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."
|
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
|
