HA NOI — An album of revolutionary music released recently in Ha Noi has both critics and fans singing its praise.
Tinh Ca Vang Mai (Love Song Forever) features nine songs and though it offers little that is new in terms of recording or mixing, fans are raving and critics have called it the best album this year.
Remarkably the five top singers — Anh Tho, Lan Anh, Trong Tan, Viet Hoan, and Dang Duong – who have rendered the "red" songs are all young, a marked break from the pop and dance music young singers seem to prefer.
A highlight of the album is the singing skills they exhibit while rendering old favourites like Me Yeu Con (Son, I Love You), Bai Ca Hy Vong (The Song of Hope), and Mua Xuan Den Roi Do (Spring Is Coming) by veteran composers Nguyen Van Ty, Van Ky,ù and Tran Chung.
Many critics have been delighted that Anh has finally reached the heights she had always promised to as her unusual voice and great singing skills combine to create magic.
Before the album was released, the 32-year-old was aware of the public's scepticism about her ability to sing revolutionary songs.
"Many people think my voice is too soft and it is my beauty that has made me popular," says Anh, who works as a teacher at the Viet Nam National Academy of Music.
"I wanted to change that."
After hearing her sing Bai Ca Hy Vong and Me Yeu Con, famous songs sung in the past by stalwarts like Le Dung and Thu Hien, fans said she sounds natural, strong, and pure and has no need for special recording effects.
Tho, who is even younger than Anh, has rendered Em Yeu Anh Nhu Cau Vi Dam (I Love You), a folk song by Vu Ngoc Quang.
Tan, winner of the 1999 National Television Singing Contest, sings Tran Chung's Mua Xuan Den Roi Do and Van An's Ta Ra Tran Hom Nay (We're Going to Battle Today).
His voice is strong yet velvety.
Duong and Hoan, once known for their tenor voices, prove their versatility by singing the romantic songs Tinh Em (My Love) and Toi La Anh Nuoi (I'm a Cook) composed by Huy Du and Dam Thanh.
Tan, Hoan and Duong have decided to perform revolutionary songs together at a live show.
"We will find sponsor technicians for our show," Duong said, adding that he and his friends wanted to popularise their music among youths. — VNS