of a*mei, this album will definitely be to your liking.
I bought this album on impulse when I was attending her autograph session at that time. But I did not manage to let her sign till I attended yet another of her autograph session when she was on a promotion tour for 我们的纪念日 3 years later. I did not have much impression of her except for her 到不了 at that time. Her stage performance and friendly personality left quite a good impression and I believe that should be the reason for the sudden impulse to purchase this album then. The first half of the album was smooth and pleasant until it reaches Track 07 which I feel, spoilt the entire soothing atmosphere for the album. Yes, folk is her forte but it was a bit out of place among the rest of the ballads. Normally I will skip that track when I'm listening to this album. Collaboration with Guang Liang came as a surprise, but the impact was not as significant as compared to the duet she did later on with Angela Cheung. My pick for this album goes to 永恒, which unfortunately was not being promoted at that time too.
Even though I did not purchase her albums anymore after that, I did borrow from a friend who was an avid supporter of her. What I notice later on was Fan Fan belongs to the group of "listening-friendly" type of singers or 耐听型歌手. Initially you may find her album a bit dull and boring, but after several spins, you will grow to like her songs and you will unconsciously pick up this album from the shelves to listen periodically.
She was the hot favourite to win the Best New Artist at this year's Taiwan Golden Melodies Award. Tong En, at 22 years old this year, came back to the music scene after a year with her 2nd album packaged with several surprises. Firstly, the production team has decided to give Tong En a makeover, not only appearance wise, as well as genre of songs selected for this album. We have seen a more lively and rebellious Tong En in her debut album - a teenager who wants to be herself, and I believe the lukewarm response may be the reason in a differing outlook for this entire album. A girl-next-door look was chosen abruptly as the overall image for this album. 袁惟仁, one of Taiwan's well known producers, took the challenge this time round to enhance Tong En's vocal potential and capacity in several ballads. Even though he did add a tinge of folk pop, it still fails to brighten the gloomy atmosphere created in this album.
When I first heard a snippet of the title track 不准哭 on Tong En's blog, I was amazed by the improvements she have made over a year. A right amount of emotions instilled, plus Tong En's impressive vocal control throughout the song, touches the hearts of those listening to this song. 一下下, a local composition by Xiao Han and Eric Huang, is another heart rendering piece and Tong En handled the song with ease, coupled with emotional, heartfelt vocals. Both of them definitely live up to their name as the 'golden' pair of musicians in Singapore.
Her versatility was amplified in her debut album, as she juggled with different genres of music then. Similarly in this album, the selection of songs challenges Tong En's vocal capacity and capability. For tracks like 悲伤作业 and 若无其事, she tends to exert more power in her vocal presentation, giving her voice a rather raw feeling in these soft rock pieces. On the other hand, in tear-jerking ballads such as 一个人遗憾 and 在你眼里 depict a more feminine and delicate side of Tong En. Personally, I prefer the latter, especially her pleasing finishing at the high notes, producing a soothing, lingering sensation in the ears of her listeners. Another favourite of mine in this album goes to 三点半, composed by 阿怪. Folk seems to be the best ingredient to spice up her voice, as we hear her performing this track relaxingly and comfortably. A song suitable to be played on a lazy weekend afternoon.
Her duet with Van Fan in 相爱 came as a surprise. Credits should be given to the producer, Huang Shu Jun who managed to blend the voices of both singers beautifully in this romantic piece.
With this album, Rebecca has convinced me and most critics that she is a talented singer, however her record sales failed to reflect this thought. Immense competition and piracy has led to disappointing sales, and this was further worsened by the record company's sloppy and poor promotion scheme.
We can only pray for the release of her next album.
