MIDNIGHT BLUE

This is Eric Suen whom David wrote 2 songs & one of them, Midnight Blue, is marvellous, kinda Marvin Gaye sexual healing but in a good way. Oso u can heard David's backing vocals all thru the song esp the doorbell chorus & his cutesy, sexy sighing (dun u think he sound cute when he is doing sexy heehee). Lyrics oso kinda daring. The other song Definite is oso title of one Eric's album. A fast & extremely 'David Tao' catchy track. U can dl both @ DTFC english forum, but must register first. Eric definitely haf nice vocals. Apparently he may be releasing a new album soon according to his fansite. Oso u can dl mpg of Eric singing I Love You in the video section, & saying he is singing Tao Zhe song in the intro (ahhhhhh so sweet, luv ppl mentioning his name). He sang extremely well. Actually I dun noe who Eric is but seem kinda famous in tv chinese series which I hardly ever get to watch. His most current album was released in 2002.

3RD KARAOKE VCD

Okie here's David's 3rd karaoke vcd, many thanks *muak* *muak* *muak* to mercuria. Btw sis couldn't find the dvd, does it haf David on the cover? She bought me Faye Wong's cantonese karaoke vcd instead *roll eyes*
Really great value cos think it haf most David's mvs cept Bastard, original Close to you, Let's fall in love, Shanghaied & Brilliant Alive. So missred u should really try to get this vcd. Oso it haf I Believe, 1997's I Love You live version as well My Anata, Melody & Season of Loneliness which were nvr released b4.
Okie there's sum concerns if this vcd is legit. Well, I checked carefully b4 posting, can assured u & pretty sure its original. All the mvs haf ecentury logo & the packaging haf both ecentury & EMI logos. Oso if not, then the music retail industry in Singapore will be in big trouble since one of the biggest retail outlet is openly selling pirated vcds.
Thank so much to fei who send me New Paper article on this phenomenon of parallel imports of cd/vcd/dvd from mainland China. However while it is competing fiercely with the local music retailers its not illegal to sell or buy them. My take on this is solely the irresponsibility of the record cos who in order to boost sales volume, flood mainland China wif thousands of cds which r now coming back to haunt them. As for the Ultrasound karaoke vcd, I do think it is an original release in mainland China & that both EMI & ecentury are aware of its release. Prolly it is meant to raise David's profile in China for his upcoming concert tour as all old material dun cost too much to produce (haf been told recently that it actually cost as low as fifty cents to produce a cd/vcd). Anyway I will leave ppl to their discretion whether or not to buy it. Remember local version not available. But if u feel guilty then sing sum David's songs @ ktv lounge. As David is composer, singer, producer, all copyrights go back to him.

ULTRASOUND DOCU

11 haochanfang, David's docu dvd apparently hard to find now, & so for missred & others who cannot afford or find the dvd, upload 2 files that haf clips of the music making docu. First promo last yr wif lotsa clips of Lucky, David's dog, & Wah Wah, his longtime lyrist. Second compilation of snippets starting wif cute word association game with David. Not sure where I dl them, either tao-zhe.com or shocksound.com, anyway credit to both. As I mentioned to mercuria @ forum, not too sure abt the purpose of this docu, but lotsa fans seemed to like it. I enjoyed it tremendously but 4 those who r not his diedhard fans, can be a bit boring. Would haf liked more abt the music making like the bonus demo cd in Ultrasound, still David nvr compromised 4 his fans, so maybe he did it with view to satisfying those who wanna noe more abt him.

Promo

Snippets

Up for 7 days. Oso Tangerina haf post sum adorable David wallpapers @ forum so go there if u looking 4 sum. Oso good news Tension fans, Wandering with the moon No 1 @ Groove Asia. This is majorly Korean Americans site so great start 4 Tension upcoming promo in Korea. But dun wander into the forum lotsa unnecessary posts abt their less than boyband looks altho David got sum support there.

DAVID @ MTV

Okie this english MTV interview has been around for sumtime & dun noe why I nvr post it. Its quite good & u learned more abt David to admire. Oso its a lot more fair & realistic than most of the chinese writeups on him.

The Art of Tao
By Lennat Mak

Long before Jay Chou came to dominate the Mandarin music scene with his unique mumbling vocal style, David Tao has already been there and done that. Both his previous albums -- the self-titled debut and It's Ok -- not only won him critical acclaim, it also ignited a huge interest in Mandarin R&B, which eventually paved the way for new blood like Jay Chou. After a three-year hiatus, David finally makes a comeback with Black Tangerine, an album that strongly confirms David's longevity in the music scene. MTVAsia.com's Lennat Mak sat down with the 2003 MTV Asia Awards nominee for a short chat about his latest album, his passion for music, the boy band trend in the Mandarin music scene and more. Read on...

How has Chinese R&B changed over the years?
There really is a lot Chinese R&B but I don't really consider myself R&B. I think Jay (Chou) is doing more R&B than I am. Honestly, aside from a few other people, there isn't really that much new R&B in the Chinese market. I think R&B isn't just a style of music. It's an attitude and it’s supposed to evolve, it's supposed to grow. R&B needs to find its roots in Asia.

Do you think there's an R&B root in Asia?
I think there is. But I don't think it's the same root. I think you go not to its musical roots, but back to what R&B is trying to express at its core. What were Marvin Gaye, Al Green, and Stevie Wonder trying to express through their music? Then you find out if we can express the same thing or similar emotions -- that passion, that love, that extremely emotional outpour. Can we express that in Chinese music? We can. And I think in that sense, you will find R&B. It's not a particular kick drum or a particular sound. R&B is evolving. Unless we find that R&B music in Asia -- Chinese R&B, Japanese R&B, Korean R&B will always be a copy. It's not going to grow, just like dead hair.

You always do a remake of a classic Chinese song on your album. Do you have a particular liking for them?
I actually don't have a liking to cover those songs. I did it because I think it's a good way to instantly change people's views on old Chinese songs. "Ye Lai Xiang" is a very classic hit and "Yue Liang Dai Biao Wo De Xin" is a Chinese song that every Chinese would know -- even an ABC (American Born Chinese) would know. But it's a song that's been done so many times in a very, very distasteful manner. How do we give it a new life? How do we make young people who aren’t that familiar with that song to appreciate it, dig our own past and find those gems? I didn't do it because I like the song. I mean, I don't hate the song. But I do, sometimes, to challenge people's opinions on old songs. On the first album, I did "Wang Chun Feng" and on that song I try to twist it even more lyrically. It sometimes satirizes the song a little and it also satirizes old Chinese ways of thinking and maybe to attack them a little.

Is there a particular reason why you named your latest album Black Tangerine?
Tangerine is actually a fruit that's indigenous to Taiwan. Actually, I think they have them everywhere. It's different from an orange. The tangerine, to me, always symbolizes Chinese people, even though it's not available in every place where Chinese people are. It's not because of the color, it’s because it's not available in the States. And why black? I think the current state of Chinese people is very grim and very black. And why did I say that especially in light of the fact that we have such a great economy, where we have become such a great powerhouse in the world, and being held up by the West? I think it dark and bleak coz of the culture -- we are very weak and we lack identity. We may be an economic or military powerhouse but in terms of everything else, we are very weak. I think a country or a race without humanity, without love, without arts, without self-expression is a country and race of violence. That's something I want to address.

Track 2 of the new album is a clipping of news reports. I heard it nearly got banned?
In Taiwan it nearly got banned. In China, it is banned.

So is it a freedom of expression thing or... ?
The thing is, it got banned for a strange reason. In China, it got banned because it's Taiwan's news clippings and they didn't want their people to be able to hear that even though they can watch it on satellite television all the time. It got banned in Taiwan because a lot of the TV stations that I sampled those clippings from didn't want that type of news getting out. People think "Hey, that TV station broadcasts such negative news." So I didn't think it’s much of a censorship thing. But I do think we do have a lot freedom to express ourselves but yet in a way, we don't. We don't care enough to say anything important. All we seem to say are love songs, commercial albums, products, KTV, karaoke, and yet nobody is doing songs that have anything to do with the society or the world. It's all about me, me, me, me, me. It's not about the world or the society. And I wanted Black Tangerine to be an album not about me but about what's happening in the world.

Are there plans for an English album?
There are. But I'm still thinking about what I want to do with an English album. In some ways, I don't know what's the purpose, or who my target audience is. Do I do cover songs? Do I do original songs? What do I do? I don't know. I'm not trying to break the U.S. market with an English album. If I were to do one, I would like to do something I really want to do. I don't want to do it especially right now, there's no market for it.

Are you working on any side projects apart from Tension?
There are a couple of new artists but I haven't really had the time. I do have some a few other projects that are not my own like Karen Mok and Tony Leung.

What do you think of the sudden trend of boy bands brought on by F4?
I have nothing against boy bands or any group that have a mass idol appeal. I just wish that they were done a bit more musically. A good example is *NSYNC. They are a very popular boy band but musically they do have something to offer. Maybe it may not be up everyone’s alley but Justin Timberlake is actually a very talented guy. I think if we were to do groups like that in Asia, why can't we have both good looks and good music? We need to have a long-term approach for all artists. And I think record companies do not have a long-term approach. Part of the reason is that they don't have good A&R people to develop these artists. That's why they come out with two or three albums and boom! They are done.

On your first album, there's mention of "Taoism" (wordplay on his name). So what is Taoism to you now as a whole?
Taoism for me is about love. Not love between a man and a woman but love in the world. It's about humanity. I don't want to just keep doing albums, have them sell, get awards, do concerts and make another album, get awards, do concerts, do another album again and have it repeated. I really want to do something in the years that I have. I think this is a God given opportunity. All my talents, or whatever you want to call them, they are all God given. I work hard. I think it's a mission. I'm here to do something and it's not for myself. And I hope to do that in the years to come.

2 things happened dis week that kinda reaffirm why David been trying to get across. First is the Ashlee Simpson 'lipsynching' fiasco & Ella of SHE breaking down in tears in public from pain & exhaustion. Real music shouldn't involved so much pain, shame & tears. *sigh* maybe I am sounding preachy again but these r real girls who r suffering when they should be enjoying their youth & talents.

WHY DAVID IS MY IDOL

To curious, I am a girl and thanx 4 yr comments. I am slightly dyslexic & cos it was not detected earlier, I haf problems coping socially & still do. Early last yr I heard David's Black Tangerine & this song described perfectly my frustrations & fears. Since then his songs haf comforted me & gave me hope as well as strength. I used to fantasied a lot cos life was so miserable & meaningless. But somehow listening to his songs, I learnt that life can be beautiful and not to fear reality. Oso he showed me how to be chinese again, and for that I am eternally grateful.

Nvr noticed there's David Tao ring, so haf apply to join, its pending as u can see.

DAVID, U R THE BEST FOREVER

At last sum news on David thanx & appreciation to those guys @ davidcn.com. First David had corrective eye surgery cos wearing contact lens he haf problem on stage with de lights shining in his eyes. Considering longterm career on stage, he decided to have the surgery as relative common & safe.

GET WELL SOON DAVID & HOPE THE SURGERY 100% SUCCESSFUL SO YOU NO LONGER HAVE EYE PROBLEMS ON STAGE!

Next sum silly rumor that he had brief fling with newcomer who oso studied in US. They did met b4 but both denied they had 'one night stand' *sigh* His recording co EMI told media to plse stop pestering David wif silly rumors as he haf to focus on his new album which is 80% completed (yeah!!!!!) & album release prolly scheduled end of Nov (yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!).

Recording of Wuhan Sprite sponsored miniconcert oso posted @ davidcn. Was all teary 2 see him on stage again. He looked gorgeous as usual, maybe even more gorgeous than ever hehehehehehehe. It was vry screamy crowd & he sang 3 songs - Shanghaied, Season of Loneliness & I Love You. 2 interesting things he said at the end of I Love You - first he confirmed abt his new album release & concert in mainland next yr (yeah, yeah, yeah) and then he said, "I really sing live" b4 rushing off stage almost bumping into the backdrop. Noticed he always rush off the stage, so adorable like a little boy let off school kekekekkekekekeke. Reason he said was that he was singing to a prerecorded backing track cos the PA system was not good enough to sing all live without being drowned by the crowd. This problem has been highlighted b4 when sum singers accused of lipsnyching @ miniconcert. Even the 12 girl band was accused & admitted they used a backing track as it was impossible to play live & be heard sumtimes. I find it so terribly sincere of David to admit to this problem & then tried to sing live despite the problem cos haf to be accurate to sing to a backing track.

In Shanghaied u can tell he struggled a bit & gave up a little at the end, just humming to the track. Season of Loneliness was all live as he really concentrated & sang over the track. I Love You was oso mostly live and he did a great job singing accurately so u hardly noticed the backing track except when he forgot & pointed the microphone at the audience heehee. So how can u not love this guy who is just so sincere that he even tried to overcome this kinda problem not really his fault? Most singers just give up esp newcomers who r not professional enough to be able to sing accurately to a backing track. Oso as fans we should not be so demanding to expect singers to sing live under such conditions which cannot be controlled. Remembered watched New Year performance by Tension when they sang live & could not be heard so the crowd got restless, whereas the artists came after them lipsynched & was cheered loudly. Basically this kinda concert audience just wanna be entertained.

David tried his best to sing live under all sorta conditions & he is professional enough to do it. To those who is still accusing him of lipsynching in his concerts or enchancing his voice in his cds, plse go & listen to his speaking voice. He sounds exactly the same talking or singing whether the tone or pitch. He is one artist who nvr ever enhanced his voice in the studio, u will noe if u ever listen to his cds cos there r always slight imperfections in his tone & pitch. That is why listening to his cds is such an intimate experience u dun ever get wif 90% of the other chinese cds.

MADE IN HONG KONG

Reposting from davidcn.com courtesy of pill Studio Classroom Nov issue article on David. Hope u dun mind me posting here 4 fans like Zoe from Thailand who dun noe chinese & find it hard to navigate davidcn. But 4 those who noe chinese can go there & see scans of the articles okie. So happy at last confirmation that David is MADE IN HONGKONG kekekekekekekekekeke!!!

David Tao
By Andrea Brodersen and Michael Ridgeway
Graphics By Rebecca Chao

This Asian pop star makes music that matters
Pop star David Tao has been labeled "Asia's king of R&B," and rightly so. He's the man who brought R&B to the Mandarin music scene.
Nowadays, "King David" rules the Mandarin scene with his smooth voice and matchless songwriting talent. Praised for his fresh musical style, this singer has gained a faithful following throughout Asia. Fans just can't get enough of him.
David was born in Hong Kong on July 11, 1969, but spent most of his childhood in Taiwan and the United States.
David, an only child, grew up in a musically talented family. His mother was a successful Chinese opera star. But it was his father who instilled a love of music in him. Chinese and Western songs often filled their home, with his father singing along. David soon joined in.
Still, David never dreamed of becoming a famous musician. As with most young people, his dreams changed with the passing fancies of childhood. At one point, he even considered becoming a lawyer.
David's work experience has also been as varied and random as his childhood dreams. He worked many different jobs while living in the U.S. - from shoe salesman to police officer.
In college, David majored in psychology and filmmaking. He planned on pursuing a career as a movie director. His life, however, took a decidedly unexpected detour.
In 1993, a Taiwanese music producer walked into an instrument store in the U.S. where David was working. He soon discovered that David spoke Mandarin and had a good understanding of music.
He encouraged David to pursue a career in Mandarin pop. Shortly afterward, David moved back to Taiwan and began working as a songwriter for various pop singers. He quickly became known for his distinctive R&B style. Many famous pop stars began seeking him out to help write their albums.
Finally, in 1997, David jumped our from behind the scenes and into the spotlight. That year, he released his debut self-titled album. He also won a Golden Melody Award for Best Newcomer.
David strives to create music that brings people hope. He also uses his music to share his Christian faith. He says, "I don't debate my faith with others, and I don't force others to believe in God, but I will share with you all the blessings God has given me."
David prays for inspiration to make music that touches hearts. He wrote the song "Dear God" after the September 11 tragedy. "I just sat there with a guitar one day ... and then this melody came out from nowhere," he says. "I knew it was something sent from above."
How does David measure success? Certainly not by the number of albums he's sold. For David, success is when a fan says to him, "Your music cheered me up and helped me in my darkest hour."
Unlike many pop stars, David cares little about his image. For him, music is about presenting a message, not an image.
"I don't really know how people perceive me, and honestly, that's something I really don't think about," he says. "I just try to do what I do well and work hard at it."

More info on the mag reposted from Studio Classroom website
Studio Classroom (intermediate/ high English level)
Studio Classroom has been the most popular English teaching magazine in Taiwan since 1962. With Doris Brougham, a teacher for more than forty years, as the chief editor, the content of the magazine is practical and down-to-earth. The lively teaching, which has been praised by English lovers, was once awarded the Best English Teaching Program in Asia, and won the Golden Tripod Award for the language-learning category in 2003 (Studio Classroom is the only magazine to be honored with both the Golden Bell Award and the Golden Tripod Award). Besides broadcasting, multi-media teaching through television and the Internet enables students to learn without the limits of time and place. There are currently Studio Classroom teaching programs on the air in Mainland China, America, Canada and Europe.

DAVID MV REVIEWS

Seemed not many ppl noe abt David's first karaoke vcd so I post 4 missred & others. Thanx to fei, I haf forgotten the Soul Power Concert karaoke dvd/vcd. Anyway this first karaoke vcd out of print & so can be hard to find. There r 12 mvs including 4 from his first album & 5 from I'm OK album. 3 r live versions with footage from his 2000 concert in Taipei. Here sum reviews & rating of the mvs:
1) Airport in 10.30 - Really like this one, very avant garde. Noted for not showing David's full face. Also the girl being a stewardess and playing with planes reminded me of scenes in Chungking Express. Indeed the mv has WKW stylish, urban look.****
2) I Love You - Surprisingly David's signature song do not have mv just this live version at his 2000 concert. But its quite nice with scenes of balloons falling on the audience. ***
3) Blue Moon - Quite suitable for the song, very soothing with David as a waiter in a restaurant by the seaside. Its filmed in b/w. ***
4) Bastard - Quite a fun mv with this guy who is a loser being picked upon by everyone. Intercut with David in this wacky hairstyle playing guitar and making funny faces. ***
5) Spring Wind - The starting was great with some old scenes of a traditional Chinese home and voiceover of an old woman saying in taiwanese, "Granny has something to tell you, first you must be a good daughter, then a good wife and finally a good mother. This is the responsibility of all women." But then the mv falls back on stock shots of women posing for the camera. But there are many nice closeups of a most adorable David. ***
6) Everthing's Gone - Live version with footage of his concert and promo during I'm OK release. **
7) Rain - Terrific mv done in western style. Scenes of buildings falling, explosions, war scenes intercut with normal life going on. David standing on a deserted beach and rain falling down while he celebrates with a bunch of African Americans. There's a documentary look about it and a social message when you listen to the song. *****
8) Small Town Girl - Another mv done in western style suitable for the country rock song. David as kitchenhand is cute and so adorable when he stole a chicken to celebrate with the girl. The parting scene is also well done in the train station with David and the girl sitting silently, and then the girl leaving. David is left alone and sadly he departs, very like the ending of a European art movie. In fact the whole mv is very film noir. ****
9) Regular Friends - This mv is the least interesting. Just David singing and closeups of some pretty girls. **
10) Leave - Very cool mv and David looked like the leading man of a romantic movie. Especially the scene where he sat down to talk to his girlfriend who later left but he went on talking. Also when they were both sitting at the table but doing their own things. Some great closeups of David. ****
11) Close to you - My favorite mv. Here David was the chauffeur of a beautiful girl and he of course fell in love. But the girl didn't notice him at all and he looked longingly at her while he drove her around. Then the girl went out with a goodlooking guy and David became jealous. The next day he left a note in the car and the girl was touched. Very simple and sweet. Here you can see David doing things like lifting weights, putting on his tie, doing pushups and drinking a cup of coffee in a tiny home which looked like a cabin or a mobile home. The interior is really interesting and when he went out, there was a bike leaning outside. David looked marvellous in a suit and tie, and the girl is very appropriate being simple, stylish and pretty. He redid the mv when he came out with the 2003 version but it was not as good as this one. *****
12) Angeline - Live version with concert footage. *

ONY BLUE, ONLY DAVID

David in Singapore I think prolly last yr, luv de chinese characters of his name. Oso he looked so man *sigh* its hard being his fan cos he haf so little news. Sumtimes think I am the only fan left just taking to myself abt my idol in cyberland heehee, but its ok cos imma determined to keep this blog till the release of his new album. It may not be a best selling or award winning album but dun care so long as its a David Tao album. He is not 'incomparable' & prolly haf little to no chances of winning international awards again, or selling millions of albums across Asia, but he is David Tao and that enough for me.
Btw sumone kindly post link to David's guitar tabs @ DTFC english forum, go there if u r looking for them.

LISTENING TO DAVID

Just sharing sum of David's words......
After almost six years of writing and recording albums, I now finally have the opportunity to bring this music to you live on stage. The feelings and emotions that I have experienced throughout this tour are beyond words and intellectual understanding. Perhaps I am to savor these emotions little by little throughout my lifetime. What is for sure, however, is the power of music as it can bring together thousands of hearts and minds for just a few hours in their daily life. And what is most precious during these few short hours is the immense energy and love that is shared by all of us onstage and in the audience. This is what music and life are about.
This concert tour was not a few months in the making but, rather, years as the groundwork and hard work was laid out long before. The spotlight should be on these people rather than on me. These are the people who you never see, meet or even hear about. They are the foundation on which my career is built upon. To all my old and current colleagues, staff, partners, and superiors - I thank you with all my heart as none of this would be possible without each and everyone of you. To my friends, fans and supporters worldwide - I cone to each show to see you and your glorious smiles. You are the stars of the show.
Soul Power is a power that can only emanate from within. It is the power of love and change. And this, is something that each and every one of us possesses and can share.
The music has paused but we're only merely taking a short intermission. The show will go on and we will be coming to a stage near you. Don't go away...we'll be right back.
From David's Soul Power Live dvd, dun he write so well. Remembered when Ultrasound came out, the website mentioned in the cd www.davidtaomusic.com u can listen to him talk abt his albums & concert. Such a thrill listening to him. He really expressed himself so well, not surprise as evidenced his lyrics so meaningful & applying to real life not sum crazy, fantasied verses painting castles in the sky. Not saying they r no good but fantasy is shortlived & can be dangerous to indulge in too many fantasies. Life is beautiful but only if u live with passion & not rely on escapism 2 much.
Here another female taiwanese artist saying she likes David.

Hmmm......must be the in thing for female taiwanese artist to say publicly they like David heehee.
Saw Tension on enews & instead of giving the hosts their own album, they gave Anson Hu's new album, Music Mixture. So sweet & generous of them to help promote Anson as being mainland chinese, he is unable to promote in Taiwan himself. So taking their example, promoting for Anson here.
He is really a good & sincere singer/songwriter. Dis album not so accessible as his first 2, but vry brave of him to try new things & not just write crowd pleasing hits. Jimmy was full of praise for his perfect pitch. So if u looking for sumthing other than the usual, boring hip hop plus r&b songs, might wanna try dis album.

DIFFERENT MEANS DIFFERENT

He's kinda country & western here haha wif bandana & huge buckle. Its a good look 4 David cos its timeless like his music. Cos sumtimes I wanna scream with de constant media reports of who's the most popular, who haf the most votes, which song is top of the charts. Esp when most pop songs dun last vry long & its sad that our musicans, songwriters, lyrists, singers r mostly driven to write hit songs. Like ppl stop listening to songs unless they r sang by pop idols or on the chart? Do ppl stop reading Jane Austen cos she not on the bestseller list? Why should music be any different? Once again a David's song, Different, actually describes my feeling. This is one of his best works. The music so creative & the lyrics so meaningful. It was nvr a hit cos too complex for most ppl's small minds kekekekekekekeke. But give it a try and u be surprised how good it is & timeless. Here's eng tran which I did on my own so plse forgive if any mistake okie.

Different

When I was small during history class
I discovered that people are different
Different country, different language, different religion
Causing the world a few thousand years of endless conflicts
Each difference caused strangeness and hatred unlimited
Even though we already have the most modern inventions
Still every day people are arguing and fighting
This really caused me to have a little internal fear
I really don't understand why people are like that
However if the world does not have so many differences
Imagine our lives will be so boring, goes without saying
Like the Monkey God with his seventy-two changes
If he doesn't change, we can say goodbye to 'Journey to the West'*
It doesn't matter if you are Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Malay
Or Spanish, or missing a tooth
You only need to have compassion in your heart
To overcome anything and forge a brand new life
(Chorus)
Different means different
What's the matter? I am just different! Just different!
I am, I am just different!
Different means different, so what! so what!
I am just different! Just different!

Often on the street I hear people gossiping
What's hot! What's not!
Currently who's the richest? Which's the best selling brand?
What music is in? Who is most popular? Whose hairstyle is best?
I couldn't care less what is the flavor of the month?
Because I know popularity is a habit like
Eat fat oil, eat fat oil**
Causing harm to your heart, and your health to deteriorate
It doesn't matter who you are, what language you speak
You must not forget that the world has many different races
Please broaden your mind, and not be so insular
Everyday you can be eating a bowl of rice, a hamburger, spaghetti
A fried dough, a stick of satay, chotto matte
But only if you have compassion in your heart
You will overcome anything and forge a brand new life
(Chorus)
Different means different
What's the matter? I am just different! Just different!
I am, I am just different!
Different means different, so what! so what!
I am just different! Just different!

Gandhi, Sirkalang***, Laozi, Confucius, Lennon, Chaplin,
Brando, Picasso, Einstein, Freud, Dalai Lama
They are different and brave men, but all our modern day heroes
Each and every one came from different backgrounds
So we can see that with different personalities
Only then the world can have a beautiful future
Digest this interesting fact and get rid of your prejudice
That's why next time when you encounter someone with a tatoo
Or if your friend feel that the music of golden oldies is cool
Doesn't matter if they are Taiwanese, other people or they are fat
They are still the same as you, their love the same as yours
You must be tolerant, your manners tolerant, your feelings tolerant
Without hope, I only wish you have compassion in your heart
So you will overcome anything and forge a brand new life

Music by David Tao, lyrics by David Tao, sang by David Tao from his I'm OK album
*Fictional account of how a Chinese monk seek for the Sutra with the help of a monkey, pig and mole.
**'Eat fat oil' could be taiwanese saying, not sure
***Not sure what the chinese characters mean

FILMOGRAPHY OF TAO DAWEI

Okie, abt David's dad Tao Dawei & his films but only managed to find a few. First Fantasy Mission Force in 1983 with Brigitte Lin, Jackie Chan & Wang Yu. This pix only one that looked like him as most reviews dun mentioned him at all, except character impersonating Elvis Presley with sideburns. Supposedly he played Brigitte's twotiming boyfriend. Most of the reviews said its one of the worst chinese movies ever including this one @ View from the Brooklyn Bridge.
Then Xiao Jiang (eng title The Time You Need A Friend) in 1984, not much on it except it was directed and cowritten by John Woo so it should be quite good. Hmmmmm....wonder if the young David ever met this celebrated director.
In 1986 A Book of Heroes with Yukari Oshima & directed by Chu Yen Ping. Review here.
Finally Ninja Supremo in 1987 & short review @ Yahoo - As a disciplinary act, a rebellious teenager is sent to study the ancient skill of kung fu and returns a master and a hero, ready to take on the terrible hunchback who is out to kill his master.
Tao Dawei is multi-talented as he can act, compose, sing and illustrate. His latest project is animation series for kids called Yappy Dog for which David sang the theme song, Brilliant Alive.

BOYZ & REAL MEN

The way David looked in 1997 after release of 1st album, when he was writing songs for L.A.Boyz heehee. Okie, answering sum questions 4 kabuki, mercuria & tangerina (*_____*). This album is 'wei yi' meaning 'the only' compilation album of L.A.Boyz & release date was May 2003. Nvr heard of L.A.Boyz b4 & it was after knowing David wrote songs 4 them & after hearing Kingston Man (David doing reggae!), started looking 4 more Boyz songs written by David. I absolutely luv all the songs he did 4 them. Besides ones mentioned here, there's oso Dazzled, My Gift to You, New Jack Swing & Clown Ballon which u can dl @ DTFC english forum if links r still up. All the songs haf such great beats & matched perfectly the distinctive voices of the Boyz. David oso arranged & produced most of the songs, & cowrote sum of the lyrics plus background vocals. I guess really if u add together all the songs that David wrote & produced 4 other singers in his career, he really quite productive. Upload Real Man as requested by kabuki, vry soothing song & David cowrote the lyrics. Enjoy!

Clicky

L.A. BOYZ (MACHI)

Picked up this compilation album of L.A.Boyz today, vry nice, haf 7 tracks by David - Kingston Man, Young Gun, R.O.C.K., That's the way, Pure Energy, Real Man & Yabbadabbadoo. Heard all b4 except R.O.C.K. & Real Man. Real Man classic r&b & sound a bit like Tension's Always Love You in Love Planet written by Andrew Chu & David esp the beginning. R.O.C.K. is surprising cos it sounds like David channelling Queen kekekekekekekekeke. It haf mixture of rock, neo soul, funk & hip hop. Wouldn't it be great if Tension can redo all these songs? Anyway I upload R.O.C.K. cos it so surprising & proved once again that David is 1 of the most versatile, talented Chinese songwriters around today.
Click here
7 days limit, plse support original

GREEN SPRITE, RED ALBUM

Vry cute pix courtesy tao-zhe.com from his 2nd Sprite cm. Posted cos David was in Wuhan 3rd Oct for Sprite promo. He had fans meeting & then attended Sprite concert at night wif other stars like Elva Hsiao. He sang 3 songs, Shanghaied, Season of Loneliness & I Love You. U can see the pixs & dl audio from davidcn.com, as ever e source 4 all things David. 30 davidcn fans were oso on hand to greet & meet David at fans meeting. They gave him gifts, sang 4 him & 1 girl who read out long dedication to him got a hug, lucky girl heehee. But he had cold & u can heard his voice a bit hoarse, plse take care of yourself David okie.
Anyway he talked a bit abt his new album, described the color as red cos since out end of yr, he hoped new album like new beginning accompany his fans thru the new year. He oso said he will haf new image, omgosh can't wait but dun change 2 much plse David. Then sumone asked him funny question why red when promoting Sprite is green, & he said he likes green too & recently changed his car color in LA to green not cos of Sprite but cos he felt like it (haha my fav color is green).
So happy to see & hear him again, he felt so familiar cos always so intimate & casual to his fans & nvr pretend to be cool or whatever. When the girl read his dedication & three girls sang 4 him, he sounded slightly shy like dun wanna be center of attention. He did said he dun like the spotlight just wanna his music to speak 4 him.
His music does speak 4 him like Rain which 2 me is his most perfect song in terms of music, lyrics, singing, msg & mv. David wrote the lyrics himself dis time w/o Wah Wah's help & its kinda biblical wif reference to rain, desert, apple & paradise. Lyrics reminded me slightly dis part of William Blake's immortal poem The Tiger -
When the stars threw down their spears
And watered heaven with their tears,
Did He smile his work to see?
Did He who made the lamb make thee?
Oso the mv just perfect 4 the song & msg, David still haf baby fat haha & his face round & childish, vry cute! When he sang Rain in Soul Power concert dvd, u can feel soul power when he got the crowd to sing along. This song vry powerful & still so fresh & relevant today. So here lyrics translated 4 those who r chinese challenged.

Rain
Last night I had a dream
Walking in the Sahara Desert
Without a soul
Only myself standing under the hot sun
It's 66.6 degrees, almost melting my eyeballs
Suddenly there was heavy rainfall
My sweat washed away by the rain
Ending 40 days of torture
The desert has become an oasis
Under the rainbow there's a big tree
Under the big tree there's an apple
After one bite, I have enlightment
Now am I able to go back?
Can I go back again to that paradise
To find myself? To find myself?
(Chorus)
Wah la la la heaven is raining
Wah la la la clouds are weeping
Wah la la la dripping into my heart oh yeah
Please don't say I am thinking nonsense
No need to tell me I am only daydreaming
Wah la la la let me drenched myself in rain oh yeah
I only hope I am able to return
I am able to return once more
To those beautiful times to find myself

Stuck in a bus like a row of sardines
To and from work everyday like a routine
All these people, where are they going?
All their faces written with resignation
Fathers and mothers no longer in love
Don't tell me this is the meaning of life
Now am I able to go back?
Can I go back once more to that paradise
To hide myself? To hide myself?
(Chorus)
Wah la la la heaven is raining
Wah la la la clouds are weeping
Wah la la la dripping into my heart oh yeah
Please don't say I am thinking nonsense
No need to tell me I am only daydreaming
Wah la la la let me drenched myself in rain oh yeah
I only hope I am able to return
I am able to return once more
To those beautiful times to find myself

Hiding under the roof in my home oh
Sleeping inside my blanket oh
Listening to the sound of the rain
Di di da da di di da da di di da da
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh
Wah la la la heaven is raining
Wah la la la clouds are weeping
Wah la la la dripping into my heart
Please don't say I am thinking nonsense
No need to tell me I am only daydreaming
Wah la la la let me drenched myself in rain
I only hope I am able to return
I am able to return once more
To those beautiful times
To find back myself
Music & Lyrics by David Tao, sang by David Tao in I'm Ok album

A POP STAR WITH A MESSAGE

Studio Classroom haf English lessons & 1 of them is on David! How cool is that. U can dl questionaire titled A Pop Star with a Message & see if u can answer all of them heehee. I failed miserably *sigh* guess imma not up on him as I thot. Oso it based on magazine article in Nov not out yet, but hopefully online cos it haf the all important answer to WHERE DAVID WAS BORNED kekekekekekekekek. Anyway will keep lookout 4 the article next mth. Really think David more famous than ppl think or the english teachers there all his fans. The questionaire at the end asks How are you similar or dissimilar to David Tao? hmmmm.....wonder what sorta answers they get.
Another foreign blog mentioning David, talk abt discovering I'm OK album. Tried translating into english but dun make sense but still anything on David worth mentioning here rite, think its french.
Ppl always amazed how I write so much on David, actually blog writes itself. Guess started this blog cos so much negative news on David & wanna balance it up a bit with nice stories on him & they keep coming. Cos cannot bury truth & sincerity no matter how hard they tried. Most of the chinese media & a big part of the chinese entertainment industry want us to believe for sum unknown reason (prolly fear that music serves other purpose than to make money) that David is way past his use by date, that he is a copyist, that nobody cares or is touched by the kinda music he wants to do & the world to listen, or the messages he wants to convey. But imma glad my blog holds the proof that ppl do care & they r listening with their hearts & minds, & they r touched by his talents, his music & the person he is.

MOON OVER MY HEART

David's version of Moon over my heart vry popular song during recent mid-autumn holiday. Original song written by this chinese songwriter living overseas and becoming homesick. Original singer was oso not Teresa Deng but she popularised the song to the extend that most chinese of all ages noe this song. Oso a song chinese singers like to sing during concerts even now. David didn't just updated the song but he rewrote sum of it adding new lyrics. Oso this updated version not written 4 himself but after finishing, he liked it so much he kept it heehee which is great cos he sang it so well.
David's version oso haf a great mv. Story borrowed heavily from Korean movie One Fine Spring Day. Actually Tension's Wandering with the moon mv reminded of this mv. Both dun played the entire song & with just few scenes tell complete story of love & heartbreak.
The mv oso haf David plucking the chorus on guitar & its incredibly beautiful. Oso like the way the chorus kept being played on piano, David acappella singing & later the girl humming on tape. Sum ppl dun like the mv cos it dun haf the whole song but vry daring to just haf the song as background & the story as main part of the mv. David shot only a few mvs but I find all of them vry interesting & original. His vry first mv Airport in 10.30 was nominated for MTV awards & the first mv from I'm OK, Rain won Best Chinese video in 2000 MTV Awards. So even in his mvs, can see that David always strived to give the best to his audience.
Moon over my heart mv included in 2nd release of Black Tangerine, but if u haf not seen it, go here to dl.