In an intimate setting at Trinity St. Paul’s church in Toronto, Ontario, Thu Phuong intoxicated me. Accompanied by the young Canadian jazz band, she sang her heart out on autumn-themed ballads like Doan Chuan and Tu Linh’s “La Do Muon Chieu,” Pham Trong Cau’s “Em Ra Di Mua Thu,” Trinh Cong Son’s “Doan Khuc Mua Thu Ha Noi,” Phu Quang’s “Dau Phai Boi Mua Thu” and Pham Duy’s “Mua Thu Chet.” All tunes arranged in slow tempo except for one swing and one bossa nova.

The small group of audience (around 200) not only escalated her passion and enthusiasm, but also allows room for close interaction, and she sure knew how to work the listeners. I drove eight hours to see her and she didn’t disappoint me. After loving her Trinh Cong Son songbook (Nhu Mot Loi Chia Tay) and the autumn concept of Em Ra Di Mua Thu, I have wanted to hear her rendition of Trinh Cong Son’s “Nho Mua Thu Ha Noi.” My desire was fulfilled when I approached her and made a personal request during intermission. She performed the song the way I had imagined: powerful and personal.

Thu Phuong ended the night with a snippet of “Bang Bang,” her most popular hit America, in a cappella. As she sang, “Dem nay, em se khong bao gio quen” (“This night, I will never forget”), the audience responded in the same sentiment with loud applause in standing ovation. Many thanks to Thu Phuong, lady sings the fall, for an indelible evening of intimate, intoxicating autumn.

Update: A set of the concert photos (much better quality than mine) from photographer Phuc Pham.

John Coltrane ripped the shit out of his horn. He had the meanest way of breaking down the chords and he played like a man on fire bursting with adrenaline rushes. Again, not recommended for casual listeners with the exception of Jimmy Garrison’s arresting bass solo in “Introduction to My Favorite Things.”

I am not ashame to admit that I am totally gay for Thuy Vu’s Thang Sau Troi Mua. He has such a marvelous tenor of a voice. His cello-like tone gets me every song. In particular is Trinh Cong Son’s “Diem Xua” where he holds the long notes in “Mua van hay mua cho doi bien dong…” and “Xin hay cho mua qua mien dat rong…” It’s so hypnotizing. This album has been my companion on the road. Viet Anh’s “Khong Con Mua Thu” cuts through the autumn’s misty morning and Trinh Cong Son’s “Dem Thay Ta La Thac Do” cuts through the night’s pathos. I have never been hooked on a ballad-covered album this long.

Peculiarly funny customs and behavoirs of Vietnamese culture brought to you by TTBlue.

Bugatti Veyron 16.4 only cost $1,192,057.00. Not so bad!

Blender’s The 40 Worst Lyricists In Rock includes Common at 36 and Sting on the number 1 spot.

Beautiful portfolio of Ekaterina Erschowa

If you purchase Amazon MP3 via the blue box on the left column of this site I will get 20% in referral fees. Thanks in advance for hooking me up.

NPR profiles the multi-instrumentalist Buddy Collette:

William Marcel Collette was born on Aug. 8, 1921, in the Watts district of Los Angeles. Along with saxophonist Dexter Gordon, bassist Charles Mingus and drummer Chico Hamilton, he helped keep jazz alive in the city’s historic Central Avenue neighborhood. Buddy also played an important role in the development of the cool jazz movement.

Listen to the entire program here.

I’ve been following Ngo Thanh Van’s 360 on and off for the past few months. I like some of her personal thoughts.