Before heading off to the shore (Wildwood, New Jersey), I leave you guys with Duc Tuan’s outstanding rendition of “Hoi Trung Duong” from his classic Pham Dinh Chuong songbook for you to enjoy while I am gone. Not sure if you’ll miss me, but I am sure the magnificent orchestration and Duc Tuan’s soulful, powerful vocals will keep you entertain for the rest of the week. Love his Hue accents:

Miền Trung vọng tiếng
Em xinh em bé tên là Hương Giang
Đêm đêm khua ánh trăng vàng mà than
Hò ơi, phiên Đông Ba buồn qua cửa chợ
Bến Vân Lâu thuyền vó đơm sâu.
Hỡi hò, hỡi hò, Quê hương em nghèo lắm ai ơ
Mùa đông thiếu áo hè thời thiếu ăn.
Trời rằng, trời hành cơn lụt mỗi năm à ơi,
Khiến đau thương thấm tràn, ngập Thuận An
Để lan biển khơi, ơi hò ơi hò.

I am outta here!

Perhaps the highlights of Iron Man aren’t just the humanized arpeggios from Eric Dolphy’s saxophone on the groovy title track, “Mandrake” and “Burning Spear,” but the funereal tempo on “Come Sunday” and “Ode to C.P.” Dolphy’s flute floats like a soaring eagle over Richard Davis’ pizzicato bass in a tribute to Charlie Parker. Unlike Bird, Dolphy was not a junkie. Like Bird, his death, which caused by diabetes attack, at a young age (36) shocked the world of jazz.

Nice poster for your bathroom wall.

Techie Buzz’s WordPress Automatic Upgrade plugin backs up your files and database, puts your site on maintenance mode, and then upgrades your site automatically in less than five minutes. Tested it on iLoveNgocLan.com and it worked like a charm. Highly recommended if you’re running WordPress for your blog.

Remix of Kanye West’s “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” with Young Jeezy.

Beyonce flew off the steps (cue in at 00:20), but got back up and rocked the show.

Breaking up types from English into Chinese into graphic.

Mary Lou Williams’ profile on NPR:

A swinging, percussive player, Williams was a major force in the development of Kansas City swing in the 30s, deeply involved in the bebop revolution of the 40s, and had a great influence on pianists Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk. Whether working with big bands or with her own small groups, Williams’ music was always adventurous and she was an innovator, not afraid to stretch out and try new things.

Make sure to tune into the program.

Honey, can I get a Fat Bastard?

While MC Qiangqiang got the Hammer groove on, his mama was just knitting in the background.