Thursday, August 04, 2011
齊唱吳秉堅之歌 by Jason Chan
Original post can be found here.
昨晚和「一激音樂」團隊到詩歌教父吳秉堅家中訪問他與鍾氏兄弟，暢談新專輯【齊唱．吳秉堅之歌】。
早在一年前從Henry口中已知道哥兒倆繼大熱專輯【鐘聲】後著手籌備新專輯，亦知道新專輯是關於八十年代基督教流行音樂，本以為又是一般坊間真經典傳奇系列合輯，但幾星期前從Facebook看到鍾氏上載的新專輯封面與主題【齊唱．吳秉堅之歌】後，口中倒抽涼氣之餘，內心亦湧出一股熱流！
近年我最欣賞的鍾氏兄弟竟為我多年來最尊敬的詩歌創作大師吳秉堅弟兄製作這張超級精彩、充滿驚喜的致敬專輯，而且膽量十足，堂堂正正以吳弟兄的寶號作專輯名字，實在是對前輩的最崇高敬禮！教我怎掩心中狂喜？
自信主以來，吳秉堅的詩歌是我信仰歷程中其一最重要的維生素，《神是愛》、《生趣》、《神你在掌管》等詩歌陪伴了我多少年頭！近年認識了他，更被他謙和的性格、忠心的態度所吸引，認定他就是我事奉生涯中的一個美好榜樣！
自【鐘聲】專輯開始，鍾氏兄弟正式成為我在信仰及音樂路上的好兄弟，哥兒倆對上帝、對家國、對師友、對音樂那顆赤子之心，彼此強化對音樂與夢想的追求，互相催逼對使命的承擔！這回緊抱對吳秉堅前輩及流行詩歌文化致敬的心，矢志花盡心力，號召過百音樂高人，為珍貴詩歌打出更闊青天！
這樣的配搭，這樣的訪問，試問昨天的拍攝怎會不完美？
聽著三人對專輯及歌曲的介紹，看到他們彼此欣賞及鼓勵，感受著這三位頂級音樂人對上帝及音樂的興奮！眼前不單出現一幅美麗圖畫，更重要的是明白到三人的成功全因共同擁有最強的信念–夢想！
鍾一匤在訪問中講過這一句話：「如果你不勇敢踏前一步，你永遠不會達成夢想！」
因著這份追求夢想的勇氣，鍾氏兄弟排除萬難，遇強愈強，邀請到姚莉、泰迪羅賓、Watoto兒童合唱團、劉以達、蘇德華等超級高手打造這張專輯，擴張福音歌曲全新境界，將不可能變成可能！
因著這份成全夢想的決心，四十多年來吳秉堅前輩開拓了【齊唱新歌】、創辦了ACM、打造了「赤道」，帶領香港流行詩歌渡過紅海、進入迦南地，祝福無數生命！
一個夢想，兩代交流，三位戰士！
這個晚上，我們深深被上帝激勵，深深為自己感恩……因為我們仍有做夢的勇氣！
Labels: Ben Ng, Chung Brothers, Gospel, Henry Chung, Roger Chung, 吳秉堅, 曾路得, 梁碧君, 泰迪羅賓, 無言者, 蘇恩佩, 赤道, 鍾一匡, 鍾一諾, 鍾氏兄弟
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Monday, November 08, 2010
A rare history that few remember....城市民歌
Original post from Wong Chi Wah (黃志華)'s blog here.
香港電台主辦的那兩屆城市民歌公開創作比賽（81,82）
雖然快將三十年了，這往事還歷歷在目。也許，人們早忘了林志美、李麗蕊都是在這個比賽裡初試啼聲的，而《昨夜的渡輪上》也是這個比賽的參賽作品之一。歷史不應忘掉，三十年前未有blog，現在且以blog記下三十年前該記的基本資料。
兩屆城市民歌公開創作比賽總決賽的場刊封面
1981年的「城市民歌公開創作比賽」，總決賽在三月十五日星期日晚於大專會堂（現在已改稱「大學會堂」）舉行。評判有周慕瑜（羅鏘鳴）、葉漢良（筆名卡龍）、黎小田、區瑞強、鄭國江、盧國沾（據原場刊次序，下同）。表演嘉賓，香港本土有區瑞強、蔡楓華、陳健義、彭健新，來自台灣的有王夢麟、江玲、徐曉菁、楊芳儀。
新曲新詞組決賽歌曲：
城市之歌 曲：吳秉堅 詞：蘇穎睿
問 曲：區志華 詞：區志華
異鄉人（國語） 曲：葉毅 詞：葉毅
晨曦 曲：陳真誠 詞：陳真誠
童真 曲：孔憲雲 詞：劉向明、陶贊新
煩惱（國語） 曲：黃偉榮 詞：馮偉才
漁村風光 曲：石金華 詞：石金利
歸途 曲：林志美 詞：林志美
舊曲新詞組決賽歌曲：
半日偷閒輕歌調 詞：梁美薇 調寄：Those were the days
望鄉 詞：何潔玲 調寄：我家在哪裡
昨夜的渡輪上 詞：馮德基 調寄：微風細雨
比賽結果。新曲新詞組
冠軍：《問》
亞軍：《城市之歌》
季軍：《漁村風光》
舊曲新詞組
冠軍：《望鄉》
亞軍：《昨夜的渡輪上》
季軍：《半日偷閒輕歌調》
這一屆的比賽作品，大部份都曾由CBS新力唱片公司灌成唱片。林志美在這次比賽雖沒有晉入三甲，卻獲唱片公司賞識，在香港的流行樂壇上風光過好些日子。梁美薇，小美是也。
1981年總決賽場刊的內頁
1982年的「城市民歌公開創作比賽」，總決賽在五月廿二日星期六晚於大專會堂舉行。評判有顧嘉煇、泰迪羅賓、羅永暉、盧國沾、鄭國江、周慕瑜（羅鏘鳴）、葉漢良。表演嘉賓有張德蘭、區瑞強、蔡楓華、張明敏、王雅文、夏妙然、鄧惠欣、費玉清。
新曲新詞組決賽歌曲：
誰造 作曲填詞：李大安
月亮的遐想 作曲填詞：陳銘佑
快將煩惱盡忘記 作曲填詞：黎明陽
桃源夢 作曲；譚雲生 作詞：區志華
我願 作曲填詞：張蔚儀
吾鄉吾土 作曲填詞：古倩雯
獄中的小李 作曲填詞：蘇韋碧艷
舊曲新詞組決賽歌曲：
晚浪 詞：羅卓為 調寄：Morning has broken
人 詞：林敏恆 調寄：龍的傳人
望鄉 詞：潘源良 調寄：尋找
比賽結果。新曲新詞組
冠軍：《誰造》 263分
亞軍：《吾鄉吾土》 261分
季軍：《桃源夢》 245分
舊曲新詞組
冠軍：《人》 219分
亞軍：《望鄉》 216分
季軍：《晚浪》 213分
這第二屆的決賽作品，由永恆唱片公司灌成了專輯。《快將煩惱盡忘記》在比賽裡由黎明陽的同校師妹李麗蕊代為演繹，雖然三甲不入，但灌成唱片後卻流行過好一陣子，而李麗蕊也得到唱片公司力捧。創作《吾鄉吾土》的古倩雯，就是後來的古倩敏，當年二十歲都不到哩。上述那個潘源良，當然就是後來寫出《今天應該很高興》、《十個救火的少年》那位，再沒有另一個也會填詞的潘源良了。
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香港電台主辦的那兩屆城市民歌公開創作比賽（81,82）
雖然快將三十年了，這往事還歷歷在目。也許，人們早忘了林志美、李麗蕊都是在這個比賽裡初試啼聲的，而《昨夜的渡輪上》也是這個比賽的參賽作品之一。歷史不應忘掉，三十年前未有blog，現在且以blog記下三十年前該記的基本資料。
兩屆城市民歌公開創作比賽總決賽的場刊封面
1981年的「城市民歌公開創作比賽」，總決賽在三月十五日星期日晚於大專會堂（現在已改稱「大學會堂」）舉行。評判有周慕瑜（羅鏘鳴）、葉漢良（筆名卡龍）、黎小田、區瑞強、鄭國江、盧國沾（據原場刊次序，下同）。表演嘉賓，香港本土有區瑞強、蔡楓華、陳健義、彭健新，來自台灣的有王夢麟、江玲、徐曉菁、楊芳儀。
新曲新詞組決賽歌曲：
城市之歌 曲：吳秉堅 詞：蘇穎睿
問 曲：區志華 詞：區志華
異鄉人（國語） 曲：葉毅 詞：葉毅
晨曦 曲：陳真誠 詞：陳真誠
童真 曲：孔憲雲 詞：劉向明、陶贊新
煩惱（國語） 曲：黃偉榮 詞：馮偉才
漁村風光 曲：石金華 詞：石金利
歸途 曲：林志美 詞：林志美
舊曲新詞組決賽歌曲：
半日偷閒輕歌調 詞：梁美薇 調寄：Those were the days
望鄉 詞：何潔玲 調寄：我家在哪裡
昨夜的渡輪上 詞：馮德基 調寄：微風細雨
比賽結果。新曲新詞組
冠軍：《問》
亞軍：《城市之歌》
季軍：《漁村風光》
舊曲新詞組
冠軍：《望鄉》
亞軍：《昨夜的渡輪上》
季軍：《半日偷閒輕歌調》
這一屆的比賽作品，大部份都曾由CBS新力唱片公司灌成唱片。林志美在這次比賽雖沒有晉入三甲，卻獲唱片公司賞識，在香港的流行樂壇上風光過好些日子。梁美薇，小美是也。
1981年總決賽場刊的內頁
1982年的「城市民歌公開創作比賽」，總決賽在五月廿二日星期六晚於大專會堂舉行。評判有顧嘉煇、泰迪羅賓、羅永暉、盧國沾、鄭國江、周慕瑜（羅鏘鳴）、葉漢良。表演嘉賓有張德蘭、區瑞強、蔡楓華、張明敏、王雅文、夏妙然、鄧惠欣、費玉清。
新曲新詞組決賽歌曲：
誰造 作曲填詞：李大安
月亮的遐想 作曲填詞：陳銘佑
快將煩惱盡忘記 作曲填詞：黎明陽
桃源夢 作曲；譚雲生 作詞：區志華
我願 作曲填詞：張蔚儀
吾鄉吾土 作曲填詞：古倩雯
獄中的小李 作曲填詞：蘇韋碧艷
舊曲新詞組決賽歌曲：
晚浪 詞：羅卓為 調寄：Morning has broken
人 詞：林敏恆 調寄：龍的傳人
望鄉 詞：潘源良 調寄：尋找
比賽結果。新曲新詞組
冠軍：《誰造》 263分
亞軍：《吾鄉吾土》 261分
季軍：《桃源夢》 245分
舊曲新詞組
冠軍：《人》 219分
亞軍：《望鄉》 216分
季軍：《晚浪》 213分
這第二屆的決賽作品，由永恆唱片公司灌成了專輯。《快將煩惱盡忘記》在比賽裡由黎明陽的同校師妹李麗蕊代為演繹，雖然三甲不入，但灌成唱片後卻流行過好一陣子，而李麗蕊也得到唱片公司力捧。創作《吾鄉吾土》的古倩雯，就是後來的古倩敏，當年二十歲都不到哩。上述那個潘源良，當然就是後來寫出《今天應該很高興》、《十個救火的少年》那位，再沒有另一個也會填詞的潘源良了。
Labels: Ben Ng, 吳秉堅, 城市民歌, 黃志華
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Thursday, November 04, 2010
Banner of the month!
Tuesday, November 02, 2010
How the new Elton John/Leon Russell album inpsired me....
Elton John hasn't come out with an album with so much heart and this good in more than 10 years. He's back!
So is Leon Russell, the guy Elton tried to bring back.
Leon was an idol of Elton's. One day, Elton started sobbing uncontrollably after hearing someone play a Leon Russell song on his iPod. Elton then thought about giving Leon a call - what transpired the whole telephone conversation became the blueprint for an album.
After Elton heard Mahalia Jackson's "Didn't It Rain" on YouTube, he knew he had to make a record with Leon because they both share an affinity for Gospel music.
"The Union" is undoubtedly Elton's most personal albums in years, and the most inspired.
That makes me think of Ben Ng's music....again!
My love for Ben's music shares the same magnitude with Elton towards Leon's music. I even believe the sentiments are similar.
I remember months ago I heard the original "將心給我" and there were tears in my eyes. I was touched not only because it was a beautiful song. It was because it had the elements of an era so memorable that you can't re-live it. It's as if your youth has passed away and some of the stuff I loved about HK is long gone.
The old days have always been the golden days. Just like Elton remembering when he first heard Leon's tunes when he was a youth.
You can't re-live your youth. But you can re-create it so that the people of this generation can share a glimpse of that joy and poignancy. Elton and Leon shared that memory in "The Union." We did an anthentic cross-over with Ben Ng with the new gospel version of "將心給我".
It's all about give-and-take...you give so much, you take so much....but life isn't always fair.
For me, what still touches me is the nostaglic feeling within people's hearts. Elton expressed that feeling in his liner notes in "The Union." I expressed with all my heart in "將心給我" by inviting two of my idols Ruth Ng and Edwin Tanner on board.
I gave all my heart in the song, and I hope that's how I show I give all my heart to God.
Sometimes the head is important, but it's the heart that counts.
I close by introducing you to Jason's 1 Music Show featuring the new version of "將心給我" by clicking here.
Enjoy!
Labels: Ben Ng, Elton John, Gospel, Leon Russell, nostalgia
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Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Serving music ministry with Mr. Ben Ng!
Needless to say, it's a dream come true!
Ben Ng (吳秉堅)'s songs had a deep impact on me a teenager growing in a church in HK. At the time (mid to late 80's), when nobody was ready for a change in Christian music, he first broke the tradition and introduced something new to the church, i.e. songs that fit the Cantonese lyrics and had a modern touch.
The "modern" touch was not only skin deep or paying lip service. Although it bore similarity to the 80's Cantopop songs we heard on the radio or saw on TV, its lyrics were timely and described precisely what was happening in the society at that time. There were great lyricists working side-by-side with Ben's soothing songs: Vivien Yung, Peggy Leung, Dr. Chiu Mong Chun, Edwin Tanner, just to name a few, not to mention the lyricist-turned-football-commentator Mr. Calvin Poon (潘源良).
Somehow the entire "Let's Sing" movement was like a revolution. It kept the traditional hymn-like nature of typical praise and worship songs, but added a societal element to it. The youth could relate to it. Even Ms. Winnie Yu of Commercial Radio said, "Christian music for the first time was speaking directly to the outside world."
In short, Ben Ng's effect on me was not any less than Joseph Koo's. I consider them equally gifted in the art of musical composition. Of course, Mr. Koo's achievements were a lot more visible and public as his songs were played on TVB all day long. Koo enjoyed commercial success as well as critical praise. Mr. Ng, on the other hand, was more subtle and in turn, fewer people recognized his achievements. However, in my view, Ben wrote (and continues to write) beautiful melodies. His melody lines are often catchy and easy to digest, yet totally unconventional.
For a person who did not receive proper musical training (what is proper musical training anyways?), Mr. Ng's talents were considered top-notched! He always challenged himself to land on new grounds, was frequently imaginative, and tried not to be repetitive (think Sam Hui and George Lam). Even when he was repeating similar ideas, he executed them differently as seen in "A Life Worth Living" vs. "God! You're in Charge!"
For me and Roger to be producing and re-inventing two of Ben's original tunes were beyond a pleasant surprise. It was a monumental honor for us, and an experience never to forget. Ben's always humble to say he's a servant of God and should not deserve any recognition.
My wish is to let more people learn about Ben Ng - to learn that in HK, there was such a giant figure in musical composition and giving so much to make "Christian music" a definitive and real genre. The one quintessential person who worked so hard to bring this music, in his own words, to the Promised Land of Canaan.
I was talking to C. Pak, another prominent figure in Christian music, the other day about the song, "I Know Who Holds Tomorrow." C. Pak said he expects to hear that song in heaven being sung by angels and large choirs. I agreed.
I also expect to the hear the masterpieces of Ben Ng in heaven.
Miles Davis once a song called "Seven Steps to Heaven."
Ben Ng's songs and his wonderful living testimony make you realize heaven is having inner piece at heart.
Thank you, Brother Ben for all you have done for humanity.
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鍾氏兄弟為吳秉堅先生新碟
《X-Over不可誇的可誇》編監兩首「新」歌！
鍾氏兄弟超越本色新嘗試，繼《鐘聲》後把自家Global Gospel Sound (GGS)推至巔峰！玩盡兩首經典福音作品！
＊「親愛主」秉承「鍾」式爵士風，配合Michael Jackson御用和音編曲家Howard McCrary聯同五位美國獨當一面演唱家以六重唱方式，絕！
＊「將心給我」由Roger伙拍曾路得與陳芳榮，兩代同堂，頌唱出基督徒的心聲，把靚聲帶進迦南美地！
強勁樂手陣容
‧80年代香港首席結他手，闊別樂壇17年重出江湖，Chyna樂隊Peter Ng破天荒首度錄音！
‧鍾一匡藍調口琴, Bob Mocarsky,…Jezrael Lucero, 和格林美提名人Howard McCrary為首的Gospel Choir！
大碟會在基督教書展率先「全心製作」攤位發售：
10月14日至10月21日
(14-20, 中午12時至晚9時； 21, 中午12時至晚7時)
地點：九龍彌敦道136號 A, 尖沙咀街坊福利會大禮堂
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Ben Ng (吳秉堅)'s songs had a deep impact on me a teenager growing in a church in HK. At the time (mid to late 80's), when nobody was ready for a change in Christian music, he first broke the tradition and introduced something new to the church, i.e. songs that fit the Cantonese lyrics and had a modern touch.
The "modern" touch was not only skin deep or paying lip service. Although it bore similarity to the 80's Cantopop songs we heard on the radio or saw on TV, its lyrics were timely and described precisely what was happening in the society at that time. There were great lyricists working side-by-side with Ben's soothing songs: Vivien Yung, Peggy Leung, Dr. Chiu Mong Chun, Edwin Tanner, just to name a few, not to mention the lyricist-turned-football-commentator Mr. Calvin Poon (潘源良).
Somehow the entire "Let's Sing" movement was like a revolution. It kept the traditional hymn-like nature of typical praise and worship songs, but added a societal element to it. The youth could relate to it. Even Ms. Winnie Yu of Commercial Radio said, "Christian music for the first time was speaking directly to the outside world."
In short, Ben Ng's effect on me was not any less than Joseph Koo's. I consider them equally gifted in the art of musical composition. Of course, Mr. Koo's achievements were a lot more visible and public as his songs were played on TVB all day long. Koo enjoyed commercial success as well as critical praise. Mr. Ng, on the other hand, was more subtle and in turn, fewer people recognized his achievements. However, in my view, Ben wrote (and continues to write) beautiful melodies. His melody lines are often catchy and easy to digest, yet totally unconventional.
For a person who did not receive proper musical training (what is proper musical training anyways?), Mr. Ng's talents were considered top-notched! He always challenged himself to land on new grounds, was frequently imaginative, and tried not to be repetitive (think Sam Hui and George Lam). Even when he was repeating similar ideas, he executed them differently as seen in "A Life Worth Living" vs. "God! You're in Charge!"
For me and Roger to be producing and re-inventing two of Ben's original tunes were beyond a pleasant surprise. It was a monumental honor for us, and an experience never to forget. Ben's always humble to say he's a servant of God and should not deserve any recognition.
My wish is to let more people learn about Ben Ng - to learn that in HK, there was such a giant figure in musical composition and giving so much to make "Christian music" a definitive and real genre. The one quintessential person who worked so hard to bring this music, in his own words, to the Promised Land of Canaan.
I was talking to C. Pak, another prominent figure in Christian music, the other day about the song, "I Know Who Holds Tomorrow." C. Pak said he expects to hear that song in heaven being sung by angels and large choirs. I agreed.
I also expect to the hear the masterpieces of Ben Ng in heaven.
Miles Davis once a song called "Seven Steps to Heaven."
Ben Ng's songs and his wonderful living testimony make you realize heaven is having inner piece at heart.
Thank you, Brother Ben for all you have done for humanity.
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鍾氏兄弟為吳秉堅先生新碟
《X-Over不可誇的可誇》編監兩首「新」歌！
鍾氏兄弟超越本色新嘗試，繼《鐘聲》後把自家Global Gospel Sound (GGS)推至巔峰！玩盡兩首經典福音作品！
＊「親愛主」秉承「鍾」式爵士風，配合Michael Jackson御用和音編曲家Howard McCrary聯同五位美國獨當一面演唱家以六重唱方式，絕！
＊「將心給我」由Roger伙拍曾路得與陳芳榮，兩代同堂，頌唱出基督徒的心聲，把靚聲帶進迦南美地！
強勁樂手陣容
‧80年代香港首席結他手，闊別樂壇17年重出江湖，Chyna樂隊Peter Ng破天荒首度錄音！
‧鍾一匡藍調口琴, Bob Mocarsky,…Jezrael Lucero, 和格林美提名人Howard McCrary為首的Gospel Choir！
大碟會在基督教書展率先「全心製作」攤位發售：
10月14日至10月21日
(14-20, 中午12時至晚9時； 21, 中午12時至晚7時)
地點：九龍彌敦道136號 A, 尖沙咀街坊福利會大禮堂
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