Nothing ado abt DT

While looking for cute panda pixs to cheer myself up, came across these fabulous comic strips by Coco Wang. Also check out her other strips on the Sichuan earthquake - wonderful stuff. So what's new & happening? Well, check out the new Taiwan wunderboy Jam Hsiao's debut album & there was a track called 活著 (Live on) which has the line 為你唱首歌 (I sing you a song) like David's earthquake song in the lyrics! Coincidental? Well, guess not an uncommon line in lyrics but the title & song is also an encouraging song almost like its written for victims of the earthquake. Only difference it's a fast song. Anyway, just a trivial thing I noticed but then all power to WaWa whose simple lyrics always has the ability to touch the heart. Also there are 4 ballads in the album that featured a longish solo piano intro. They are written by Gary Cao, Real of FIR, Qing Feng of Sodagreen & Jam Hsiao himself. For sure there must be many ballads that start with a solo piano intro but to have 4 in one album? Anyway I am no expert on chinese albums so I can't say for sure that there were not other albums that had that many ballads with solo piano intro. Or maybe its just the power of DT that even with 1 song, he can influence the way chinese ballads are arranged ^__^ Okay okay I am just your raving DT fanatic (*__*) But I do especially love the intro in 好好活下去, the way it tugs at the heartstrings.
Anyway back to Jam Hsiao who interests me cos he looks like a male version of A-Mei. He too is of Taiwanese aboriginal background. Here he is wearing a crown cos his album came up top in sales *sigh* The things chinese record companies made their singers do. Jam's company has been very safe with his album & it has enough ballads for karaoke as well as a couple of off-beat songs to appeal to the young crowd who want something more 'indie'. Of more interest is Jam's vocals whom everybody rave abt & I must be the odd one cos I honestly cannot find anything attractive abt his voice. In fact he has a rather old-fashioned way of singing like warbling with a very pronounced vibrato. Unlike A-mei who has a well-modulated voice with excellent clarity and just enough vibrato for emphasis. I noticed most chinese listeners go for singers who work hard audibly for their high notes like Jam whereas for me I prefer a singer who can go through a wide range effortlessly like Alicia Keys & of cos DT ^__^

DT in Wuxi

David attended a fans meeting @ Wuxi in Jiangsu on Sunday. He sang Rain, Susan says, Who do you love, Regular Friends, Moon represent my heart and I Love you. He looked less tired & much rested. No idea where Wuxi is but apparently it is not far from Shanghai & is even called Little Shanghai. Once again he impressed me with his penchant for travelling to different regions in China to meet his fans ^__^ Also thank to Janice from HK who let us know that DT has recorded a Father' Day msg on Roadshow HK & is being shown on HK buses!
(All pixs courtesy & thanks to DTFC)

DT & new beginning

So happy to see DT's new msg. He is back ^__^ and a new beginning sounds promising. So touching that he mentioned not only Sichuan earthquake but Myanmar's cyclone disaster as well. I did think of mentioning Myanmar but just felt that the situation there is beyond any kind of charitable help but of cos that does not mean that one should not contribute in some way. Also my heart shrivelled up everytime I think of Aung San Suu Kyi, surely the most unsung hero of our modern times. She gave up her family, her freedom & her health to suffer alongside her people for her country but you think the world care? They rather paid homage to a freewheeling monk who doesn't seem to have suffered much for his country & his people, many of whom had perished in the earthquake.
True to his artistic temperament :P David told us not to expect a 'David Tao album' & even fear losing his listeners. Dear DT, you should have faith in us. We are not your fans cos of your chart topping K songs. Anyway he has not let me down in the past so I am looking forward to his new 'experimental' album. Actually I often wish he is less kind to his fans cos I think in his past albums, he gave us a bit too many ear candies *__* but all gratefully received rest assured.
In this review of Vitas Lu's new album, the reviewer waxes lyrically of the purity of his sound recording which is a relief to me as I often wonder if I heard the same thing as others. However he only gave 3 stars which could be cos the album lacks ear candies. He said of one song in the r&b genre which features the guitar that had it been David Tao, the song could have become a K song favourite. See what I meant abt David being too kind to his fans. I remembered in one interview, David kinda told off his fans not to keep asking him to write the same kind of music but to let him have room for growth & development then hurriedly promised that he would still give us ear candies. At that time I was happy that he did so & I am still happy now cos we would not have Susan said, Marry me today, Love Can, So Beautiful. But it is indeed time for a brand new beginning. So do not fear my dear DT, we have grown with you & we will be able to accept anything you give us like Free & 好好活下去 which are vry unDT songs. Although I do hope that he will still keep to his original idea of a rock album but hey I can wait if he felt he is not ready to do one yet *__~

DT's New Msg

David's new diary entry ^__^

Subject: A New Beginning
5/29/08 7:58pm En Route to Chengdu, China
It’s been embarrassingly long ago since I wrote a journal with the last one being nearly a year ago. Much has transpired in the past year but sharing what has past is somewhat pointless as I’d rather move on and talk about the future and of things to come.
First and foremost, in the wake of the recent Sichuan earthquake and cyclone disasters in Myanmar, I’d like to urge all of you to continue your prayers, efforts and donations for the victims and their families. It may appear that the worst is over though, in fact, the most arduous and difficult tasks of rebuilding have only just begun. We are a society with a short memory and soon these tragic events will be nothing more than just a chapter in history. However, we must continue to remember that there are people in the world less fortunate than us and still very much in need of our aid and love. I firmly believe that one person’s love and efforts can bring about change let alone a group of people united. Let us all give and contribute what we can to those in desperate need of our love and support.
The past year has been inundated with numerous shows some of which have been part of the tour. The shows have all been very successful thanks on major part to all of your support. However, I’ve been quite exhausted being “on the road” though the rewards outweigh the hardships our entire team has gone through. On behalf of the entire production crew, I would like to extend to you our deepest gratitude for all your support and friendship. Playing music live in front of an enthusiastic crowd is one of the greatest joys in being a musician because nothing beats that kind of direct interaction. Interestingly, playing live also gives you an urge to go back into the studio to create new music and vice versa.
Playing live allows you to hone your performance skills on stage in real time in front of an often times unforgiving audience. A live show could end either in disaster or leave you feeling euphoric. However, the process of producing an album alone in the studio can be often lonely, depressing and frustrating. To create something from nothing is a fascinating process but often times it’s very abstract and intangible. There’s no formula to it (or, rather, it shouldn’t be formulaic) and you’re never guaranteed that the end result will amount to anything spectacular. You could spend days on one idea and still have it come out being not what you intended it to be. Or you could spend 10 minutes on something and have it come out to be one of your best works.
I’ve begun work on the new album already and I’m very excited about sharing this with you. Each time I embark on a new album, I always tell myself I’m going to produce “the” album and the one album I’ve always wanted to make. You tell yourself you’re going to make the “ultimate” album but, in the end, what does that mean anyway? Does that mean once you make this album of album’s you will retire as you’ve reached your final goal? To me, I frequently feel that my previous works fall short of what’s to come or what I had intended to do. It’s that overachiever’s mentality in all of us, I guess.
The new album is taking shape slowly though I’m still in the very early stages of song writing and putting ideas together. This album will most likely be the most conceptual of all my albums because lately I’ve been preoccupied with a lot of things revolving around a constant theme and idea. Concept albums are a thing of the past and most people think of the 1970’s when they hear that term. Albums now often appear to have a concept, however, it’s usually more just hype and marketing strategy and nothing more than just “packaging”. A concept album is something more complex and encompassing than just that and, in my opinion, should have an attitude and a real sense of purpose. In the past year, I’ve observed and felt a lot of things that have permeated my life which has filled me with a strong sense of purpose to make this album. By no means do I purposely try to make a “concept” album but, rather, it’s something that dominates your being and, thus, is reflected in everything you do.
You’re probably wondering what this concept is that I’m talking about and how it will manifest itself in an album and in the songs. I don’t want to give anything away just now because I’m still in the early stages of planning and writing but what I can share is that this will be a very experimental album in its lyrics, song writing, themes and also production. There are so many things I want to do musically that I haven’t done in the past and I hope I can realize them in this upcoming album. I do worry that I might lose many of you in this album because it might come off as very “un-David Tao” but, in actuality, it’s going back to my roots. To be honest, I have little interest in making an album filled with chart topping singles and karaoke-friendly hits. I’m more and more inclined not to pay attention to the market, what’s selling and what the trends are. I want to make an album that makes me happy and expresses what I feel though often times that may mean losing your listeners. I know there will always be the people out there who want me to write songs over and over again like 天天 or 愛很簡單. It’s not that I’m unwilling to repeat myself but rather that I’m in a different period of my life in which I’m unable to write those kinds of songs and express those kinds of emotions anymore.

6/1/08 Chengdu back to Taipei
I’m on the plane back from Chengdu sitting next to Lee Hom. We’ve each had a very touching and powerful experience witnessing the devastation of the earthquake and meeting the survivors. For me, being able to still see the smile on the faces of the children is what truly touches me. That attests to the strength and resilience of humanity but also to the power of love. Lee Hom and I also got a chance to talk about many things that are important in our lives as this trip to Sichuan put many things in our lives in better perspective. It’s gratifying and inspirational to hear another creative individual share his passion, ideals and feelings about his work and life. Lee Hom, I wish you the best as you are truly one the most talented and hard working individuals I know. I also wish you all the best in this year filled with many trials and tribulations some which have passed and many yet to come. Let us continue our prayers and in giving love to those in need in the world.
Peace be upon us, DT

DT in July

David will be heading to Wuhan on 711 (his birthday!) to judge in a contest for best band organised by 康师傅冰红茶. Until then hopefully he can have some free time to rest, write his script & work on his album. Probably cos of this, there were some articles abt him in the Chinese media but it is old stuff abt his cars, buying properties, etc.
好好活下去 has been included in 'Earthquake songs that can be propagated' in Nanfangdaily. Which is real nice considering the many Earthquake songs around prompting the inevitable poll *sigh* Anyway David's song is praised for its solemn simplicity & sincerity. Dear DT, that's all I asked. That your music will always touch someone's heart.
Heard a song by Vitas Lu Guang Chong which featured some vry nice scat singing a la George Benson. It gives the same feeling as David's recording that you are listening to a real voice not digitalised version. So if you are looking for some good music, might wanna give his debut album 100 Ways of Living a try. Credit should always be given where credit is due even though I dun particularly go for his songs, his singing or his voice. Anyway here's the mv courtesy youtube:

DT the leader

David appearing in a Chinese program celebrating Children's Day where he sang 好好活下去 live for the 1st time:

It was a vry nice performance. He felt relieved after visiting the children affected by the earthquake when they acted like normal noisy, playful kids. He felt children should always be like that.
Nice pix of him writing on the blackboard. More TT (Teacher Tao) than DT ^__^ Caught a short clip of him rehearsing Hand in Hand with the various singers & it was so great to see him taking charge & giving musical directions. When ppl complained he is arrogant, I think they were probably mistaken by his leadership qualities. A born leader is certainly not shy, withdrawn or has false modesty. Anyway his personality is vry suited to be a film director & producer *__*
There was a huge charity phone-in event last nite in HK which I was kinda watching while trying to catch up on sleep. While it was vry nice & heartwarming to see so many celebrities gathered to help, just can't help noticing the lack of really good singers *sigh* Most of them were so lacklustre & as usual it was the veterans who showed what good live singing was all abt. I enjoyed Kenny of the Wynners the most. He has a gorgeous mellow gravelly voice great for belting out Beatles' songs. Old rockers are the best hehe DT may get there in a few yrs when he is in his forties :P Also noticed many male celebrities seemed to be sporting dark-framed spectacles. Is this a new kinda trend? Or maybe they think these glasses gave the appropriate 'earthquake response' look?

DT rocks Children's Day

David visited a school for children from earthquake affected areas in Chengdu in honor of 6/1 Children's Day. First he taught them to sing a traditional chinese children song called 'Two Tigers'. Then he got them to bang on the table & sang the classic Queen's We will rock you. Finally they sang Marry me today. Below some vids of the event, first thanks to Annie & the other 2 credit & thanks to DTFC:



Just so DT to even pronounce the 'apostrophe' ^__^ Anyway I am satisfied with his low key efforts to help out. Not sure if he has any other earthquake related activities planned or he will be heading back to LA to work on his album. Hope he gets plenty of rest. For sure he looks like getting into some serious work mode what with his black framed glasses & slightly unshaven look:
Also sneaked this pix from DTFC of his press conference yesterday. Kinda funny he is wearing a smaller sized tee than Yanzi *__* These 2 really look nice together & hope they can find a way to work together in future.