Henry Chung Esquire

I've done a list for DC a couple years back. Now that I've come back to HK, it's time to do something like this. No offence if you're not included in the list, but such as life.

Best Horn:
Blaine Whittaker, Vastine Pettis, Charley Huntley, Tom Nunan

Best Vocals:
Genevieve Marentette, Jennifer Palor, Sabrina Wong, Ginger Kwan

Best Guitar (Blues):
Vincent Lam, Ram Cheung, Tommy Chung (slide guitar)

Best Guitar (Jazz):
Eugene Pao, Tommy Ho, Dan LaVelle, Guy Le Claire

Best Piano:
Allen Youngblood, Ted Lo, Roel Garcia, Jason Cheng, Yoyung Aquino, Roland Salcedo, Alex Quirino

Best Bass (Upright):
Sylvain Gagnon, Paul Candelaria, Rudi Balbuena, Peter Scherr

Best Bass (Electric):
Tsang Tak Hong, Koya Hisakazu, Teddy Obate, Junior Caprio

Best Drums:
Anthony Fernandes, Melchior Sarreal, Joel Haggard, Johnny Abraham, Jun Kung, Robbin Harris, Hassan Mussefer, DC, Donald Ashley

Just my two cents...

Labels: HK music industry

|

No anger, no bitterness, no sarcasm.

Just peace. Calmness. Tranquility.

I'm reaching an zen-like state. Thanks to Cat Stevens (aka Yusuf Islam).

Geez, I'm getting old....
|

Just came back from a Jacky Cheung concert. It was good but not great. I wasn't particularly pleased with the song choices and the rundown of the show. I'm much more at peace listening to Joe Pass playing Charlie Parker tunes now in the dark, in front of my computer. Late night is a luxury for me now (since I do have to get up early every morning for work), but it's still my favorite time of the day.

Had a good long MSN chat with Chloe and we talked about everything from family to what the future holds. I told her I am trapped in my own talent and she thought that sounded very romantic. She's a good listener of my horrible rants. I rant a lot. Anyway, I have a lot of things to be thankful about, but I always pick the bad things to complain about. It's part of my nature. Gene's encouragement really helps these days. He told me to count my blessings. I'm doing that now. Thanks Gene!

I'm jealous you'll be playing with James Mabry and Timm Biery. Damn! Thanks for sharing my interest in the Paul Simon song. Oh mine, we think alike.

The mood swing hit me again and I'm really feeling the blues these days. It's difficult for others to let you in their lives. It's an even sadder event when someone initially opens it for you and then shuts it suddenly. It's hard to stay warm inside when people around you are cold. I guess you'll just have to try. Trying is not easy as it seems.

The wall around me may not be all gone, but I hope you see progress.

Labels: Chet Baker mood, Joe Pass

|

Everytime I feel like this, a feeling of poignancy hits. It is as though God will take it all away from me. The first time I felt this chemical change in my body was Sept 1992 when I first landed at my high school in Northfield, Massachusetts, I could hardly eat a slice of pizza, though deep down I was hungry.

Then, the 2nd time, the 3rd time....still the same fresh feeling.

15 years later, the feeling reprises. The only difference is, back then I was more immature.

Remembered Jan Lam's monologue in "The Life of McDull":

Fat; it's not funny.

Stupid; it's not funny.

Disappointment; it's not funny.

Failure; it's not funny.

I am still immature....

Labels: McDull, poignancy

|

Courtesy of kat_wulan.

Labels: Eugene Pao, Grappa's

|

Been busy lately, finally found some time to sit down and listen to the mixes I've made over years and they make me ponder profoundly.

Came across this song by Paul Simon. It always gives me chills because the lyrics are so right on:

You've got the cool water
When the fever runs high
You've got the look of lovelight in your eyes
And I was in crazy motion
til you calmed me down
It took a little time
But you calmed me down

When something goes wrong
Im the first to admit it
Im the first to admit it
And the last one to know

When something goes right
Well its likely to lose me, mm
Its apt to confuse me
Its such an unusual sight
Oh, I cant, I cant get used to something so right
Something so right

They've got a wall in china
Its a thousand miles long
To keep out the foreigners they made it strong
And I've got a wall around me
That you can't even see
It took a little time
To get next to me

When something goes wrong
Im the first to admit it
Im the first to admit it
And the last one to know
When something goes right
Well its likely to lose me, mm
Its apt to confuse me
Because its such an unusual sight
Oh, I can't, I can't get used to something so right
Something so right
Some people never say the words I love you
Its not their style
To be so bold
Some people never say the words I love you
But like a child they're longing to be told, mm

When something goes wrong
Im the first to admit it
Im the first to admit it
And the last one to know
When something goes right
Well its likely to lose me, mm
Its apt to confuse me
Because its such an unusual sight
I swear, I can't, I can't get used to something so right
Something so right



This song is so right.

Labels: Paul Simon

|

I've been neglecting my blog. Not just physically, but mentally. Sometimes I only update the seemingly triumphant stuff that happens in my life, but I've forgotten that this is really a platform for me to let my feelings known. I've been working, night and day, and I haven't had time to sit down and gather my thoughts. Finally, I've decided to do it now.

After waking up from a 3-hour sleep after a gig from last night, I am still sleepy like a zombie. I'm going to take a good 4-hour nap after my badminton game in the p.m. The gig was an experience for me. It's been my dream to play with one of my *childhood* idols Eugene Pao, I should be happy like a kid longing for candy. Honestly, it wasn't my best game last night due to the shitty sound system (I kept getting feedback), but who cares? I was standing next to one of the best guitarists in the world, doing my thing, witnessing Vince and Eugene trade licks. What can be better than that?

These days I've learned to deal with unexpected situations a lot better. Life does not resemble rehearsals. That's why I often believe you can't really rehearse for a blues gig. You have to let your feelings out. And sometimes the external factors inhibit you from doing so. So what do you do? You just wait and be patient. Sometimes that's all you CAN do. Just wait and be patient. Then the opportunity comes, and it's your turn to shine again. I'd like to thank all of those who came last night. I apologize for the long wait until our set. It's not up to me, but you were generous enough to stay. You know who you are.

I've been pondering a lot of thoughts lately, and cannot come to a complete conclusion. Jason Choi was apt to point out I have a contrasting on-stage and off-stage persona. The real me is neither. What I do on stage is only a version of me. It defines partly what I am. The rest you have to find out through the off-stage me. It might take a little time because I am slow to warm up to.

I was teaching this children Bible class in late July. Similar circumstances happened. The kids were slow to warm up to me but when they did, the results were rewarding. I became very popular with them. I don't strive for becoming popular, but what is encouraging is that somehow, somewhere, people do dig my style. There's a style for everyone, some objectively good, some bad. Initially, people change themselves to adjust to the world and people around them, and they usually stick to an identity. My identity is "hipster who is a lawyer by day and a blues harmonicist by night who also teach Sunday Bible school and play badminton casually." That's the role that I play these days. To a large extent it works.

I hope it works for you too. The problem about confidence is "can you really find yourself?" Once you do, the world becomes an easier place to live.

Finally, I want to thank those who have encouraged and supported me so much in the past. I owe everything to you. And without you, I wouldn't be who I am today, both on and off stage.

Labels: blogs, Eugene Pao, hipster, rantings

|

Haven't read others' blogs in a long time. Was catching up with them and found the following worth recommending:

Music Garden
This website reviews a lot of new Christian music, plays and concerts. The blogger has an exquisite taste in modern Canto repertoire.

白描
This is another culture lover's blog. Not only does it contain music and film reviews, it spends a lot of time on fine food. Yum!

Come Back to Love
This is a great find. This blogger reminisces the 1980's Cantopop scene likes no others. The discussion resembles 2 Thumbs Up Disc I once collaborated with the great klee. Contains samples of great tunes too. This is my favorite website in a long time.

And then this:

Labels: blogs, Cantopop, kleeworkshop, Santo and Johnny

|

Lots to be cheerful about these days!

Band rehearsal last night was good. Finally got to meet Melchior, a pillar in the HK music industry for many years, and such a humble guy. The Friday night gig will be fantastic. I can smell it. Get your tickets now!

Also got inducted to the Who's Who's in HK Music Industry. Ray's been managing the list for years and I want to thank him for recognizing my work.



This painting is called 《一匡天下兵气图》 by 雷亮. Pretty cool, innit?

Labels: HK music industry, Melchior Sarreal, 雷亮

|

<<愛的經典>> is reaching an even far greater audience since our short missionary trip to Foshan, Guangdong, this past weekend. Upon popular request, the sheet music is officially available for download.

Feel free to distribute it around and introduce it in your own fellowship or worship service.

Labels: sheet music, 愛的經典

|

The one time together! Amazing!

Labels: Michael Hui, Stephen Chow

|