Jun 29, 2008
2v1g's first gig [2v1g 小型音乐会]
Jun 25, 2008
2v1g 进入新加坡 [2v1g goes singapore]
finally, philip and norman, our distributor, has confirmed order with us, and he wants me to assure you that 2v1g will be available next week in major outlets such as:
[1] gramophone (cathay, capitol and takashimaya branch)
[2] new disc village (adelphi #03-15,1 coleman St)
[3] roxy music (adelphi #03-42, 1 coleman St)
[4] HMV (starting 18/7/2008)
thanks for your support!
Jun 22, 2008
展示你们的力量! [show them!]
we are sorry that many customers couldn't find 2v1g cd in many record shops.
the reason being that most record shops have a "vote of no confidence" on 2v1g (much like a certain political party) hence they stock only 1-2 copy and they got sold almost instantly.
in recent years, record shops' buyers in malaysia have become so safe and timid that they only dare to order bulk on a certain sellable names. don't blame them, such is the sorry state of chinese pop music industry :-(
the chinese music industry gives very little chance or emphasis on genuine artistes that make true music, without resorting to good looks, gossips, rumors and scandals.
2v1g does not need that sort of hype.
let's unite and show them that 2v1g can sell!
[distribution info]
interglobal music is our distributor in malaysia. please direct all inquries on retail availability (which stores sell the cd) to interglobal music at 03- 41428133
for singapore distribution, please email samuelsingapore@gmail.com (norman)
for thailand distribution, please email surachade_p@hotmail.com (steve)
for hong kong distribution, please email info@rockinmusic.net (keith)
Jun 21, 2008
2v1g 勇闯泰国 [2v1g goes thailand]
the good people of cap cd,a retail chain of cd shops in thailand, have ordered 100 pieces of 2v1g cds for the first order and here's their advertisement in local mag...
such music lovers the thai people are! thanks, steve surachade, for your passion in music and belief in our music. steve, if we have enough support in bangkok, we would perform some gigs there!
we are targeting indonesia next!
Jun 19, 2008
我爱爵士乐 [jazz, jazz, jazz]
Yesterday was our 2v1g producer, Leslie's birthday. It is also the big day of my singer friend, Sim Yen (Zyan). Happy belated birthday, gemini buddies!
Stacey Kent's album is spinning in my player again. The jazz music fills up the room (it would be great if there's a glass of red wine in hand, haha), while I am sitting in front of my laptop. I'm wondering, when will I have a chance to sing with a real jazz band? If I were granted a chance to do an album again, I hope I can swing the album. I always hope that I can turn the Mandarin repertoires upside down and swing the tunes! Can you imagine how I would sound like? Oh ya, Leslie said in his 'birthday wishes' blog post - if budget allows, he will send us for a jazz vocal lessons. Oh, my lovely audience, please support this 2v1g album seriously so that the producer will send me for the lessons, yeah!!!!!
So, right after Stacey, I am now watching the Divas such as Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Aretha Franklin, Peggy Lee, Roberta Flack. You know what I found? My god, I found an amazing clip, 4 divas sang together on stage, a tribute to Duke Ellington. Check this out quickly! (I get goosebumps all around now.....)
PS: Folks, if you come across any fantastic Jazz vocal coach, please send me the contact. I seriously want to have some Jazz vocal lessons. Thanks a lot!
[winnie ho]
Jun 17, 2008
生日白日梦 [dream a llittle dream]
today is my birthday and 2v1g's debut album - which is hitting the stores today - is my greatest present. birthday present seldom comes as sweet as this :-)
on this very special day, i would like to dream a little dream.
i would like to dream on the possibility of starting our 2nd album by the end of this year.
it is gonna be like this:
[1] we will add two more instruments, probably an accordian (i love the earthy tone!) and a cello or even a harmonica.
[2] we will hold a competition in a certain music college famed for music arrangement. the student who comes out with the best arrangement for our songs will get RM500 for each song.
[3] songs for 2nd album will be themed along the 80s' rock ballads from the likes of zhao chuan [赵传] and qi qin [ 齐秦]
[4] we will send our two singers for specialized jazz vocal training so they would sound different and refreshing in the 2nd album
[5] and funds permitting, we will have our own studio!
everything starts from a dream, from the greatest inventions on earth to something as small and as insignificant as a 2v1g album.
and i dare to dream ;-)
note: the above is purely imaginary as i have not consulted my producer, chow, and the 2v1g trio ;-)
[leslie loh]
Jun 13, 2008
评语 [comment from customer]
"今天刚拿到新鲜出炉的第一个马来西亚中文发烧《2v1G》专辑,兴奋地放进cd盆里。当声音播出来的时候,好像发现跟平时听的中文发烧CD不 一样。一般的中文发烧CD很注重音响效果,会把人声弄得突出,吉他声很尖利,echo效果重,味精多。而《2v1G》就好像原汁原味,音色简单美,人声和 吉他自然和谐,会让你自自然然地只集中在音乐上而不会在乎那些所谓音响效果。专辑里的选曲都是我那年代熟悉的经典好曲,如果掌握不好会给原曲比下去。但戴 丽津、何芸妮、Roger Wang都成功用他们的实力和感情呈现多首动人歌曲而不逊于原曲。(除了《我要我们在一起》,因为原曲的编曲实在太丰富和激情)。很喜欢戴丽津和何芸妮合唱的部分,她们的互动很好赋予比原曲更多的惊喜,也佩服roger自然的吉他编曲给予旧曲新生命。非常喜欢戴丽津的《心动》,感觉比较喜欢你的版本。这不 是一张惊天之作,但它的确揪住我的心,它让我舒服地享受整张专辑,它只是一张耐听又有诚意的作品。"
Jun 12, 2008
表演 [live gigs]
if early sales figures and accolades are indicative of an album's future success, then 2V1G is already a "small" unqualified winner. bear in mind that 2v1g is not a commercial hot-seller like jay chou or S.H.E. it is really a "slow-burner" that would sell for many months/years as more and more people discover it.
so thank you music lovers! you show that you would not hesitate to support a local production provided it is a sincere and good one.
moving forward, we are planning some gigs (possible venues could be no black tie ) for the last quarter of the year, can we collect some email addresses from you so that we could build a 2v1g mailing list? just leave a comment with your name and email address in this post.
the months ahead are going to be exciting. happy listening!
[leslie loh]
北京的天气慢慢的变热 [beijing turning hot]
北京的天气慢慢的变热。
我来的第一天,在飞机降陆之前,机上还播报着北京的温度是19度。
而第二天,整个北京已被33度的气温压逼着。
在这整整前后五天的会议和会议之间,我不停的思考着向前和走过的路,一个问题环绕着我,陪着我走过这一个的大气大势的大都会,这个问题就是:历史的斑驳和文明的辉煌中的矛盾。
1) 我这一次来北京的任务----洽谈马来西亚与中国两国合作的一部音乐剧《宝镜》;
2) 到北京的第一个晚上,我的朋友就送了一套书给我,书名是《明朝那些事儿》;
3) 每一个夜晚,陪着我度过的一首又一首的歌曲---- 戴丽津、何芸妮、Roger Wang 的《2V1G》。
《明朝那些事儿》------我的生存的最初
《2V1G》----我的音乐的最初
谢谢北京。
[chow kam leong]Jun 7, 2008
乐坛创举 [first of its kind in malaysia!]
严谨的录音是超高解像24bit/192Khz DSP发烧录音。我们用了价值不菲的经典AKG-C12VR真空管麦克风。此麦克风的音色艳丽和温暖,尤其适和人声!
除此之外,我们还用了著名 Transparent Audio 的 Power Isolator 8 (PI8) 电源处理器。此净电王将录音室里电源的垃圾除的一干二净,还回原声的清澈和宁静。
录音师 vong 用了毕生功力,将录音发挥到发烧极点!母带后期处理就交给香港发烧天后 susan wong 的录音师 keith yip 处理。keith 的鼎鼎大名将会带给广大发烧友无限的期待!
当你聆听2V1G时,你会惊叹于那 玲珑剔透的吉他; 你会陶醉于那温暖动人和音色绝美的人声.
请不要网上下载或和翻版商为伍,因为你将不会尽情享受到2V1G美丽的声音!
this is the first pop/audiophile crossover album in malaysia and we are proud of it!
the recording is high-resolution 24bit/192Khz DSP recording. we used the legendary AKG c12vr tube microphone (picture above) for vocal recording. the AKG is famed for its warmth and beautiful timbre, especially for human voice.
additionally, we used the Transparent Audio Power Isolator 8 (PI8) power management system to power up all the recording equipment in the studio. the PI8 greatly reduces EMI/RFI, electrical buzz, and other pollution in the AC line and provides a clean and pristine sound with pitch-black background.
recording and mixing is done locally by our engineer, vong, while the all-important mastering is done by keith yip, the audiophile guru from hong kong, who owns the audiophile music label rock in music, who is also the former boss and recording engineer of audiophile queen, susan wong. with such credentials behind us, expectations are naturally high.
as you listen to the album, you would appreciate the beautiful recording of the two voices and guitar. it is as if the singers are singing in real space, in front of you. roger wang's guitar has a presence that is eerie and palpable.
please don't buy pirated copies or download from the internet as you would defeat the purpose of this beautiful recording. also, if you can avoid it, don't listen from your notebook as you won't be able to fully appreciate the sound.
Jun 5, 2008
音乐人评语 [what others say about this album]
大馬中文流行樂壇重量級音樂工作者鼎力推薦,一張我們不容錯過的專輯:
"天碟極盡聲色,即使靜至最靜,簡之至簡,在每个體貼入微的音符裏,最稀罕的仍是和諧之美。
两把女聲聯聲發燒,以音色相許,容感性流竄,最宜心耳相應。"
"在一次偶然性重拾美麗時光是一件無比愜意的事情,即使這些回憶只是散落在地上的零星碎片。或許很多年後,我只會記得這張合輯中的兩三首作品,但這已經足夠。謝謝麗津和芸妮帶給我的感動."
張國祥(多媒體創作人)
"如果這個世界需要多一些撫慰人心的音樂,那麽她們的歌聲就是最好的陪伴."
彭學斌(詞曲創作、唱片製作人)
"他們勇敢的為流行樂卸裝,以原貌示人:簡單、真摯、用心。這纔是真正動人的音樂."
王彪民(唱片企劃、節目主持、詞曲創作人)
"好個不怕百囘唱,兩位女歌手為好歌添新裝、賦新意,是愛歌人的福氣."
張映坤(詞曲創作人、唱片製作人、大马中文流行樂壇老大)
Jun 4, 2008
那一瞬间 [capture the moment]
How does one paint mathematically? How do you logically explain feelings? How scientific can you theorize love? How may I cramp all the emotions into a single CD?
Working with great musicians makes you think a lot about these stuff. Seeing them nail the song in one take; witnessing their internal calmness even when they are singing at the top of their lungs; watching them break down in tears after an overflow of emotions; laughing with them at the blunder of each other... makes you think how a microphone, a pre-amplifier, a mixer and a recorder can be able to grasp all these... .
The vibrating sensation in the head when singing; the moving of lips and every muscle in the face when articulating the lyrics; the pain in the fingers when depressing the strings of the guitar; the projection of hollowness of that very six-stringed instrument that moves you... Oh, how do you put every wavelength produced into something so cold as a CD?
I might never get the answer in the lifetime of next, but this much I can say - I will capture the moment.
Thank you Roger, Regine and Winnie for all the moments.
[ vong, recording engineer]
到底该以怎样的逻辑思考来解释感觉?又该如何以科学的理论来说明爱?我又是如何以一张CD去压缩我所有的情绪?
能够和一些优良的音乐人一起工作,会让你对以上所说的一切产生更大的思考空间。看着他们以敏感的指尖轻抚同步录下所有的音符;见证着她们冷静的运用着仅有的肺量去演绎所有的情绪却只能冷眼旁观着她们因为感情的缺堤而崩溃在泪水中;而当疏忽的犯了错,我们大家互相笑骂。。。。
谢谢Roger, Regine和Winnie 你们带给我的这一刹那。
[录音师感言] vong-2V1G录音、混音师 [chinese translation by chow kam leong]
歌曲短评 [commentary on songs]
[1] coming home - this is winnie ho's award-winning song; it is also the song which many people associate her with. unlike previous versions sung by winnie, this version has a slower build-up and milder climaxes. winnie has purposely lightened up the song with less emotional intensity. she has grown up as a singer and she wants the audience to appreciate a more mature version of this classic song. roger's guitar is light and simple, fully letting the vocalist to take the center stage.
[2] snowy love - this is a tracy huang's classic, made popular by faye wong. regine's rendition is appropriately sweet without overdoing it. this is one of the most accessible love songs in the album. nothing complicated, just pure sweet music.
[3] endless love - this is the boldest interpretation in the whole album! a passionate love song being transformed into a bossa nova, roger's creativity is most evident on the guitar solo where he infuses a decidedly latin feel to the song. the two singers also ad-libbed a lot in the last part (not in the edited version here), making the whole rendition rather adventurous and fun.
[4] airport at 10:30 - a david tao's r&b classic, this song will make most guitarists frown in frustration on working out a groove/rhythm in the guitar solo. i suppose only roger wang can do it. winnie ho is having a hell of good time in singing this song; she doesn't seem like she wants to stop.
[5] tempting hearts - my fave in this album. there is so much outpouring emotions in this song that makes it memorable. regine's rendition made me weep the first time i heard it (she also broke down after singing this song in the studio) and roger's guitar solo is so heartbreakingly gorgeous. try to listen to this song alone at night with your hifi on, a glass of red wine, lights dimmed, and you will understand.
[6] march - my producer, chow's original work, march is not easy to sing at all. roger has attempted many arrangements for this song. at the end, we settled for one with a bit of "swing" feel. there is a certain sadness of helplessness in this song, if only you know the meaning behind the lyrics.
我是做音乐的人 [i am a music man]
我喜欢音乐、热爱音乐。
失去音乐,生命就会是一场错误。
这是我一直都在相信,也是我一直都不断的在提醒着自己的一句话。
这样子说,并不是因为觉得自己有什么了不起,而是我要自己无时无刻的、坚定的、对自己期许,要自己不断的看清楚自己选择的路。
Jun 3, 2008
你们感觉到,热吗?[do you feel the warmth?]
录音室的空调温度往往都会调至最低点,所以里面的器材都会很冷。
在里面工作,尤其是经过了十几个小时封闭式的投入工作,我们一样的会变成非常、非常的冷。
但是,就是在这么一个寒冷的空间,我们不停的得到证实、明白和相信,证实、明白和相信音乐,证实什么?明白什么?相信什么?就是,音乐,是热的。
很多人会羡慕做音乐的我们,也有很多人走进了这一个行业,然后很快的离开,而留下来的,当坐下来聊天的时候,大家抛出的, 都会是同样的一个字-累。
所以我往往会自问,我是靠什么东西走到今天?
答案就是:靠着这一些被录音室冷冷的空气所激发出来的轻微的声音,就是这一些轻微的声音,让我默默的、心甘情愿的,走到今天;即使再累,也无怨无尤。
今天,2V1G诞生了。
我们都难以预测,《她》会走到哪里?
我要问的是,用心去听2V1G的人,你们感觉到,热吗?
the temperature of the air-conditioners in the recording studio is almost invariably set to the lowest possible, so that all the recording equipment would not get too hot.
every now and then, when we work in the enclosed studio for more than 10 hours continuously, our bodies would normally become very cold and numbed. so would our mental state and behavior.
it is working in such cold temperature that lends us the answers to many questions as to why we keep our struggles, our sacrifices, our faiths and beliefs in music all these past 20 years. because we believe and are convinced that music is, ultimately, warm.
many people envy our profession, thinking that it is glamorous and monetarily rewarding. many entered this profession only to find themselves disillusioned and as a result, they couldn't last and they left this profession with much disappointment or even disgust. and those who steadfastly remain behind - like us - would invariably utter the same sentiment whenever we get together and share our hardships - that we are tired, very tired.
so i always ask myself - what keeps me alive, loyal and dedicated to my work till today?
the answer - it is the all-too-familiar faint noise emanating from the cold and still air in the recording studio that keeps me believing; that keeps me walking tall in this profession; that makes me dedicate to my work without a single regret for the past 20 years.
today is the birth of 2V1G.
we can't and we won't predict how far it will go.
but i would like to ask - if you were to listen to 2V1G attentively, with your heart and soul - do you feel the warmth?
[words by chow kam leong, translation by leslie loh]
喜欢唱歌而已 [because i like to sing]
很多人询问我发唱片的事。我从来只是笑说,还不是时候。常觉得中文乐坛的定律有一点奇怪。为什么发唱片一定要趁年轻?为什么大家都认为女歌手过了25岁才发片,就是没有什么希望?这些又和音乐有什么关系啊?我倒是还蛮渴望哪一天做了人家妈妈,才发唱片呢!到时,我要为我的孩子写一首歌。把十月怀胎的心情都记录下来,这将会是我给我的孩子最好的礼物。
2V1g 的来龙去脉和录音的过程记载 [2v1g - the origin and the recording process]
芸妮和丽津的粉丝们,如果你们要知道 2V1g 的来龙去脉和录音的过程记载,请浏览 desirable audio boutique。在右首边的 label tag,请点击 "the making of an audiophile album"。你将会读到超过30 篇关于2V1G的文章!
fans of winnie ho, regine tai and roger wang - if you want to know the origin of 2V1G and a blow-by-blow account of the recording process, please visit desirable audio boutique. on your right, you should see a label tag, find the tag named "the making of an audiophile album" and you will get to read more than 30 blog posts on 2V1G.
enjoy!
Jun 2, 2008
唱歌這件事... [about singing]
後來上大學參加了歌曲創作工作坊,在和志同道合的朋友們一起分享音樂和創作的過程中,讓我慢慢重拾唱歌的信心,並且還能勇敢的唱出自己寫的歌。唱歌變成一種分享后就不再緊張了。
大學畢業后,不務正業的走上了音樂這條路,成爲民歌餐廳駐唱歌手兼製作助理。那時錢雖然賺得不多,但每天有音樂和朋友的日子卻是人生中最快樂的歲月。很多時候在餐廳聼歌的朋友因爲我們而呆到最後一秒,有的甚至爲了我們唱的一首歌而感動流淚時,更加肯定了我要認真看待唱歌這一件事。
反而是在成爲唱片歌手后,才發現原來唱歌已經變得不再單純了。是自己的心理建設不夠抑或是這個歌唱事業的競爭關係,我好像越來越不快樂了。應該是我自己不夠努力、不夠好吧…唱歌本來是很快樂的一件事,不是嗎?不解的疑惑一直存在,可是現實生活的問題還是得要面對的,家人當時對我前途無不感到擔憂和質疑。我,也慌了……
2V1G 的誕生是一個緣分,也成全了我心中的一個圓。終于明白最原始的感動一直都在心裏面,只是被太多的疑惑和不快樂塵封了。想通的那一刻,忽然覺得自己好苯。用心唱好每一首歌吧,用心……唯有用心,才會讓世界聽到。
复杂 [ complex]
那一夜,我们把完成混音的2V1G十二首歌曲反复来回重听又重听。。。。。。
做了23年音乐,每一次来到这一个阶段,心情都是异常复杂,因为,这就是来到我们决定排歌的时候了,歌排出来就是母带后期处理,然后压印成制成品,包装,推出市面。。。。。。
辛苦了几个月、兴奋了几个月、患得患失了几个月。。。这一切就将离我们而去 。。。所以,这一种心情怎能不复杂?
其实,比复杂来得更有意义的,就是我们如何去体会、如何去学习体会。
一张专辑的诞生所拥有的,除了音乐,更重要的,就是过程。谁能够从中领悟、感触、沉淀、看透,谁就能够掌握更大的勇气继续下去。
在音乐的海洋中,没有彼岸,而尽情荡漾其中,便是唯一的浮木。
[周金亮]香港和台湾发行! we make it to hong kong and taiwan!
这是令人振奋的消息 - 香港的品牌rock in music 已经答应发行2v1g!
届时, 2V1G的CD将会在香港和台湾找到!
this is the most exciting news to us - music label rock in music of hong kong has agreed to distribute 2v1g in hong kong and taiwan!
we are so lucky!