Thank you so much YG for posting yr autograph experience with DT. He made your day & you made mine ^__^
YG said... Heh I'm definitely looking forward to David's upcoming Sg concert (wooden men name or not)! Just to share with you all, my sis and i went to his autograph session today at Clark Quay The Central. Fabulous! He was really nice, chatty and friendly! It is the first time I was meeting him up close. My heart started pounding faster as the autograph session started and we advanced along the queue. I looked on as he smiled and greeted everyone who came up the small platform (one at a time). He signed, engaged in easy banter with everyone who came up, and offered a handshake at the end. Short, but warm and sweet. It made me feel less nervous about meeting him up close and worrying about appearing like a complete stuttering fool. Finally it was our turn. My sis went up the stage as I waited right behind her on the steps. Sis: Hi David! David: Hello! How you doin’? Sis: Yeah I’m doing great! David: Oh really! Sis (pointed to her tix as he signed): I’m sitting at row 10.. David: uh sorry…? (it was noisy) Sis: I’ll be at row 10… David: Oh row 10… Ok great! thank you very much! (offers left handshake) My turn. Gosh! I walked forward, beaming and trying to look calm. David looked up with a bright smile. David: Hi! Ni Hao! Me: Hi David! Good to see you after 2 years! David (leans forward): Ah sorry..? (too noisy again) Me: It’s been 2 years since you came.. Good to see you again! David: 2 years..Oh! You were at Love Can? Me: Yes! David: Ok great see you soon! Thank you very much! (offers left handshake) Me: Thank you! See you at the concert! His hand was large, warm and firm. Lovely! As it turned out, the great thing about this small stage set-up was that the whole experience was up close and personal, yet stress-free. David makes your 10 seconds of ‘alone’ time with him truly yours. You don’t feel small, worthless, pathetic and like an overzealous idiot shoved ard by watchful security. You don’t feel like you’re merely a part of a mindless autograph churning conveyor belt. David was calm, confident, acknowledged everyone’s presence, and gave each one undivided attention as he signed your stuff and chatted with you. And best of all, he offers a handshake at the end without you asking. Fabulous! At the end of the whole session, sis n i walked with David n his minders to a holding room. Together with two other fans, we waited outside for abt 2 minutes before he reemerged to leave the building with security. My sis called out his name. He turned back with a surprised smile and waved, saying Thank you very much! I said Bye~! and he replied cheerily.=) As he walked along, we decided might as well follow along and send him off. Out of the building in broad daylight, David with his entourage attracted a couple of surprised stares and waving onlookers. As he boarded a white minivan, I thought his minders wld shut the door immediately. Thankfully not. David got on the van, sat down and once again saw sis n I. He pointed to us and waved! We waved back happily. When the door closed and the van started to drive off, we saw through the tinted windows David actually turned back to look at us and waved bye again! That totally made my day.=) 3/31/2008 1:56 AM
So nice to get confirmation once again that DT is the real thing on & off the stage. Can only share 1 pix as actually not allowed much time online being down with allergy. Really dig those specs hehe
After concert celebration vid where David presented a portion of the concert ticket sales to HK charity. Wearing unusual belt laserprinted with his concert images, probably a gift. As expected, he has pushed back the date of his album release to Sep/Oct *sigh* There are rumors that EMI might pull their operations from Asia, indication of the dire stage of the music industry here with declining cd sales. Rundown of songlist in HK concerts courtesy of davidtaohk.com: Overture - Yes No song Runaway Can't get you outta my mind Close to you Let's fall in love Ghost Susan says Who do you love Moon over whose heart Airport in 10.30 Shanghaied Smalltown girl Season of loneliness Regular friends Black Tangerine Art of war Dear God Marry me today Beautiful Disco Medley - Addicted to Love, Walk this Way, Get Down on It, Kungfu Fighting, September & I Feel Good Love can Bastard Rain Blue Moon I Love You Brief clip of the disco medley thanks to DTFC:
Many fans waited for him to emerge from the Coliseum & here are 2 adorable clips posted @ youtube:
Seemed like they got pretty close to him haha Everybody seemed to have a great time so congras to DT for his 3rd successful series of HK concerts although it was apparently quite stressful for him & he almost his voice during the last concert. The latest concert announced is back in Shanghai where his last concert was rained out. He was so grateful to the audience for staying despite the heavy downpour that he will stage another concert there in less than a yr. The concert on May 10 has rather grand title of 王者归来 which I prefer much to the silly wooden men. Its hard to translate but I like 'Return of the Contender'. Sounds vry much like his fighting spirit where he likes to challenge the audience & chinese music industry with his focus on using good music to open the ears & minds of the audience. Finally a series of wonderfully emotive pixs taken by fans Jimmy @ davidtaohk & Vicky @ DT forum:
Back again to post some more cutie pixs. Luv his expressions in these concerts. Back to his old trick of inviting female fan to serenade ^__^ This time it was a Japanese fan who didn't know how to sing his song but had no qualms abt touching him. Oh dear Celine, here's yr rival haha cos he even kissed her on the forehead *gasp* Media reports mostly centred on his interaction with his sexy dancers but for sure it's only a few songs & mostly he just sang his heart out. For sure he was not as bold as Eason Chan *__* Mixed fan reactions where though many said he was awesome live, others said he sounded like he had a cold & was not at his best. Listened to below clips & taking into consideration these are handheld, I would say there is no problem with his voice. Amazing clarity, awesome projection & a range to die for. Just adore the new arrangement for Moon over my heart & Regular Friends. Btw big shoutout to Kheng Long here as he should be partly responsible for the new arrangements as well. Concert wrapup & backstage interview clip courtesy of Sina. Here he interact with his fans & apparently he was so surprised by a high-pitched female fan that he forgot lyrics to Rain. David also teased his TW fans that they should be back home voting not attending concert. Wow looked like it was 2 nites of fun-filled concerts. Hope tonite is the bestest of them all!
Such a cutie ^__^ make my heart sing when he is looking so earnest. Concert pixs reposted & thanks to DTFC. Apparently for the disco medley he sang Earth Wind & Fire's September & Carl Douglas' Kungfu Fighting wow love to hear both. He also did some kungfu dancing Bruce Li's style hah such a sweetie *__* Below youtube concert vids of Moon over whose heart, Regular Friends & Beautiful. Unfortunately still no audio so cannot listen but for sure its all awesome:
Good luck & best wishes to David for tonite's final concert @ Coliseum. Heard he's heading Singapore way for some promo this weekend.
David @ the Coliseum tonite! Good luck to him. Sry but may not be able to update nxt few days as have serious computer problems to fix. Probably due to power surges but had a few blowups which left me in darkness. Then realised I did not own a single torch only a very beautiful silver candle which I cannot bear to light. Laugh to myself thinking that DT will nvr be in this kinda situation. He probably has one of those power torch that looks like it can launch a spaceship *__*
Can really see the Tao resemblance ^__^ David has been a 乖寶寶 (good bb) & stayed indoor for almost 3 mths to avoid getting into more trouble with drinking. As a result, his cooking skills has improved. With advanced technology, David can get easily get work done online & so he is nvr without his laptop & ipod. Even though he hates being photographed but he likes to take pixs of street scenes for inspiration. So happy he is making the effort & hope he will get rewarded with his movie dream soon. But first his company insists he must release his studio album this year. Saw some news abt Yanzi where she said she was learning how to ride a bike to sing a song but refused to say anymore when asked. Seems that she will be filming a movie latter half of this yr. A bit coincidental? Anyway as I said before, if they are fated to work together they will & if not, then maybe next time ^__^
Though he looks vry shuai, dun really like this pose but the article quite good. Previously it rained in Shanghai concert & he lost his voice in Nanjing concert but David felt that HK concerts should be safe. He hoped to meet his other half in the nxt 2 yrs as he doesn't wanna remain single forever. Heard that Leon Lai got married & he is 42 so there is hope for David ^__^ Regarding his earlier bad press, David said he got over it & just looking forward to his work and life plans. He wanna live happily but he also felt that it is vry difficult for an artiste to maintain a good image & still live naturally. It is important to find a balance. Paco of Gold Label has a blog here & can watch 2 vids of his interview with David. For the HK concerts, David has specially prepared a medley that is dance music from 60s, 70s & 80s but he will not be dancing *thank god :p* Paco said he has some suggestions for the concerts & I think he wanted David to invite Justin Lo as guest cos Paco is always trying to promote his other stars in Gold Label. He is the ultimate promoter after all. Which was why I think during the press conference, David brought up Justin's name when talking abt guests saying although he admire Justin's talents but he will not invite him as guest. So now can understand the kind of pressure David is under sometime but I think he manage to cope with them pretty well. (Paco blog link info courtesy & thanks to davidtaohk.com)
This is the 3rd in series of articles coming out as promo for his HK concerts. This one talks abt his plans for his movie & how he hope to film the first chinese all-musical movie like Chicago or Moulin Rouge. The good thing was that he mentioned 'lots & lots of music'. Glad they are sticking to his interests & not trivial stuff like rumored girlfriends. Here's the 12-min Beijing rock medley in its entirety. So powerful it just blew me away *phew* love love love his voice <33333333 so raw but still sharp as a bell. Can understand now why he has been sounding rather rough & less mellow in his live performances before Beijing concert. He must have been training his voice for this fantabulous rock segment & probably also for his rock album. Such a consummate singer like an actor who talks & walks his role for days before filming just to get into character. Also I love how he will turn & look at his band mbrs when they are performing like he is trying to deflect the audience's attention to them. Although must say this trick nvr works on me as my eyes are always glued on him the whole time ^__^ Such a great mix of rock songs & just pure magic how he segue Cui Jian's I have nothing into Beatles' Hey Jude for the finale. Only complaint was he did not put enough force into his 'judes'. I would love to hear him really belt them out but guess he was saving his vocals for the rest of the concert. (Clip link info courtesy & thanks to davidtaohk.com)
Some nice closeup pixs. Again another interesting interview @ Mingpao.com where he talks abt filming & missing Anita Mui among other things. The interviewer said he didn't stop talking for half an hr & then said OK when he finished ^__^
Talking abt his beloved cars, DT has 9 at the moment. His fav is not the most expensive but one with the best character - 1968 Ford Mustang. He also has a white Porsche & abt a month ago he chose this car when he took part in a car race in LA. He felt that cars are similar to women. Like a Ferrari is vry expensive & highclass but can cause one to have an accident if you are not careful. Just like a highclass woman will lose her temper if you don't treat her well *sigh* He can be vry juvenile when talking abt cars at times >"< However talking abt guitars, he shows his mature side as in this tvb clip where he explained abt how different guitar can produce different music. How can I not love to death a man who handles both cars & guitars with such expertise? ^__^ His fans presented him some strange gifts & he rewarded them by playing & singing marvellous version of Van Morrison's Crazy Love on piano. Now I wanna hear him sing Moondance haha (TVB clip link courtesy & thanks to davidtaohk.com)
Some news articles on DT in HK as his concerts are less than 2 wks away. One talks abt his 10-day trip to Rome & Venice last yr. He brought his parents as well as 10 staff mbrs. At a conservative estimate of US$2k per head, he must have spend at least US$36k. I always hear TW singers saying that they will take their staff for overseas holiday based on how well their albums sell, but this is the first time I know someone actually did take his staff for a thank-you holiday. But it also feels like a farewell gesture too so maybe David will leave EMI after his 6th studio album is released. Anyway its great to know that he is not just generous to his parents but his staff as well. He said that 7 yrs ago he accompanied his parents to Bali but it turned out to be a nightmare. Even though Bali is supposed to be romantic, his parents quarreled the whole time. He chose Egypt for his ideal honeymoon cos he felt it is both romantic & mysterious. Also being a Christian, he read abt Ancient Egypt many times in the Bible. However, most of his female friends said that Egypt is not romantic & they preferred Paris for shopping. Oh well hope he will have the chance to go on a honeymoon soon ^__^
Vry nice pix of our Dave in HK. Its funny he always looks more relaxed & carefree in his HK pixs. Here's the article courtesy of Annie in HK who posted @ DT forum. Basically he talks abt the same thing - no guest, no dancing, no elaborate costumes in his concerts & his movie plan in latter half of the yr. He also will not sing a Cantonese song. Actually dun understand why Mandarin singers like to sing a Cantonese song during their HK concerts? What's the point? They usually sing it badly but the audience although bored will pretend to be charmed & delighted. Might as well use the time to sing a song the audience really wanna hear. Found this blog with some interesting DT concert pixs. Most of it long range & really show off the amazing concert lights. David had said many times he is most satisfied with the concert lighting & how it really went with his music. Post a few here just in case ppl are unable to see @ that blog so all credit to the photographer. This is supposedly Bibi sina blog where she posted some DT concert pixs as well. She has given herself the deadline of 2010 before she staged her 1st concert which I thought was extremely realistic. Most new singers will rush to stage their 1st concert without enough preparation. Like what David said if one is unable to get good ticket sales without the attraction of special guests then must as well not have a concert. In today's market one must really try to be realistic. Even AI Kelly Clarkson had to swallow her pride & downsize to smaller venues when ticket sales are poor. And of cos Rain & his disastrous US tour. Although many reasons were cited for cancellation including case courts being thrown abt but up to now nobody has sued. Usually the most compelling reason for cancelling a concert is poor ticket sales. I am wondering if that's the reason David decided not to have LA concert. Of cos he can have a small concert like most Asian singers but I think he will rather stage a proper concert than just a showcase. Factoring in the cost of flying in his band, sound & lighting equipment with no sponsorship, it will be really unrealistic. Finally closeup of his tee during concert rehearsal so can see it displays 'Delay No More' ^__^ That's another thing I admire abt him. The ability to take potshots at his own faults. Of cos the best way to rectify one's fault is first to acknowledge it rite?
A few days ago was randomly watching a cctv talkshow & they were discussing a Chinese folk dance program. Apparently the choregrapher was vry unhappy as she said the dancers selected were not appropriate for some of the dances. These dances originated from mountain villages & the women there all mostly stocky with short arms & legs. The dancers selected were the model variety - tall, slender with long arms & legs. The mountain folk dances were created to make the stocky women look particularly graceful when dancing with verve & vitality. However the producer said that audience wanted to look at beautiful women dancing so he sacrificed the origin of the dances for visual effect. Imagine after many years when the choregrapher is no longer around & the mountain villages all gone, nobody knew the real meaning of these dances. All they remembered was the program with beautiful dancers but the dance itself empty & meaningless. In the same way I think David is trying to preserve the real meaning of having a concert. He knows chinese audience are spoiled by extravagant staging & costumes that they no longer listen to the music. Ppl said he is arrogant for criticising overblown concerts. Yes, he can stay silent & not make waves like the others cos apart from pure & virginal, chinese stars are expected to be humble too :P But he chose to speak out cos like the choregrapher he felt he has to for his own integrity. In this way he is also helping pave the way for the younger generation to bring music back to concerts. I feel strongly that this is what a responsible singer/composer should do if he geninuely believes in the power of music. At the moment most rather go with the flow & stage concerts that are more like variety show with the obligatory guest to spice things up. Here is a good article abt David calling him a 'professional musician player'. David has always been regarded by his company as one of the few Chinese male singers who has steady album sales as well as the ability to earn money through concerts. Last year was when he participated in the most appearances all over China. Guess its the lesser evil to endorsing product after product. Album sales can no longer be considered as profitable so singers have to find other ways to make money. David has a lot of freedom when it comes to his album but still he complained abt the creative meetings he had to attend where he was asked to come out with more commercial songs as well as to live up to his image as a socially conscious singer/composer. He is frustrated that nobody cares abt the musicality of the songs or whether they are suitable for the singer. David will of cos always go his own way but the writer felt that as a professional musician, David is also not afraid of 'playing' with music by writing a few K songs to please his record company & listeners like Marry Me Today. Only trouble is of cos when he write a K song it usually becomes vry popular & even win awards ^__^ A lot of ppl sneered at him when Marry Me Today won GMA song of the year as if its his fault. What do they expect him to do? Declined to accept the award cos the song is considered too commercial? Maybe this is the reason he remixed the song almost beyond recognisation in his concert & used sexy dancers to contrast with the sweet lyrics of happy ever after. I agreed that he is indeed a vry 'playful' musician haha
Must be some vry enthusiastic fans this side of the stage to make him so joyful & devilish ^__^ Vry man yeah! Even the band mbrs had fun haha A deep bow as always to show his heartfelt thanks. Nice little clip where can hear a bit of I Have Nothing. He wanted to see Cui Jian for himself I think but the so-called 'Father of Rock' in China declined to show himself but some reporters who saw him said he was 'dancing' to the rock segment. Vry smart to include Hey Jude since he already sang with it with Yanzi so less to learn but of cos he did it rock style this time. The man really a genius when it comes to arranging songs. Wonder if there are other surprises he might have for HK concerts? Dun think he will include the rock medley cos it will be too much for 3 concerts in a row. But maybe Singapore cos there are some sentimental rockers here for sure heehee DT is of cos the most sentimental of rockers *__*
David staged a successful 3/1 concert in Beijing for which he gave 90% giving himself 10% for improvement. He said that his voice was his best during the series of 123 Wooden Men concerts. The highlight was the 12-min rock medley where he covered songs from Cui Jian, La Dayou, Beatles & Led Zeppelin's A whole Lot of Love. Below is brief coverage on crienglish.com: David Tao Rocks Beijing 2008-03-02 16:48:54 CRIENGLISH.com Singer David Tao performed his "We Are All Wooden Men" concert in front of a jam-packed audience of 10,000 fans at Capital Indoor Stadium in Beijing on Saturday. The elaborate stage sets and lighting were the highlights of the concert. Tao sang mostly his old songs, but they were remixed to sound like new. Although David Tao is called the R& B Godfather, his rock songs infused with Beijing dialect won applause and screams from local fans. A 12-minute song Tao brought exclusively for his Beijing fans combined Chinese and foreign classical songs such as Cui Jian's "I Have Nothing," influential Taiwanese singer-songwriter Duo Dayou's "Lukang, the Little Town" and Leon's "Hey Judy." At the end of the concert, the fans stood up and sang along with Tao. The concert closed with Tao's classic song "I Love You." I think they meant Beatles' Hey Jude ^__^ Of cos no one recognise Led Zeppelin but it must have been great! Hopefully next time he will sing my fav Stairway to Heaven. Apparently supergirl Zhou Bichang attended & also the great Cui Jian himself!!!!! What a honor for David, hope he wasn't too nervous singing his song. But even the media was surprised that the singer labelled as 'godfather of r&b' could sing rock songs just as good as Cui Jian. Our Dave did us proud again heehee Some viewing pleasure here where he sang a marvellous electronic remix of Ghost & ended with 1 of the best rock songs he wrote for A-mei in 1999 - 爱什么稀罕. Listen to A-mei's original version here. Below is youtube vid of Regular Friends, this was taken from quite a distance but note the clarity of his voice. He was not kidding when he said his voice at his best that nite *__*:
Finally quite lengthy after concert interview where he was still amazingly, endearingly energetic.
