Today (1st June) is, of course, THE great day! After such a long wait,
Jacky's brand new cantonese album, RELEASE ONESELF (釋放自己), has
finally hit the shelves!
The writer arrived at Tsimshatsui HMV around noon today and was
immediately greeted by promotional posters of the album at the CD
shelves near the entrance. As it is envisaged that the album will be a
big hit in town, the staff were still busy wrapping the piles of CDs and
dealing with the posters. In the Chinese Pop Division, many people took
a keen interest in the album and sampled it through the listening
booths. Some office workers could be seen snapping up the CD without any
hesitation during their lunch hours while others also took copies to the
cashier after hearing the songs therein (which were also broadcasted in
the store). As a result, most people who approached the cashier did have
a copy of the CD in their hands and sales staff must be having a busy
time coiling up those free posters for them!
Actually, the poster (20" x 30" in dimension) is worth acquiring by
itself. The quality of this poster is very good indeed (no wonder it has
taken so long to print) and can really be said to be of "photo quality".
Jacky strikes a smart and stylish posture for the poster with Prince's
Building in Central as background. (Actually, the whole series of photos
for this album, which are very cinematic in feeling, was taken at the
flat roof of The Galleria, 9 Queen's Road Central, and one can see The
Landmark, Prince's Building and the Mandarin Oriental in the
background.)
However, there's no doubt that for a music CD, its musical contents are
of paramount importance. And this CD is really worth all the wait! As
there are many composers and arrangers contributing to this album, there
is a healthy and great diversity in musical styles which makes the whole
album very colourful and interesting from a musical perspective. Indeed,
lots of pleasant surprises abound throughout the album and Jacky, always
a nonpareil song-interpreter, uses different types of interpretation,
vocal colouring and style for each of the songs to perfect effect. All
the 11 songs in this album are of uniformly high standard and, on the
whole, the fine music in this CD gives the writer a feeling of
freshness, diversity and maturity. One really could not ask for more!
What a splendid release! Have you bought it yet?
(Sorry for writing in English as I'm unable to do a review of such
length in Chinese.)
01 釋放自己
This short but soothing song, which is accompanied by acoustic guitar,
is very pleasant to the ear indeed. The final part conveys an impression
of mantra-chanting in the grasslands with certain ethnic undertones. The
lyrics are especially apt for the present day HK. By draining his voice
of vibrato, Jacky's singing gives one a feeling of peace and deep
relaxation. It will perhaps also be a good accompaniment to meditation,
I suppose.
02 頭髮亂了
An exciting rock song after the style of American rock in the early 70's
with Jacky's singing reminding one of the sound of Elvis Presley.
Beneath all the excitement, Jacky also gives us a marvellous piece of
vocal characterisation through changes in vocal gear, voice placement
and tone colours which culminates in a stretch of long falsetto singing
in order to delineate the mental state of a man driven to the brink of
breakdown by his suspicion over his girlfriend's/wife's infidelity.
03 悲與喜
This is an understated song influenced by blues. The lyrics provides a
mature view of the vicissitudes of life and Jacky's voice assumes a
mature and world-wisely tone to match the feeling conjured up by the
musical arrangement. Yet, despite a certain sense of resignation in the
mood of the piece, this song is still melodious and easy to appreciate.
04 留言
A most hauntingly beautiful melody indeed! Jacky does full justice to
the broad phrases and the arching melodic lines, always maintaining his
golden tone without the slightest hint of strain. Note how expertly he
sings those vocal embellishments by binding them firmly and musically
into the melodic line. One can also admire how he shapes the melody by
prodigious phrasing (what astonishing breath control!). A superb example
of "bel canto" pop singing.
05 你想不想
This delightful piece with (slightly distant) lively but nostalgic piano
accompaniment is akin to a piece in a musical. Indeed, it won't sound
out of place if placed in some of the lighter-hearted episodes of
Snow.Wolf.Lake! Jacky manages the spritely rhythm with consummate ease
and flexibility and his voice is full of sunshine and smile. A very
elatory and mischievous piece! The chorus support (with Ronald Cheng
Chung-kei taking a part) is a delight.
06 不想這是場戲
This is a song of sweet sentimental elegance, and is mature and posh in
feeling. The chorus section is quite ear-catching and the relative
restraint in musical arrangement enables Jacky to use a more suave tone
to an alluring effect. A love song of lasting appeal.
07 想哭
This song is the most traditional-sounding "Jacky-style" love ballad in
this album. Nevertheless, the melody has considerable beauty and all the
hallmarks of Jacky's singing and song interpretation are present in
abundance. I don't think I need to explain more. However, do note some
very clever word-pointing by Jacky which enables certain phrases and
words to cast an indelible impression in one's mind. Fans of Jacky's
"old style" will not be disappointed.
08 老是一件令人回味的事
Jacky singing Rap?! Yes, but this has not been very fully developed and
the bigger rap part is given to Eric Kok, who is evidently more adept to
such style. However, unlike most other rap songs, this one gives the
listener a feeling of comfort and warmth, like 2 friends consoling each
other. The English chorus section (with Jacky taking a part) is
especially pleasant to the ear. Instead of a real rap number, lyrical
elements do prevail here.
09 ONE SHINING MOMENT
This is a light song with breazzy (and a bit jazzy) musical arrangement
(note in particular some beautiful writing for the guitar and flute).
Jacky's voice mixes well with the arrangement and the whole song creates
a feeling of freedom, ease and comfort. My only quibble is in Jacky's
pronunciation of the word "Moment", which seems to be a bit contrived.
Yet, this is a minor blemish which can in no way detract from the song's
musical merits.
10 除了這些 還有
A love song with a broad vision. Gone are hysterics and superficial
sweet words. It conveys a sense of maturity and a feeling which merges
with nature and the surroundings (such effect being heightened by the
use of sustained strings). It is a song which long-time lovers sing
while holding each other's hands when they are admiring the blue sky and
the calm sea outdoors. Jacky's voice is broad and relaxed and he
succeeds in sustaining the tone in a beautiful and unforced manner.
11 安了心
Has Jacky turned to the songs of Rodgers & Hart or Jerome Kern? No, this
is an original composition the melody and musical arrangement of which
reproduce the atmosphere and aura of the music/dance halls in Europe and
America in the 1930's. Jacky sings this introspective but soothing song
with great senstivity (note again his verbal inflexion). It's really a
small gem which provides a stylish and exquisite conclusion to the
album.
On the whole, this marvellous new release gives one a sophisticated and
posh feeling. Although it is not touted as a "concept album", the songs
therein has an admirable and pleasing sense of unity, coherance and
consistency. For example, the first and last songs, although very
different in musical idiom, have much affinity in spirit. Also, I wonder
whether the lyrics of this album are specifically tailored for the
worried minds of HK people these days.
The sound world of this album is certainly vastly different from Jacky's
previous efforts. The present release has a more classy and
"westernised" sound and presents much more variety in musical style. On
the other hand, there is less blatant emotional outburst as of fore
which is now substituted by an increased sense of restraint,
introspection, self-awareness and maturity. Many of the songs have a
depth which will not only appeal to more mature tastes, but will also
have a more lasting appeal. Indeed, after listening to the whole album
thrice, I'm sure that its appeal will still hold after 10 or more years!
The composers, arrangers and lyricists should be applauded for producing
11 songs of such a consistently high standard. This is almost a miracle
in Canto pop!
I'm happy that Jacky has at last given us an album which, in terms of
musical and artistic value, surpasses all his previous releases
(including my former favourite "真情流露"). This is a release of truly
international stature which we should all be proud of.
Finallly, I would add that the quality of recording is excellent, with
details vividly captured. I really cannot ask for a better produced pop
album!
Vincent Lau
Copyright 1998
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