The little kid, Nguyen Huy, is too much for me. He is definitely talented but Bien Nho production has turned him into a little pimp. It’s not the appropriate direction for a kid at such an early age. He has made quite a controversial in Viet Nam and I have to agree with the protesters. His image is improper and his voice is annoying the heck out of me, especially that “Melao” song.

My most favorite performance from the video goes out Ha Vy and Huy Vu in “Chi Le Cha Cha Cha.” The video is so much fun. Ha Vy is so fly and I love her outfits. She looks so damn hot and sexy. I actually prefer her performance in pop instead of country. Her country style performance in “Dinh Menh Buon” is too dreadful; however, her duet with Truong Vu in “Lien Khuc Trom Nhin Nhau” is quite cute. The storyline is nice. Ha Vy and the little kid are adorable. I probably can play the daddy’s part better than Truong Vu.

My Tam and Dam Vinh Hung give a fantastic performance in “Lien Khuc Tinh Yeu Con Dau.” It’s a compilation of their top hits. My favorite one is the duet of “Tinh Yeu Con Dau.” My Tam does a great backup job and she certainly has the charisma for the camera. Unfortunately, Dam Vinh Hung has no rhythms. He can sing – his performance in “Giay Phut Chia Xa” is mesmerizing – but he can’t dance at all.

Thanh Truc is striking as always in term of her appearance but her singing in “Ve Chon Thien Duong” is still weak comparing to My Tam. Thanh Ha couldn’t come close to Ngoc Lan in expressing the emotional lyrics in “Nha Trang Ngay Ve.” Dong Dao gives me an impression of Nhu Quynh in “Chuyen Tinh Hoa Tigon.” Why the hell does she wear clear heels with the traditional dress (ao dai)? The traditional dress doesn’t go with whore’s uniform. Quang Dung and Thanh Thao look cute together in “Ao Anh.” Linh Tuan and Thanh Huyen did an implausible job in “Tan Co: Han Mac Tu.” Linh Tuan has some nice vocals.

Bien Nho 3: Di Tim Ky Niem is much better than the first and second video even though they are still featuring the useless Vietnamese models and a whole bunch of wack ass MCs. Actually some of the wacky jokes are somewhat funny. They still do those lame introductions, which have nothing to do with the songs.

This is not a comparison and definitely not a competition but a gratitude to the two remarkable Vietnamese artists who have brought some sounds and colors into my unexciting life. Their performances on Ngo Thuy Mien’s Tinh Khuc Buon are indescribable; you just have to experience them yourself. While Ngoc Lan effortlessly brings the natural beauty to the work of art, Don Ho soulfully breathes life into the aesthetic experience.

Ngo Thuy Mien must be extremely proud to witness these two artists expressed his lyrics to the highest level. Every single word they articulated cuts straight to the heart, especially “buon” (sad). Don Ho respires the word “buon” as if the winds blow out its sadness quality. On the other hand, Ngoc Lan exhales the melancholy out of the word.

If you think I am exaggerating, here is Don Ho’s Tinh Khuc Buon and Ngoc Lan’s Tinh Khuc Buon. Go ahead and enjoy them but keep in mind, this is not a competition. I would love to hear your comments but do me a big favor, do not compare. Feel free to disagree with me. You can tell me I am full of shit or I am way too obsessed but do not slam the artists, blame the fool who wrote this post. This is what happens when you have no cable TV or Internet connection at home but tons of CDs to listen to.

Congratulations! I was able to get through the four hours long Van Son in Little Saigon without hitting the “Skip” button. Van Son does a great job on this one. Although the comedies are not outstanding, they are laughable. All the performances are good and some are terrific. Viet Thao is implausible in hosting the show and narrating the Little Saigon’s documentary. It is an enjoyable video overall.

Here are some highlights of the show. Tuan Ngoc gives an extraordinary performance on “Han Doi,” a new song by Huynh Nhat Tan. His vocals are indelible and he is definitely the Vietnamese Frank Sinatra. Cat Tien is once again slick and sexy with her steps in “Yeu Mai Khong.” She still needs to work on her vocals but her performance is on the mark and that killer smile is irresistible. Nguyen Thang gives a mesmerizing performance on “Vi Sao Khong Noi.” The remix of Chineses melody is creative and innovative because he gives it a nice touch with R&B flavor. Nguyen Khang is not bad but he sounds too much like Quang Dung. Nevertheless, he blends in nicely with the other three members of V-Pop group.

Of course, there are some lowlights of the show as well. Truong Vu really depresses me. He drags the life out of the words. You must have to have a horrific life to listen to his songs. Minh Tri has no soul in “When I Left You That Day,” which he uses Thailand’s melody. His lyrics go something like this, “You are all that I need/and I’m missing you/but we won’t meet again.” How much cheesier can you get than that? His wife, Viet Thi, is a hoochie girl instead of a “Naughty Girl” in her performance. What is up with that whore dresses? Speaking of whores, are clear hats (non la), which the dancers wear in the beginning of the video, the new Vietnamese whores’ uniform? Since clear heels are the new American hoes’ uniform, I guess clear hats are the new Vietnamese hoes’ uniform as well. I am just kidding.

Even with some not so great performances mentioned above, the over all satisfaction makes up for it. Van Son 27 is entertaining with enjoyable comedies, many great performances, and well-done Little Saigon’s documentary. Why go all the way to Viet Nam for authentic foods when you can find them all at Little Saigon. I thought only Cafe shops in Viet Nam served by hot chics until they showed Cafe De Thuong in Little Saigon. It’s the Hooters version of cafe shop. I have to go to Cali one of these days, for authentic foods only.

Oh! I forgot to mention, the lip-syncs have to go. It is so damn obvious.

Even though Don Ho has a distinctive voice (one and only), he never sounds awkward when performing with a partner. His greatest strength is that he never overshadows his partners but brings out the aesthetic qualities in them. I truly admired this eminence of his and there is no one can come close to him on it. Even Dam Vinh Hung can’t blend in seamlessly like Don Ho because Dam Vinh Hung always dominated his partner. On the other hand, Don Ho knows exactly when to lower his voice to let his partner shines and when to pick up where his partner leaves off. If Don Ho understands women in real life as he does in singing, he would be the perfect soul mate. By the way, I am talking about the Vietnamese Don Ho, not the Hawaiian Don Ho.

10. Mot Thuo Yeu Nguoi – Don Ho & Chau Ngoc
Here is an example where Don Ho brings out Chau Ngoc’s voice and not overshadowing her. When they both sing at the same time, he switches his vocals constantly to mesh with Chau Ngoc. He does it so smoothly that you don’t even notice the changes in his tone.

09. Mong Ao – Don Ho & Dalena
This is a beautiful piece of composition. Both Don Ho and Dalena do an exceptional humming tune to create a soothing illusion. These two are creative, talented and they are not afraid to experiment with their voices. Together with the dramatic musical score, they have brought a fantasy world to the song with their ingenious vocals.

08. Chieu Mot Minh Qua Pho – Don Ho & Lam Thuy Van
This version of Chieu Mot Minh Qua Pho is quite unique. I don’t think anyone had done a duet on this song before. Obviously Chieu Mot Minh Qua Pho (strolling alone in town in an evening) has do be done alone. You can’t stroll alone with two people. But hey! Don Ho and Lam Thuy Van do an implausible performance and their voices are convincible.

07. Thuyen Tinh Tren Song – Don Ho & Ngoc Hue
Beautiful Chinese melody with delightful Vietnamese lyrics. Although there are tons of translated versions, Thuyen Tinh Tren Song is the most romantic one because of the exotic lyrics and the striking duet from Ngoc Hue and Don Ho. Ngoc Hue’s cracked-voiced mantra works so well with Don Ho’s smoky vocals. Pay close attention the adlib at the end; you’ll notice how they switch back and forth backing up (giong be) each other’s lines. It’s just tantalizing.

06. Together – Don Ho & Dalena
Just listen to the way Don Ho skillfully exhales the word “together…” in English and “em yeu…” in Vietnamese. It’s just breathtaking and I love the beautiful English translation by Dalena, “Every season must fades with a passing of time. Time can never fade love like yours and mine.” Both Dalena and Don Ho are artistically creative so when the two come together, they have created a beautiful harmony.

05. Trai Tim Khong Ngu Yen – Don Ho & Nhu Quynh
The upbeat makes this version of Trai Tim Khong Ngu Yen stands out from the rest. Even though the beat is a bit fast, Don Ho and Nhu Quynh are capable of maintaining the elegant elements of the lyrics. The duet breaks away from Nhu Quynh’s usual horrific style and gives her a new dimension. Thanks to the incredible Don Ho.

04. Bay Gio Con Yeu – Don Ho & Lam Thuy Van
What a beautiful Chinese melody. The keyboard is compelling and the voices are mesmerizing. Lam Thuy Van does a wonderful job of supporting Don Ho in the background during the hooks. Every successful man has a great woman behind him. Lam Thuy Van is the great woman behind this successful performance.

03. Ban Tinh Cuoi – Don Ho & Diem Lien
Even the infamous Huong Lan and Thai Chau cannot bring out the aesthetic experience like Don Ho and Diem Lien can. Don Ho amazes me how he could pull off the high note, “tinh la dang…” then lets go, “cay…” with a long breath. The beat kicks in and Diem Lien skillfully backs him up so he could restore his breath. I would never thought Diem Lien and Don Ho could sound so well together if they never done this song.

02. Nhung Loi Me Hoac – Don Ho & Ngoc Lan
Actually Ngoc Lan doesn’t sing in this one but her dialogue is extremely seductive. Even though Don Ho gives a soulful performance, the song wouldn’t be complete without Ngoc Lan. It’s so creative how they go back and forth in a conversation between a man who lost trust in his girl and she keeps on trying to fool him. With Ngoc Lan’s sweet and sexy voice, it is hard not to be seduced and Don Ho does a great job of conveying the hurtful feelings that a man goes through when his girl lies to him.

01. Co Ua – Don Ho & Lam Thuy Van
With Lam Thuy Van’s high pitch and Don Ho’s low timbre, they have created an opposite attraction. I am quite surprise how the mixture works so well. They do an excellent job of complimenting each other like a perfect couple. They take turn to be dominant and submissive. Combining both beautiful voices with Asia’s crystal clear musical arrangement, this version of Co Ua is unbeatable. I haven’t heard anything close to it.

There you have it. Don Ho’s top ten duets. The singer I would like Don Ho to duet with is My Tam. Her voice is so powerful and clear and she hasn’t been able to find a perfect match. Even Dam Vinh Hung clashes with My Tam because their voices competing with one another instead of integrating. Dam Vinh Hung does not have the back up singing skills that Don Ho has. Don Ho must have picked up these invaluable skills from singing in the choir when he was in high school. See! You never know when your skills set will pay off.

Although Trinh Cong Son had written Dem Thay Ta La Thac Do a long time ago, I was only introduced to it by My Tam a couple of months back. I love the way My Tam performs the song but now Ngoc Lan gives me a whole new perspective when I listen to her version.

Have been listening to other songs by Trinh Cong Son, I suspect Ngoc Lan stays closer to Trinh Cong Son’s intension than My Tam. Ngoc Lan takes the simpler approach and her soft and elegant vocals conveyed the waterfall sounds (thac do). In contrast, My Tam takes full advantage of her strong and clear vocals to produced a brand new flavor. The result is quite interesting because the song now has that heavy Pop/R&B vibe to it, which is perfect for the younger audience. I was instantly hooked the first time I heard it from My Tam because of the way she has emotionally built up the words. But now, Ngoc Lan has smoothed it the song with the way she breathes out the words.

I get two totally different experiences from these two artists. Although, Ngoc Lan and My Tam are from two different generations, both are unique and creative. I like them both but I want to know what is your take on this. Now, if you’re either a fan of Ngoc Lan or My Tam or both, I need to step out of that for a minute and focus on this song only. Don’t let “the one you like” mentality interferes with the aesthetic experience. Listen to the song and pretend you never heard of My Tam or Ngoc Lan before. I know it’s hard to do but that’s the only way to truly separate the work of art by itself. With all that said, here is Ngoc Lan’s Dem Thay Ta La Thac Do and here is My Tam’s Dem Thay Ta La Thac Do. Enjoy!

Da Lan’s Cuoc Kho Nan Cho Nguoi Viet Nam is the most lifeless video I have ever seen. The musical producers and the performers fail miserably to deliver the songs. The music is soulless. The set design is way too amateur and the dancers are unprofessional. Da Lan probably heard enough bad things about MCs; therefore, they ditched that idea. What they replaced with is a guy who walks us through the video (we only see his feet) with two lines of poem introducing each video. That idea is even worse than having a MC. While Da Lan’s first video Trieu Doa Hoa Hong Cho Nguoi Viet Nam sets them apart and raised the bar, this one drops them way down the gutter.

The special interview with the hoes in Ha Noi, North Viet Nam is tasteless. The interviewer’s voice is annoying as hell. I am so tired of hearing the hoes’ myth, “I am a prostitute because of family situation.” If you want to sell yourself, don’t blame your family. If I was ill and don’t have enough money for medications, I rather die and go to hell than letting my daughter selling her pussy for my treatment. You blamed the bastards for ruined your lives. That’s bullshit! You are ruined your own life. If you don’t offer sex, the bastards can’t buy it from you. Life is hard and there is no short cut. Only that kind of occupations will bring you money fast so you can afford that new Nokia cell phone, Dreams Honda moped, and Gucci dress. So just be honest about it. You choose that route because you want to and no one puts a gun to your head and make you do it. I remember watching HBO special about the same issue but the American hoes are honest about it. That’s the way they choose to live. They make good money and they are proud of what they do. They even have the courage to show their faces on the interview. With Da Lan’s special interview, they covered up their faces with their hair. What is up with that?

There is a gruesome scene in the video where a man is tied up on the cross with a communist pointed a gun to his head. Is that scene necessary? There are kids watching these videos too and their parents want them to learn about Vietnamese culture and the music, not a violent act like that. This video is terrible. It’s not worth your money and definitely not worth your time. Skip it and save your money for real productions like Asia and Tinh.

Although 1982-1991 Ngoc Lan Asia only contains a portion of Ngoc Lan’s work (34 out of 800-something songs), it definitely proves that Ngoc Lan was one of the most natural artist of her time. This special collection is not only a memory of one of the greatest Vietnamese singer of all time but it also showcases Ngoc Lan’s talents of performing several languages including: Vietnamese, French, English, and Chinese (Cung La Buon).

Ngoc Lan’s vocals are indelible and Asia production had done a great job of allowing that beautiful voice shines through in every song. Xin Thoi Gian Qua Mau and Rung La Thay Chua are my favorites because Ngoc Lan chose simple over flamboyant and she was able to captured the aesthetic qualities of each song. In tracks like Khuc Thuy Du, Tieng Ca Dem, Nhung Kiep Hoa Xuan, etc., she never held a note too long, which made the songs enchanting and pleasing to enjoy. Although I don’t speak French fluently, I could feel the way she delightfully released the words in Nang Da Tat, Chuyen Tinh Yeu, Tinh Yeu, etc. It’s simply an amazing experience. If you’re into ballroom dancing like me, you’ll appreciate tracks like Mua He Vo Tan (Bebop), Loi Tinh Ai (Tango), Khuc Luan Vu Ngay Mua (Valse). With Ngoc Lan’s mesmerizing vocals and Asia’s elegant beats, my feet get real itchy when I emerge into these songs. I might not be as good as Nguyen Hung in ballroom dancing but I can break it down like James Brown.

With Asia’s superior musical arrangements and Ngoc Lan’s God-sent vocals, this 3 CDs special collection is priceless. If you’re a fan of Ngoc Lan and you don’t have this collection, shame on you. I was ashamed of myself for waiting too long to purchase these CDs. It’s not my fault that I didn’t know about it. Asia should have marketed more effectively. It’s a timeless work of art and I am sure this collection lives on just like Ngoc Lan’s legacy will remain forever in our hearts.

Let’s get something clear up front. The list below is based solely on my personal taste and I am not claiming to be the hip-hop expert. What you see here is my love and my knowledge of hip-hop. These works of art have inspired me, opened up my eyes, changed my world, or simply got me hooked on hip-hop. I find these albums to be creative, innovative, rule breaking, and history making. I hope you will enjoy the list as much as I do.

10. Danger Mouse – The Grey Album
Although it is an underground joint, Danger Mouse’s Grey Album is an innovative work of art. The blend between Jay-Z’s flows and Beatles’ beats is flawless. The seamless integrations not only bring out the aesthetic qualities from both genre but together they have also created one of the most amazing and engaging aesthetic experience. Danger Mouse makes history with the Grey Album.

09. DMX – It’s Dark and Hell is Hot
If you ain’t barkin’, you ain’t feelin’ Dark Man X. Not only his barkin’ is hot, his vocal is on fire as well. From the hardcore “Ruff Rider Anthems,” “Fuckin’ Wit D,” Get at Me Dog” to the sentimental “The Convo,” “How It Goin’ Down” to the devil “Damien,” the album is surely dark and hot as hell.

08. Snoop Doggy Dogg – Doggystyle
Snoop’s Doggystyle invites you to the gangster party with “Gin and Juice,” “Tha Shiznit,” and “Doggy Dog World.” His ill rhymes combine with Dre bomb ass beats make you want to lay back and enjoy the party.

07. Kanye West – The College Dropout
It’s 2004 and Kanye is not afraid to take hip-hop back to the basic. It’s about blazin’ beats and delightful lyrics. West’s College Dropout is positive, innovative, and definitely hip-hop.

06. Eminem – Slim Shady LP
Oppose from Jay-Z who always brag about himself, Em finds his way into hip-hop as he describes himself in “Brain Damage” as, “A corny lookin’ white boy, scrawny and always ornery / ’cause I was always sick of brawny bullies pickin’ on me.” Em’s lyrical skill is undeniably wicked and his work is disturbing but astounding, especially in “Guilty Conscience.” He is an innovative rapper and always pushes himself to the limit. My only hope is that he would stop singing.

05. Notorious BIG – Ready to Die
“A chubby nigga on the scene.” Biggie’s Ready to Die proves that you don’t have to have a perfect body to be in the game. Hip-hop is all about skills. The 300-some-pounds sounds sexy as hell in “Big Poppa” and “One More Chance.” “Juicy” is still lyrically untouchable. The rhymes are simple but elegant and Biggie flows them smoothly to the beats. That’s the way Biggie rhymes – On “Suicidal Thoughts,” “When I die, fuck it, I wanna go to hell / ’cause I’m a piece of shit, it ain’t hard to fuckin’ tell.” – clear, concise, and powerful.

04. Jay-Z – Reasonable Doubt
Jay shows me the meaning of attitude and confidant. Evidently, his success is based on these two words. Even on his debut album, he already brags about his status but I have to give it to him. He lives up to it. On Reasonable Doubt, he makes sure every verse clearly states that you “Can’t Knock a Hustle:” “All us blacks got is sports and entertainment, until we even / Thievin’, as long as I’m breathin’ / Can’t knock the way a nigga eatin’, fuck you even.” Wish I had a quarter of his attitude and confidant.

03. Nas – Illmatic
Obviously hip-hop is a form of poetry but I never perceived at it that way until Nas made me look. His writing is amazing. On “One Love” he spits, “Shorty’s laugh was only cold-blooded as he spoke so foul / Only twelve trying to tell me that he liked my style / Then I rose, wiping the blunt’s ash from my clothes / Then froze, only to blow the herb smoke through my nose.” Nas’s Illmatic is aesthetically unreachable. He brings life to his words, “I never sleep, ’cause sleep is the cousin of death.”

02. Tupac – All Eyez on Me
“Out on bail, fresh out of jail,” 2pac is rugged and raw. When he screams MOB (money over bitches), you better believe it. His outlaw charisma lingers on throughout the entire album from “No More Pain” to “Only God Can Judge Me.” Even when he goes emotional on “I Ain’t Mad At Ya” and “Life Goes On,” there is still a little bit of thugs in him. Pac is on fire and you can feel the anger in his voice. Even when he laughs, the madness is still in him. Thanks to Pac, I began to admire battling lyrics and it opened up a whole new world of hip-hop.

01. Wu-Tang Clan – Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
The first time I heard, “Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing ta Fuck Wit,” my eyes wide opened. It was the truest form of expression I ever heard. The entire album opened up the new world of music for me. From “CREAM” to “Tears,” Wu-Tang tells the realest stories of life. I began to listen to the lyrics carefully and the album is filled with aesthetic qualities.

After Quang Dung cancelled his performance on the same day as Quach Thanh Danh and demanded the 2 Bee club coordinator to take down Quach Thanh Danh’s ad, I stop listening to his music and stop buying his CD’s. In contrast, I picked up Quach Thanh Danh’s Toi La Toi and totally impressed. Although he is new, his vocal is quite matured. His timbre is along the line of Jimmy JC Nguyen and Vu Khanh mix together.

Quach Thanh Danh’s style is definitely slow and romantic. “Em Khoang Trong Va Toi” is modestly beautiful and he does a great job of expressing the sad emotion. “Duong Phuong Mot Cuoc Tinh” is nice and simple. “Xin Ru Muon Mang” is excellent too. It sounds like Trinh Cong Son’s music but I am not too sure.

The album (released by Buom Dem Music Volume 20) features 17 tracks I have never heard before. Tinh Vu Vo is the only one that I could recognize the melody. Actually, it’s similar to Ngoc Lan’s Ngay Vui Nam Ay. Of course, Ngoc Lan performance is indelible but it gives me an idea where Quach Thanh Danh stands. The overall album is not bad at all. He definitely has potential.

Obviously, bad scandals had helped boost Quach Thanh Danh’s popularity. First, his album got pulled and his live show was cancelled just because of the pose where he shows a bit of his brief. Too muscular for the Vietnamese government, how bullshit is that? Click here to see the photo. It’s nothing like Mark Wahlberg in CK underwear ads. Then Quang Dung was being stuck up and requested to pull down Quach Thanh Danh’s ad. Well, these negative scandals only make him well known to the public. Quach Thanh Danh, good luck and I’ll give you my supports so don’t let me down on your next album.

It takes me quite a long time to fully appreciate Norah Jones’ aesthetic work of art. Her Feels Like Home album takes my breath away as I head home last Friday evening. The best time for me to totally enjoy music is when I am on the road. So when I hit the freeway at 80 miles per hour, I just let the music takes over me. Inspired by the second album, I had to drop by the record store to pick up her first album Come Away With Me before driving back to Poughkeepsie. It surely made the trip much pleasurable and quicker. Now I am enjoying both albums back to back.

Of course, Jones’ exquisite vocal is the key ingredient that I am hooked on; however, the elegant musical elements (drums, bass, piano, guitar, and violin) truly enhanced the aesthetic experience. These simple yet graceful instruments meshed perfectly with Jones’ lovely voice to produced beautiful compositions. The sound engineering is flawlessly balanced that not one of the musical elements overshadows the others and together they have created an exceptional experience. Each time I listen her albums, I tend to separate each element to enjoy its individual aesthetic qualities. For instance, one time I dedicate my attention only to her voice and the lyrics while other time I simply focus mainly on her piano, the acoustic guitar, or the beats.

While both Come Away With Me and Feels Like Home are enjoyable, each album stands out independently. Come Away With Me has that slow and jazzy sense whilst Feels Like Home has that country and uplifting mode. Creepin’ In just makes me want to do Ho-down. My favorite track from Come Away With Me album is I’ve Got To See You Again and What Am I to You? from Feels Like Home. Of course, other songs are beautiful as well but those two stands out the most for me.