President Sarkozy: music, but not politics!

Hi Mr. President,

How are you doing? I hope you are well. You know, I don't like your opinions on Tibet. But, I do like your wife a lot. Don't get me wrong. I mean I like your wife ... for her MUSIC. I suggest you listen more to your wife's music, or perhaps talk to her more often instead of talking to some 'spiritual leader'. That does not help spiritually, you know?

Stay healthy.

Best wishes,
Hang

Songwriter, singer and former model, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy

Ok, the above was written with tongue in cheek. Just now when I turned on the radio, a hostess and a male guest were talking about music (mainly Jazz, blues) and some songs were played. When the song 'You Belong to Me' was played, it immediately got my attention. I said to myself, "I like the song and the voice. Who is the singer?". Then I did some research online and this is what I found out. The singer is Carla Bruni, the former model and now wife of French President, Nicolas Sarkozy. She quit her modeling life and successfully turned into a musician. Fortunately, she did not stop pursuing her music career after marrying the President. She's good and talented. She will be on my music radar from now on.

The song is actually a cover version. A solo acoustic version of the song was also recorded by Bob Dylan in 1992. I listened to Bob Dylan's version too, but I like Carla Bruni's version of the song a bit more. Great, I finally find a new song to add to my ipod!

Wait, I changed my mind. Bob Dylan's version is equally excellent!

Songs from external links:
You Belong to Me by Carla Bruni
You Belong to Me by Bob Dylan

Lyrics -You Belong to Me (by Bob Dylan)

See the pyramids along the Nile
Watch the sunrise from a tropic isle
Just remember, darling all the while
You belong to me

See the marketplace in old Algiers
Send me photographs and souvenirs
Just remember when a dream appears
You belong to me

I'll be so alone without you
Maybe you'll be lonesome too
And blue

Fly the ocean in a silver plane
See the jungle when it's wet with rain
Just remember 'til you're home again
You belong to me


I'll be so alone without you
Maybe you'll be lonesome too
And blue

Fly the ocean in a silver plane
See the jungle when it's wet with rain
Just remember 'til you're home again
You belong to me

Juliette Lewis: “I just want to tell you I love you, and I miss you. Don't
forget about me. You won't forget about me?”
Woody Harrelson: “I won't forget about you. It's cool. No matter where he takes
you, Timbouktou, it don't matter, because it's fate. Know? Nobody can stop fate. Nobody can.”

An era ended

MJ, King of Pop

When the shocking news reached this corner of the world in the morning, I felt really sad. I was not and never expected to get emotional. The polarized image of MJ had been lingering in my head for a long time. But, that did not last any longer. I got overwhelmed by the sadness in the afternoon when I was looking through the news and the reactions of people on the internet. Those photos, music and videos are so evocative of the old days when MJ was singing. I just could not hold back the emotion and it's stirring inside! Words fail me ...

Michael，你依然是那个流行乐之王! 一路走好!

I've got itchy feet!

I've been a loyal reader of Jonna's blog recently. I really enjoy her writing which is of great fun. Today, her post is about her plan of traveling in Yunnan, which prompts me to bring back the pleasant memory of my trip in Yunnan last September. I did solo traveling and made many friends during the trip. I've got itchy feet again, but I know I cannot take another trip now. That's why I'm sitting here listening to the beautiful song 《彩云之南》(The South of Colorful Clouds, which refers to Yunnan) by singer Xu Qianya (徐千雅). I really like her music about Yunnan and Tibet.

Being an adventurous guy, I 'illegally' went fishing on a fisherman's boat in Dali and solo trekked the Tiger Leaping Gorge. I also traveled to Shangri-La and made many friends with fellow backpackers in Lijiang. These are some photos I took on my trip. Man, I love traveling!

The countryside near the old town of Dali

Buskers & their dogs in Shuhe old town

A singer from Guangzhou in a pub in Shuhe

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

Trekking Tiger Leaping Gorge
Backpackers at a guest house in Lijiang
Girls I met at a guest house in Lijiang

Who's the leading figure of Chinese pop music?

Jay Zhou? Jolin? Oh, no, no ... Please don't underestimate our taste. It's this guy!

Xu Wei (许巍) is the singer and songwriter who sings quietly with his guitar. Unlike any other blatantly marketed Chinese singers, he keeps a relatively low profile. He has rarely (never?) been seen singing on stage with dancers behind him. He sings alone and quietly. His style is unique and simple, but his music has won him many young Chinese fans across China. He is called the leading figure of Chinese pop music (乐坛领军人物) by many Chinese media. I read the news that he's going to have a concert in Shanghai this May. My warning to those who are interested: His concert is always a sell-out. Get a ticket, the sooner the better.

Xu WeiXu Wei and Pu Shu at Xu Wei's Concert in April 2009

Photos from sina.com

I got to know him when I was waiting for my train in Shanghai Railway Station in late 2004. His MTV song 《曾经的你》was played on the big screen in the noisy waiting lounge of the railway station. The song caught my attention with his cool music, his unique voice and poetry-like lyrics. Since then I began to follow his music. I think his music touches the heart of young people. If you are young and you've ever felt lost/bewildered in life or you've been trying to solve the reality-vs.-dream puzzle, then you will see what I mean. If you are backpacking, you may talk to young Chinese backpackers about Xu Wei. I am sure they will tell you they love his music. In Lijiang of Yunnan province, I came across a guest house named after his song 《蓝莲花》(Blue Lotus). A young Chinese backpacker manages the guest house which is well known among many Lijiang-bound young Chinese backpackers. Here are some Xu Wei's songs from external links.
《曾经的你》
《蓝莲花》(Blue Lotus)
《完美生活》(Perfect Life)