DT's new song

No news yet about release of new album but David has a new song which he sang during March 30 fan meet in Xi'an, China . Chinese name is 一念之间 and english name is probably Say Goodbye. It's a lovely old-fashioned song with excellent lyrics written by DT's longtime lyrist WaWa. He sang it live of cos: 一念之间
你是怎么做到的，我不是你要的爱 。 你是怎么想象的，关于你们的未来。 如果我怀疑幸福不会一直存在， 请告诉我怎么做才得到爱。 你会为爱说什么，当做永恒的承诺。 你以前为爱做过的，后悔的事多不多。 如果已经不在乎啊，就不妨说明白。 请告诉我该怎么say goodbye 一边是有情，一边是无情。 爱情里没有人最聪明 心中的莫名的想法扑过来，最后是自己 一边成了佛，一边成了魔 每个人做了心中的选择 当初心头的最好，一念之间可以 say goodbye 你曾爱说什么，当做永恒的承诺。 你曾为爱做过的，后悔的事多不多不多。 如果已经不在乎啊，就不妨说明白。 请告诉我该怎么say goodby。 一边是有情，一边是无情。 爱情里没有人最聪明 心中的莫名的想法扑过来，最后是自己 一边成了佛，一边成了魔 每个人做了心中的选择 当初心头的最好，一念之间可以 say goodbye 一边是有情，一边是无情。 爱情里没有最聪明 心中的莫名的想法扑过来，最后是自己 一边成了佛，一边成了魔 每个人做了心中的选择 当初心头的最好，一念之间可以 say goodbye
Music by David Tao, lyrics by WaWa

DT ushering in 2013

David ushering in 2013 in Kaohsiung Taiwan. He sang his evergreens including Airport in 10.30 with a live band. Then there was a whole segment where he sang his famous love songs with 30 pairs of newly-weds on stage. It was quite surreal but still DT took it in good stride. Here's the obligatory youtube: He sounded really good and he has aged a bit but just add to his overall charm. I love every bit of his performance with no ridiculous costumes or dancers. Just good old real live singing -- how I miss it. As usual he looked even more fabulous during rehearsal:

Once again he promised a new ablum this year but not movie, thank goodness. However, it is true that he will be having a concert tour covering quite a few chinese cities.

I love the poster and the name of the tour - The Glamourous Life. I only hope he keeps it simple like the Kaohsiung concert. And also that he will sing more songs from his later albums. Happy New Year dear David, even though I hardly update this blog but you still my one and only idol.

RIP 陶大偉 1942 - 2012

Very sad news. David's beloved father 陶大偉 passed away on September 12 2012. Condolences to David Tao and his family.

DT Just Love Chic St

DT has become the spokesman for Fubon Charity Foundation and released a brandnew song & mv called Just Love. He has followed in the footstep of his father, Tao Dawei, who has always supported Fubon and pledged to support 100 children. He is certainly extremely sincere in his desire to help the little ones, bless him. He also revealed that his dad has suffered a minor heart attack last year but fortunately is on the road to recovery. His parents have moved back to Taipei from Shanghai cos of his dad's health and David has been looking after both of them. He is certainly a filal son, pray that Tao Dawei will get better. The new song is very refreshing & rather vintage (recycled) DT. Fans of DT from way back will probably recognised from which song he recyled (hint:Tension). DT has also become a store manager by opening a boutique called Chic St in Shanghai. His parents also attended the opening looking very chic themselves. Last weekend DT participated in the celebration concert of The Venetian in Macao. Oh dear, can't keep up with this man *__* Finally he has posted a vry enjoyable vid extolling the virtues of Fender Rhodes. However the release of his new album has now been pushed back from May to October which is expected *0*

DT's All for joy studio version

DT posted some pixs of him working in the studio with BFF Andrew Tan. He always looks his best when working. He also attended some activities in China & got molested twice -
... by overly enthusiastic fans in China Mobile related fan meet. ... by hot mama - chinese female celebrity in awards presentation. As usual he took it like the gentleman he is heehee He also took time to record & produce his latest composition All for Joy in the studio with Million Stars' winner Sharon Kwan. Listen here both live & studio version sounding great. Not sure if it will be released as a single or included in his upcoming comeback album. Looking forward to more good stuff by my fav idol!!!!!

All for Joy finale

Here's terrific vid of the BMW concert finale for All for Joy & also a great vid of DT & Cher Lloyd duet. Their voices blended well & they have nice chemistry. They both have vry dulcet voices esp Cher who at times sounded almost operatic like the soprano Sarah Brightman & yet they are able to rap. Very versatile singers. Really hope DT will include the song in his forthcoming album.

DT & new hairstyle

Forgot to mention that DT also sang I Love You & Rain at the BMW sponsored concert. This website has the audio of All for Joy & been listening a few times. Really like the performance of both DT & Cher. Apparently they also sang the song at the conclusion of the concert. Hope that DT will include a solo version in his upcoming album. David has also been vry chatty in his Weipo & posting a pix of himself with a new shorter hairstyle.

DT giving it all for joy!

Some better pixs of DT & Cher Lloyd courtesy of autohome.com.cn to enjoy. Go to tudou to watch & listen to David's new song All for Joy. I really like it. It has a very celebratory sound but the beat is catchy esp the chorus "I gave it all for joooooooooooy". The rap section was unexpectedly sweet & enjoyable. It was fresh & groovy for a sports promo event theme song. David's voice was of cos pure joy & Cher was excellent too. The live performance was scintillating cos the 2 singers are indisputedly superb at singing live with their strong voices carrying through the stadium. Just perfect!

DT & Cher Lloyd - All for Joy

Last night DT participated in a large-scale concert in Quangzhou which was a BMW sponsored event for the upcoming London 2012 Olympics. He also wrote a new song called All for Joy which was the theme song for this event. He sang with English singer Cher Lloyd whom maybe familiar if a fan of X Factor. I only heard a bit of the song while trying to watch the event streaming live. By all accounts, it was not bad and featured some quick rapping by DT. The song of cos has bilingual lyrics with DT singing both chinese & english. Can't wait for the vid to be posted. He posted below pix in his Weipo standing in front of a vintage BMW. Maybe he deliberately chose this event cos of the vintage cars *_* So glad to see him all serious & working again on his music. I don't have any expectations of his album but just to hear his wonderful voice again will be enough. It seemed that he may sign up with one of the big music companies eg Typhoon Gold Label for the launch & release of his album. (Pixs courtesy & thanks to Baidu 陶喆)

DT & Rody

David showing off his version of Rody in ［Enjoy RODY! Enjoy LOVE!] promotion. His version is DTxRody - Zero to Hero because he believes that in everyone of us there is a hero bursting to get out. While we are engaged in everyday mundane affairs, once the opportunity arises like Superman we will up up and away with a slung guitar to become a Rock ‘N’ Roll Super Hero using music to rock & change the world. Whatever you say David *_* I don't even know what a Rody is, however his creation is very cute & desirable esp with a guitar. Even better news is that DT has posted that he is in the studio working on his new album scheduled to drop May 2012! He is working with his longtime pal Craig Burbridge. Below pix vry moody --- me like alot hehe

DT forward to 2012

DT rehearsing for the Hunan TV New Year show in Quangzhou & looking scrumptious! This show is probably one of the biggest in China tonite as it features lots of big names like Faye Wong & Jolin Tsai both of whom rumored to receive big bucks for their appearances. I don't know but I think if all they can write abt your participation is your fee ... oh Faye is supposed to sing another new song yet again with a Buddhist theme. Anyway back to DT who is rumored to be singing 7 songs including Black Tangerine with new arrangements. Here's a lovely rehearsal vid where he surreptiously peeped at his latest version of iPhone most probably to check on the lyrics altho of cos he still managed to forget most of them *roll eyes* More delicious pixs here. So as 2011 comes to a close, it's reassuring at least in my blog that some things remain the same: DT wearing cap, specs, muscle tee, IWC watch, using iPhone, forgetting lyrics ... in all my life, I never have such a constant as David Tao doing what he does best in the most adorable ways. But DT is going places as well. He launched The Mushroom album on 12/26 & going digital with it by using Tencent QQ, the largest & most popular online music platform in China. That would explain why he's now using Tencent Weibo instead of Sina. I do quite like the way he is managing his talents with vry little fanfare just letting their music do the talking. He has done well with PB33 whose songs had appeared in a popular online game as well as teenage fantasy movie. Yes, 2011 had been quite a satisfactory year for DT's music journey - new song, new duet, fabulous live performances, first-time music judge, indie producer role. I have a feeling next year is going to be even more DT spectacular. Happy 2012!

Featuring DT

(Photo & vid credit courtesy of 陶吧)
相信有一天 mv already out & online & YEAH we get to see DT & Atsushi singing together. It's interesting that EXILE is always attached to Atsushi probably to reassure fans that he is not going solo. The mv is not really the full song more fan service with footage of DT & Atsushi meeting, greeting, shaking hands, singing & embracing. Also DT was shown playing keyboard so I think he was also responsible for the music. In fact he seemed to be very much in control of the recording, arranging & producing. Also from his easy manner of greeting Atsushi, the recording & production may even be in his own studio. Anyway I enjoy the mv as much as I enjoy the song. It's been a long time since I seen so much of David! By the by, vid below was put up obviously by DT fan so it has 陶喆 featuring Atsushi for the title rather than the other way around. It's a bit disrespectful but actually most DT fans are usually not so childish.

DT & Atsushi redux

(Photo credit: Yahoo News TW)
Ooh la la 2 cuties together. Some Taiwan news on this collaboration as i-radio would be broadcasting the song as new song introduction from Dec 5-7 & the mv on MTV from Dec 8-10 ... wait a minute there's a mv?!? Do we get to see DT & Atsushi singing together? I can't wait, hope it will be online soon. I really love their co-operation, in fact it's my fave DT duet so far. Their voices really blend together so well & it's just fabulous to hear DT going back to his r&b roots. David even said that he hopes to collaborate with Atsushi again in his own album. It seemed they really worked hard on recording & production of this song with producer Mark Lui. They tried different methods of singing & both of them expressed their passion for music. Also arigato to Mika for clearing up abt Rising Sun error below:

Hi just FYI, "Itsuka Kitto （いつかきっと・・・）" is already released on 14/Sep/11 as a single CD coupling with "Rising Sun". "Itsuka Kitto" is the theme song of TV drama "Hi Wa Mata Noboru （陽はまた昇る）" and "Rising Sun" is the charity song for Japan earthquake. No song called "Hi Wa Mata Noboru" of EXILE/ATSUSHI. 12/06/2011 2:10 PM

Atsushi too had said in the news that Itsuka Kitto was released along with Rising Sun for the Japan earthquake charity. He was vry pleased to release this Chinese/Japanese version with David. It seemed that some EXILE/Atsushi fans are landing here from searches so I will do my bit to introduce David Tao to these newcomers. I myself enjoy EXILE music like their big hit Choo Choo Train & personally think that Atsushi is a very passionate r&b singer. It's not the first time that David sang in Japanese actually. In his 3rd studio album Black Tangerine released in 2002 he had a song called My Anata where he sang a few words of Japanese:

Then in his 6th studio album 69 David Tao released in 2009 he wrote a song called Zero to Hero which had some reference to the Japanese anime Kagaku Ninjatai Gatchaman & the song too had some Japanese words:

From these 2 songs, you will see that David is not just r&b singer. In fact even though he has been straddled with the honorific 'Godfather of Chinese r&b', there is a wide range of musical genre in his 6 studio albums. Even when singing live, DT tends to be more natural than r&b. He is a very honest, sincere singer/songwriter who doesn't always uses his talents to earn a lot of money or gain a lot of fame. He will rather infuse his listeners with his love & passion for music or influence them to think abt social issues. He is a very rare breed in the Chinese music/entertainment world.

DT branching out

DT came back to Taipei last weekend to attend Luo Dayu's concert & during the encore was invited to sing his fav Luo's song 之乎者也 with his idol. Here's the complete version at youtube -- vry enjoyable. It was just so wonderful to see both of them on stage together. I love how supportive DT was from presenting gifts personally at Luo's press conference to attending the concert & finally singing with him. He is certainly not the sort to claim someone as his idol & then could not even bother to attend his concert. Not only that, it's rare that he sing someone else song as a guest. Normally he would sing his own songs but for Luo Dayu, he even memorised the lyrics backstage but of cos he did forget some lines :P

Come to think of it, it's also rare that he sang in a song released that is not his own like 相信有一天. The above version recorded I think in Taiwan is clearer than the HK one with less voiceover. As usual with juvenile fans, they each claimed their idol's voice is superior. How can you compare? It's like comparing apples & oranges, like DT said. I prefer oranges but I still eat apples cos both are good for me. However as a DT fan, I just love the sharp clarity of his voice even when singing falsetto. He is one of the few r&b singers in Asia who can sing falsetto without sounding 'girly'. His voice is always his own even when singing Luo Dayu's songs. By the by, Rising Sun was a completely different song released by EXILE and not the theme song for 'Hi Wa Mata Noboru'. However there was a song called 'Hi Wa Mata Noboru' released to help raise funds for the Japan earthquake to add to the confusion. Atsushi did not release 'Itsuka Kitto' officially but there is a solo Japanese version available on youtube if anyone is interested. I really like to hear a solo DT version.

DT lost in translation

Okay while looking up for the lyrics of Atsushi/DT duet as requested by dtindo below, discovered some confusing details abt this song. It was also the theme song for a Japanese TV series called Hi Wa Mata Noboru aka The Sun Also Rises which of cos has nothing at all to do with Ernest Hemingway to add to the confusion. The song sung by Atsushi & called Rising Sun was then released as a single by EXILE. This TV series abt the going-ons in a police academy was screened during July this year. So was this the second time the song was released? Cos Atsushi said that he wrote the song which was actually the lyrics during the earthquake in Japan which was in March. So did he set his lyrics to the melody then or maybe the melody was written for the TV series & Atsushi decided to use the lyrics he has written a few months ago? Or did Rising Sun had different lyrics & then Atsushi decided to change the lyrics to his own for the duet with DT? The mind boggles ... also considering this song was not really a hit when it was first released since even Atsushi's fans did not know abt it, why release it again as a duet? The only answer I can think of is that maybe the Japanese TV series will soon be screened in Hong Kong & this will be the theme song again. Anyway here are the lyrics with the Japanese translated to Chinese - I don't know by who so I can't give any credits very sorry.

ATSUSHI & 陶喆 - 相信有一天
いつか悲しい思いに (有一天　懷抱著悲傷感覺)
向き合えずに 一人だけで (卻獨自一個人　無法去面對)
不安になるそんな夜は (於是感到不安的夜裡時分)
慢慢地　把手心貼近胸前
有種莫名感覺　從心的最裡面
漸漸甦醒　重新回到身邊
我知道　有一天　不怕再多試煉
誰かが光失って (因為有人失去了希望的光線)
涙がそっと溢れて (臉頰就悄悄多了兩行淚)
自分の無力さを感じて (發現自己的無力有多狼狽)
就算這樣　依然願意付出一切
分享自己　成全別人的心願
凝結成一股暖流 在身體流動　一點點蔓延
那一天　剎那間一道光線
明明隱約看見　卻曇花一現
於是又拼命追逐它的腳步
我的歌　這條路　不會有休止符
もしもすべてを失って (如果說失去了現在的一切)
涙で前が見えなくて (因為眼淚模糊了眼前的視線)
ひとりの孤独さを感じて (一個人獨自去承受孤單的感覺)
心灰意冷對一切感到厭倦
為什麼而活　為什麼盲目地追
就算困在重重迷霧不見來時路
相信有一天… いつかきっと…
あの空の彼方 (那片天的遙遠邊界)
見え始める日が (能夠看到的那一天)
必ず 来るはず (一定會來到我身邊)
幸せの意味探して (尋尋覓覓幸福的真正意念)
何度も明日を信じて (有多少次相信會有明天)
それでもくじけそうになるけど (即便這樣依然覺得被挫折包圍)
直到我心裡面背負的一切
被宣告終點的日子來臨以前
絕不會輕易去放手　此刻我願承諾
相信有一天…直到那一天…

DT the boss

Ok, the lyrics of Atsushi/DT duet already online. Atsushi (why is this guy's name always in caps?) did not write the melody, only the lyrics. The melody was written by a duo, Matthew Tishler & Andrew Ang. There is already a Japanese version called 'Itsuka Kitto' sang by Atsushi. The Chinese lyrics was written by DT & Taku Cho. The producer is Mark Lui who hailed from Hong Kong so I can only presume that the recording was also done there. This Chinese/Japanese version will only be released in HK but maybe David will include it as a bonus track in his own album? This colloboration seemed to puzzle both fans but I am guessing, only guessing OK, that DT could have done it for public relations. Remember he is a boss now & lately PB33 had performed live in both HK & Taiwan. He needs to get on the good side of the ppl in the entertainment business in many Asian countries so as to be able to promote his mainland artistes. Unfortunately the star most ppl want is still himself. Still even though it's not a great song but I enjoy it tremendously. DT had been working hard over the weekend appearing in Beijing for a celebration of some company. He did not sing, maybe he was resting his throat, just interacted with the audience. He hasn't appeared in Million Stars for quite sometime. Hope to see him next mth cos I really enjoy watching him being all judgemental :P

DT the linguist

Wow that's fast but Atsushi & DT's duet 相信有一天 already online, listen @ tudou, sounded like broadcast on HK radio. Atsushi will also be singing a song sang by HK singer Miriam Yeung called 小城大事 translated into Japanese in his solo album which could explain the fast HK promo. I really like the song which is r&b as anticipated. Their voices are quite similar & they each sang a combination of Chinese & Japanese which actually works quite well *__* Atsushi wrote this song during the Japanese earthquake and at first he thought it would be depressing but after recording the song with David, he found it surprisingly pleasant. David too was satisfied with his part & both are happy with their efforts at singing each other language. There was not much written abt how this collaboration came abt & when they met or even if they did meet but the song sounded like both was recording in the studio at the same time, not separate recording & then editing into one track. I love the live sound of the song with no computer trickery & the blending of their voices with both singers surely being two of the best r&b singers in Asia. EXILE is a big name in Japan selling million of albums & winning many awards. They are not a band or a boy group, more a performance group like a smaller all-boy version of the all-girl AKB48. There are two main vocalists, Atsushi being one, with the others being backing vocals & mainly dancers. Earlier this year, they had performed in the famed Beijing National Stadium for the annual 3-nation (China, Japan & Korea) festival. DT was also one of the performers being very daring to do an acoustic version of his song just by strumming on his guitar on the huge stage. It could be Atsushi watched it, liked it & decided to ask DT if he wanna duet hehehehehehehehe In other DT news, he was spotted enjoying tea-tasting at a teahouse in Xiamen, southern China. DT really knows how to enjoy life eh?

DT, Otamatone & Atsushi

It seemed that DT will be featured in one of the songs in the solo album of Atsushi, vocal member of Japan 14-member group EXILE. OK fear not, Atsushi is not flying solo but his solo album will be included in the release of EXILE's new album in Jan 2012. Not sure what kinda marketing strategy but hey 2-in-1 can't be all bad for EXILE fans rite? The song is written by Atsushi not DT so I'm really not that excited. It is also reported that it will be a duet with Atsushi singing Chinese & DT singing Japanese ... erm hope not. I just cannot understand why singers want to sing in a language they are not familiar with because it rarely ever works. Anyway we find out soon & it could be a nice song probably r&b as Atsushi is a very good r&b singer. Also he seems to share the same fashion sense as DT teehee! It could also explain why DT posted a cute vid of himself on his Weibo playing with a blue Otamatone, a fun musical toy from Japan. Could be a gift from Atsushi or maybe he bought it on a secret trip to Japan to record with Atsushi. All will be revealed in the secret life of DT *__*

DT, the indie producer

Latest pix of DT in concert for the celebration of a well-known fashion label in Humen, China. Below is the vid which I thoroughly enjoyed:

Of all his largescale concert performances, this is the one I liked most. His voice was near perfect, sometimes he could be lazy abt hitting the high notes but this time he just cruised along with minimum effort. He sang Rain, Susan Said, I Love You & Moon represent whose heart. For Susan Said & Moon, he used a backing track which was understandably as both songs had a lot of backing vocals. However he somehow managed to incorporate & not hide the backing track so that it was very clear that he was still singing live. He is really such a master at performing live that I can now understand why most chinese reporters tend to single him out for giving the audience 'ear pleasure'. I also liked that his fans held out light signs of the names of his songs while he was singing them. It was really cool & I think he appreciated that too ^__^ Read an interview with PB33, the mainland 3-member band that he signed up & the first Great Entertainment artiste to release an album called Not Acting Cool. They said that DT signed them up after listening to their live performances & demos of their self-penned songs. He felt that their rock style was vry similar to his & that they had ambition & dreams just like him. The first time they met David, they felt he was vry bright & friendly. He chatted to them abt music all the time, especially music that was similar to their style & will not hesitate to play the music for them no matter where they are. So DT, I can picture them in the toilet while he whipped out his iPod to get them to listen hehehehehehehe! They said they really learnt a lot from DT, especially the drummer who said that DT would advise & teach him different methods. As for their album, it took a year to prepare & DT was with them all the time & was their producer. Although it was DT who selected all the songs, they all had their say & voted on their choices as well. David also made sure that their original style did not change because he wanted the songs to reflect who they are. It was after all their original rocknroll style that first attracted him (PB33 had a style quite similar to the Beatles). The recording was done in Bejing & post-production in USA. Basically it was what I expected of DT the producer. That he would not try to impose his own ideas & styles on his proteges, but he did choose the kind of music that he enjoys & will like to produce which is quite daring in today's chinese music industry where success is judged by how popular & how high the ranking. Both PB33, a poprock band, & The Mushrooms, a hardrock band, are most definitely not your chinese idol group. Most of them have average looks & they don't dance but they write their own music in the style they preferred not crowdpleasing tunes. At the moment, David is probably the artiste who can make the most money in his company which could be the reason he is running around China performing in largescale concerts. Another reason is that he has actually announced that he will release a new album as well as his movie next year *GASP* So he has also been organising fan meetings where he was performing in order to touch base with his fans. Clever move. Actually I think he will be silly not to release an album now that he is his own boss & can do virtually any kind of music he wants. So plse don't have any high expectation that he will do a crowdpleasing, charttopping album although I still hope that he will do an english song pretty plse. Talking abt english songs, Wu Jiru has composed one called Why, go listen -- although rather derivative, it's vry heartfelt & I like it a lot. I do have high hopes for Jiru even though he was thrown out of Million Stars for forgetting lyrics.

DT & Maotai

DT interacting with fans during his performance in Quizhou for the celebration of the 60th anniversary of Maotai, China's famous alcoholic beverage. He looked nice in the floral jacket. He also posted a pix posing next to the giant Maotai bottles in his Weibo. He sang Marry Me Today with this female singer whom I don't recognise, could be a local singer. Haven't been feeling extremely well lately so unable to post much. Missed a lot on DT but rest assured he is having a great time travelling around China performing as well as promoting Kiehl: So cute. He was grounded when travelling to Beijing & had to cancel due to the heavy fog. He also performed in Beijing National Stadium, the famous birdnest which hosted the 2008 Olympics. Here's a lovely pix: The dancer later posted in his Weibo thanking him for his cooperation. Found out that his company is called Great Entertainment in english. Apparently the logo was designed by our vry own DT: I think it's a combination of the handsign for 'rock music' & a chicken which is his chinese horoscope. Note also the filmstrip - look out DT's movie coming hehehehhehehehe Here's the website where can listen to his new song My Everything as well as songs by PB33 & Mushroom, the two indie bands he signed up so far. The lead singer for Mushroom was also one of the PK singers in Million Stars singing a song by Yuan Wei Ren aka Xiao Pang. He got 24 losing only by 1, David was of course not judging which was only fair. Go here to watch all the episodes of Million Stars. Finally My Everything on youtube, make sure to listen rite to the end where there's a surprise: