PBN 88 Review

This edition of Paris By Night pays tribute to the legendary Lam Phuong, This dvd promises excitement, sadness, and a reflection of the life and career of one of the greatest vietnamese songwriters ever lived. One of the most personal dvds ever produced by Thuy Nga, this show mixes live performances with dance numbers that appeals to both the older and younger generation. The dark lighting represents the dark times in Lam Phuong's life and the lack of elaborate staging compliments his simple yet heartfelt songs.


1. Doan Nguoi Lu Thu--Hop Ca
The opening starting off with dancers wasn't the best way to open the show. It was rather off from the theme and gives you a feeling of watching another talent show. Minh Tuyet and Nhu Loan would've been a better replacement for Huong Thuy and Ngoc Loan. Huong Thuy's voice really didn't match with the rest and she made the song sounded 'sen' all of a sudden. Both ladies made the song more mature than what it was intended. The dance moves were somewhat cheesy. Overall, it was still enjoyable and very uplifting for an opening though lacking the "wow" factor TN usually is famed for.

2. Kiep Ngheo--Y Lan
This song is one of Lam Phuong most well known songs. Many of the female artists who performed this song were able to display a fierceness to this song while at the same time a vulnerability. Y Lan's rendition wasn't the best in my eye but I liked how she got through the song without doing any of her unusual stuff, just the way the song is supposed to be sung. However, the absent of her usual long-stretching words and somewhat odd hand movements turned the performance into something too typical. The silhouette was a very interesting way to introduce the song.

3. Thanh Pho Buon, Tinh Nhu May Khoi--Mai Quoc Huy, Che Linh
I'm not a fan of these kind of songs and probably not old enough to fully grasp the meanings and be able to enjoy it. Therefore, I wouldn't say anything about the music and singing. Che Linh's tie didn't go with his shirt at all. Mai Quoc Huy looked older than he was in the MTV in PBN 87.

4. Tien Nguoi Di--Huong Lan
Being the younger generation growing up in the US, this would be the kind of song I'd skip. But this time, partly because I wanted to watch the whole dvd and partly because of this review, I sat through the song. It wasn't as bad, especially when you're watching it all by yourself at night with the lights turned off. It's just so calming. Huong Lan's "phuc hau" face and smooth, sweet voice made the song the more enjoyable. The perfect kind of song to watch after a long day. A beautifully delivered live performance.
Huong Lan was so humble and nice in her review following the song.

5. Buc Tam Thu--Nhu Loan
Here is another bold decision from Thuy Nga, pairing up Nhu Loan and Ngoc Loan. This song had a good intro arrangement, very different than the others'. The two singers sang the song well. Their voice matched better than that I imagined. Ngoc Loan was built for this song but we all know Nhu Loan is a nhac tre singer. Nhu Loan was able to use her weakness in this song, her baby voice adds youthfulness to the song and helps tell the story very well of a hopeful girl waiting for her lover's letters. The ending was very cute with Buddy being the delivery boy on his bike, getting the letters from Nhu Loan and Ngoc Loan.

6. Chieu Tan--Hoang Oanh
I prefer Huong Lan over Hoang Oanh. This song is very calming as well but it's just not as easy trying to concentrate and let the lyrics flow through your mind. It was okay, but not something I'd watch twice.

7. Biet Den Bao Gio & Dem Tien Don--Manh Quynh, Truong Vu
I prefer someone like Tuan Vu sing this song, Manh Quynh sounded a bit soft for this song but I guess I am not much a fan of him or these types of songs. The song ended so abruptly that it's hard to really get into it. He quickly introduces Truong Vu (and I don't think it was necessary to do so) who enters the stage in an orange suit that doesn't suit him at all. Every song he sings are always dragged on with every word and I always wonder why the older generation appreciate him so much but I guess it's just a matter of taste. Overall these performances weren't the highlight of the show nor was it one of the best.

8. Ngay Hanh Phuc--Tam Doan, Huong Thuy, Minh Tuyet, Ngoc Lien
The music introduction promises a very uplifting performance but I felt the performance was lacking lust. The female singers aren't able to show very much of their vocal talents, the ao dais are very simple, barely any color or flashy design to them, which kinda tells you that Lam Phuong is a very simple man who appreciates the simple things in life. One line that caught my attention was "Dem ve nghe con khoc vui trien mien" It was odd because you don't see many moms being happy seeing their baby crying. But I guess it is to say that the couple's life was so happy that even something like the baby's cry, which let them know their child is there, can make them happy.
The dark stage was a disadvantage to this song. I feel that it's just not colorful and bright enough for the happiness being expressed in the song.

9. Nghen Ngao--Khanh Ha
It's hard to comment on Khanh Ha since she is so gifted and talented. She never fails to deliver a wonderful performance. I'm very glad that this performance is live. We get to see the diva connect with the song visually and her reactions are realistic to what we are hearing. As a viewer sitting at home, you feel even more connected as if you are actually there at the taping. The camera constantly moves so even if you don't like song, it's interesting to watch.

10. Phut Cuoi--Bang Kieu
This guy made me fall in love with the song with the first line he sang. He have such a smooth voice and sang it so well it's hard to believe it was live. But the note that he held out near the end was truly unnecessary. It was rather too much showing off and took you away from all the emotions and feelings that was building up during the song. This is not the kind of song to show what your voice's made of!! I think he should've just kept it smooth and moving with just one long last note. Overall, it's still an impressive performance from Bang Kieu.

11. Em Di Roi- Hoa Mi
Is it me or is it just boring to listen to the original artist sing this song again? I haven't watched the older Lam Phuong shows but after finding out that Hoa Mi sang this, it was a let down to me. I can see that she poured her soul in this song, from the facial expressions to the tone of her voice. It's hard to find artists these days that would sing songs from the heart because a painting is interesting to look if it evokes emotion rather than just look like a perfect painting. It was nice to hear that Lam Phuong had written it especially for her and it's an honor she will forever cherish.

12. Nhac Kich: Chuyen Tinh Thoi Chinh Chien--Nhu Quynh, The Son (Phu Hoa: Trinh Lam, Huy Tam, Quynh Vi, Luong Tung Quang)
Nhu Quynh had done many musicals before, and I must say this is not her best. Still, the story being told through the songs was a great way to show how Lam Phuong's music can reflect so much on what happened through his time. All these songs wouldn't have seem as interesting, though, if it wasn't put together and woven into a story. Still, this heart-wrenching performance will have you living in the moment.
Both The Son and Nhu Quynh sang the songs wonderfully yet their acting doesn't match up to their excellent voices. The Son had hard time trying to express his emotions while Nhu Quynh showed way too much which made it awkward and unrealistic at times. The MTVs playing in the back were so good. I especially liked the one where The Son was sitting by himself in the dark.
The war scene should've been accompanied by more upbeat and chaotic music. The slow, sorrowful song is a nice and different way to describe something such as warfare. However, there had already been too many songs of the same kind in the Lien Khuc already.
Con Tau Dinh Menh was excellent. LTQ, Quynh Vi, Trinh Lam, Huy Tam did a good job. I like how they all started off in a way that sounded like chanting, as if they're praying for their life. The lyrics were truly meaningful. It made you think about all the hardship the generation before you had endured, and how they had managed to survive it together. As the scene ended with people leaving, some could not bare leaving their homeland and lingered on.
The next scene is also very touching with The Son and Nhu Quynh so close together yet in fact they're a world apart. The song is really great, too.
If there was something I can change about this Lien Khuc, it would be the ending. I didn't think it was necessary for Nhu Quynh to die and make the story end in such a dramatic and sorrowful manner. Happy endings are meaningful, too. And even though many had died and lost their lives on the long voyages toward freedom, we've made it here today--that's something to be thankful and happy about after a journey full of unhappy and heart-breaking stories. Overall, the thing that saved really saved the whole production was the director's excellent direction and the extras in this Lien Khuc since the music arrangement and acting of the two main singers wasn't very impressive. This is one of the few songs where the dark stage really help expressing the dark themes and emotions of the performance.

13. Chuyen Do Vy Tuyen--Tam Doan
I agree with many people that this song was not made for Tam Doan. This seems to be made for a women of with a more mature voice. Technically speaking, she hit all the notes well and it was nice to hear her voice but I felt she didn't fit in this particular type of music.

14. Duong Ve Que Huong--Quang Le
I remember how my dad would always sing this song when he turns on the karaoke machine. Quang Le made this song very youthful--something I really like, since it brings life to an outdated song. His singing appeared a bit energetic, but seeing him on stage was annoying. The quick hand movements (especially the stop sign) and jerks annoyed me. And it was odd how he had his eyes closed or barely open for most of the time. For the title of the DVD, I expected more out of this performance. It was mediocre in my eyes.

15. Nang Dep Mien Nam & Khuc Ca Ngay Mua--Ha Phuong, Huong Thuy
Nice contrast in Ha Phuong and Huong Thuy's costume, as one is an elegant ao dai as if worn by rich, high-class people and the other is ao ba ba worn by farmers and such. Ha Phuong's and Huong Thuy's voice matches really well. It's one very nice performance.

16. Lien Khuc: Lam & Say--Duong Trieu Vu, Trinh Lam
I must say, this is a dissapointing performance from Duong Trieu Vu. He sounded stiff and it was hard making out the words that he was singing. Also, he had gained some weight and that made his performance the less enjoyable. Trinh Lam saved it. He did better than I expected. But once DTV came out and sing Say with Trinh Lam, he didn't do as bad as he did with the song Lam. I guess the other song was a bad selection for him. Also, they didn't attack notes at the same time which made it sound really unprofessional.

17. Ngay Em Di--Nguyen Hung
A very upbeat song that will wake you up if you're feeling a little sleepy being overdose with all the slow ballads and que huong songs. Nguyen Hung moved around a lot and I know he's a great dancer but all the moves are old and make it kinda boring to watch. Though I don't think there's another singer out there who can dance like that and sing just as good.

18. Cho Em Quen Tuoi Ngoc--Bach Yen, Tran Thu Ha
Bach Yen is nice to hear but is a pain to watch. Her hair looks weird and, let's admit it, she isn't that pretty. Her interview afterwards was rather bad as she was showing off. I don't like how she specifically mentioned the fact that she got half a song.
As for Tran Thu Ha, she sounded great as always, though nothing impressive.

19. LK Thien Dan Ai An, Chi Co Em, Tinh Van Chua Yen--Bao Han, Thuy Tien, Luong Tung Quang
The Medley 80 (performed by LTQ, TT, LB) was great but you couldn't expect the same thing for this song. The music arrangement was nowhere as good. Also, I think this trio could've been done much better if the 3 was together on the stage at the same time, singing the same song(s), instead of having each of them singing a different song on their own. Bao Han looked very sexy with the blond hair and showgirl outfit, while Thuy Tien looked very cute in the baby blue dress. LTQ looks adorable, but sleep-deprived as the dark circles that make up had failed to cover can clearly be seen around his eyes. Thuy Tien's dancing was a little bit awkward comparing to the other two.
This performance probably represents Lam Phuong's love story with the girl he met in Paris. It started out with two happy songs which tells you how wonderful and happy LP's life was once he found a new love. But it didn't last long. Their relationship ended and thus comes Tinh Van Chua Yen. I just love how Lam Phuong's songs all tell a story.
Overall, it's an interesting performance to watch, rather than to listen to.

20. Lien Khuc: Tram Nho Ngan Thuong & Tinh Bo Vo--Tran Thai Hoa, Ngoc Lien
Tran Thai Hoa & Ngoc Lien's voices matched pretty well. Her voice is very strong and his voice is very deep like usual. I think Tran Thai Hoa should've wear this shirt for the opening. It would've matched Quynh Vi's dress more than the yellow shirt. The reddish background made the settings more romantic and contributed well to the overall mood of the song.

21. Bai Tango Cho Em--Khanh Ly
I love the dancers. Even though because of them, I get distracted from the song, they were a great addition to the performance that made it a lot more interesting to watch. This is one of those songs that have a happier mood to it.

22. Mua Thu Yeu Duong--Quynh Vi & Huy Tam
The music arrangement sounded fresh but it was kinda off once the singing come in. It was fun and cute to see these two together on stage. From the song to the dance moves, these two really pulled off this song! Quynh Vi looks absolutely beautiful in her costume and new hair style. But I don't like Huy Tam's shirt, though it was a lot less boring than just the typical suit and shirt. Overall it was a very cute duet and nicely done by these two!

23. Cho Nguoi--Tran Thu Ha, Bang Kieu
Tran Thu Ha and Bang Kieu have lots of duets but this is not one of their best. I prefer a solo for this song. The beginning was very nice, though. I like how Tran Thu Ha started off with just the guitar playing in the background and then Bang Kieu with just the piano. It was when they started singing together that messes the song up for me. For some reason it just sounds off.

24. Minh Mat Nhau Bao Gio--Minh Tuyet
The first time I heard this I was not impressed with the music arrangement but after listening to it many times, I came to realize that the music is not important when it comes to Lam Phuong, it's his wonderful words that makes the song amazing. I admire Minh Tuyet's ability to explore other genres. For her to constantly grow and evolve is what an artist is supposed to do and this performance gives another side to this multi-faceted star. In this performance we see what we expect from her, a very sexy performance. Other than the continuity errors of her on and off missing earring, this was a very enjoyable performance to watch.

26. Mot Minh--Huong Giang
For a newcomer, Huong Giang delivered this song so beautifully and so well, though I wish it was sung in a more powerful tone. Still, she blew me away with the first line. It was another bold decision for Thuy Nga to let someone as inexperienced and young like Huong Giang to do the closing number with a song that contained so much emotions. The musical arrangement is very calming and simple in this number.
The MTV of Lam Phuong playing in the back is so touching and artistically filmed. In my opinion, the bird in a cage symbolizes Lam Phuong's life. He's trapped inside a cage. He can't do the things he loved anymore, or he can but with great difficulty. However, as the song ends, it doesn't leave me with pity but rather admiration for this great composer.