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For sure, Vietnam fascinates. This country often evokes in Westerner's mind a brave and warm people, beautiful landscapes, a strong culture…
Nevertheless, till now, few of them had an interest for Vietnamese music.
Vietnamese artists abroad hardly reached an audience going farther than the local Vietnamese community. This also seems to concerns young generation of Vietnamese living abroad and having only very few occasion to meet their culture of origin.
But some artists are likely to seduce an audience far beyond the Vietnamese borders.
So if you’ve never been appealed by the Vietnamese music style, let me introduce you a few of them.
Vietnamese Singer: Ngoc Khue (Pham) Ngoc Khue
Ngoc Khue is among the new talents opening a new path for the Vietnamese music. You must absolutely listen to her first CD Ben Bo Ao Nha Minh composed by the composer Le Minh Son and musician Nguyen Cuong.
All song on this album are good but I recommend you to listen to songs #4 - Cap Ba La and #1 - Ben Bo Ao Nha Minh and # 8 – Chuon chuon ot.
Here is an extract from the interview the singer gave to journalist Phuong Anh.
Pop music now dominates the music market. Do you think of your music as going against the mainstream?
“My music is neither mainstream nor conventional.
It’s more like a fusion of folk and jazz. I’m aware that it doesn’t suit all tastes...I think artists take the shortcut to fame by performing pop ballads. Their popularity, however, does not last for long as there are too many musicians for such a small market. Finding my own way makes more sense to me, and luckily, my friends and fans agree. I’m doing my best to reward their support.”
Singers
Vietnamese Singer: Tran Thu Ha Tran Thu Ha
Tran Thu Ha is among the most modern artists in Vietnam. Her very innovative style, whether by her songs or by her performances, never leave someone in doubt. She is considered among the most talented artists on the modern musical scene. When she sings, she may take you to the very depth of the Vietnam soul while following unexpected paths.
Don't miss Nhat Thuc, this album was voted by fans and the press as a cultural phenomenon in 2002. This is Tran thu Ha's first production
Check her new website @ www.hatranmusic.com
Vietnamese Singer: Thanh Lam Thanh Lam
With her gorgeous, powerful and slightly raucous voice, she seduced millions of Vietnamese peoples in Vietnam and abroad, especially in Germany, in France, and in USA. It’s been already several years that she is among the most cherished singers in her country.
Since her very childhood, she never ceased to study the Vietnamese traditional music to finally have her own style. She recently worked with the Danish composer Niels Lan Doki in his record titled Asian Sessions. Their association encounters each time an huge success when they perform together in Vietnam or abroad. A sure value for those who don’t know her yet.
Vietnamese Singer: My Linh My Linh
Sweet and moderns melodies, fine elegance, My Linh is among the singer you should listen to. Linh began her singing career in 1993, and faced many obstacles on her way to fame. She won several prizes at singing contests and has traveled to many countries to perform for Viet kieu (overseas Vietnamese).
"Some people told me that instead of singing soul, I should turn back to pop music because it’s fashionable. But I like to face new challenges and I will not give up my path," said the 28-year-old singer.
website: www.mylinh.info
Vietnamese Singer: Hong Nhung Hong Nhung
"… Hong Nhung, perhaps, is one of a few singers who always make the audiences surprised by blowing new air to the songs or the ability of 'renewing' the songs…. what is new to the audiences is the deep search for realization by Hong Nhung with her sentiment mixed in the interpretation of the songs - an unique ability in sentiment permeability and transmission that never similar in every performance."
(Youth Weekly, 17 May '99)
Also listen to the “Quiet American” Soundtrack in which she is particularly emotional.
website: www.hongnhung.info
Nguyen Le and Huong Thanh
“…I really like to provoke encounters that open new spaces for imaginary sounds.”
Have you ever imagined what could be a mix between Jazz music and Vietnamese folk songs? Listen to the music of Nguyen LE, you will adore it!
He was born in Paris in 1959, learned at 15, by himself drums, then guitar and electric bass. After finishing his studies in philosophy and visual arts, he dedicated himself totally to music. He produced and arranged three records inspired by Vietnamese traditional music.
website: www.nguyen-le.com |
