2 days to Beijing concert

Vry characteristic DT pix. Like the direct, honest look into the camera & the slightly awkward but still sincere smile. You would think he get used to being photographed by now but he is still not comfortable. Hope his Beijing rehearsal is going well & he is well rested. Below is another nice writeup from China Daily online:
David Tao will sing but not strut
(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-02-28 09:42
"I won't invite guests to perform, I won't dance, take off my clothes or dress up like a peacock to arouse attention of the audience," says Taiwan singer and song producer David Tao, who was in town last week to prepare for his Beijing concert on March 1.
"You might think the concert sounds boring but the concert will offer just music," he says with confidence. "It's a simple concept but dynamic in delivering pure music."
With six albums in 10 years, the 36-year-old singer is not prolific, but he has achieved much more than other Chinese singers who have produced 10 or more albums in a short time. Dubbed the "Godfather of R 'n' B in China", he has been a trendsetter in China's music industry since his debut album Tao Zhe in 1997.
His albums have won various awards in Asia for his socially conscious lyrics, simple rhythms and creative mix of traditional sounds, like Peking Opera and traditional Chinese musical instruments.
He was the first to show Chinese singers and listeners that music has no boundaries and those that have followed have benefited from his bold and successful attempts to break new ground in the conservative world of Chinese music.
During his first concert in Beijing, in 2005, Tao surprised his audience with a 12-minute piece exclusively for Beijing.
"We have so many glaring concerts nowadays which are easy to do but empty. This one will focus on music. It's like a rock music concert in the 70s. I put music, affection and interaction as the priorities."
"We have spent a lot of time designing the stage lighting. We are adding a lot of disco lights, since we think the combination of music and light is very important."
Additionally, many of Tao's old songs are enriched by introducing different instruments and compositional elements.
"Eighty percent of my old songs are remixed. For this concert, I spent a week in Singapore with my musical director to come up with a concept. I don't want to just reproduce these old songs, I want to look again at myself and my music in a special way," he says.
As a confident singer, Tao never invites guests to his concerts.
"Guests interrupt the process of a concert, thus I never invite them. Probably, some singers do this for the box office but I think it's a bit rude. When people are buying tickets to one of my concerts, I think they want to see me."
"Some record labels force their artists to turn up at each other's concerts to promote each other, even though they may not really enjoy it. I certainly don't like doing that. It shouldn't be like attending school classes. The shows should be fun."
Tao's tour will include Hong Kong, Singapore and some other cities in China, after Beijing. It is expected to end around June.
Tao is scheduled to release a new album after the tour and will then switch roles to become a director.
Preparation for the movie has already begun and it has a release date of 2009.
"After the concert, I will transfer my focus to that. I hope I can make it one thing after another."
The concert will be held at Capital Gymnasium.

6 days to Beijing concert

Vry earnest here, wonder if he is wearing his new expensive watch? Less than a wk to his Beijing concert now *yeah yeah* ^__^ Here's a clip of his fan gathering in Beijing.
When media called him 'godfather' David at once stopped them saying he is neither 'godfather' nor 'heavenly king'. Still I noticed the mainland chinese media loves to call him 'godfather of music' so he may have to bear with the title till the latter part of the yr where he disappears to film his movie *heart pain* There will be so little news of him then so better give us more songs in his new album. I will not be satisfied unless there is at least 12. He has already completed 10 songs & it will take him at least 2 months for recording & production work. He will be returning to his favorite seventies classic rock *__* Looking so forward to this album although dun wanna get too high expectations to avoid disappointment.
When media asked if he is afraid of losing fans by taking so long to come out with an album, he replied for singer/composer, it will always require more time to have some thinking & feelings abt what he wants to express in his album. If he keeps his promise & release his 6th studio album around Jun/Jul, it will be abt 2 yrs but still not as long as Black Tangerine. Strangely he said he doesn't really like musical but he is doing one cos he wanna challenged himself as well as the audience. It could be he still find its easier for him to express himself in music so it makes sense he uses this medium for his first film although I do hope he dun forget to add a storyline :P

8 days to Beijing concert

Now I have a cache of some really delightful DT in Bejing pixs ^__^ Will post them slowly for the countdown. He can look really childlike in his simple pleasure of meeting fans & chatting. Below an excellent writeup from China Daily:
"R&B Godfather" Tao Zhe to perform in Beijing
(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-02-21 15:15
Taiwanese singer David Tao (Tao Zhe) will stage a show on March 1 at the Capital Gymnasium. When his debut album David Tao was released in 1997, the young man generated a storm of R&B in Taiwan and the mainland. Some local media dubbed him the "R&B Godfather".
After two years of work, Tao released his second album titled I'm OK that featured alternative rock which was simpler and more down-to-earth than his debut work. His third album, Black Tangerine, released in 2003, was again a pleasant surprise fusing rock, folk songs, Latin ballads, country music and other styles.
One of his latest songs, Susan Speaks, successfully melts a famous Peking Opera aria into Blues. It creates a unique historical ambiance for a woman reminiscing her past love.
Sun Tze: The Art of War is another interesting work of Tao. He collaborated with the popular 12 Girls Band, combing both Western and folk Chinese instruments to create a work that touches the soul.
Though the first group of fans who were struck by Tao's special voice and music 10 years ago are no longer young, his solo concert at the Capital Gymnasium is sure to draw a large following. (Reposted from China Daily)
Hope more & more ppl realise his modest contribution to chinese music before he turns his focus to films. Here can watch many clips of his online chat in Beijing. Actually its more like an interview. Transcript here & lotsa gorgeous pixs. As usual he displayed an array of expressions & hand gestures.
He also attended fan gathering where he received gifts & fed a lucky fan new year dessert. Luv watching the clips & listening to his sexy voice. He revealed he has a house in Beijing & if ppl were to see him walking on the streets or having a meal, dun be alarmed cos its really him *__* He has prepared a special 12-min segment just for Beijing concert. He confirmed the Taizhou concert on 4/12 & said there might be more concerts in mainland China but didn't say anything abt US. I think he will probably have a Msia concert as quite a few of his band mbrs are Malaysians & for sure he wants to give them the chance to perform in their own turf.
When fans guessed his new album will be rock influenced, they got a minor lecture on what is rock hehe do not awaken the sleeping dragon. I did think that he will eventually do a rock album but not so soon. He might just stick to soft or alt rock like Rain, Bastard, Smalltown girl, Black Tangerine, Ghost. Wow getting excited now. He does this kinda rock so vry well. Jun/Jul not so far away & hopefully no more delays. As for his movie, he is still writing the script *sigh* He does not want his movie to be judged by his success in music. He prefers the movie to be an independent work by a new director who is judged creative. He wants to be part of a new generation of directors who is able to provide breakthroughs in filmmaking. He also does not want to be seen as a Chinese director but an international director whose movie can be understood by all.
As usual he said filmmaking is his first love & he only got into music cos he was able to make money doing something he likes. But I suspect music means lot more to him than just a means of earning money. Maybe cos music-writing to him is such a painful process that he tends to shy away from its importance. You just have to watch the way he handle his guitar to realise that. The guitar is an extension of himself. When David stands on the stage with his guitar, they blend together into one beautiful entity.

9 days to Beijing concert

Here vry nice newsclip of his HK concert promo. Must have been away for too long cos his mandarin sounds just a bit awkward but still vry adorable. Think he is overestimating his concerts again. 16? OK counting back to last yr:
Singapore 1
HK 3
Beijing 1
Quangzhou 1
Taipei 2
Guiyang 1
Nanjing 1
Shanghai 1
The total is 11 so let assume he includes Msia & the one planned for Taichung goes ahead, it will be 13. Well maybe he is planning a few North American concerts, who knows? Just dun hold yr breath cos seriously I doubt this man can count. Like moi, I suspect he might be suffering from dyscalculia ^__^

10 days to Beijing concert

David & Paco during HK press conference.
Here he received vry expensive watch from concert sponsors. Ppl like giving him expensive gifts it seems *__*
His HK fans gave him a calligraphy signboard 'Godfather of entertainment' or something like that.
Dun know who all these ppl are but nice to know he has so many supporters in HK.
Shielding away from firecrackers as he didn't realised it would be so loud. He must have vry sensitive ears. After 123 Wooden Men concerts, David said it will be another 2 to 3 yrs before he will hold another series of concerts. No word on whether or not he will hold concerts in US this yr but if u have the time & money, best to attend HK or Singapore. His new album is planned for Jun/Jul release & DT will focus on his movie during latter half of the yr. He prefers working behind the scene & I feel that even if he has the slightest success he probably wanna stay behind the scene. Of cos he dun wanna close the door completely on his music career so he says its only 'temporary' but its gonna be hard for him to make a successful comeback after 2 or 3 yrs. He will be in his forties & he dun really has the solid support Jackie Cheung or Andy Lau enjoy. Anyway he should know what he is doing & I will always support & believe in him. No matter where his journey takes him, I will be here loving & wishing him well <3
Luv this pix haha & although can't see it but think there maybe a mischevious glint in his eyes. He knows well that the paparazzi may use this pix to put him down again. Maybe that's why I dun feel that upset he may leave the music front scene completely. He must be vry tired of being followed & photographed secretly. So is he gonna be mocked everytime he holds a drink in his hand? Better that he goes behind a camera & be himself.

DT in HK

David has flown into HK from LA & will be having press conference today re his concerts. He said that since the release of his new album will mark his temporary departure from music, he will go all out & challenge the music scene. I hope so & that he will give us something completely different. He did not say whether or not he will stay with EMI but maybe his contract will be put on hold since he is 'temporarily' departing. Anyway he might say more during the press conference. I hope he has finished his film script cos I really looking forward to seeing his movie. I am not expecting any breakthroughs or fantastic sales for his album or box office success for his movie. So long as he is able to deliver quality music that moves me & a well-made film with good storyline I will be satisfied.

Concert promos

David will be having online chat in Beijing on 2/20 & then heading to HK to promote his upcoming concerts in these 2 cities. EMI Taiwan is apparently retrenching staff & there is speculation which singer is gonna leave? Stefanie Sun is seen as the most likely as hers is album by album contract followed closely by Jolin. Although David has a good working relationship with EMI, I would rather he is the one leaving. EMI tends to promote the singer not the album or the music. Actually the whole chinese music industry is like that. While the last & most important award in Grammies is Album of the Year, its usually the most popular singer in most chinese awards show. In fact watching the depth of talent shown in the Grammies, I wonder when will they wake up to the fact that 'idol packaging' is not working at all. There are not that many beautiful ppl performing at the Grammies but it is their music that make them attractive. A relative who attended her fav idol concert in Singapore surprised me when she said although it was entertaining with the dancing, different costumes, instruments playing, ultimately the concert was disappointing cos of the dismal live singing. Sooner or later, even the least discerning chinese audience will demand that a singer no matter how beautiful live up to his or her profession on the stage.

DT walk on

Watched the Grammies & was quite enjoyable. I particularly love the piano duet between Lang Lang & Herbie Hancock for Rhapsody in Blue. Lang Lang was nominated for his solo performance, Beethoven Piano Concertos Nos 1 & 4, but didn't win, still there is always nxt time. He is only 25 after all ^__^
Alicia Keys was probably the best singer. She not only looks beautiful but her voice is just lovely. She has a perfect range with amazing clarity. That's when I discovered I am a music masochist. Cos it was not her that I am moved by but Amy Winehouse. Amy whose voice I don't even like much. She is not as beautiful or perfect or talented as Alicia but I am moved by her every time I hear her sing. Its like she took her pain, her hurts & suffering, magnified them a thousand times so you can't help but be destroy emotionally when you listen to her sing but she then soothes you down by taking it all back. Hard to describe.
I am guessing I am not the only affected cos even though her performance was not the best among the more amazing ones like Beyonce & Tina Turner, she headlined almost every article abt the award show. She wasn't even there but performed by satellite from London. Maybe we just wanna suffer more than we admire. Or suffer through someone else's pain, it hurts less that way. Actually I feel sry for Alicia, Beyonce, Fiest & the other female nominees cos they are probably more talented, work harder & have way less bad press but still the attention is on this scrawny singer who is still in rehab. But this is the power of music I guess. Maybe Amy is just gifted that way. She may have made a mess of her life but still she is able to move ppl with her music cos she suffered more. I like what Chaka Khan said abt her: "She's walking her walk. We all have a walk in life, we have hard and difficult times and going through that chaos often leads to clarity." What abt DT? Can he still move me? A thousand times yes *__* He probably doesn't magnified his pains & suffering a thousand times like Amy but enough so I can still feel it. He does more soothing though & more healing. At least that's how I feel abt his music. To me DT is walking his walk.

DT & Bee Gees

Thanks vry much anon for posting link to youtube vid by Deepson of DT singing medley of Bee Gees' hits @ Ponte 16. Vry enjoyable. He is so endearing. I used up all my CNY wishes on him for good health, success & happiness. Hope DT & everybody had a great Lunar New Year. Its cute to see so many Mickey Mouse in traditional chinese costumes. Also hope the HK pix scandal will die down soon, I feel sorry for all concerned esp their families & hope HK entertainment will not be too affected.

CNY Greetings!

DT like spring is here ^__^ Best wishes to everybody & hope this second start of a new year will be a fresh new beginning for all of us especially our Dave. My only CNY wish is that he will not drink so much & let us down again. Yes, I know celebrities have their private lives but they are still regarded as role models to their fans like the recent HK pix scandal has proved.
Anyway onto to happier things like this recent writeup on Ponte 16:
Ponte 16 welcomes 60,000 visitors on opening weekend
Tuesday, 05 February 2008
Ponte 16 opened to the public on February 1 and despite being one of the coldest nights this winter, a line of eager visitors started forming hours before the casino opened its doors to the public at 10:00pm, packing in a total of 20,000 visitors in just the one night, and 60,000 over the weekend. According to a company statement released yesterday, following the opening ceremony, celebrations moved indoors to a party featuring performances by Hong Kong singers Stephy Tang and Theresa Fu, and a fashion show featuring Hong Kong designer Arthur Lam’s latest evening wear collection and jewelry sponsored by Chow Tai Fook. Mandarin R&B heartthrob David Tao who performed with his “live” band, sending all guests into a feverish fervour. Ponte 16 integrated casino-entertainment resort, built over 2.3 hectares, consists of a five-star hotel, a casino and an upcoming entertainment and retail complex. The current phase opens with two levels of casino area offering 105 gaming tables and 300 slot machines.
First time I read DT described as a 'heartthrob' but I like it heehee & also wonder why they have "live" in quotes, are they implying there is not really a live band? Vry strange *scratch head* Sry to post so much on Ponte 16 but its the only news on DT at the moment.
When & where to see DT during CNY? Well ntv7 is repeating the Star Live Concert on 2/8: On Friday, Star Live Concert comes on at 10am. Be enchanted by the biggest singer line-up of 2007, featuring performances by David Tao, Stefanie Sun, Vic Chow, Grasshopper, local superstars Nicholas Teo, Penny Tai and many more. Sixteen acts all in one star-studded concert.
Just do remember DT appeared second last so may have to wait a long while but the payoff is his gorgeous duet with Yanzi. Thanks to info from Cookie Monster, David is slated to appear tomorrow in the CNY variety show on Channel 8 starting at 10.30pm but unsure when or for how he will appear.

Ponte 16 vid

Found this really super vid of the opening of Ponte 16 @ Macau with not only footage of David but his live singing as soundtrack. How great is that! A mustsee cos he looked & sounded just marvellous <3

Destination Macau Report - ep. 18 - Ponte 16 Grand Opening

DT @ Ponte 16

A recent pix at last of David @ Ponte 16 in Macau & he looks gorgeous! Love the short black trenchie, lemon yellow sweater & hair falling over his face *silent scream* ^__^ Seems to be in vry good spirits. Hope things going fine for him now & hope to hear or see his latest works soon. (Pix credit tom.com via DTFC)

DT in Macau

David was guest performer for the opening of another Macau's casino hotel, the Ponte 16 on 2/1 but only news no pixs. They seem to like him there but then what's not to like ^__^ Dear DT, missing you so much so snagged this vid from DTFC where he sang at the Audi R8 launch. He was cute when he said he didn't know it would be so warm inside as it was cold outside. He was perspiring so much poor thing. He even forgot which song he was supposed to sing hah but he looked absolutely charming in his long black semi-formal jacket. I love this rendition of I Love You where he sang with a more mature air, different from the usual karaoke style he used in largescale concerts where the audience like to join in. His voice is pure magic, stirring yet soothing & vry DT. Just make me love him more. Love his hairstyle too. Apparently his concert in Beijing has the lowest priced tickets with special prices for couples. (Vid link credit & thanks to DTFC)
Btw 信乐团 without Shin has released a single with Power Station called 不死心還在. I like it a lot. Much as I like Shin I like the rest of the band mbrs even more. They are the nicest, most modest bunch of musicians who nvr have any pretensions to be a rock band or idols or anything. They just want to play music to make a living. I dun blame Shin for going solo, I mean did anyone blame Sting for going solo? Good luck to him. Hope that Shin Band can find a suitable lead singer & release their album soon.