Stay Focused!

Been pimping Young Jeezy’s The Inspiration in my ride lately. Love the little adlib in the begining of “You Know What It Is.” I am definitely feeling this part: “Everybody fucks wit’ you cause of what you do my nigga / What you say, what you speak on these motherfuckin’ beats nigga / Only thing I can motherfuckin’ tell you on some real G shit / Is to stay focused and let these niggaz know you still the… [realest nigga alive].”

Words Fail Me

While in Panama, this guy was bitten by a mosquito that was host to Bot Fly eggs. The eggs subsequently hatched under his skin.

The Pickup Album

Tuan Ngoc sings Tu Cong Phung songbook is a real treasure. It’s the best twelve dollars I had spent on an album. Beside the top-notch quality, such as singer’s vocals, musician’s arrangements, and writer’s lyrics, this rare gem could help you win a woman’s heart. Try to play this CD on a date. You don’t even have to say a word. Let the romantic voice of the charming man does all the talking for you. Really, who could resist Tuan Ngoc’s singing? He could reach beyond octaves and soar like a man who gives all his heart and soul to his lover. Take the title track, “Giot Le Cho Ngan Sau,” for example. At 4:40 minutes into the song, he takes off on the bridge, “Mot doi toi te tai…,” and just when you expect him to let his vocals evaporate into the air, he persists into the next passage, “Lang nghe muon cung sau hat xuong doi…,” without catching a breath. Even I could feel that shit, and I ain’t gay. Well, maybe not everyone could feel that shit, but if she (and her mom) hate “The master of closing his eyes and sings blindingly,” you don’t want her anyway. Drop her off, bye!

Tu Cong Phung’s Tinh Tu Mua Xuan

Em, lai day voi anh
Ngoi day voi anh
Trong cuoc doi nay
Nghe thoi gian luot qua
Mua xuan khe sang
Chung nhu khong gian dang suoi am nhung giot tinh nong.

This song goes out to the one who reminds me to buckle up when I drive, shows me direction when I got lost, pulls me back when I stepped over the line, showers me with plenty of music, puts up with all my jazz and rap, dares to criticize my music taste, above all, gives me this space to say whatever I like, and never judges me for whatever I write. I am grateful for that.

Who is she? Again, just my very own imagination. In reality, who would want to be with this foul-mouthed motherfucker? I should learn a thing or two from my man Tuan Ngoc. Maybe when I get to his age, but not right now. Still appreciate how he could take Tu Cong Phung’s simple lyrics and fly with them. Of course, Duy Cuong’s skillful arrangement plays no small role in Tuan Ngoc’s performance.

Thanks man!

I sure appreciate this. Got something for ya. Coleman Hawkin’s stunning live rendition of “Lady Be Good.” Gotta love his guttural tone on the tenor, and that fast, sleek vibrato too. I am still an old school when it comes to jazz.

Big shout out to Joseph, too. Thanks to you, I am still listening to Christmas classics (with a bit of spice in them).

Pham Duy Still Got the Pimp Juice?

Not sure if the rumor is true that the respected Pham Duy had married a hot chick who is young enough to be his granddaughter, but his song, “Thien Duyen Tinh Mong,” is mad juicy: “Em cuon chan anh, anh gac chan em, ta khoa nhau tren giuong tinh / Anh uon lung cong, em uon lung ong, cho set am duong… no tung.” Fuck Justin Timberlake, PD’s bringing sexy back.