by Le Hung Vong
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The times they are a-changin': Poster for the Bob Dylan – Live in Viet Nam show. |
HCM CITY —
Legendary American singer and songwriter Bob Dylan, whose anti-war songs became an icon of resistance, especially for those opposed to the American War, will perform for the first time in Viet Nam on Sunday.
Addresing a press meeting last Saturday to introduce the upcoming concert, General Director of concert promoter Sai Gon Sound System, Rod Quinton said: "It will be something very special when Dylan and his band take to the stage in Viet Nam.
"The upcoming show by music legend Bob Dylan on April 10th will bring a breath of fresh air to music performances in Viet Nam," he said.
Dylan, who was born Robert Allen Zimmerman on May 24, 1941, in Duluth, Minnesota, is also an accomplished painter.
A major figurehead in the world of western music for more than five generations, his list of achievements include 600 songs, 50 albums, 11 Grammy Awards, one Academy Award, one Golden Globe Award; Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a Pulitzer Prize.
"The man with a career spanning six decades, listed in Time magazine's ‘100 Most Important People of the Century', Grammy award winner, and Academy award winner, presents a deceptively simple proposition: to keep performing where he is most comfortable – on stage year after year," said Quinton.
He added Bob Dylan's music has been covered by literally a who's who of famous popular international musicians and is revered by many as the "source of it all".
Quinton said thousands of articles have been published since it was announced that Dylan was coming to Viet Nam a few weeks back.
"This may be due to the resonance that his music had with the peace movement of the late 60's and early 70's. It is believed that the war in Viet Nam at this time provided inspiration to songs that Dylan wrote that affected a generation and their view of conflict.
"Songs such as Blowing in the Wind and The Times They are A-Changin' gave voice to the thoughts running through the minds of literally millions of people," Quinton said.
A special part of the April 10 concert will be the performance of some songs by Vietnamese music legend Trinh Cong Son as the concert's composition includes a section to remember the evergreen composer and songwriter.
"It is nothing more than coincidence that Bob Dylan and his band are arriving in Viet Nam as part of their Asian Tour at the same time that Viet Nam is remembering Trinh Cong Son and the 10th anniversary of his passing away, said Quinton.
"But what an amazing coincidence, and how lucky we all are to be able to share in the celebration of these two legendary artists." Bob Dylan was awarded an honorary Pulitzer Prize for "profound impact on popular music and American culture, marked by lyrical compositions of extraordinary poetic power".
"In the opinion of Sai Gon Sound System, you can substitute the word ‘American' with ‘Vietnamese' and the name ‘Bob Dylan' with ‘Trinh Cong Son' and the statement still holds completely true," said Quinton.
Speaking at the press meeting, Trinh Vinh Trinh, younger sister of Son, said: "Our family is very happy to join this music show by Bob Dylan in Viet Nam."
She said the some 15 love songs by Son will be perfomed by famous Vietnamese singers.
Son's songs performed at the concert will include Ha Trang (White Summer), Em Hay Ngu Di (Love, You Should Sleep), Loi Me Ru (Mother's Lullaby), Hay Yeu Nhau Di (Let's Love Each Other), and Xin Cho Toi (Please Give Me).
The performances of Son's songs start at 6.45pm with Dylan taking the stage at 8pm for a two-hour set.
"We are organising a concert of international standard with genuine sound and lighting quality as well as the best technical staff," Quinton said.
The concert will be held at RMIT University, in HCM City's District 7. The tickets can be purchased online at www.thaiticketmajor.com for international sales and www.saigonsoundsystem.com for sales in Viet Nam. — VNS