Today’s lunch special at Vassar is decent. The Seafood Giambot is taken from the New York Times’ recipe.

Just finished updating the Studio Gallery site. Some of the new artworks from the faculties are worth checking out.

I like:

The color and the delicacy of Harry Roseman’s “Mandarin Orange.”

The minimalism of Laura Newman’s “Air.”

The jazzy feel of Peter Charlap’s “Frieze.”

The flow of Gina Ruggeri’s “Rock and Puddles.”

Spring snow. Unbelievable!

Ngoc Lan’s voice is magical on “Mua He Tuyet Roi (Nue Comme la Mer).”

Very nice jazzy and swingy performance by Ho Quynh Huong on “Toi Tim Thay Toi.” It’s the best track on her second album Ngay Diu Dang.

Rotisseris Broach is pretty weird. I am still clicking on it.

Don Ho not only has a singer’s ear but also a designer’s eye. From CD covers to booklets to posters, he is one of a few Vietnamese musicians who create all of the graphics design work. Now that he has finished studying computer animation, I won’t be too surprise to see his self-produced music video and website. Since Don is involved in every step of making his album, it only makes sense for him to launch his own recording company. After a long hiatus, even missing in action from Paris By Night stage, he is back with Don Ho production’s debut Con Nghe Tieng Goi (Still Hear Your Calling) to give his patiently awaiting fans a few surprises.

Don Ho’s distinctive vocals have always been his forte, but his personality, which gives soul to his performance, is his secret weapon. To say that he has “soul” would be an understatement; he is soul personified. Don’s charm and enthusiasm shine through on Dieu Huong’s “Van Con Yeu” (Still In Love), a cinema scope tune full of emotional detail. His slightly raspy voice adds an enlivening hint of smokiness to Huong’s ballad while the saxophone adds an intoxicating riff to Dong Son’s arrangement. The title track “Con Nghe Tieng Goi” (Still Hear Your Calling), which comes from Dieu Huong’s pen, is an astonishing and refreshing pop meets jazz permutation, and Don’s vocals blend into the chord as effortlessly as breathing. Don should sings more jazz-inflected grooves. His smoky but silky voice is perfect for capturing the sexiness of jazz aesthetics.

“Dem” (Night), music composed by Dong Son and lyrics written by Dong Son and Minh Chau, demonstrates Don’s performance over the years, which has become increasingly thoughtful and textured. He interposes tremendous soul and warmth into the work that one can hear in the details, and his bends and slides are honestly delivered. Besides the mellow tracks, Don stays loyal to his young fans by providing some bouncy tunes including Sy Dan’s “Con Tim Mu Loa” (A Blinded Heart), and by his skillful interpretation of covering catchy translated songs such as Nhat Ngan’s “Mong Mo Xa Roi” (Faded Dream).

The most surprising song on the record is the sweet duo performance between Don Ho and the little girl Lan Anh on Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World.” Lan Anh’s young and adorable voice gives Don a rejuvenating sound, and together they complement each other having a wondrous time, weaving in and out of the sax harmony. What a wonderful world!

Con Nghe Tieng Goi marks a strong new beginning for Don Ho as he embarks on his solo career path. Now that he has his own production company, the creative freedom is interminable. While his fans should not miss this stellar effort, I am looking forward to what he will have lined up next.

Beside Ru Doi Di Nhe, Tu Su, Ru Mai Ngan Nam, and the most recent Nang Len, the 2001 released May Trang Bay Ve is another groundbreaking work from the Vietnamese diva Thanh Lam who is a formidable musician with a strong and profound voice. Although she has never been a gentle singer (at least in my mind), this record featured a handful of soothing tracks that requires Lam to melt stylistically. Nonetheless, those who love her powerful voice can reassured that they are not left out.

When Duong Thu contemporary folk melodies meet Quoc Trung’s new world grooves, and bridge the two together by Thanh Lam’s passionate vocals, the result is a barrier-tearing sound that can be found on the title track “May Trang Bay Ve,” as well as “Loi Toi Ru,” “Danh Thuc Tam Xuan,” and “Bay Vao Ngay Xanh.” Aside from Duong Thu’s compositions, Pho Duoc Phuong’s “Ho Tren Nui” is another rejuvenating folk and rock mashup. On these five songs, she has exerted an enchantment over her listeners by virtue of the expressive emotional range, volume, and intensity of her singing.

On this album, she covers eight of Duong Thu’s compositions. The lead-off track “Cam Tay Mua He” is a rare tune sported by Trung’s gorgeous mid-tempo arrangement in which she relaxes into the mellow rhythm, allowing it to calm her. The voice sampling (reminds me of Enigma) adds a sense of mysterious into the piece. Even though “Do Tinh” has a faster drumbeat, her vocals still stay cool and drive the arrangements. Beside her serene delivery, The Dan’s two-string fiddle (dan nhi) performance adds an exquisite aroma of traditional folk to the fresh vibe.

Accompanied by Tran Manh Tuan’s sensual soprano saxophone and backed up the choir of Nhac Vien Ha Noi, Lam’s authoritative, prosperous, and perfect placed timbre comes to live on “Hy Vong” (Hope), the inspiring lyric written by Duong Thu and mesmerizing music composed by Niels Lan Doky. The track is almost perfect except for the flaw in the production where the volume level drops noticeably right after the bridge. Also joining by Nhac Vien Ha Noi choir, “Goi Anh” is a delightful duet with the distinguished musician Trung Kien who voice is a phenomenon; together they provide listeners an opera experience.

Bao Tran’s “Hoa Co Mua Xua” is the cutest track on the album because of the kids from PTTN Viet Nam. They have done a spectacular job backing up Lam and she blends in with them smoothly. She sounds young next to them, and together they come off full of live on top of Trung’s fresh keyboard chord. Not only Trung deserves his praises for the wonderful sounds he produced on the album, his own composition “Tre Xanh Ru” is no less irresistible.

May Trang Bay Ve showcases a peerless vocal from Thanh Lam matches by Dung Thu’s writing skills and Quoc Trung’s arranging techniques at their best. Once again, Lam delivers another solid album and pushes the limit to elevate her stature. While many pop singers come and gone, Lam remains on top because of her timeless work.

My aunt, a retired programmer, is honing her skills in web design. She has put together a family page. The house my grandfather stood in front of is our home in Viet Nam. The place still looks the same. I miss it so much!

I am glad to see someone in my family shares my interests and passions. While I was in college and talking (not even dating yet) to this one Vietnamese girl. I met her mom for the first time and the first thing she asked me was, “What are you studying?” I replied, “Web Design.” Then she said, “Why don’t you find something realistic?” I smiled, “Sure, I’ll be an astronaut.”

The bridge of R. Kelly’s latest single “Sex In the Kitchen” goes: “Girl, I’m ready to toss your salad / while making love, I’ll be feasting.” Mr. Kelly, would you prefer jelly or syrup to go with it?

Ngo Thanh Van Xao is a website written by an anonymous trashing the model-turned-singer Ngo Thanh Van. The site features half-naked photos of Van and points out how she got her fames from whoring the men. It looks like someone has nothing else better to do. On the intro, the writer stated that he or she has spent a great amount of time and cash to get the story. What a waste!

On “Chuon Chuon Ot,” Ngoc Khue starts off with “Chuon Chuon Ot, trua he nong buc / Bat dem can run, tap boi,” which refers to the infamous saying: taking a red dragonfly and let her bite your bellybutton to learn to swim. Does anyone have any idea behind this weird folk tale? Of course, it is untrue because my uncle told me he allowed the dragonfly to bite him a numerous time and he still couldn’t float. I am interested to know because the story is cute.

I just compiled a collection of 14 Vietnamese songs that had been arranged with jazz tunes.

“Chay Tron” – Tung Duong
“Nhung Con Duong Nho” – Hong Nhung
“Dem Hoai Vong” – Tuan Ngoc
“Con Tuoi Nao Cho Em” – Trinh Vinh Trinh
“Trang Khat” – Tung Duong
“Loi Ru Mat Em” – Tran Thu Ha
“Voi” – Tuan Ngoc
“Anh Se Ve” – Thanh Lam
“Roi Nhu Da Ngay Ngo” – Hong Nhung
“Khuc Tinh” – Tuan Ngoc
“Dieu Ngot Ngao Nhat” – Tran Thu Ha
“Sau Y Biec” – Tuan Ngoc
“Nu Hon Xa Voi” – Dam Vinh Hung
“Mot Coi Di Ve” – Thanh Lam

While we’re on jazz, Giant Steps is a visually mesmerizing Flash Jazz piece created by Michal Levy. Allow John Coltrane’s saxophone leads you through the architectural animation. It’s a beautiful experience.