FREYA LIN

Sry, thanx to nlayhua & tangerina, the link to Thinking of your love duet by Freya Lin & Ronald Cheng was wrong. Anyway fix it now. The song linked was Thinking much of love, a great little song oso with connected to David, the melody actually Airport 10.30 rearranged sumwhat. Here can listen to more of Freya's songs. I think she has such a lovely voice.

She looks wonderful too I think, full of character, but seem to haf disappeared. Hope she release another album soon. I find her voice similar to Penny Dai, another wonderful talent from Malaysia.

They look kinda similar 2. Nice little fansite 4 Penny.
Okie, find out more info regarding Alex To's new album, Take Off There r 4 covers, Still love you much is cover of When you're in love with someone & Take Off is cover of Daddy Cool. Haf not heard the originals, but happy with Alex's versions.

ALEX! ALEX! ALEX!

Well, there's good music & popular hits, then there is ALEX TO! Just the most gorgeous guy fr looks to singing to acting to his HOT bod. Just watch his latest Take off mv Luv, luv, luv Alex ever since I saw him in Pawnshop No 8. I actually bought the series cos of the extras - interviews & Alex singing live!
Anyway Alex's new album Take off is out.

Can't wait to get it. Here can sample but plse support original esp 4 Alex cos he, along with Harlem Yu, were the first to not only sing r&b really well but sing with real feelings. In this album can oso find his Pawnshop No 8 themesong and love ballad called Still love you much
Both songs haf sum connection with David, haha, must bring David into this post. Anyway the love ballad is a cover of sum english song, vry familiar but not sure whose, but the chinese lyrics written by Wah Wah, David's lyrist. The theme song was written by a guy called Jay or Jae Chong who I think is similar to the guy who cowrote Tension song, I need you so bad, and oso arranged it with David as well as played the guitar. Actually few times I heard chinese song that slightly caught my attention, he was the composer so should keep lookout for him as I think he will be up & coming composer in Taiwan. Here is Alex's fansite but everytime bandwidth exceeded which is gd 4 Alex becoming more popular but bad for me cos I wanna see!!!!
Oso Machi's new album, 2nd Opus, is out too.

THE EARLY YEARS

Guess if u r David fan, u probably know sumthing abt his profile. He is son of Tao Da Wei, quite well known artiste in Taiwan. Actually nvr heard of him b4 but then not familiar with chinese entertainment. When he was young, David accompanied his dad when he was filming & met many famous stars like the legendary Bridget Lin

So I supposed if David wanted to, he could haf entered the entertainment at young age as his dad & friends would helped him. But he didn't & his parents send him off to US to study, his mom flew to & fro between LA & Taipei to look after him & his dad. David haf interesting career after graduating, he joined the LAPD for a yr. He said the reason mainly money, he didn't want to depend on his dad (mthly salary prolly abt 2-3K so quite a lot for 21 yr old). Here exciting join lapd flash so u can see what David haf to go thru haha.

Then he met famous Tw music producer who was buying guitar with poor english. David kindheartedly helped him & when the producer knew that David was musician, invited him to help produce records. So David flew back to Taiwan & began his career in music, prolly 1993/1994 when David was 24/25. David composed as well as produced 4 many Taiwanese singers, sum no longer singing now. Notable r Alex To, Eric Suen & Sarah Chen. He oso worked with groups, most famous LA Boyz now called Machi. Then he haf successful cooperation with A-Mei. Here u can sample sum of his earlier stuff
Alex To's Discover Love
Dream of Kingston Man (original LA Boyz covered by BAD) luv this song
LA Boyz's Yabadabadoo
LA Boyz's Pure Energy
Thinking of your love, Freya Lin/Ronald Cheng duet luv, luv, luv this song
Sarah Chen's Love you forever
Sarah Chen's Not lover, not friend
Sarah Chen's Magic prolly David & Wah Wah's earliest cooperation
A-Mei's One night love my fav after High high high

As u can see, even at that time, David was experimental with his music, so many different styles. His production values alredi vry high & his arrangement always complex. So many layers to his music that u really need to listen with headset to appreciate. To those who complained he copied music, plse go & listen to know that he was influenced by the same sources as the music u think he was copying. Musical influences r vry common today, vry little is entirely original. Same with classical music so that ppl think that Mozart is Beethoven is Handel. If u dun know what I am saying then u prolly shouldn't accused musicians of copying.

All that time David was listening & writing his own stuff cos he knew that chinese music haf reached an impasse & needed sumthing different. When his self titled album was released in 1997, ppl were shocked chinese music sounded so different. He used r&b which was not actually new at that time but his music was fresher & very intimate, u listen almost as if David is singing to you alone.

LET LOVE EXIST IN YOUR HEART

In my vision the light is dim
When I am searching for my inner dreams
Every day I require a bit more courage to inspire me
So I will not let go and carry on
I know this life journey is hard
But we must try and face everything
No matter how tiring
I believe that one day I can let all my dreams come true
I know the day will come
When hope in my life will appear in front of my eyes
No more doubts, because love is already existing in my heart
Cos I believe, cos I believe
I see clearly although it is easy to get lost
While searching for this dream
So that the future can be bright
Don't be afraid of mistakes
Try to encourage myself
Please do not give up so easily
I know this life journey is hard
But we must try to face everything
No matter how tiring
I believe that one day I can let all my dreams come true
I know the day will come
When the hope in my life will appear in front of my eyes
No more doubts, because love is already existing in my heart
I believe today is the day
When I am able to let all my dreams come true
No more doubts, because love is already existing in my heart
Cos I believe
Because I believe
In my vision, all my dreams have come true
I can see clearly, see very clearly

Lyrics to David's lovely ballad, I Believe, such an inspiring song. The melody so uplifting and soothing, and the words so encouraging. Put up today cos saw this
article regarding Faye Wong. Said that she lost lotsa weight cos of breakup with Nic Tse. Oso this Taiwanese actor she reportedly seeing only 'play play'. Oso her career floundering, response to her china concerts not that gd, & her new album not selling as targeted.

Feel so sry for her cos used to like her songs & she used to be vry innovative & oso tried to introduce new things to chinese music like David. Really hope she, like this song, "try to face everything no matter how tiring, because love is existing in your heart." I believe that one day all your dreams will come true for you & your daughter, Faye.

IS DAVID CHINESE ENOUGH?

There is criticism that David too westernised to be relevant to chinese music. I agreed that sumtimes he dun behave like chinese do as he is more open and daring. But here can read lyrics of Tension's songs especially Smart. The lyrics & rap written by David really show that he knows what it is like to be chinese.

Oso this flash vry interesting cos haf David's chinese name all over it but not a song written or sung by David. This ep of sum underground taiwanese singer whose voice slightly resembled David. This song roughly translated My character is very strong haf underlying melody rather similar to Bastard, so maybe why mistaken for David's song altho most fans know not his. Still quite nice flash and vry well done, I like it myself.


Okie 4 all the disgruntled jay fans b4 they post more rude msgs on tagboard kekekekeke, here can see David & Jay working together when David was guest at Jay's concert. Prolly last & only time u see the two working together cos dun think they do it again as musical direction 2 different. Oso David specially arranged his song Rain for Jay to sing at concert, so jay fans who kept whining that jay's version better than David might wanna remember that hehehehehe.

2000 I'M OK CONCERT

Listen online to David I'm Ok concert in 2000. Song list if u dun know chinese:

We'll be together
I'm OK
Bastard
Ordinary Friends
A whole new world
One last cry
Different
Blue Moon
Leave
Yes No Song
Everything's gone
Airport in 10.30
Rain

Really like his version of One last cry, altho I dun go so far as to say its better than Brian Mcknight, I like both but a lot of ppl who r not even David fan seem to love his version. As for High, high, high, definitely A-Mei is better. Oso the duet with Tanya for A whole new world is really lovely as I really like Tanya Chua (lotsa info abt her in this link so plse click if u wanna know abt this talented musician)

We'll be together is my fav song in the concert altho no way David can sing like Sting, but his version is just so David so I love it vry vry much.

AREN'T THEY ALL OUR CHILDREN

Listen to this song written by David Foster & his wife Linda Thompson for World Children's Day in 2002. The chinese version of this song was sung by David & Sandy Lam. It such a great song and I really love David's voice in it, he sang with such feeling combined with the sweet children's chorus. It really nice. If u wanna listen to the chinese version, sign up Davten yahoo grp cos they haf in their files. Oso David & Lee Hom kinda sampled from this song for their Hand in hand Sars song hehehe, but I forgive them cos they only have a few days to come up with the song. To stream watch Hand in hand mv click here, last in the list.

GOOD MUSIC VS POPULAR MUSIC

The Search for the Magic Formula vry interesting article abt Stock Aitken Waterman & Kylie Minogue. It abt how they used certain formula to make hits 4 Kylie. The song has to be easy to sing, easy to remember melody & repetitive chorus. This sound like 90% of the chinese music today. The article oso compared sum Kylie song to Madonna songs which r more complex & harder to sing. Of course Madonna oso haf popular hits like Get into the groove, Like a virgin, Crazy for you only she balanced them with better songs like Cherish, Like A Prayer, Frozen & my fav This used to be my playground. I honestly cannot name a Kylie song that is good music not just popular. I used to hate her songs cos they kept repeating in my head, a vry clear indication that the formula is being used.

And I dun listen to 90% of chinese pop cos they all tried to be popular hits not good music. Like Madonna, David too haf his popular songs like Angel, Season of Loneliness, Close to you, Shanghaied but he oso balanced with better ones like Dear God, Circus, Lullaby, Different, songs too difficult to sing & melodies too complex to remember. That's the reason I haf created this blog. And if u read this & still cannot understand, then well u prolly nvr understand.

MORE DAVID AROUND THE WORLD

2 fav pixs cos he looked relaxed not stiff hehehehehe, oso very similar altho taken prolly 5 yrs apart, he really hasn't changed much.

French website on China talking abt David, very cool.
Really nicely done webpage on Season of Loneliness featuring David's singing, chinese lyrics & german lyrics.
American guy Dave LaDelfa covering I Love You in chinese, a bit weird but still ok, scroll down to dl.

Matthew Lien is a well-known environmental activist, composer, musician and vocalist from the Yukon, Canada. Gaining acclaim for albums like "Bleeding Wolves", "Caribou Commons", "Voyage to Paradise" and "Touching the Earth", his musical compositions often include sounds recorded in nature or songs from the Aborigine tribes of Taiwan and other countries. Although his music is categorized as New Age it has met with widespread success in Taiwan.
Read more him, mentioned David as 1 of the 2 Taiwanese artists he like, the other A-mei.

Korean fansite added to links.

THE WAY TO GOOD MUSIC

This is rare english interview appearing in May-June 2000 issue of Day&Night. Interesting cos it seemed like interview now cos all the things he said stay the same. He is just the most genuine guy and he never lied or changed his mind. 4 yrs alredi & his thinking & ideas stay the same, never change. Hard to find a guy like that u know who is so sure of his own mission in life. Anyway its hard to read so I transcribe here so more ppl will know abt David! The interviewer a bit sarcastic but its always like that, ppl always think David is false cos they dun believe that an entertainer can be so real. But believe me when I say David is the real thing.

Baby-faced David Tao may be, but this musical genius is determined to shake up the music scene in Asia. He believes he will be part of the musical revolution he feels Asia sorely needs. Can he do it? Only time will tell. Meanwhile, David Tao is OK.
The past couple of years have seen a continual influx of American-born Chinese, Canadian-born Chinese, Australian-born Chinese, British-born Chinese and so on, into the Chinese entertainment industry in these regions. Coco Lee, Eason Chan, Peter Ho and Christy Chung are fine examples of celebrities who have returned to their roots in the East to cash in on the rising demand for such personalities. The trend in the industry is that as long as you are not born around these parts of the world or had spent a couple of years away in some esteemed foreign coutnry, the passage to stardom is already in your favour. In fact, it doesn't even matter if you don't speak the language: crucial selling points are good looks and, of course, the accent.
However David Tao, the Taiwan-based celebrity who was born and bred in American, begs to differ. "I am here to do Mandarin music. I'm not here to American music," he retorts when asked if being an American-born Chinese is a gimmick he would employ. "My goal is not to introduce American music to Asia. I'm here to do music with Western influences but it will still be in Mandarin. That is the reason why I have decided to write my own lyrics as well, I believe in maintaining an Asian spirit in my music." Touted as the creme de la creme of the Chinese music industry, this baby-faced lad genuinely has what it takes to become a famed and respectable artiste.
In his debut album, titled Taoism, the multi-talented musican single-handedly sang, composed, produced and arranged all the music and the even managed to record it at home with a minimal budget. That is certainly a commendable feat considering the fact that most Asian recording artistes prefer to be spoon-fed with commercial pop tunes, high-budget productions and a manufactured image. With the release of his new album, I'm Ok, David continues to take on the daunting task of producing his own album. "It's a lot of work because I have to sing, write the tunes and produce it at the same tiem. I'm even writing the lyrics now. I do the arrangements and I sing backing vocals as well. There's really not much more I can do. Oh! I play most of the instruments, too," reveals David with a sigh.
Nonetheless, the music enthusiast still insists on delivering only his best to the audience. "After completing the first album, I told myself that I will not just churn out another similar album. I just want to stretch the boundaries of my music because I don't want my fans to be disappointed," professes David, who spent the last two years producing the highly anticipated follow-up album. A perfectionist by nature, David readily admits that he doesn't like his singing voice. "I can't stand listening to my own voice. I feel that my singing is not good enough," he confesses. Having garnered rave reviews for his debut album, his latest effort seems set to make waves yet again.
Adopting several different styles in the new album, David has veered away slightly from his signature R&B style of music. "I chose to do R&B for my first album because I felt it was suitable during the time. However, I don't want my music to be stereotyped. I don't think my brand of music has to be locked into a certain category." With a combination of jazzy, hip-hop, R&B and slightly up-tempo numbers, the variations on the album seem to be rather experimental and innovative efforts.
Not being a fervent fan of Chinese music, David reveals that he grew up listening to hard rock and heavy metal music. Citing The Beatles as a major infuence on his music, he claims that he only got into R&B msuic after his Lennon, McCartney fixation. With several sentimental ballads in the new album, David asserts that he sets his music apart from the rest by breaking away from the traditional writing style of famous Asian composers. "I believe that being yourself is enough to be different. Ballads are very common but my music is unique because when I write a song, I try to put a certain amount of my own feelings into it. It therefore reflects my personal opinion on relationships which would naturally be different from someone else's perspective."
Driven by an intense passion for music, David admits that he is determined to shake up the scene in Asia. "I want to stay in Asia to continue developing my music because this is where the people need the music," he proclaims. He looks set to create a revolution in the industry and when asked if he would be capable of bringing the necessary changes, he is quick to reply, "I think that the Chinese music needs a serious revolution. I believe I will be part of if but I'm definitely not going to be the only person. It will required the collective efforts of dedicated musicians and a lot of time as well. A significant revolution has to take place in order for things to change," exclaims David.
Despite an increasing number of singer-songwriter type artistes, he remains doubtful about the efforts of this phenomenon. "I will definitely encourage more artistes to write their own tunes but it is very important that they know their limitations. A lot of them do it because it is the trend at the moment and eventually, we'd jsut end up having more bad music in the industry. That's the danger!"
David joined the music industry as a producer even before taking the centre stage to become a recording artiste. Spending 70% of his time in America now, David confesses that he became overwhelmed by the amount of attention he received following the success of his debut album in 1997. "I spent most of my time in America, especially after releasing the first album. I just needed to get away. The media, the fans and all the attention became too much for me to handle."
Nevertheless, his love for music has helped him to overcome all that and he is once again prepared to take on the limelight. When asked to make a choice between singing and producing, David replies, "I like both very much. I like being a singer and I enjoy working as a producer. I think I need both. If I only did either one thing, I know I'd go crazy." David Tao, a musical genius or mere pretender - you'd have to be the judge of that.

DAVID'S 1998 MUSIC LOVE STORY

Head over to DTFC English forum now and dl David's 1998 Music Love Story. Only available for a while, but it really nice. Can see his cute hairstyle, and he looked very adorable. The story is intriguing, abt David having sum strange dreams abt this beautiful girl in a torn building. Then his friend took him to this cafe and he kinda recognised it, and then the waitress looked like the girl in his dreams. Then while he was at home, the radio talked abt this 90 yr old women who died and then David stopped having dreams. So he went bk to LA and was gardening, he saw this photo his friend took b4 he left. Between them was fuzzy image of the waitress who looked the girl in his dreams. THE END. Yeah very strange but was nice, and he sang I Love you in english and sum other songs, oso Blue Moon mv at the end. So hurry & dl cos only up for a while okie.

CHINA CONCERTS POSTPONED

Latest news is David's china concerts will be postponed till next yr, oso his new album coming out Oct. Anyway, not sure what to believe cos there been so many different dates coming out for his china concerts & album released, think haf to wait for real confirmation. Anyway post sum concert pixs for consolation. He looked real cute.


To those ppl who say he is ugly, plse haf sum sense of reality. David is tall and broad, he is manly and dun dress sloppy, he knows self defence, oso how to shoot a gun cos he was in LA police b4. He is what they call metrosexual, attractive to both sex. He is the sort that can walk into a fancy restaurant and know what wine to order. Even if he is not a celebrity, anyone from all over the world will look at him and see a very confident man who knows & speaks his mind. U think women dun fall for him, u must be living in a cave.

Tension

Tension r five guys - Jimmy, Andy, Raymond, Brian & John. They r personally trained by David & formed prolly the first BoyzIIMen type group in Taiwan. How they met? It started fr Andy who first knew John, then Brian, later Raymond. They decided to form acappella group and practise in pub of Andy's uncle in LA. Jimmy who oso haf band in Tokyo but broke up, went to LA cos his dad was there filming Martial Law. He went to the pub cos his friend was there, met with other 4 guys and joined them. Then Andy's uncle who knew David (not so sure abt this) asked David to come & listen to them. David liked them and signed them up. Their first album Smart! came out in 2001, then Gotta be your man in 2003 & Planet Love this yr.

I listened to them cos of David, but later got to like them a lot 2, cos they r not like the other Taiwanese groups. They haf very healthy image, & altho they dance, they r more a romantic kinda group. It was hard for them at first, cos only Raymond can understand & speak Mandarin. Brian hardly know any Mandarin at all. They used to host program Very Tension to introduce english music & speak english. It was nice program but it ended & they host sum other program which I haf not watch.

Anyway there r sum Tension links if u wanna know more abt them. They oso came out with 2 books. They r coming up with 4th album soon, and hopefully they can haf concert. But they r sure to be invited as guests when David held his china concerts later this yr. I only haf 2 Yahoo grps 4 both David & Tension, but there r heaps of Tension yahoo grps around world, they r actually pretty popular. Just do a search & u find them, even individual members - Andy being the most.

I Believe

David & Tension, this is during Tension first album, & oso recording the gorgeous ballad, I Believe, for Disney movie Atlantis. Here can stream watch I Believe & Smart mvs, the only 2 mvs where David appeared with Tension. In Smart David did really nice rap, very meaningful 2, but unfortunately this song banned in China cos of the words. Actually David has sum songs banned in China -
Bastard - cos I think Wang Ba Dan is swear word in chinese
Different - cos Dalai Lama mentioned
Today's News - cos Taiwanese news not allowed
Shanghaied - cos the chinese title Not going home is bad example
Okie, was going to write abt Tension but too tired, another post tomorrow maybe :P

Musical instruments

Besides acoustic guitar & electric guitar, oso the following:

Rare pix of David & volin

Early pix of David & congo drums

Trying to improve piano skills

This one I like a lot hehehehehe

Not the normal Christian life

Just watched a clip at davidcn.com where fans in Wuhan celebrated his 7/11 birthday singing his songs. They send the clip to tv station who broadcast it, it was so good esp the last part where 4 guys sang My Story accapella. Wuhan is a city with a long history and glorious revolutionary tradition, where the first shot of the Revolution of 1911 overthrew the rule of 2000 years feudalism in China; an important ancient town since the Shang and Zhou dynasties, the Spring and Autumn Period, as well as the Warring States; one of the famous important towns in China in the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties; used to be the political, military and cultural center of the whole country for times. So being David fan u oso get history lesson hahaha. But it was great for me cos dun know where or what is Wuhan, now I know thanx to David :P Anyway hope they send the clip to David and he should be so touched.

This blog I wanna show what sorta ppl David and Tension r cos a lot of criticism that they r ABC and not very chinese, that their music is too westernised. Well, look at the clothes u r wearing, the computer u used, the furniture & utensils. Are they not westernised? If u hate westernised things so much, then u should go and wear oriental clothes, & not used computer and live in mud building. Cannot stop progress and that means westernised. Music is the same, so long as its sincere, dun matter its westernised. David & Tension r sum of the most sincere artists who believe in music being able to spread love. If u think that is corny, well its beat music spreading hate & prejudice rite, that's what I think anyway.

Xiao Yan Yu Yue is a taiwanese program where the host Xiao Yan interview celebrity. Tension & David were the guest last yr, u should be able to recognise their faces and stream watch if u know chinese. Great interviews to get to know & understand David & Tension more, esp David when he talked abt his dad, his HK concerts & his purpose in life.

Oso in January this yr, David appeared in a CNY Christian concert in Singapore. This christian magazine Impact has interview with David called Not The Normal Christian Life — An interview with pop singer David Tao Cos its been archived, I transcribed it here:

Impact: Is it true what we learnt, that you led your dad to Christ while you were a little kid?
Tao: My parents send me to Bethany, a Christian school in Taipei, when I was six or seven. At that time, my dad wasn't even a Christian, but my mom was a Catholic. I didn't know much about Christianity or religion or anything. When I was about 11, my dad's mother passed away, and she was a Christian. My dad was very distraught because he was very close to her, so I read him verses from the Bible, to comfort him. My dad took something from those verses that I read to him, and he started to read the Bible that my grandmother left for him. It was through that that my dad got to know the Bible for himself. My dad became a strong Christian. For me, it was not until the end of high school that I started to develop my faith and relationship with God. At 11 or 12, I called myself a Christian but I can't say I had a real relationship with God.
Impact: What were the turning points in your faith?
Tao: There were many turning points...one was during my second or third year in college. I was studying psychology, but I didn't know if I wanted to be a psychologist. Everyone seemed to think I was going to be a musician. During that time, my dad was at the height of his career, and my mom was busy with him. It was a tough period. During that period, I could have easily turned to drugs, could easily have had bad friends, and not done well in school academically, or, lost direction in life. But it was in fact at that time that I found my direction; it was God's intervention. I did not have a burning bush experience but I just knew He was there. God guided me through that very confused period.
Impact: Were there any church or youth groups that you grew up with?
Tao: I was a stubborn and unruly sheep! I was always the one that questioned the most, argued with other Christians and challenged them, even the pastor. I'm not a Christian who spends a lot of time in church because half the time I'm not in one location.
Impact: But you say that prepared you for your life now?
Tao: A lot of times I was by myself, I'm now in a business that has a lot of temptations, a lot of things that could lead me away from God - money, fame, pbysical temptation, drugs - all those kinds of things. Yet it is in the midst of the temptations that I really feel God. His guidance, His love and His power. When I'm at my most confused and most lost, God always comes through. Two years ago, I was very depressed. I didn't know why I was doing music anymore. I made money; I was famous, but there was no point, no meaning to that. That Sunday, one of the rare times I was in church, the pastor preached on the Parable of the Talents, about a wealthy man who left his three servants with various amounts of money before leaving for a trip. On his return he called them to account for what they did with he had given them. I felt God was talking to me. That I'd been given these talents, and it doesn't matter if it's 5000 or 1000, I just need to make use of it. It doesn't mean to be more famous or make more money, but to spread God's word.
Impact: Do you feel that you're optimising your "talents"?
Tao: I don't think I can ever say I've maximised using my talents, but I think I strive to multiply the talents that God has given me. In my business, I'm most touched when I get letters from fans saying that my music has changed their lives. For them to say that because of what I've said and done, they've become Christian. Maybe through the music that God gave me the ability to make, He speaks through me.
Impact: Would you ever write or sing Christian songs?
Tao: I would, but not right now. Now I want to speak to people who are non-Christians, not to preach to them, because I think being too preachy can turn them off. I don't think that to serve God you have to be in a church community. God gives people different talents. It's where we can serve God and spread His message the most.
Impact: Wht is your Tao for Christian living then?
Tao: Before I undertake a project, big or small, I always ask God if this is what He wants me to do. A lot of things I'm involved in...they're so out of my control. Like holding a concert, standing in front of thousands. When I'm on stage, when I open my mouth, what comes out, I believe is what God wants. If you don't have faith and trust in the Lord, you may not hear Him. But if you just trust Him, He'll do what He needs to do. The biggest problem for humans is fear - that's where doubt and greed come from. You need to eliminate that fear through trust and faith in God. "Ye of little faith", is a term in the Bible, which is talking about all of us.
Impact: Is there a Fellowship of Singers?
Tao: Sharing is very important to me. One of my production co-ordinators is a Christian, and he's also a gift of God. He's one of the very few people, other than my Dad, whom I share my faith with all the time because we're always together. I'm no different from any other Christian, and as a Christian, which doesn't mean the word perfect, I need to pray, to read the Bible, read books by Christian authors, about everyday life.
Impact: What are you reading now?
Tao: There's a book I'm reading right now, the title is something about how to have God find your mate, written by a husband-wife team. It's about how to find your significant other, and the book isn't some fluffy abstract stuff. I'm nearing that age that I'm going to get married, and have kids.
Impact: And a book in the bible?
Tao: Because I'm a musician, the Psalms often speak to me because they were songs in those days. There are some phrases that hit me at different times.
Impact: If you were to share your faith in a direct testimony, what would you say?
Tao: I think it would be the immenseness and the absolute perfect love that God has for us. Men and women talk about love in relationships, kids think about how their parents love them, and vice versa, but none of that love is perfect - one that has discrimination, no prejudice and is absolute - that's God's love. We may not love Him absolutely because we're humans, but His love has no flaws. I try to share things which are concrete, things in my life, not abstact concepts, and that's what jian zheng, witnessing, is about. It's about that power of love. Not just that God loves us, but God wants us not to just love Him but for us to love one another.
Impact: Love is a recurring theme in your music?
Tao: Love is a powerful message, but it's not just paying lip service to it. It's something you need to do, to take action. Through God's love and our love, we can change the world and make it a better place while we're here.
Impact: But there are also songs like "Wang Ba Dan" (Bastard) that you've written?
Tao: I have rage and hate, and I get mad and angry. I wrote that song after an incident in the States: I'd just bought a new car, and two weeks later, someone took a key and scratched it. Badly. Wang Ba Dan is a song dedicated to the person who did it. My aim is to remind people who do these things, or think of doing such things, that someone else gets hurt. It's to create a certain awareness. The words attract attention, but the song is about the world. Sometimes I'm that wang ba dan, when I'm selfish and I don't appreciate other people. So these are things which are a real part of me; that part that steps out and says what I feel. I don't know if God approves of it or not, but I try to address some real issues.
Impact: So who do you identify with the most in the Bible?
Tao: I'd like to say King David. (Laughs.)(Ponders for a long time.) I want to say Peter, because he was the headstrong one, I'm kinda like that someimes. He's headstrong but also passionate. Wasn't he the one who cut off the ear of the guard who came to arrest Jesus? YOu always identify with people who're similar to you. I think he's very human. I think Wang Ba Dan is a song Peter would have written, but later, he'd wonder whether he should have done it or not.

Commentary

Hehehe while I taking break having vanilla slice to celebrate David's birthday, my auntie writes abt David 4 me :)
My first impression of David is probaby like most people - good r&b singer, talented, writes his own songs, but not very popular. So I was surprised that there are 2 Chinese forums devoted to him and one HK website, one Japanese, one French website, and now one blog. He doesn't seemed to be the kind of singer with a huge following. He doesn't has the trendy cool image of Jay Chou or the poster looks of Wang Lee Hom.
I always thought most of his fans are very much older from late twenties onwards because he always has very decent sales, even though most pop CDs are usually bought by teenagers. Still David's CD cannot be fully categorised as pop. Compared to Jay and Lee Hom, David's music has always been the most mature. I said this even though I am closer to Lee Hom's age, but Lee Hom music has always been targeted for the young. I cannot put on Lee Hom CD and relax, the way I can with David.
I cannot said to be an avid David fan and didn't even attend his Soul Power concert but whenever he has a new album, I will definitely get it. I probably play his music more than any other Chinese artist. I think most of David fans fall into this category so therefore he is seen as not as popular as Jay or Lee Hom, the other two talented male Taiwanese artists. Still David has been very low profile, he only does music and hardly venture into TV series or movies, or seen in commercials until recently.
Still popularity doesn't necessary mean quality. How many top 40 hits can you remember from last year, 2 years before, 5 years before? Not many I would say but most people would know Beethoven's Symphony No 5 or Mozart's A Little Night Music. The best music are the sort that last and David's music is very lasting. Airport 10.30, Liu Sha, I Love You, Rain, Regular Friends, hits from his 1997 self titled album and 1999 I'm OK album are still as familiar today.
He is probably the only Chinese artist I know whose hit from 5 years ago was used in a commercial. Rain from his I'm Ok album was used in 2 Sprite commercials with David altering the words to suit each commercial. It seemed to be very effective and successful, and hopefully may start a trend where commercials used artist's past hits, rather than get them to record a new song and then promote it in their newly released album. I always thought that is a very unfortunate way to promote an album, to tie in with a product that the artist is endorsing. Even the great Faye Wong did it and forever ruined my respect for her.
Of course David has always been compared to Jay Chou, however I cannot comment on Jay's music as I hardly listen to him. But I do know that while I was doing some research on CD piracy that quite a few of David's songs ended up on pirated Jay's CD and a lot of Jay fans especially in China had always thought those songs like Tian Tian, Liu Sha, Leave, Our Love were Jay's. Even djs on radio had been know to play David's songs and mistaken them for Jay's.
And one Chinese music critic writing a lengthy piece on Jay even mistakenly quote lyrics from Rain as written by Jay, probably because Jay sang the song during his concert when he invited David to be his guest. So it will be fair to say the comparision is because some of Jay's r&b songs sounded a lot like David's. Still even Black Tangerine has been mistaken for Jay's so go figure. I think it must be terrible if your fans cannot even recognise your voice or know which songs are not yours. I honestly don't think that any David fan will ever mistaken Jay's song for David's.
So Happy Birthday David! (seeing as you are celebrating in LA) I am glad to see that you have more fans than I ever thought. I hope you will last another 7 years, and another 7 years after that.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVID TAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday to you, David!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sum virtual gifts for u, hehehhehehehehehehehe

Yr fav car, I think red is nice color.


Yr fav candy & yr fav book

7/11 birthyday eve

Okie, tomorrow is David's BIRTHDAY. He will be 35. Not sure where he will be spending his birthday - LA, Taipei or Shanghai? Anyway if u missing him, watch or dl his 006 press conference recently in Taipei. He looks so shuai, so man. Anyway the cute expression at the end is when they asked him abt his new album, and he said that he will try to release end of yr but not sure. *sigh* haf to wait again, I guess, but still must be patient as he is busy man helping his dad with Yappy Dog and Tension with their 4th album. Coming soon will be Tension stuff and links, so watch out (*________*)

China here I come hehehehehehehe

Okay since DT birthdday soon, another treat (courtesy taozee.hk.st) for David fans. Very long time ago he sang I Love U, still so adorable, who said he is ugly? He is never ugly, very adorable. Not conventional goodlooking, but he is the type u can trust. His fans mostly schoolgirls, sum of them wearing skool uni, so cute. U can see, even then he liked to shake with his audience alto not hug them as they r youngs girls, may faint :lol:

Yappy Dog

David's father, oso David Tao, used to work as illustrator in the famous Disney studio in Burbank. His father's career is very interesting, he worked in movies, he met his wife who was a famous opera singer and due to parental objection, they eloped and David decided to go to US to work at Disney. He must be extremely talented to be accepted at Disney. Anyway he came back to Taiwan and released some albums, composing songs and singing like Elvis Presley. His albums are still available in good music stores in Taiwan, and I hope to get 1 or 2 when I visit Taipei later.

Anyway one dream of David sr is to released a great anime in China. He hoped to be like Walt Disney and inspired a new generation of Chinese kids into Chinese animation. So he worked long and hard on Yappy Dog which is a huge project with cartoon series, movie and computer game. David jnr worked together with him and was involved in the sound of course. He composed and sang the theme song called Brilliant Alive, very rock & rollicking. U can try & watch or rightclick to dl the mv but this site is a slow and can be frustrating, but I find it very enjoyable.

The idol's idol

David has lotsa fans but he is also the idol's idol, lotsa other singers and actors like him too. Korean singer Cho Kyu-chan has covered Airport 10.30 & Melody. One of the latest is Jade Kwan, Jade is HK singer and last yr staged quite successful concert. She is supposedly one of the few female singers in HK who can actually sing, altho I find that she sounds very like Kelly Chen & Candy Lo, wonder if they haf the same vocal coach.

I mentioned her cos she said sumthing abt David that I wholeheartedly agreed with. She said she liked David's r&b because she finds it very soft and comfortable. Her fav David's album is Black Tangerine and her fav song is Black Tangerine cos it has social value. She oso liked Melody. At first she tho Melody meant the music and later found out it was David's ex gf. She never tho that a song can be so real abt one's lover, remembering the time spend together and regretting the split. The remembrance is very gentle and make her felt very selfish cos she only feel bad things abt her past love affairs, and never think of the good. Jade said that maybe brokenhearted lovers should listen to this song.

More Jade wallpapers, and listen to Jade songs Actually Jade has worked with David b4 when he produced a duet with Edwin Siu called Special Thanks. This duet song was quite popular and even won an award like yr. I dun really like it a lot as it sounded like a lot of Cantopop, but I liked listening to it cos as with lotsa songs produced by David, u can hear his voice in the background. Always give me a thrill to hear.

And more admiration fr his ordinary fan. Not more there at the moment but hopefully it will be updated. This Korean page u can listen to his Soul Power concert songs, there r comments below which I cannot read but hopefully r all good.

DT Friendship

Ok, there r heaps of criticism abt David who never lie and always tell the truth, so come across as "arrogant". Ok I know there r sum articles that reportedly he said bad stuff abt other singers. I honestly dun know whether these r real or not, only I know David will never do that. Oso once I remembered there was article who claimed to interview him in sum airport and he wasn't even there, so I think haf to be careful what u read in the media.
What is really true is David's friendship with ppl in the entertainment world. Just lately he recorded vcr to encourage Lydia Sum's daughter who is on a weight losing mission. Lydia's daughter is David fan and has attended Soul Power concert in HK and oso went back stage to take pix with David. Then oso recorded one for Selina in the girl group, SHE, after she graduated. This was requested by the other 2 members of SHE as present for Selina who is a great fan of David, and David oso send a huge bunch of flowers making Selina a very happy girl.
This was written to Sarah Chen, one of Taiwan's best female singers, when she released her old hits last yr. Apparently Sarah has disappeared from the entertainment world and was reportedly depressed. This was to give her support & encouragement. David was one of Sarah's songwriters and producers.

Credit to mui-mui.org, Anita Mui's fansite
This was in the late Anita Mui's book called Heart of a Modern Woman. Anita Mui really admired David and David always dedicated his song Angel to her cos she liked it so much. David was oso guest at Anita's last concert and their duet "Blue Moon" can be seen in Anita's deluxe vcd. Anita oso appeared in David's Soul Power dvd. She was in the audience in front and wore a white baseball cap. Again please dun believe media reports that said they r lovers, or that David was Anita's last boyfriend. David and Anita were never lovers.

David around the world

David receiving platinum award in Singapore His Japanese website & his French website. Here u can dl sum of his cms - Minna's Adhouse Link provided courtesy of Pusanna, my online friend who is a great fan of Wang Lee Hom, plse visit http://leehomaus.com to find out more abt Homie!!!!!!!
More David photos

Concert clips & CMS

David has just completed his 1st ever concert tour last yr. Its amazing to think that this is his 1st concert tour as he came out in 1997, but then David has always been very sloooooow ;), and its only lately that he has emerged from his self imposed exile in LA and began to be seen again in this part of the world. I did not attend any of his concerts but I watched the dvd many times and am not bored. He is just so amazing and I can imagine how it will be like to see him live. Anyway here are some short clips to watch online - Hong Kong & Singapore
This yr David began to film more commercials starting with a jewelry cm for Mother's Day, then 2 cms for Sprite and one for Taiwan Fixed Network. This 006 cm is really nice and David did all the sound, music and effects for the cm. Click here to watch the 006 cm, second on the list on the right. He also appeared on Sprite website which is so cool, seeing that Lebron James is the one featured in the US Sprite website.
Okie, sum ppl has been very vocal abt David filming more commercials and quote him as saying artists shouldn't spend their time filming cms and calling him a hypocrite (well, fans of one idol u know who u r). Well, fyi, David didn't say artists shouldn't spend their time filming cms, he just said that sum artists spend so much time filming so many cms and promoting the products that they dun haf much time to spend on their own work as a singer.
OK, as it stand now David only filmed 4 cms, and 1 press conference for TFN in 6 mths. Altho he is spokesman for Sprite, u hardly see him in any of the promotions, and basically I think he only accepted Sprite cos they can sponsor his concerts in China and bring down the cost of the tickets which is what he promised his fans. And he didn't even write a song for Sprite, just used his 1999 hit, Rain, in the cms. As for TFN, he does use 006 a lot for his overseas call and so make him the perfect person to promote this service. And so even tho David is now more commercial than b4, he still did in his own special way and not becoming a slave to the product he is advertising. He is always calling his own shots, so now u know why I admire him so much.

Today's news

Not so much news, but David's Soul Power concert dvd was recommended as 4 of the best. Briefly translated, it said that altho David's concert is very simple, it one of the rarely seen music concert seen in HK, TW and mainland China. The other 3 recommended are 12 Girl Band, Atomic Kittens & Jacky Cheung.

Promo pixs

These r sum promo pixs when he was advertising sum jewelry for Mother's Day, David is a very good son & he only agreed to do the promo cos he oso doing it for his mom :D

I like to see him with guitar, usually I hate other singers posing with guitar, it looks so false but with David, it looks real cos he does compose and play the guitar.



I dun think he looks very comfortable when posing hehehe