Monday, November 19, 2007
What a good feeling!
I got to steal some pictures from Ram. Thanks to Kay for taking these breathtaking photos which really capture the essence of the night.
This was a memorable night for me in every way. Not only was it the most satisfying gig for me in HK, it paved a new adventure for the blues in Hong Kong.
The band was brilliant. Everybody had a chance to solo, and everybody showed his best side. There were some amazing solos by Jason Cheng, Ah Hong, and of course Eugene! The first set just set the mood of the night, thanks to frontman and spirit of the band Vincent Lam. His appropriately bluesy vocals just put everyone at ease and the audience had a special connection with him. And when it came to "Strange Brew," Vince gave it all. He never held back that night. We ended the first set with "Let Me Love You Baby" with just solos from Jason, Ram and Vince. It was the most perfect way to end the first set. And it was the best first set I've had in HK.
By the second set, the audience already warmed up to us, and the band got warmed up too. We started the 2nd set with just Eugene and me doing Delta Blues styled blues. And then Vince's wailing vocals led us through a continuation of "Long Long Way From Home." And we did a disgustingly soulful version of "Ain't Nobody's Business" with a nasty solo each by Eugene, Jason, Me, Ram, in that order. The amazing Gigi Marentette was invited up on stage to sing "Long John Blues" and her sexy vocals blew everyone away. My brother Roger sang a cool version of "Route 66" featuring a guitar battle between Eugene and Vince, which was one of the great highlights of the show. Vince finished up with "Sweet Home Chicago" with a superb ending that put an end to a great show.
This concert's atmosphere was just perfect. And I'm glad my whole family came to suppport me. The band rocked, every single one of the members. Most of all, I was really satisfied because I handpicked and orchestrated the band. Kinda like a conductor in the philharmonic. So my job was tough, but I managed to pull it through.
For youtube clips, please click here to reminisce or experience the night.
To top it off, the next day, I found a great piece by Robin Lynam on the SCMP. The main focus was Gigi Marentette, but he also praised me by these kind words:
"Hong Kong is enjoying a mini boom in blues gigs much of the credit for which must go to the seemingly boundless energy of virtuoso blues harpist Henry Chung."
A perfect sentence after a perfect night. Quoting the Howlin' Wolf tune, "I'm sittin' on the top of the world."
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This was a memorable night for me in every way. Not only was it the most satisfying gig for me in HK, it paved a new adventure for the blues in Hong Kong.
The band was brilliant. Everybody had a chance to solo, and everybody showed his best side. There were some amazing solos by Jason Cheng, Ah Hong, and of course Eugene! The first set just set the mood of the night, thanks to frontman and spirit of the band Vincent Lam. His appropriately bluesy vocals just put everyone at ease and the audience had a special connection with him. And when it came to "Strange Brew," Vince gave it all. He never held back that night. We ended the first set with "Let Me Love You Baby" with just solos from Jason, Ram and Vince. It was the most perfect way to end the first set. And it was the best first set I've had in HK.
By the second set, the audience already warmed up to us, and the band got warmed up too. We started the 2nd set with just Eugene and me doing Delta Blues styled blues. And then Vince's wailing vocals led us through a continuation of "Long Long Way From Home." And we did a disgustingly soulful version of "Ain't Nobody's Business" with a nasty solo each by Eugene, Jason, Me, Ram, in that order. The amazing Gigi Marentette was invited up on stage to sing "Long John Blues" and her sexy vocals blew everyone away. My brother Roger sang a cool version of "Route 66" featuring a guitar battle between Eugene and Vince, which was one of the great highlights of the show. Vince finished up with "Sweet Home Chicago" with a superb ending that put an end to a great show.
This concert's atmosphere was just perfect. And I'm glad my whole family came to suppport me. The band rocked, every single one of the members. Most of all, I was really satisfied because I handpicked and orchestrated the band. Kinda like a conductor in the philharmonic. So my job was tough, but I managed to pull it through.
For youtube clips, please click here to reminisce or experience the night.
To top it off, the next day, I found a great piece by Robin Lynam on the SCMP. The main focus was Gigi Marentette, but he also praised me by these kind words:
"Hong Kong is enjoying a mini boom in blues gigs much of the credit for which must go to the seemingly boundless energy of virtuoso blues harpist Henry Chung."
A perfect sentence after a perfect night. Quoting the Howlin' Wolf tune, "I'm sittin' on the top of the world."
Labels: Chung Meets Pao, Eugene Pao, Grappa's
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Sunday, November 11, 2007
A new era in PCLL
...and I'm glad I am one of the few who represent it, at least in the photo.
I really like this photo, really, really like it!
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I really like this photo, really, really like it!
Labels: PCLL
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Moral support
Wow! Haven't updated in awhile. Work has occupied 90% of my time. Musically, I've come to the tip of an iceberg. I haven't been able to create anything groundbreaking lately. Fortunately, the live shows been up to my personal standard. I was really pleased with the Philia show. I didn't go out of my way to play my guts out, but for what I was doing, I put a lot of restraints into my soul. It turned out to be enjoyable, cuz I didn't overdo it.
And then I was told by half a dozen people that they really enjoyed our Kubrick Live show (one even told me it was the best concert she's been into in awhile), which gave me some reassurance and comfort. Here were some comments I found on the web:
From WinKris:
"今晚，欣賞左一場好聽好睇的音樂會。
係油麻地Kubrick Cafe演出geh "Henry Chung & The HK Blues Allstars"。
第一次係現場聽藍調，感覺好新鮮。Henry真係一個好出色geh口琴手，唔係真係係現場睇，真係感受唔到果種感覺，真係好正。可惜今晚的場地無酒飲，如果飲埋酒會更加high。
下次geh演出，都會再去~~"
From Lolita Summer:
"上星期五的Kubrick Friday Live
終於是真正的jazz~
Henry Chung & The HK Blues Allstars
非常非常精彩!
Jazz的確是兼容並蓄的音樂
幾乎任何樂器也能加入
以前聽過以海螺吹奏jazz
不過口琴也是第一次呢
樂手在台上自得其樂
隨著心情氣氛即興演奏
不計較拍子 不用跟樂譜
各自各精彩 又能配合得天衣無縫
Mood is everything~
永遠那麼隨意 那麼playful
愛上jazz是不是物以類聚的原理呢?"
Today I'm going to play at a good friend's birthday party. Wednesday at a kickoff party to raise fund for children with cancer. And then Saturday the big show at Grappa's.... I'm going to play my best. I can't wait to play!
Hope you will support me, whether in presence or in spirit.
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And then I was told by half a dozen people that they really enjoyed our Kubrick Live show (one even told me it was the best concert she's been into in awhile), which gave me some reassurance and comfort. Here were some comments I found on the web:
From WinKris:
"今晚，欣賞左一場好聽好睇的音樂會。
係油麻地Kubrick Cafe演出geh "Henry Chung & The HK Blues Allstars"。
第一次係現場聽藍調，感覺好新鮮。Henry真係一個好出色geh口琴手，唔係真係係現場睇，真係感受唔到果種感覺，真係好正。可惜今晚的場地無酒飲，如果飲埋酒會更加high。
下次geh演出，都會再去~~"
From Lolita Summer:
"上星期五的Kubrick Friday Live
終於是真正的jazz~
Henry Chung & The HK Blues Allstars
非常非常精彩!
Jazz的確是兼容並蓄的音樂
幾乎任何樂器也能加入
以前聽過以海螺吹奏jazz
不過口琴也是第一次呢
樂手在台上自得其樂
隨著心情氣氛即興演奏
不計較拍子 不用跟樂譜
各自各精彩 又能配合得天衣無縫
Mood is everything~
永遠那麼隨意 那麼playful
愛上jazz是不是物以類聚的原理呢?"
Today I'm going to play at a good friend's birthday party. Wednesday at a kickoff party to raise fund for children with cancer. And then Saturday the big show at Grappa's.... I'm going to play my best. I can't wait to play!
Hope you will support me, whether in presence or in spirit.
Labels: blues, blues harmonica, Grappa's, HK Blues Allstars
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