Yao Su Rong ("姚蘇蓉") is a Taiwanese singer and actress born on this day, 5 December, in 1946. Today she's still best-known for her 1969 hit recording of "今天不回家" ("Today I Won't Come Home"), the title track of a film of the same name. Her career was cut short at its peak by Kuomintang (KMT) … Continue reading Yao Su Rong (姚蘇蓉)
Category: Music
After the Go-Betweens — the Solo Albums of Grant McClennan and Robert Forster
On 25 March, music critic Ken Tucker reviewed the new solo album by Robert Forster on the NPR program, Fresh Air. In the review, Tucker said, "Along with his fellow songwriter Grant McLellan, Forster led the Go-Betweens starting in the 1990s." In one sentence, the Pulitzer Prize-winning critic managed to get a couple of things completely … Continue reading After the Go-Betweens — the Solo Albums of Grant McClennan and Robert Forster
Thiên Hương (aka “Tiny Yong”)
Thiên Hương -- better known as "Tiny Yong" is a French singer associated with the yé-yé scene of the 1950s and '60s. In fact, she was a pioneer on the scene, releasing yé-yé music before notable singers like France Gall and Jacqueline Taïeb. She was born Tôn Nữ Thị Thiên Hương on 8 February 1944 … Continue reading Thiên Hương (aka “Tiny Yong”)
The Music of Mr. Rogers
INTRODUCTION I started researching this piece a while ago. I've been a fan of Mr. Rogers's music since I was a young child. It turned out to be surprisingly difficult to write because just as the depth of Mr. Rogers's television program wasn't always appreciated, the brilliance of his music has largely been overlooked. You … Continue reading The Music of Mr. Rogers
Introduction to the Music of 王若琳/Joanna Wang for the Use of the English-Speaking World
JOANNA WANG Joanna Wang is one of my favorite contemporary songwriters, although that, in and of itself, was not enough to compel me to write this biography/discography/ timeline. For one, most of what I've been able to gather about Wang has been written in Chinese, whereas I think that the appeal of her music should extend … Continue reading Introduction to the Music of 王若琳/Joanna Wang for the Use of the English-Speaking World
Introduction to the Music of 라이너스의 담요/Linus’ Blanket & 연진/Yeongene for the Use of the English-Speaking World
I only discovered the music of Korean band-cum-solo project, Linus’ Blanket, a couple of years ago, through singer (and now sole member) Yeongene’s collaboration with BMX Bandits, of whom I’ve long been a fan. Sadly, BMX Bandits are barely known in the US -- and the same is true of Linus’ Blanket. However, whereas at least … Continue reading Introduction to the Music of 라이너스의 담요/Linus’ Blanket & 연진/Yeongene for the Use of the English-Speaking World
Remembering Tony Ogden & World of Twist
It's been ten years since the death of Tony Ogden (30 May 1962 - 26 July 2006). Tony Ogden at the final World of Twist performance, Camden Palace, 1992 (photo by David Titlow) Anthony William Ogden was born in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport (Greater Manchester) in 1962. He studied art and design at Stockport College in Greater Manchester. From 1977-1979, Ogden played … Continue reading Remembering Tony Ogden & World of Twist
Pan-Asian Metropolis — Asian Angeleno Musicians
A comprehensive playlist of the music of Los Angeles would have to include film scores, cool jazz, surf bands, frat rock, folk-rock, Sunset Strip psychedelia, Chicano soul, country rock, hardcore punk, Paisley Underground, hair metal, gangsta rap, and G-funk. Lists of performers and bands associated with Los Angeles invariably include plenty rock groups, soul singers, and rappers. Inevitably, most are … Continue reading Pan-Asian Metropolis — Asian Angeleno Musicians
Saturday Night Yellow Fever
Although the title of this piece might suggest a playlist for Asian fetishists, it's intended to be more of a selection of songs which I think reveal something deeper or at least more interesting about changing attitudes toward Asia and Asians in the mainstream Western collective consciousness. Thus there is no "Big in Japan" or "Turning Japanese," … Continue reading Saturday Night Yellow Fever
David McComb and The Triffids
The late David Richard McComb, best known as lead singer and songwriter in The Triffids, was born 54 years ago today on 17 February 1962. His parents were plastic surgeon Harold McComb and geneticist Athel Hockey. The couple had five boys and lived in an historic home, The Cliffe, in the affluent Peppermint Grove suburb of Perth, Australia. David McComb … Continue reading David McComb and The Triffids
Eric Brightwell 