Eason Chan Sells Voice and "Painting" of Life

Eason Chan's upcoming Mandarin album Don't Want To Let Go 不想放手 will be released on June 30, 2008 in Hong Kong and July 1, 2008 in Taiwan and is produced by Golden Melody Award Winning Producer Jim Lee. After much time consumption and Eason's high demands for quality and perfection this album will, once again, not feature photos of Eason.

As for the title of the album, Eason reveals that after 11 years in the music industry he thought about letting go and have his production team work on the album concepts and details while he focused on his singing only, but with his 'wanting perfection' mentality he realized that he had an opinion and wanted a say in anything related to music. Even after 11 years he still "doesn't want to let go."

For this upcoming album, Eason's demand was artistry and with such demand he invited well known Hong Kong illustrator Stella So 蘇敏怡, who had entries at the International Film Festivals of Berlin and Hong Kong. Stella So will be illustrating 10 pictures for 10 tracks on the upcoming album. Staying true to his "not wanting to let go" Eason actively took part in discussion of the pictures Stella So will illustrate.

With the continuous pushing back of the release date and the ongoing promotions of the album in Taiwan there are worries that after the promotions there will be no albums to sell. A Universal Music representative responds that they will support Eason and all his ideas so they could present his fans with the best possible final product.

Stella So graduated from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Design. Her graduating piece, the animated 好鬼棧, won the Animation Award at the 8th Annual Hong Kong Independent Short Film in 2002. She was then invited to participate in a number International Film Festival exhibitions where she illustrated the memories of Hong Kong culture and future expectations.

For more on Stella So, visit her official site: Smstella

Track list

1. 27 Seconds [然後怎樣 Music Box] 　
2. 路...一直都在 　
3. 獨居動物 　
4. 倒帶人生 　
5. Aren't You Glad 　
6. 7 　
7. 不要說話 　
8. 漂亮小姐 　
9. 臭美 　
10. 土星環 　
11. 然後怎樣 　
12. Hidden Message

Sources: universal music hong kong 06.19.2008, tianshannet & hmv hk 06.25.2008

Upcoming Song: 路 "Road" - Update

A world renowned brand of whisky (believed to be Johnnie Walker, sponsor of Eason's Moving On Stage 1) has invited singer-songwriter Wu Xiang Fei 吳向飛 to write the lyrics of its new commercial theme song. Wu Xiang Fei was chosen not by coincidence as he once again proved his talent with the upcoming song having the line: "永遠向前，路一直都在" ("always look forward, the road has always been there"), which is already becoming a classic tag line and having Hong Kong and Mainland advertisers referring to it as "amazing."

It is reported that the title of the theme song is called 路 (Road) and will be performed by Hong Kong singer Eason Chan. On the day of the recording a crew member exclaimed that this will be 2008's most popular commercial theme song. This will mark the second time Wu Xiang Fei and Eason will be working together (the first time being Wu Xiang Fei penning the lyrics to Eason's Hippie.) Not long ago Wu Xiang Fei wrote the lyrics to Aska Yang's 誰會改變我, which has immediately become the most different song on Aska's album and has become the most highly praised song by critics. A Taiwanese media outlet has already labeled Wu Xiang Fei as having enormous potential with a bright future.

It is reported that a 60 second clip of this song is available for preview online while the full version can be heard in Eason's upcoming Mandarin album.

Source: sina 04.03.2008

Note: currently looking for the 60 second preview, but no where to be found

News Wrap for Week 12.16.2007 - 12.22.2007

Yesterday, Miriam Yeung, Hins Cheung, Vincy Chan, Kelvin Kwan, Kay Tse and others attended the 2007 Metro Radio Music Awards' Voting Promotion. During the event the top 3 Metro Radio World's Hit Singer, as of December 15th, was revealed and they are, in no order, Andy Lau, Eason Chan and Miriam. Miriam modesty says she thinks Eason has the best chance of winning, and jokes because he is the "universal king".

Miriam was asked about the TVB Jade Solid Gold Round 3 Voting incident a couple of days ago where Eason left the studio in the middle of filming. She supports Eason and feels he didn't do anything wrong, saying, "He only wanted to perform his best for everyone to watch. There is nothing wrong with having a high standard for performance. It was his straight forward personality." Asked whether she knew all about the incident, she responds, "Denise and I were talking at the time and thought we could leave after our performance."

+

Karen Mok announced her relationship with Stephen Fung had ended earlier in the year. The news shocked many of their friends and industry people. At the premiere of the new film Trivial Matters, Eason Chan, one of their friends responds, "I haven't spoken to Stephen in a while, but I will call him and ask him about it. This is other people's business so I won't say anything further, but this [way of announcement] is refreshing."

Source: sina 12.16.2007

***


The premiere of the new film Trivial Matters 破事兒 was held on Sunday, December 16, 2007. Because the film has 7 independent stories there are an abundance of stars, including Gillian Chung, Shawn Yue, Juno Mak, Eason Chan, Stephanie Cheng, Conroy Chan, Jan Lamb, Krystal Tin, Stephy Tang, Chapman To who is also a producer of this film, etc.

In this film, Eason acts opposite newcomer Isabel Chan and the two have numerous intimate scenes, but there was no awkwardness and the two had fun.

+


Yesterday, a press conference was held for the upcoming TVB special, literally translated: Learn. Care. Story of a Million People 了解. 關懷. 一百萬人的故事, which will be hosted by Sandra Ng. TVB executive Stephen Chan, host Sandra Ng and participant Eason Chan were in attendance for the press conference. Learn. Care. Story of a Million People is a concept Sandra created for celebrities to use their influence to visit, film, and have those fortunate enough to not be living in poverty to realize that although Hong Kong is a modern city, there are still over a million people living in poverty.

For this TVB special, Sandra invited some of her industry friends to participate, including Carina Lau, Eric Tsang, Kelly Chen and Eason Chan, who will all personally visit and film real life stories in hopes that more fortunate Hong Kong citizens will care for those in poverty. The filming will begin at the end of December. Sandra says that after giving birth to her daughter she has learnt to think for the long-run. She questioned herself asking, what if she passed away? What if she can no longer work and provide for her daughter? What if she did not save up enough money for her daughter? All these questions made her range of thinking wider and made her realize that although Hong Kong is a prosperous city, there are still over a million people living in poverty. Realizing this, she came up with an idea to try to influence the more fortunate to care for those not as fortunate. She says that if one million can lower to five hundred thousand, it would already be very good. To film this special Sandra had to reject filming a series, in regard to this Sandra says that there will always be opportunities to film series, but filming a meaningful special is hard to come by.

Sandra revealed that Eason gets emotional easily, saying that he cried just listening to stories of those in poverty, and when asked to participate he immediately said yes. When asked if he is more emotional because of the birth of his daughter, Eason responds that it is not the case. He says that he isn't someone that easily cries, but as he has gotten older he has become more sensitive. When he hears of emotional stories, he is now easily brought to tears. In regards to helping film this special, Eason hopes that he can change people's view of those in need.

+

Yesterday night, December 16, 2007, as Ambassador of Hong Kong's Cancer Fund Sammi Cheng made an appearance at an event for the Fund. During the event Sammi, who is currently filming 查之女 with Eason Chan, was asked regarding Eason's recent temper flare, his incident at the TVB Jade Solid Gold Round 3 Voting event, and if he showed any signs of a temper during filming. Sammi responds, "There hasn't been any temper problems while filming. He actually talked to me about the JSG incident and I heard he apologized, so I think everything is okay. He's controlled his temper well during filming and sometimes he'll turn to comfort me."

+


Yesterday, Mainland vocal powerhouse Han Hong announced she will be holding her first personal concert in 5 years, on January 26, 2008. When asked about the guests she will be inviting for the upcoming concert, she says she has invited some of her industry friends but a couple of them are busy with their own work that day, including Andy Hui. She has asked Eason Chan to be her guest, but he has work at 5 pm that day and says he will see if he can catch a flight afterwards and make it to her concert in time.

Sources:
sina
takungpao
cctv
12.17.2007

***


On Sunday night, December 16, 2007, Olympic Gymnast Liu Xuan 劉璇 was a presenter at the 2007 TVB8 Mandarin Music On Demand (MOD) Awards Presentation where she revealed she currently likes Eason Chan's songs. Whenever she goes to karaoke she will tell her friends to sing Eason's songs, especially 富士山下. Liu Xuan, who is an Ambassador for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, did not reveal how much TVB paid her for her participation. As for whether she will become a gymnastics coach, Liu Xuan says not for the time being because there are a lot of responsibilities involved with being a coach.

Source: sina 12.18.2007

***


Two days ago, on December 19th, Hacken Lee shot a music special for TVB in HD for the first time. For his music special, Hacken invited Eason Chan, Sammi Cheng and TVB executive Stephen Chan. During the special, Hacken and Eason performed each other's songs individually and together. The two were having a lot of fun and jumping around causing a lot of sweat on their foreheads. And because this was special was filmed in HD, the director asked the two to re-shoot the segment and calm down a bit, in essence, hinting that their sweat would be apparent when aired on television.

During the special, Eason asked Hacken why his hair has been dyed blond for so many years. Hacken replies that he won his first [TVB] Male Singer Award after dyeing his hair and although he isn't a superstitious person he kept it blond as a form of luck. Hacken then points out that Eason won his first [TVB] Male Singer Award after he permed his hair. In response to this, Eason wonders how the award results will turn out if the two of them permed and dye their hair blond. Eason then jokes that he cannot dye his hair blond because he doesn't have much hair and he will look like a fat chicken.

According to fans who attended the filming of the special, when Hacken went backstage to fix his makeup Eason opted to talk to his fans. He went over to his fans and spoke with them for a while and joked that they should secretly sit within Hacken's fan area and try to find out what's going on. He continued to joke that while they are in the area they should raise the signs that say "Eason".

+


In celebration of 8th Anniversary of Macau's Special Administrative Region, a number of singers performed at a concert, including Josie Ho, Eason Chan, Sammi Cheng, Andy Hui, Miriam Yeung, Denise Ho, George Lam, Hacken Lee, Janice, Hins Cheung and others.

Sammi, who has recently been filming with Eason, was asked about Eason as an actor, she responds "He is a good actor, he is willing to put effort into his acting. I recently told him that I dreamt of him and Hilary again. In the past, before his daughter was born, I dreamt that he and Hilary would have a daughter. Recently, I dreamt that he and Hilary would have a boy. I don't even know why I keep dreaming of him and his family." In regards to these dreams, Eason responds, "I don't know why she dreams of us, maybe we were somehow connected in our previous life. Maybe I was her dog. Maybe Hilary was related to her somehow." When asked if Sammi had an attitude while filming, Eason says, "Even before she opens her mouth, I'm already talking away. She doesn't even have the chance to say anything. We are friends and we talk as friends."

During that night, Hilary Tsui revealed that she was not any good at gambling, but Eason is extremely good at Majong. She also says that they've already brought their daughter to play and celebrate Christmas because they are afraid that there would be too many people during Christmas.

+

There have been more and more awards every year in the Hong Kong music industry, but the industry lacks an award ceremony voted by the singers themselves. In an undisclosed format of voting, we (The Sun 太陽報) polled 100 individuals, including Radio DJs, music people, songwriters, mainstream singers, non-mainstream singers, and others. Without considering popularity, without considering sales, and with the closest contact to the Hong Kong music industry, they were asked to choose this year's Male and Female Singer, Male and Female Newcomer, and Album of the Year. Here are the results:

Female Singer
Joey Yung - 60%
Sammi Cheng - 18%
Miriam Yeung - 12%
Denise Ho - 9%
Others - 1%

Male Singer
Eason Chan - 82%
Hins Cheung - 12%
Leo Ku - 3%
Others - 3%

Female Newcomer
Sherman Chung - 48%
Elanne Kong - 21%
Wada Hiromi - 21%
Others - 10%

Male Newcomer
Jason Chan - 39%
Ken Hung - 36%
Pakho Chou - 15%
Others - 10%

Album of the Year
Listen to Eason Chan - Eason Chan - 39%
Read My Senses... - Ivana Wong - 21%
Chapel of Dawn - Juno Mak - 12%
Process - Candy Lo - 9%
Others - 19%

Sources:
sina
on.cc
12.21.2007

Admiring Eason: Tanya Chua 蔡健雅

Tanya Chua 蔡健雅, accomplished songwriter and winner of the 2006 Taiwan Golden Melody - Best Female Vocalist award, recently promoted her newest album, Goodbye & Hello, in Shanghai. She mentions that one of the tracks, 達爾文, was originally written for Eason Chan.

Tanya admits she is a one-sided wishful thinker. She has always admired Eason and always thought of working or singing with him, but unfortunately it has yet to happen. She says she woke up one morning wanting to write a song for Eason and ended up writing the song 達爾文. While writing the song, she felt every note being very much Eason and in the recording process she imitated Eason. She let her friends hear the song and they felt it was very Eason-styled. She even told her company that she would not sell the song to anyone other than Eason, and it was through her company that Eason received a copy of the demo. Two years later there was no response and only through bumping into Eason did she find out he thought the song was good. Tanya personally felt Eason didn't really like song so she ended up using it for her own album. Thinking back, Tanya feels that it is quite funny.

Sources: sina and ent.qq.com 11.07.2007

***


When it comes to her emotions Tanya Chua has always been calm and reserved and you would've never seen her take initiative, until Eason Chan came along. She says, "I don't know why Eason's voice is so captivating. It has always been the singer asking a composer for a song, but I took the initiative to write a song for him, but after two years he still didn't use it."

Originally written for Eason, 達爾文 is now a song in Tanya's album. Despite the song not being used by Eason, she says she doesn't feel rejected, saying "I've always felt this was the type of song for him, I used the feeling of his performances in my performance of this song." As for her initiative towards Eason, she says this was the first time for any star.

Source: sina (courtesy of rednet.cn) 12.07.2007

1˚ of Eason Chan: Swing (Eric Kwok & Jerald Chan)

Six degrees of separation is the idea that everyone is no further than 6 "steps" away from each other, or the more commonly used explanation, everyone is connected through six people (a.k.a. six degrees).

Six degrees requires too much thinking; therefore, we're going to keep it simple with one degree.

凸 - Eason, Eric, Edison in Concert (Jerald as music director)

1˚-- As a group, Swing and Eason are connected through their former company, Music Plus. As individuals, Eric's first song for Eason was in 1999, 貝多芬與我, which would be followed by the hit 幸福摩天輪 that same year. There is no indication that Jerald and Eason have worked together before their time at Music Plus, so it is believed that Music Plus was their first encounter. After disbanding, Swing would work together again on Eason's 2006 EP Life Continues, as writers, arrangers and producers. Swing would again work together, in early 2007, during the concert 加州紅903黃金組合音樂會 - 凸 (California Red 903 Golden Group Mini Concert - 凸) where Eason, Eric and Edison were performers and Jerald was the music director.

1984 - Swing

Background -- Eric Kwok and Jerald Chan are two individual songwriters, arrangers, producers, musicians & singers turned singing / songwriting / arranging / producing duo. Formed under the name Snowman in 1999, the duo would later change their name to Swing and join Music Plus (under EEG) in 2000.

The duo released their first album, under the name Swing, in October 2000 and in 2001, won the Chik Chak 903's Band/Duo/Group - Gold Award and the TVB's Jade Solid Gold Favorite Group - Bronze Award.

After releasing their final album, Swing Swang Swung, in 2002 the duo received permission to terminate their artist contract with Music Plus and the two went their separate ways. It is unknown as to why the duo ended their partnership, though it is believed that Jerald did not enjoy being in the spotlight. Eric had previously thanked Jerald for giving up a lot in order for the duo to be created.

Afterwards, it is believed that Jerald continued to work behind-the-scenes, most notably for Juno Mak and more recently for Kary Ng. Eric continued to write and produce music, he then joined the label Silly Thing and released his first solo album.

The two would rejoin in 2006 to help write, arrange and produce the 2006 EP Life Continues with Wyman Wong and Eason. In March 2007, the two would set foot on the same stage and perform together again at the California Red 903 Golden Group Mini Concert - 凸. The concert featured Eason, Edison Chen and Eric as performers and they sought Jerald to be the concert's music director. During the concert, Jerald and Eric were reunited on stage where Jerald, filled with emotion, shed tears.

Eric continues to use the name Snowman Production Ltd. Jerald now uses Jerald Ltd.

就當我未玩夠 - Swing

Swing = multi-talented. No other words necessary.

帝國大廈 - Swing
(World Trade Center, written just after 9/11)

Admiring Eason: Jay Chou 周杰倫

In the Chinese music industry, it seems as if everyone wants to be a part of Jay Chou's 周杰倫 music and bask in his name. In Eason Chan's newest Mandarin album, Admit It, Jay plays a part as he composed and penned the song 淘汰. So has it come down to even Eason needing to use Jay Chou's name to promote himself? Eason explains, "Contrary to popular belief, it was Jay who came up to me and asked how I felt if he wrote a song for me." Eason highly admires Jay's abilities as he continues to explain, "It happened at an award ceremony, he came up next to me and said he wanted to write a song for me." Jay quickly went and wrote the song, in about a month's time he finished writing the song and sent it to Eason. "When Jay came to Hong Kong to promote his new album he asked me, 'So how is it? Did you listen to it yet?' and I had to explain to him I was busy filming and didn't even get to open the package yet, but once I listened to it I'd give him a call," Eason recalls. Jay understood and was not upset, even saying, "I wrote this song for you, even if you wait 10 years, it's still your song."

Source: epochtimes 05.26.2007

***

Getting ready for his upcoming Shanghai concert on November 24, 2007, Jay Chou says he will only invite male singers to be his guest singers at this concert to avoid further rumors with female singers. He says he has already invited the male group Nan Quan Mama and will invite one more male singer. Eason Chan would be his choice. Having written many songs for other singers, Jay was asked whose interpretation of his songs he was most satisfied with. Without hesitation Jay immediately names Eason, saying, "because he best interprets my feelings in the songs I write." Jay goes on to say "When you look at [Eason's] face it looks weak, but I really want to help him shoot an MV because I can create a story with his face."

Sources: sina 10.15.2007 & cctv 10.16.2007

Composer Chan Siu Ha Talks About Eason Chan

Mainland China composer turned singer Chan Siu Ha 陳小霞 (Salsa Chen) did an interview with sohu revealing her experiences as a composer for 20+ years. Here is the segment where she talks about her experience and collaboration with Eason Chan, whom she wrote Ten Years 十年 (the Mandarin version of Next Year Today 明年今日) for.

Question: In all the singers whom you've worked with, who do you feel you worked best with or who you feel happy working with?

Chan Siu Ha: I think I should put it like this, [there was a point in time (10+ years ago)] when I decided to no longer produce albums so my interaction with singers was minimized. I then wrote and produced 3 songs for Eason [in 2003] and people asked "why?" Eason has previously sung my Cantonese songs and when he first promoted himself in Taiwan I paid attention to him. I realized he was a good singer but the company he was with then [Capital Artists] didn't get him good exposure. They didn't choose songs for him, their promotion wasn't good and they didn't get any attention. In Hong Kong [before 2003] I realized he must be a good singer in order for him to have the status he had. One day he called me and asked if I would help him produce. I said, 'the nerve of you! didn't you hear that I was no longer producing albums?' But his personality was what I liked, he was straight-forward and willing to say what he felt. Communication was not a problem, we talked for a short half an hour and I already knew, in my heart, that I would help him. And I would help him for one reason only - if I gave up the opportunity to work with such a great singer there's no guarantee that I will ever encounter such a great singer again, and it was then that I told him I would help him. Eason Chan's album (Black White Grey 黑.白.灰) is probably the last album I will help produce.

Question: Is Ten Years 十年 biggest hit you've composed?

Chan Siu Ha: Probably at this moment, but in terms of sales I don't know if Faye Wong plus Zhou Hui's 約定 sales are greater or about the same as 十年's sales, but from what I heard they are about the same.

Question: Back to Eason as a singer you're happy working with.

Chan Siu Ha: Yes, I like his sensitivity towards music. Being in the recording studio with him I saw something in him that was different from others at his young age, and it is his feeling towards music. I don't know what everyone's interpretation of "feeling towards music" is, if it is interpreted as feeling "high" then it is emptiness. "Feeling towards music" is, if you give him a song and tell him to record 100 different versions of it, he can do it; if you tell him to give you 10 different feelings, he can do it; but at the end after many different tries and many different versions, the final feeling is the correct feeling. If a singer doesn't have the heart for music, he would not be able to have such "feeling towards music." It involves a lot of time and a lot of energy to find the correct direction before you can say "ok, let's start recording."

Source: sohu 9.5.2006

Michael Lai, "Crying in the Party"

For his 30th Anniversary Michael Lai & Friends Concerts at Hong Kong Coliseum on October 18th & 19th, Michael Lai Siu Tin 黎小田 did an interview with Nan Fang Daily.

At the age of 5, Michael Lai Siu Tin made his debut in the Hong Kong entertainment industry as a child actor. Now, at age 61, Michael Lai is a celebrating his 30th year as a "master" in Hong Kong music. Once been married to Susanna Kwan Guk Ying and once dated Nancy Sit Ka Yin, Michael Lai has invited them to join him on the same stage at his Michael Lai & Friends Concerts. Most notably having written numerous songs for the late Anita Mui and Leslie Cheung, Michael Lai hasn't written a song in the past 6 years.

When asked why he hasn't written in so many years and why he wrote Crying in the Party this year, he simply answers "Who can afford my songs? I charge a hefty fee, tens of thousands of dollars (10 thousand plus) per song. I don't have excess songs [sitting around]. Also, who am I going to write for? The current Hong Kong music industry needs to learn from the Mainland industry and get their basic skills grounded first. But Eason Chan sings well."

Source: sina (courtesy of nddaily) 10.18.2007

Interview with lyricist Heung Suet Wai

The 7th Global Chinese Music Awards will be given out on June 30, 2007, former lyricist Heung Suet Wai (向雪懷) attended a function for the award ceremony and was later interviewed regarding the Hong Kong Music and Film Industry.

Heung Suet Wai, originally Chan Gim Woh 陳劍和, has been in the music industry for over 20 years. From 1998 to 2000, Heung Suet Wai was General Manager of BMG Records Hong Kong. From 1985 to 1997 Heung Suet Wai was with 寶麗金 records, starting off as a record producer and later became in charge of the promotion and signing of new artists. As record producer, Heung Suet Wai worked with artists such as Alan Tam, Paula Tsui, Teresa Teng, Sam Hui, Jacky Cheung, Hacken Lee, Sammi Cheng, Christopher Wong, Leon Lai, Vivian Lai, Karen Tong, Grasshopper, etc. Worldwide sales of the records he produced have exceeded 10 million copies.

Lyricist Heung Suet Wai's works include:

一人有一個夢想 - Vivian Lai

愛你多過愛他 - Vivian Chow

對不起我愛你 - Leon Lai

如夢初醒 - Cass Phang

朋友 - Alan Tam

一生中最愛 - Alan Tam

毋忘我的愛 - Yeung Choi Nei

愛一次便夠 - Grasshopper/Vivian Lai

你愛我什麼 - Vivian Lai

哪有一天不想你 - Leon Lai

一生最愛就是你 - Leon Lai

我和秋天有個約會 - Karen Tong

愛你這樣傻 - Vivian Lai

一生不變 - Hacken Lee

最傷心是誰 - Jeff Chang

Q (Interviewer): Why are there fewer and fewer good songs? Why are there fewer and fewer people willing to sing?

A (Heung Suet Wai): I don't think so. It's just the industry [as opposed to whole market] that has fewer good songs and fewer people who are willing to sing. Recently there has been a song that I really like, Miriam Yeung's 大城小事, I really liked it when Miriam performed it, but after Jacky Cheung performed it, I liked it even more, enough to not like Miriam's version anymore. Is it because Miriam did not perform it well? No, only because Jacky performed it better, better that it seems perfect. It is the first song after Jacky's 李香蘭 that gave me a really really comforting feeling. Which is why when a song meets its perfect singer it will have a liveliness; no matter how good a song is, if you don't perform it well then there's no use.

Q: A good song finding its perfect singer is hard? Why is it hard? Was this problem present during the "Four Heavenly Kings" era?

A: This problem was present in the past, but it is quite different in the past. There was only one scenario in production when an artist was popular: one album with ten songs will have eight good songs, and the more you listen to them the better they will become. Why was this scenario present? Because the creator will know about an artists' previous album and will know to choose good songs for the artist. And why was this scenario present? Because the previous creator took their time to create the album, in the present, they're creating too quickly. In the past an artist will have a 10 to 15 year career. Now? Three to five years and you never hear of them again, look at Cookies, how many of them are left? There is no way for creators to fully get to know the singers, so how can good music be made?

Q: Will Cantonese music ever have another "Golden Era"? In the present Hong Kong music industry, are there any male or female singers that you particularly like?

A: I don't dare speak about another "Golden Era" but there will always be good songs. At the moment, I particularly like Eason Chan he really is a hard working singer. He has battled for the past 6 to 7 years.

Q: But Eason is considered a veteran. Compared to the newer singers, he is considered old.

A: He is still considered young outside of Hong Kong. Right now he has two songs that are known outside of Hong Kong, 十年 and 富士山下. Eason is a representative of Hong Kong [outside of Hong Kong]. Hacken Lee's music selection is rather narrow and he has poor Mandarin, he can improve on that, but maybe not as fast as Eason. Leo Ku's voice is rather tender, if he sings tender songs, he will not out-sing Jeff Chang.

Q: Female singer?

A: Can't think of any at the moment.

Q: What about Joey Yung?

A: No. To be popular outside of Hong Kong you have to hold your own. If one day, you sing on the same stage with Liu Huan 劉歡, Han Hong 韓紅, Natasha Na (Na Ying) 那英, etc. and you don't sing as well as as they do, it's the end for you. Eason Chan and Jacky Cheung are the only ones that won't be out-done by them on the same stage.

Q: Are there any more young people that are willing to become singers?

A: Young people think becoming a singer is easy. Take movies for example, which of the younger generation actors are actually good actors? There's only one, Daniel Wu. If Daniel Wu is acting in a movie, it will interest me to consider watching. As for other actors, I will wonder whether it will work. Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Andy Lau film's I will watch, Jacky Cheung films I will watch. For the younger generation of actors, only Daniel Wu, Nicholas Tse movies I won't watch. It is hard to find a successor. The Hong Kong music industry, like the Hong Kong movie industry, is hard to find a successor.

Source: tianya.cn 6.15.2007