作為監製,筆者不單要監製唱片,還要監製音樂會。由於過往曾於不同的製作公司任職,有機會製作不同的節目。小至商場丶學校禮堂,大至會展、國際舞台!因此,也經常被邀請出席大小的表演活動。除了演唱會,甚至話劇丶舞台劇丶舞蹈表演丶歌劇丶默劇丶電影首映丶各式的演奏會,以至近年興起的粵劇等,定必盡可能抽空出席,觀摩一番。就算有些節目不合口味,也可從其他角度,欣賞及參考其製作,燈光丶佈置丶音響設備丶場地限制丶節目編排丶表演方式等,太多太多值得觀看了!不單止要觀看表演者的演技,連觀眾的反應,也值得留意,也是蠻有趣的!
最近在朋友介紹下,百忙中抽空去看了一場在大會堂舉行的群星演唱會。作為一位音樂人,大大小小世界各地的演唱會實在看得太多了,所以說實在也沒有什麼期望。沒有期望反而就會有驚喜,十幾位演唱者的水準尚算平均,計有方麗盈丶胡美儀丶張立基丶林利丶方俊丶張智軒丶陳家良丶葉暐丶張琪朗等。方麗盈丶林利是無線新秀歌唱大賽出身,張立基是亞視未來偶像爭霸戰的冠軍,方俊是卡拉OK LD碟幕後代唱,張智軒丶陳家良丶葉暐是三色台訓練班的藝員。幾位較為人熟悉的唱片歌手當然比較專業,但其他新人也有板有眼,有些更有舞蹈台風配襯;當中有位叫Jacky的歌手更非常動聽好聲!竟有幾分張學友的聲底,唱功也不俗。總括是每個表演單位都各具風格,引來不少掌聲及歡呼聲,整個節目緊湊又驚喜連連,台上台下打成一片,觀眾難得投入每首熟悉又不同曲風的歌曲,有些跟著調子哼唱著,有些不期然打著拍子欣賞,演唱會在一片樂融融的氣氛下完滿結束。
不要小看這類小型演唱會,雖然偶有歌手總會臨場失準,但如果沒有這些演出機會,那會造就出將來的紅歌星?他們欠的只是經驗及機會罷了。張智軒丶陳家良丶葉暐三位新人各有特色,而且外型討好,不失為偶像又實力唱將。方俊更選唱了難度極高又較為冷門的歌曲,膽識過人,一出場已引起觀眾嘩然驚嘆,真的叫人配服。張琪朗歌聲清澈又富有感情,令人動容,聽說她還即將舉行個人演唱會。當然,要成為大眾喜愛的紅歌星,除了天時地利人和外,我看關鍵還在於個人性格與內涵。全晚最受歡迎之一的是胡美儀,由她來當壓軸表演嘉賓實在是最適合不過。除了她是多方面的藝人,有著一定的知名度外,她多年來演唱粵曲的水準每每令人嘖嘖稱奇,印象難忘。她在短短的十幾二十分鐘分別唱了流行曲及粵曲,不單演唱技巧了得,而說話的技巧也是令人欣喜的,介紹歌曲的起承轉合巧妙地令人感動又期待,這可能跟她近年來積極進修心理輔導課程有莫大的關係,可見一位受人尊敬的歌星不會是只有區區的演唱技巧吧?期待未來將會有更多實力歌手推出發燒唱片,大家請拭目以待!
Intro
I am going to introduce you to my world.
My public life, as columnist, image designer, producer, performer, recording artist, and now as guest music lecturer is well known.
I love to sing, photograph and design. I had a flourishing art business for over twenty years.
No matter how busy I am, I make time for my family, friends and fans. Here we go!
My public life, as columnist, image designer, producer, performer, recording artist, and now as guest music lecturer is well known.
I love to sing, photograph and design. I had a flourishing art business for over twenty years.
No matter how busy I am, I make time for my family, friends and fans. Here we go!
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Showing posts with label 名人記. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 名人記. Show all posts
香港之女
梅艷芳,一個芳華絕代的名字,在八十年代的演藝圈無人不識,在廣東樂壇舉足輕重。她由十七歲參加電視台第一屆新秀歌唱大賽勇奪冠軍開始正式加入香港的樂壇。新人初出道時,通常會被指似這個歌手,或者似那個明星的,筆者認為有好處也有壞處,好處是容易被發現,容易一點被記得,就容易一點在新人中突圍。但壞處也有不少,例如會經常被拿來與相似的藝人作比較,而一般會被先入為主地比下去。主要是因為入行較早的可能已經被看慣了或被接受了,新人或許最多只有多一些新鮮感而已。若然似一個不受歡迎的藝人,可能更加難被接受,還要無辜地洗底--除去不好的形象。
筆者年少時聽家人的英文及華語唱片(我們一家幾代都是馬來西亞華僑),而自己買過的廣東唱片就只有八十年代當時得令的幾位紅歌星,梅艷芳就是少數我喜愛的女歌星之一。她的嗓音獨特,出道時與殿堂級歌星徐小鳳相提並論!雖然她參賽奪魁時的歌正是徐小鳳的〈風的季節〉,聲底確有幾分相似,甚至有「小徐小鳳」之稱,但梅艷芳一襲金色超型的戰衣配合自然融入歌中的眼神與舞姿,那一幕至今仍為人津津樂道。
還記得梅艷芳第一首主打歌是〈心債〉,是受歡迎電視劇《香城浪子》的主題曲,也是顧嘉煇與黃霑的作品,日後更成為了三人的經典金曲,也可算是梅艷芳的第一首代表作。她演繹這種感性歌曲總帶有一份滄桑感,新人第一首作品就能唱出自己的個人風格,實在難能可貴,令人欣賞佩服。之後更多的劇集歌曲包括〈赤的疑惑〉丶〈交出我的心〉丶〈抱緊眼前人〉,還有她唯一拍過的電視劇《香江花月夜》主題曲〈歌衫淚影〉,以及電影歌曲包括〈胭脂扣〉丶〈何日〉丶〈似是故人來〉等,首首悅耳動聽,縱使可能忘記是來自那套戲的主題曲或插曲,但一定不會忘記這些經典好歌的。
說起電影,不得不提梅艷芳的演戲天份。看她的戲會令人差點兒忘記她是紅歌星!她歌而優則演,更奪得多個影后奬項,可謂實至名歸。當然,梅艷芳最好看的就是在舞台上,她形象百變,台風別樹一格,除了經典快歌〈夢伴〉丶〈愛將〉丶〈冰山大火〉丶〈將冰山劈開〉外,她的女生三部曲〈壞女孩〉丶〈妖女〉丶〈淑女〉是當年在卡拉OK女生必唱的指定快歌!而筆者第一次與歌神許冠傑夾band時被點唱的唯一一首廣東快歌是〈烈燄紅唇〉!後來和Sam夾band時,他也多次要求我唱〈似水流年〉,要知道我們夾band多數是唱英文歌的,甚少選中文歌啊!可見Sam可能跟Anita一樣,最愛〈似水流年〉。
筆者於九五年入行,曾在華星唱片過渡一段很短的時間,但非常幸運地就在華星的一個衆星出席的大型記者會上遇見我們的大師姐梅艷芳,還有機會走近她,與她合照和談話,這份喜悅和榮幸,是畢生難忘的。
若你問我為何喜愛梅艷芳?眾所皆知筆者鍾愛Carpenters,大概是因為喜愛他們的獨特嗓音之餘,在舞台上的風采、音樂之造詣及工作態度等,全都獨一無二,無人能及,讓我們終身學習。
英之緣
上期提到我和「鷹」之緣,除了《老鷹樂隊》The Eagles外,還有心目中另一「鷹」-許冠英。
我和「英」之緣,始於一九九六年的一個晚上。那時候,還是流行歌手的我,唱的全是中文廣東歌,偶爾才會唱一兩首國語歌,唱英文歌的機會更是少之又少。還清楚記得,那天晚上,甫一踏進那間私人的錄音室,我怔住了!第一次近距離一次過見到幾位熟悉面孔的巨星!他們都很友善,許冠傑坐在鍵琴的位置上,正正面對著歌者的位置,當時有兩位主音歌星-許冠英及泰迪羅賓,另外還有幾位出色的band友,他們也一起轉身過來與我這個小妹妹打招呼!當時筆者確實是黃毛丫頭,根本不知天高地厚,不太知道他們究竟有多少影響力,究竟有多紅!更無法想像我竟會在三個獨當一面的巨星面前初試啼聲!他們當時問我喜歡什麼英文歌曲?我想了一想,小時候除了只喜歡聽譚詠麟、梅艷芳等本地流行巨星之外,英文歌就多數聽《Carpenters》了。於是他們二話不說,就彈起了Yesterday Once More,我也戰戰兢兢地唱了起來...。
他們意外地發現我這個有點靦腆的妹子竟然可以一首接一首的,在這些樂壇大哥大面前斗膽唱起他們也喜愛的Carpenters的經典歌曲:Yesterday Once More、Rainy Days and Mondays、Superstar、Top Of The World、This Masquerade...唱得忘形,彈也不亦樂乎!
自此,筆者便成為了他們的女主音,每個星期的某一個夜晚,與他們這隊超級星band一起(因此Band leader馮添枝先生給我們取名為《HIT Band》),在那錄音室內non-stop jam歌,與他們一起唱了無數的經典金曲,也一起吃過無數愉快的宵夜。由那時開始,我便非常幸運地有一個好像那些公開比賽的鍛鍊平台一樣,還可受他們的音樂薰陶,煉出一身好唱功,也擴闊了流行音樂的視野,間接訓練成獨特的發燒音感。
第一次與他們一起演出的是在香港著名的海洋皇宮大酒樓夜總會-當時香港數一數二的大型酒樓表演場地,已在二零零五年結業,因此也成了我們的最後一次在那裡一起演出。我負責演唱Carpenters的情歌,許冠英專長唱Elvis Presley的快歌,同台演出的還有巨星鍾鎮濤,就是我們的B哥哥,坐上客有當時還沒有出版兒歌專輯的李家仁醫生...當晚的一點一滴,至今還歷歷在目。
每次去練歌,許冠英也是先唱的,但他很細心,知道我在輪候練習,很快便會讓我唱,他謙厚的待人處事方式,還有更多使我獲益的金石良言,竟然改變了我日後很多很多。他是我那段日子在舞台上的「最佳拍檔」,留下很多難忘的回憶。
許冠英喜歡鷹,喜歡搜羅鷹的精品,大概是喜歡它的雄壯英姿,喜歡它一樣的諧音;我們也喜歡這一代諧星許冠英,也一樣記得他的英偉...。
生命中的鷹
才不到幾天,又傳來另一噩耗!我們一眾發燒友在短短不到兩星期內,痛失兩位真正超級巨星大衞保兒(David Bowie)和老鷹樂隊(The Eagles)靈魂人物格林佛萊(Glenn Frey)!別以為我年輕不懂,我就是喜歡老歌,Carpenters, Eagles, Beatles, Linda Ronstadt…全是我摰愛!從我第一張個人專輯的選曲就不難看出來。我真的為此感到很難過!情形就像若干年前突然痛失另一喜愛老鷹Band友許冠英一樣,真的很難受!向這些”The one you love”默哀!
向雪懷寫給方文《情 · 懷》專輯的話
方文 sings Jolland
不同的時間,不同的背景,寫成了不同的歌。幾乎每一首歌都有著它的故事。只是這故事是方便還是不方便說岀來。
之前,很多唱片公司都曾經為創作人岀作品專輯,但是都欠缺誠意。只是將一些舊的錄音輯合而成,更甚是用掃描人像作為封面。沒設計,沒新元素,沒驚喜。
方文岀道時為她寫了一些歌,到星加坡錄製了唱片。所以對她的聲音及能力很清楚。
Richard Yuen 更是一起在樂壇並肩作戰的好朋友。我和他對音樂到現在還是這麼堅持,這麼執著。
當方文籌備這張發燒碟時請到Richard 編曲,我就很放心了。肯定可以滿足高端樂迷的要求,更甚可以超岀他們的想像。
至於方文,她一直有夾band ,最善於唱 Carpenters 的歌。她的歌聲有著另外一種顔色。在粵語歌手中是十分少見,很特別。她的歌聲在我的作品中發揮得淋漓盡致。很優雅自在。
這張專輯,十分有誠意,值得欣賞,值得收藏。
向雪懷
Merry Christmas, Darling, December 24
Karen Carpenter said in an interview, "'Merry Christmas Darling' I think, is a little extra special to both of us, because Richard wrote it, and the lyrics were written by the choral director at Long Beach State choir, where we went to school, Frank Pooler. Frank was very helpful in our college days, when we were trying to get a contract and constantly missing classes and everything. He was the only one down there who actually understood what we were after, and he stood behind us all the way. We just did a benefit at Long Beach state, for a scholarship fund, and we did it with the choir and the whole thing, and we did "Christmas Darling" and he just "glows" every time we do it….. I think it's my favorite, because it's really close to me."
I wish you were with us!
Reference: Carpenter, Karen. KIQQ, Los Angeles, California. Interview, 24 December 1978.
I wish you were with us!
Reference: Carpenter, Karen. KIQQ, Los Angeles, California. Interview, 24 December 1978.
Never Sing A Song The Same Way
American soul singer Ray Charles, "I never sing a song the same way twice; everything depends on how I feel in the moment."
Cover Versions That Weren't Recognised
Pop entrepreneur Pete Waterman went so far as to advance the theory that most of the best and most lasting pop records were rooted in notions of melody and harmony derived from European classical music. He declared, "If you look at the greatest pop writers, whether it be Abba... or Lennon and McCartney particularly, because The Beatles' music was very churchy. It was very classical because of [producer] George Martin, there's lots of classical bits he chucks in where he's obviously shown The Beatles different ways of playing the same chord..."
Waterman had started off trying to write something Abba-like. then he discovered that Abba had borrowed a lot of their ideas from Mozart too. On other occasions, Beethoven has proved a handy source of melodies and chord voicings.
Sweeting, A. (2004).Cover Versions. Great Britain: Pimlico.
Waterman had started off trying to write something Abba-like. then he discovered that Abba had borrowed a lot of their ideas from Mozart too. On other occasions, Beethoven has proved a handy source of melodies and chord voicings.
Sweeting, A. (2004).Cover Versions. Great Britain: Pimlico.
Keep the Mind Open
"One of the main problems for the record producer is finding suitable material.
This is especially true when you are recording someone like Matt Monro or Shirley Bassey, who don't write their own songs. It is the job of the producer and people in the business know that you record Matt, or Shirley, or Cilla Black, they will send you songs with those people in mind. Even the public sends offerings. But that is not enough. You still have to search. You still have to ring up the publishers' offices.
You might think that they should be smart enough to send the stuff without being asked. But everyone isn't smart all the time. Sometimes, if you push them enough, they may produce something which they have not thought of as suitable anyway, because they tend to send you only the obvious ones. If you have had a hit with Cilla Black called 'You're My World', the next three months' mail will consist of songs exactly like 'You're My World'. It will not occur to anyone that you and Cilla might be interested in 'You've Lost That Loving Feeling' or 'Baby, It's Cold Outside'.
Ideally, the producer should try not to stick to the same thing." (George Martin, 1979)
This is especially true when you are recording someone like Matt Monro or Shirley Bassey, who don't write their own songs. It is the job of the producer and people in the business know that you record Matt, or Shirley, or Cilla Black, they will send you songs with those people in mind. Even the public sends offerings. But that is not enough. You still have to search. You still have to ring up the publishers' offices.
You might think that they should be smart enough to send the stuff without being asked. But everyone isn't smart all the time. Sometimes, if you push them enough, they may produce something which they have not thought of as suitable anyway, because they tend to send you only the obvious ones. If you have had a hit with Cilla Black called 'You're My World', the next three months' mail will consist of songs exactly like 'You're My World'. It will not occur to anyone that you and Cilla might be interested in 'You've Lost That Loving Feeling' or 'Baby, It's Cold Outside'.
Ideally, the producer should try not to stick to the same thing." (George Martin, 1979)
"You've Got To Find What You Love"
For reasons as I am writing about Steve Paul Jobs recently, who is the co-founder and chief executive officer of Apple Inc. I am glad to know that Steve loves photography and music. For a long time Steve's home was only decorated with large black-and-white photographs. And he describes himself as an audiophile: after he became rich, one of the only pieces of furniture he bought was a US$100,000 stereo system.
Now we start from Steve's early years. After Steve graduated from high school in California, he enrolled in Reed College in Portland, Oregon. As he had dropped out the normal classes of Reed College, he could dropped in auditing a calligraphy class that he interested in. Reed College at that time offered perhaps the best calligraphy instruction in the country. He said, "I learned about serif and san serif typefaces, about varying the amount of space between different letter combinations, about what makes great typography great." He later stated, "If I had never dropped in on that single course in college, the Mac would have never had multiple typefaces or proportionally spaced fonts." It has a great influence on all the Macintosh line of computers, the iPod, the iPhone as well as the iPad later on. The Macintosh became the first commercially successful small computer with a graphical user interface. He continued, "And since Windows just copied the Mac, it's likely that no personal computer would have them. If I had never dropped out, I would have never dropped in on this calligraphy class, and personal computers might not have the wonderful typography that they do."
Steve loves The Beatles. He has referenced them on more than one occasion at Keynotes. He has also described his business model as The Beatles in the magazine 60 Minutes. But his favorite musician is definitely Bob Dylan, whose tunes he played throughout his youth with his guitar at home. He would discuss the lyrics with his friends. In an unauthorized biography, The Second Coming of Steve Jobs, Steve dated Joan Baez during the late 1970s and early 1980s. A number of sources have stated that Steve had considered asking Baez to marry him. Some people believe he dated Joan Baez mostly because she was Dylan’s ex. I remember when I had to record the song "Diamonds And Rust" that was originally sung and composed by Joan Baez, I had just noticed about that.
"I'm convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You've got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle."
So, "keep looking until you find it."
Now we start from Steve's early years. After Steve graduated from high school in California, he enrolled in Reed College in Portland, Oregon. As he had dropped out the normal classes of Reed College, he could dropped in auditing a calligraphy class that he interested in. Reed College at that time offered perhaps the best calligraphy instruction in the country. He said, "I learned about serif and san serif typefaces, about varying the amount of space between different letter combinations, about what makes great typography great." He later stated, "If I had never dropped in on that single course in college, the Mac would have never had multiple typefaces or proportionally spaced fonts." It has a great influence on all the Macintosh line of computers, the iPod, the iPhone as well as the iPad later on. The Macintosh became the first commercially successful small computer with a graphical user interface. He continued, "And since Windows just copied the Mac, it's likely that no personal computer would have them. If I had never dropped out, I would have never dropped in on this calligraphy class, and personal computers might not have the wonderful typography that they do."
Steve loves The Beatles. He has referenced them on more than one occasion at Keynotes. He has also described his business model as The Beatles in the magazine 60 Minutes. But his favorite musician is definitely Bob Dylan, whose tunes he played throughout his youth with his guitar at home. He would discuss the lyrics with his friends. In an unauthorized biography, The Second Coming of Steve Jobs, Steve dated Joan Baez during the late 1970s and early 1980s. A number of sources have stated that Steve had considered asking Baez to marry him. Some people believe he dated Joan Baez mostly because she was Dylan’s ex. I remember when I had to record the song "Diamonds And Rust" that was originally sung and composed by Joan Baez, I had just noticed about that.
"I'm convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You've got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle."
So, "keep looking until you find it."
Dots 點滴
Steve Jobs, "You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards."
你不能把生活的點點滴滴在這刻串連起來;只有當你在未來時回顧,你才會明白那些點滴是如何串連在一起的。
你不能把生活的點點滴滴在這刻串連起來;只有當你在未來時回顧,你才會明白那些點滴是如何串連在一起的。
「第一天」與「最後一天」
「時光不能倒流,但態度可以回轉。」
「維持第一天的熱情,保有最後一天的戒慎!」
史提夫.賈伯斯(Steven Paul Jobs) 製造了世界第一部個人電腦Apple I,是蘋果公司(Apple Inc.) 的創辦人之一。他每天早上會問自己一個問題:「如果今天是我這輩子的最後一天,我今天要做些什麼?」
賈伯斯的一段話:「提醒自己快死了,是我在人生中面臨重大決定時,所用過最重要的方法。因為幾乎每件事—所有外界期望、所有的名聲、所有對困窘或失敗的恐懼-在面對死亡時,都消失了,只有最真實重要的東西才會留下。」
他又補充說:「提醒自己快死了,是我所知避免掉入畏懼失去的陷阱裡的最好方法。人生不帶來、死不帶去,沒理由不能順心而為。」
「第一天」又是什麼呢?「第一天」入學,我們對學校、課本、同學充滿好奇心...「第一天」上班,我們謙虛,願意學習,有衝勁...「第一天」約會,我們心如鹿撞,珍惜相處的每一刻...「第一天」升職,新官上任三把火,雄心壯志,要有所作為...回想我們做任何事的「第一天」,都是我們最有活力的一天。請用最積極的態度渡過每分每秒。
這是我從網路節錄改編而成的,與大家分享。
「維持第一天的熱情,保有最後一天的戒慎!」
史提夫.賈伯斯(Steven Paul Jobs) 製造了世界第一部個人電腦Apple I,是蘋果公司(Apple Inc.) 的創辦人之一。他每天早上會問自己一個問題:「如果今天是我這輩子的最後一天,我今天要做些什麼?」
賈伯斯的一段話:「提醒自己快死了,是我在人生中面臨重大決定時,所用過最重要的方法。因為幾乎每件事—所有外界期望、所有的名聲、所有對困窘或失敗的恐懼-在面對死亡時,都消失了,只有最真實重要的東西才會留下。」
他又補充說:「提醒自己快死了,是我所知避免掉入畏懼失去的陷阱裡的最好方法。人生不帶來、死不帶去,沒理由不能順心而為。」
「第一天」又是什麼呢?「第一天」入學,我們對學校、課本、同學充滿好奇心...「第一天」上班,我們謙虛,願意學習,有衝勁...「第一天」約會,我們心如鹿撞,珍惜相處的每一刻...「第一天」升職,新官上任三把火,雄心壯志,要有所作為...回想我們做任何事的「第一天」,都是我們最有活力的一天。請用最積極的態度渡過每分每秒。
這是我從網路節錄改編而成的,與大家分享。
forever young.forever love 青春與愛情
不經不覺已經到了二零零九年的十二月,回想起大約半年前開始構想製作新的一輯英文發燒唱片,結果找來已認識多年的Band友麥皓輪先生(Holun Mak)和他合作無間的音樂好拍擋葉建華先生(Keith Yip)一起監製了《forever young.forever love》這張英文HiFi大碟。他倆是香港樂壇以致發燒唱片界屹立超過二十年而真正懂音樂的少數資深唱片製作人。
「青春」與「愛情」相信是人們一直不變的思考議題。
古詩有云:「只要人心活著,青春總有來時。」青春可比喻美好的時光、珍貴的年華。
在此專輯裡收錄了一首點題作品〈Forever Young〉,其中歌詞道:
「Youth's like diamonds in the sun, and diamonds are forever...」意思是:
「青春就像陽光下的鑽石,而鑽石是永恆的...」
那麼何謂愛情?在不同時代有不同的定義。現代定義為:「兩個人基於一定的物質條件和共同的人生理想,在各自內心形成對對方最真摯的仰慕,並渴望對方成為自己終身伴侶的最強烈、穩定、及專一的感情。」很抽象吧?我也似懂非懂。我們都渴望擁有青春,更想擁有愛情,把最美好珍貴的統統留住。我不介意唱別人的歌,能觸動心弦的就是好歌,即使已有成千上萬各有特色的版本,珠玉在前,還是值得一唱再唱,百花齊放。再者現今科技發達,由編曲、彈奏、演唱、錄音,到混音及母帶後期製作,每一部分皆可更上一層樓,精益求精,那怕是再舊的老歌,也可再次勾起點點回憶,甚或當作新歌亦未嘗不可,這樣好歌或許傳揚更久遠,就是永恆。
「青春」與「愛情」相信是人們一直不變的思考議題。
古詩有云:「只要人心活著,青春總有來時。」青春可比喻美好的時光、珍貴的年華。
在此專輯裡收錄了一首點題作品〈Forever Young〉,其中歌詞道:
「Youth's like diamonds in the sun, and diamonds are forever...」意思是:
「青春就像陽光下的鑽石,而鑽石是永恆的...」
那麼何謂愛情?在不同時代有不同的定義。現代定義為:「兩個人基於一定的物質條件和共同的人生理想,在各自內心形成對對方最真摯的仰慕,並渴望對方成為自己終身伴侶的最強烈、穩定、及專一的感情。」很抽象吧?我也似懂非懂。我們都渴望擁有青春,更想擁有愛情,把最美好珍貴的統統留住。我不介意唱別人的歌,能觸動心弦的就是好歌,即使已有成千上萬各有特色的版本,珠玉在前,還是值得一唱再唱,百花齊放。再者現今科技發達,由編曲、彈奏、演唱、錄音,到混音及母帶後期製作,每一部分皆可更上一層樓,精益求精,那怕是再舊的老歌,也可再次勾起點點回憶,甚或當作新歌亦未嘗不可,這樣好歌或許傳揚更久遠,就是永恆。
Accuracy - Punctuality
"Accuracy is everything when the nearest hospital is three days away."
~ Dr. Christopher Hillman
~ Dr. Christopher Hillman
悼念陳任(Joe Chen)
「做Band仔,一世都是Band仔!」對於陳任這句說話,仍然記憶猶新。
認識Joe Chen(陳任)始於1996年。那時黃毛丫頭的我剛簽約BMG唱片公司,正跟隨恩師Ricky Fung(馮添枝)、Sam Hui(許冠傑)、Ricky Hui(許冠英)、Teddy Robin(泰迪羅賓)等本港著名巨星大哥學習中西流行曲數百首,並組成樂隊HIT Band,於各大酒店私人派對上客串演出。Joe擔任主音歌手的樂隊The Menace在六十年代紅極一時,與Teddy Robin & The Playboys、The Lotus、The Mystics、D'Topnotes等,都是最當時得令的樂隊組合。現在閒時我們還會相約各方Band友好友一起Jam歌或吃飯,一轉眼已超過十個年頭。
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXUlMOPD5jemCsLqWaLgCpkuK9w27mJzI5TsmMOn-0tTPE6tz6DWz21yrhVNilixF8sB4Tn5Q58uSaCQOGrHs01e0k4xPgYvseiyR-7QcEInHNXQX4SUr9R_WSqV1ghryckEL/s200/A+%26+JOEs.jpg)
醉心音樂愛夾Band的陳任
有說陳任彷彿與英文金曲畫上等號,被視為香港中文唱片騎師鼻祖。個人認為絕不為過。
熱愛音樂的陳任於六十年代投身廣播界,先後服務本港三間電台。最初在商業電台主持年輕人節目,是香港中文電台第一代DJ,亦是引入歐西流行曲的先驅者。其後轉投香港電台,風格獨特,大獲好評。印象中的陳任為人率直樂觀,說話一針見血,從不轉彎抹角,縱橫娛樂圈多年,廣結不少真正朋友,深得大眾的喜愛。離職後曾出任新加坡寶麗金唱片公司行政工作,直至九十年代新城電台啟播,出任勁歌台首任台長,曾有「勁歌老總」的稱號。近年再次為港台主持音樂節目,致力推廣懷舊經典金曲,對廣播界貢獻良多。記得某個星期天晚上,我應邀出席港台Albert Au(區瑞強)主持的現場音樂節目《2000靚歌再重聚》,即席唱了幾首耳熟能詳的經典名曲,赫然發現「一代宗師」陳任就在我面前的控制室隔著玻璃仔細的看著聽著,一臉鼓勵的慈祥笑容!
還有一次Joe到訪Studio,我正在跟Sam和Ricky練歌,他得知我除了特別愛聽The Carpenters外,還會聽很多不同類型風格的音樂,當時就很喜歡聽Tori Amos、Jewel和Sarah McLachlan,還有Jim Brickman等。他便告訴我他第一次聽到《Silent All These Years》這首歌時已很喜歡,還四出推介,但當時多數人都覺得那首歌比較冷門,甚至可以稱得上為另類,不是人人懂得欣賞和接受,恐怕不能成為本地主流流行曲。結果後來改編成王菲主唱的《冷戰》,竟然連當時的卡拉OK都大受歡迎!可見他對音樂觸角的敏銳和堅持。
識飲識食的陳任
陳任很喜歡吃,也很懂得吃,廚藝了得,曾為多份報章撰寫飲食專欄,他告訴我足有八份之多!絕對是多才多藝。在九十年代更先後開設多間食肆,計有私房菜、酒吧、餐廳及甜品店。曾有幸應邀到其府上作客,與幾位熱愛音樂的朋友-包括他聲色藝俱全的歌星太太Alvina-親嘗他真正的私房菜,實為人生一大美事!
身為後輩的我,跟他雖然談不上熟稔,但點滴在心頭...對於收到他於十一月一日因肺癌引起肺炎併發症病逝的消息,覺得很突然,深表惋惜難過,希望他的家人節哀順變,Uncle Joe: Rest In Peace!
認識Joe Chen(陳任)始於1996年。那時黃毛丫頭的我剛簽約BMG唱片公司,正跟隨恩師Ricky Fung(馮添枝)、Sam Hui(許冠傑)、Ricky Hui(許冠英)、Teddy Robin(泰迪羅賓)等本港著名巨星大哥學習中西流行曲數百首,並組成樂隊HIT Band,於各大酒店私人派對上客串演出。Joe擔任主音歌手的樂隊The Menace在六十年代紅極一時,與Teddy Robin & The Playboys、The Lotus、The Mystics、D'Topnotes等,都是最當時得令的樂隊組合。現在閒時我們還會相約各方Band友好友一起Jam歌或吃飯,一轉眼已超過十個年頭。
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXUlMOPD5jemCsLqWaLgCpkuK9w27mJzI5TsmMOn-0tTPE6tz6DWz21yrhVNilixF8sB4Tn5Q58uSaCQOGrHs01e0k4xPgYvseiyR-7QcEInHNXQX4SUr9R_WSqV1ghryckEL/s200/A+%26+JOEs.jpg)
醉心音樂愛夾Band的陳任
有說陳任彷彿與英文金曲畫上等號,被視為香港中文唱片騎師鼻祖。個人認為絕不為過。
熱愛音樂的陳任於六十年代投身廣播界,先後服務本港三間電台。最初在商業電台主持年輕人節目,是香港中文電台第一代DJ,亦是引入歐西流行曲的先驅者。其後轉投香港電台,風格獨特,大獲好評。印象中的陳任為人率直樂觀,說話一針見血,從不轉彎抹角,縱橫娛樂圈多年,廣結不少真正朋友,深得大眾的喜愛。離職後曾出任新加坡寶麗金唱片公司行政工作,直至九十年代新城電台啟播,出任勁歌台首任台長,曾有「勁歌老總」的稱號。近年再次為港台主持音樂節目,致力推廣懷舊經典金曲,對廣播界貢獻良多。記得某個星期天晚上,我應邀出席港台Albert Au(區瑞強)主持的現場音樂節目《2000靚歌再重聚》,即席唱了幾首耳熟能詳的經典名曲,赫然發現「一代宗師」陳任就在我面前的控制室隔著玻璃仔細的看著聽著,一臉鼓勵的慈祥笑容!
還有一次Joe到訪Studio,我正在跟Sam和Ricky練歌,他得知我除了特別愛聽The Carpenters外,還會聽很多不同類型風格的音樂,當時就很喜歡聽Tori Amos、Jewel和Sarah McLachlan,還有Jim Brickman等。他便告訴我他第一次聽到《Silent All These Years》這首歌時已很喜歡,還四出推介,但當時多數人都覺得那首歌比較冷門,甚至可以稱得上為另類,不是人人懂得欣賞和接受,恐怕不能成為本地主流流行曲。結果後來改編成王菲主唱的《冷戰》,竟然連當時的卡拉OK都大受歡迎!可見他對音樂觸角的敏銳和堅持。
識飲識食的陳任
陳任很喜歡吃,也很懂得吃,廚藝了得,曾為多份報章撰寫飲食專欄,他告訴我足有八份之多!絕對是多才多藝。在九十年代更先後開設多間食肆,計有私房菜、酒吧、餐廳及甜品店。曾有幸應邀到其府上作客,與幾位熱愛音樂的朋友-包括他聲色藝俱全的歌星太太Alvina-親嘗他真正的私房菜,實為人生一大美事!
身為後輩的我,跟他雖然談不上熟稔,但點滴在心頭...對於收到他於十一月一日因肺癌引起肺炎併發症病逝的消息,覺得很突然,深表惋惜難過,希望他的家人節哀順變,Uncle Joe: Rest In Peace!
四個喪禮,一個婚禮
以前從沒有到過殯儀館、只到過教堂參加婚禮的我,今年居然遇上:
四個喪禮,一個婚禮!
(真奢望只是電影《Four Weddings and a Funeral》的譯名:
四個婚禮,一個葬禮)
摯友的親人喪禮(「珍惜」篇);
圈內友人的弟弟喪禮(「節哀順變 」篇);
投契的友人喪禮;
師母喪禮;(「珍惜」篇);
形體藝術班同學婚禮(「形體藝術」篇) 。
生平第一次去殯儀館,就是出席在「珍惜」一文提過的那位摯友親人的喪禮。怎料踏入七月節,另一位投契的朋友突然心臟病發,撒手人寰。他是香港其中一間著名公關推廣公司的項目經理,人緣甚佳,他曾經對我說,喜歡和我合唱,因為他很喜歡聽我唱歌。我最後一次見他,就在出事前數天,他說很想聽我唱古巨基的《愛得太遲》,我猜是因為他很喜歡那首歌的歌詞,不過最後跟他合唱了另一首歌,估不到竟成了他的絕唱。記得他出事前毫無先兆,據說是隱性心臟病病發,可憐的是剩下妻子和未滿月的女兒,可惜的是沒有機會送我的唱片給他。
「珍惜」一文中我曾經這樣寫過:「在同一天內分別傳來兩個惡耗,一位尊敬的良師益友的伴侶患上重病和一個相交多年的摯友的親人突然離世。」那投契的友人突然病逝,沈重的心情還沒有平伏,另一個惡耗又接踵而來!患上重病的師母Christine在本年七月二十五日走了。當新聞公告天下後,大家都推測到正是恩師馮添枝的太太陳英癌症惡化,與世長辭。
良師益友歷風
馮添枝先生(Ricky Fung)現為國際唱片業協會(IFPI)香港會總裁,年輕時參與本地流行樂隊The Mystics,負責主音結他,後期加入的主音歌手Don Choi曾灌錄過《Close To You》;樂隊推出過數張唱片,為本地著名樂隊之一。70年初Ricky加入當時剛成立之寶麗金(前身名為寶麗多)唱片公司,其間製作及推廣之歌星包括許冠傑、溫拿樂隊、鄧麗君、關正傑、區瑞強、張學友等,並以「歷風」為筆名替歌手作曲,為人熟悉的作品包括區瑞強的《陌上歸人》、譚詠麟的《柔柔河畔》、《相識非偶然》、《愛在陽光空氣中》等,還有後來加入百代唱片公司(EMI)後替陳美玲作的《如果》,他曾對我說,他很喜愛這首歌,並即場替我伴奏及教我呢!(所以其後我參加CASH流行曲創作大賽並得冠軍,Ricky功不可沒!)Ricky於80年代出任EMI之董事總經理,合作歌星包括崔健、陳百強、陳美玲、鄺美雲等。他的音樂成就及貢獻令他獲得1984年度十大傑出青年獎。
永遠的師母
Christine為人溫婉嫻熟,平易近人。我於去年在香港會議展覽中心製作藤田惠美演唱會,邀請了業界多位好友及知名人士出席,當中包括馮添枝伉儷到場支持。那天的她還精神奕奕,神采飛揚,與01年婚宴時做新娘子的她好像沒有兩樣!那時我還特地選了一位星級新娘化妝師友人替她設計新娘造型化妝,而我和陳美玲這兩個歷風徒弟,也親自現場獻唱祝賀...她的美麗端莊,至今仍歷歷在目。
還好,十月會參加一個形體藝術班的同學的婚禮,那天剛巧還是一個好朋友的生日呢!
希望真的只有四個喪禮一個婚禮,然後是生日會!
四個喪禮,一個婚禮!
(真奢望只是電影《Four Weddings and a Funeral》的譯名:
四個婚禮,一個葬禮)
摯友的親人喪禮(「珍惜」篇);
圈內友人的弟弟喪禮(「節哀順變 」篇);
投契的友人喪禮;
師母喪禮;(「珍惜」篇);
形體藝術班同學婚禮(「形體藝術」篇) 。
生平第一次去殯儀館,就是出席在「珍惜」一文提過的那位摯友親人的喪禮。怎料踏入七月節,另一位投契的朋友突然心臟病發,撒手人寰。他是香港其中一間著名公關推廣公司的項目經理,人緣甚佳,他曾經對我說,喜歡和我合唱,因為他很喜歡聽我唱歌。我最後一次見他,就在出事前數天,他說很想聽我唱古巨基的《愛得太遲》,我猜是因為他很喜歡那首歌的歌詞,不過最後跟他合唱了另一首歌,估不到竟成了他的絕唱。記得他出事前毫無先兆,據說是隱性心臟病病發,可憐的是剩下妻子和未滿月的女兒,可惜的是沒有機會送我的唱片給他。
「珍惜」一文中我曾經這樣寫過:「在同一天內分別傳來兩個惡耗,一位尊敬的良師益友的伴侶患上重病和一個相交多年的摯友的親人突然離世。」那投契的友人突然病逝,沈重的心情還沒有平伏,另一個惡耗又接踵而來!患上重病的師母Christine在本年七月二十五日走了。當新聞公告天下後,大家都推測到正是恩師馮添枝的太太陳英癌症惡化,與世長辭。
良師益友歷風
馮添枝先生(Ricky Fung)現為國際唱片業協會(IFPI)香港會總裁,年輕時參與本地流行樂隊The Mystics,負責主音結他,後期加入的主音歌手Don Choi曾灌錄過《Close To You》;樂隊推出過數張唱片,為本地著名樂隊之一。70年初Ricky加入當時剛成立之寶麗金(前身名為寶麗多)唱片公司,其間製作及推廣之歌星包括許冠傑、溫拿樂隊、鄧麗君、關正傑、區瑞強、張學友等,並以「歷風」為筆名替歌手作曲,為人熟悉的作品包括區瑞強的《陌上歸人》、譚詠麟的《柔柔河畔》、《相識非偶然》、《愛在陽光空氣中》等,還有後來加入百代唱片公司(EMI)後替陳美玲作的《如果》,他曾對我說,他很喜愛這首歌,並即場替我伴奏及教我呢!(所以其後我參加CASH流行曲創作大賽並得冠軍,Ricky功不可沒!)Ricky於80年代出任EMI之董事總經理,合作歌星包括崔健、陳百強、陳美玲、鄺美雲等。他的音樂成就及貢獻令他獲得1984年度十大傑出青年獎。
永遠的師母
Christine為人溫婉嫻熟,平易近人。我於去年在香港會議展覽中心製作藤田惠美演唱會,邀請了業界多位好友及知名人士出席,當中包括馮添枝伉儷到場支持。那天的她還精神奕奕,神采飛揚,與01年婚宴時做新娘子的她好像沒有兩樣!那時我還特地選了一位星級新娘化妝師友人替她設計新娘造型化妝,而我和陳美玲這兩個歷風徒弟,也親自現場獻唱祝賀...她的美麗端莊,至今仍歷歷在目。
還好,十月會參加一個形體藝術班的同學的婚禮,那天剛巧還是一個好朋友的生日呢!
希望真的只有四個喪禮一個婚禮,然後是生日會!
Yesterday Once More
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHb7_iLEcLgoMWbvdOphlbnSg0BjoZXt2UVDdmSWOdAdaqI1OQclE4V1HUJRSYE5evvRiWGNxhjpxYxWGsdSpXYjXxD1Tkm4u-GS2UrJqviTAJOgbu9SD1IEPIqgakEU4-eWSc/s200/Alb-NowThen_cover_178.jpg)
We'd finished the song and he said 'Well, are you going to change this now?'
and I went 'You know what? I don't think so, I think it sounds great this way',
and he said 'Are you kidding?'
I said 'No, this sha la la wo wo wo stuff sounds pretty good',
and I think he had to think about that for a day or two before he really said 'OK'. It's a perfect play in to that era of music, I think."
Top Of The World
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSF57mdJj0OAb0jX08khsBm1Tyq34Xl0pHJwU8HwBVynJ_nFWnownaMCGgw1WBYidG1-eY8jtTu643mZG6Yu5CcemEqXoVJcYFOnEfFXkBGCFwlPutzgoqnjiuhfBCzjhyphenhyphen2WGH/s200/598px-Top_of_the_World.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7caDjop2PhQcjKn1olLmDsqo25gLWTGmSl-u58q7WWX1uSXyvJYwDRqOs_AbgtfCCCZClBrNugbqOp33MwFXc1E2Za9Ztkrm644HvEaWgjD_UuuTyoqCWUtnddIfeu0aRu2Y/s200/Alb-ASong4U-cover-1-Orig.jpg)
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About Astor
Astor is able to express herself with logical literacy but full of artistic feelings. She acts to record her valuable, interesting and unforgettable experiences during her travel and plans to share with others her instant feelings, thoughtful insights and findings via poems, free verses, prose, narration, reference, etc.
Music, Movie, Musicals and Me
Music and theatre have had a close relationship. Theatre can associate with movie or musical theatre (musicals) and I love both of them. I sing theme songs in some Asian movies, such as“When I Dream” (theme from “Dragon Squad”). It easily recalls people not only from scenes of the movie, but also from memory. I love theme music from movies as well as songs from Musicals, especially Broadway. I remember I have fallen in love with Broadway since I was 12. Musical films characteristically contain elements reminiscent of theatre; performers often sing and dance as if there is a live audience watching. Some musical films were adapted for the stage after their great success, such as “The Wizard of Oz” and“Fame”, while successful musicals also definitely received movie adaptations, i.e. stage-to-film adaptations, such as“Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Evita”. We can share our moments after all these years by passing through “Over the Rainbow”, “Out Here On My Own”, “I Don’t Know How To Love Him”, “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina”, “You Must Love Me” ……
“Moon River” (theme from “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”) has to be selected in my new album "Theatre" although it has been covered by hundreds of artists all over the world. I sing it each time, it seems like a live performance accompanied by the pianist just in front of the audience.
“The Way We Were” (theme from “The Way We Were”) must be selected because it was the song of one of my favorite singers that influences me most, Barbra Streisand, and I won the singing contest with it!
“For All We Know” (theme from “Lovers and OtherStrangers”) was selected, of course, in tribute to my forever idol, the Carpenters.
“Moon River” (theme from “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”) has to be selected in my new album "Theatre" although it has been covered by hundreds of artists all over the world. I sing it each time, it seems like a live performance accompanied by the pianist just in front of the audience.
“The Way We Were” (theme from “The Way We Were”) must be selected because it was the song of one of my favorite singers that influences me most, Barbra Streisand, and I won the singing contest with it!
“For All We Know” (theme from “Lovers and OtherStrangers”) was selected, of course, in tribute to my forever idol, the Carpenters.
WORDS from Astor :
I hope all of you would like the presentation of my albums.
Everlasting love dedicated to SUPERSTAR...
My dearest family,
Mom and Dad,
Uncle,
Tony,
Jan.
All the one I love,
Teachers and tutors, who have enlightened me,
All singers and writers of the original songs, especially Karen and Richard Carpenter.
All musicians,
All my fans and friends.
Thanks GOD.
Astor Fong
Everlasting love dedicated to SUPERSTAR...
My dearest family,
Mom and Dad,
Uncle,
Tony,
Jan.
All the one I love,
Teachers and tutors, who have enlightened me,
All singers and writers of the original songs, especially Karen and Richard Carpenter.
All musicians,
All my fans and friends.
Thanks GOD.
Astor Fong
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