I’ve just published a list of 100 songs in Chinese (mostly Mandarin, but also Cantonese… and maybe Hokkien… can’t be sure of that) that’s a great cheat sheet for anyone wanting to show off their knowledge of the scene. There’s definitely a wide variety of artists, so you’re sure to find something you enjoy.
Visit YAM Magazine for the list with a link included to the YouTube playlist.
This year’s season of The Voice of China is a bit on the meh side compared to last year’s. Some good talents, but not as awing as some of last year’s. This battle for Wang Feng’s team, though, from Simon Chung (鐘偉強) of Hong Kong singing it out with Beijing-based Bi Xia (毕夏) with the classic Hey Jude was pretty emotional.
The whole father/daughter interaction going on, because Simon took the time to guide Bi Xia through the song and Bi Xia’s knowing what he’d done for her makes the whole elimination process all the more painful.
Other battle highlights~
From Na Ying’s team:
Yi Guang Nian (毅光年) Vs. Sheng Yin Yue Tuan (声音乐团) – I Surrender (没离开过)
From Amei’s team:
Zhang Xin (张新) Vs. Liu Zi Chen (刘籽辰) – What’s the Trouble in your Mind (你在煩惱什麼) + We Are Young
Oh, man~ Liu Huan is gone from The Voice of China, and I thought he was the one elevating the show to a more professional level. Have no idea why he’s not there, but I hope he’s back later on.
And my prediction of Wang Feng being on the show [1] kinda became a reality, except not replacing who I thought he should be replacing. LOL
Happy to see A-Mei, though I would prefer her releasing new music instead.
I have nothing to say about Harlem Yu xD We are just not compatible. LOL
I gotta admit that with Wang Feng being Na Ying’s coach, I thought I was going to get blown away by everyone’s performances, but seems like expectations were too high. Plus, YouTube cockblocking my watching.
Since Wang Feng was there to coach too, all of the arrangments had a lot (or, at least, a little) to do with some aspect of rock — be it rock & roll or plain rock (except for Zhang Yu Xia’s battle) — so, in the end, there was a lot of A-Mei being played and there was some extra Wang Feng going on too.
Anyway, there were only a couple of standout performances, and considering my favorites on Na Ying’s team from the beginning were Zhang Wei (张玮) [1] and Zhang Yu Xia (張玉霞) [1], I am rather ecstatic and sad. Super elated for the fact that Zhang Wei has a very good chance of being the Top4 (and may very well be the winner), and sad because Zhang Yu Xia — despite her flawless The Legend (传奇) performance in a battle vs. Li Min (李敏) — couldn’t advance any further. T_T
But, DUDE! The Zhang Wei and Ge Yu Sen (歌浴森) battle doing A-Mei’s Three Days and Three Nights (三天三 夜) was great~ Like, couldn’t pick between the two, and I was almost siding with Ge Yu Sen, but would have been perfectly content if either of those two won.
Dudes, so they finally released a finished version of the music video [1] xD which has atrocious rainbow-colored English lyrics xD But you can check some funny remarks and a quickie English translations from Beijing Cream.
You can also check a slightly better quality version of the video on YinYueTai — but still not crisp enough to be able to read the tiny English caption xD
I’m rather surprised I only know a little over +30 names xD and a little more of the faces, including a brief apperance by Ajia [1] and Li Yu Gang (李玉刚) whom… you know, you can’t totally tell from just the audio. I’m also rather SHOCKED that I didn’t get Song Zuying from early on the song but her later bit xD
Judging from the song alone (okay, and a bit of the video), Sa Dingding did great. This was her Beijing Welcomes You [MV] 5-sec Bibi moment for me. xD The song is no Beijing Welcomes You, though. And I love some of Chang Shilei’s stuff. His 2008 Niu China album was my favorite that year, and he does produce some great songs like I Would Say to Them (对他说我愿意) [1] or HIGH歌 — OMG, are you watching The Voice of China [clip] [1]? xD
Also, the video is pretty cheap. Walking down a shelves of book of… what I supposed is the Beijing library or something. xD And also the people that weren’t in Beijing and obviously couldn’t be flown to shoot for the video because of budget. I’m looking at you guys, Eason and Aaron~~~ and Kelly Chen xD
