Notorious BIG’s Ready to Die – This classic joint has been remastered for better quality. Noticeably, Juicy has a bit more bass than before but I hope it would hit harder. I just love the way Biggie spitted on that track. The simple lyrics hit straight to the point. Ready to Die is a classic joint that you can just pop your head to from start to finish.

Luis’s Alegria – His guitar skill is amazing. This album is a beautiful piece of instrumental. Here are some samples of his work: Selva, El Moro, and Barcelona Nights. For more info on this talented artist and his band, check out Luis Music website.

Ngoc Lan and Tuan Ngoc’s Ru Em Bang Tieng Song – Two of my favorite artists on the same album. Love the duet on Bai Khong Ten Cuoi Cung and Sao Danh Xa Em. They sound great together. I hope there would be more duets on the album.

Normally Canh Chua is made with fish or shrimp, tomatoes, bean sprouts, pineapples and all sorts of herbs. My mom’s unique Canh Chua Muc Ngo Sen is much simplier yet her broth is still amazingly prosperous. You still get the Canh Chua’s flavor but the content is atypical. Canh Chua Ca Hu is definitely my favorite dish but it is nice to have a different tang once in a while. I am so impressed by her creativities.

Usually when you have Canh Chua Ca, you have to have Ca Kho To (Braised Fish in Caramel). In this case, mom made Calamari Simmered in Caramel Sauce to go with the original theme. The result is just blazin’. Don’t you just love it when you have a mother with great taste? I love it.

Since this is my first foodblog, I am going to introduce to you my all time favorite Bun Mam. This is one of my brother-in-law’s specialties. The best part of Bun Mam is the rich fish broth. It is so heavy and spicy that you will need a whole lot of mixed vegetables to go with it. I love to have Bun Mam in the winter time especially when it is freezing outside. Just pop in a Cai Luong (Vietnamese Opera) CD, have bowl of hot Bun Mam and take some shots of Ruou Nep (sticky rice brew), you’ll be in heaven.

Distributed by Asia Entertainment, The Best of Tuan Ngoc is the second most invaluable special collection next to Ngoc Lan 1982-1991. With his flamboyant vocals and his mastery skills of holding on to a note as long as he pleases, Tuan Ngoc proves to be the most influential singer of his time as well as the younger generation. Tuan Ngoc has been singing for twenty-some-odd years and why does he last so long? Unlike many other Vietnamese artists, Tuan Ngoc takes his craft seriously. He only chooses songs that he can fully express, particularly, Tuong Niem, Huong Ve Ha Noi, Giu Nhau Trong Doi, Ai Ve Song Tuong, Tinh Yeu Nhu Mui Ten, Bai Khong Ten So 4, and Khong Ten Tiep Noi 28 (Anh Cam On Em). As a result, almost every song from Tuan Ngoc is elegant, romantic and priceless.

Beside the precious hits, Tuan Ngoc and Asia also offer some ballads for your enjoyment. So put down your glass of champagne and lead your lady to the floor for a graceful Waltz in Tinh Han (Delilah), a passionate Rumba in Va Toi Mai Yeu Em, a funky Twist in Ghen, and a stylish Bebop in Hay Song Cho Tuoi Tre (Say You Will). Actually, I prefer Don Ho version of Hay Song Cho Tuoi Tre because Tuan Ngoc seems to be a bit too slow with fast beat while Don Ho gives a perfect performance. Other then that, this special collection is an excellence work of art. Even his English pronounciation in Papa (Cha Yeu Dau) and Delilah (Tinh Han) is quite good.

With Tuan Ngoc untouchable vocals and Asia impervious musicals, The Best of Tuan Ngoc is an indispensable collection for Tuan Ngoc fans. The best part of being Tuan Ngoc fan is that you don’t have to put a hole in your pocket since his music is quite limited but valuable. Unlike Nguyen Khang and Quang Dung who only became popular recently yet they had come out with tons of CDs. As a result, most of them are junkies. I appreciate artists who take their time to produce timeless works and Tuan Ngoc is definitely one of them.

Thuy Nga’s The Best of Duets seduces me and I mean sexually not musically. The video kicks off with a strip tease by Bao Han and Ho Le Thu. Two hot Asian chicks in pink and yellow bras grinding on the male dancers. “Hallelujah” is the only word I can make out from their song, especially the ass-spanking part. Even though Ho Le Thu is a fresh new face, she is already exploiting her image in her Giot Tinh performance. The “back ripped-off” dresses look so nice. They make me want to do something tonight because shorties look mad tight, especially the dancer on the right (viewers left). The temptation gets stronger when Loan Chau rips off her traditional dress (Ao Dai) into short skirt and bra. She makes Don Ho looks like a geek next to her in shirt and tie. The climax part of the video is near the end where Nhu Loan grabs her crotch while she is being lifted up in the air. Damn! It’s getting hot in herrre. Let’s take off all your clothes.

Sorry if that is too much information for you but sex sells and Thuy Nga don’t give a damn so why should I? Hey! It’s all good. If the music sucks and the topic blows, they have to find something to attract the viewers. What is better than sex, right? I love it and I am sure many men would love it. Noticeable, the crowd goes crazy after the chicks performances. On the contrary, female audiences might be disappointed with the male singers. You might have to rely on the male dancers for some sex appeal because male singers will give you nothing. For those who loves Luong Tung Quang, I am sorry to say but he looks mad gay in a glittered turtleneck with a leather skirt. The new dude, Vuong Tieu Vu, looks like a lady as well and his voice is not so good either. It’s alright with me as long as the female singers are blazin’.

Musically, there are some nice performances. Nhat Trung and La Suong Suong give a beautiful execution on Trai Tim Buoc Gia. Tran Thai Hoa and Ngoc Ha’s vocals are magnetizing in Tro Ve Nha Xua. Khanh Ha and Luu Bich give a touching tribute to their mother in Long Me. The mother and daughter (Thai Thanh and Y Lan) dual is quite cute. Of course, Loan Chau, Nhu Loan and Minh Tuyet are sexy as hell in Lien Khuc Tinh, Hon Gen, and Binh Minh Se Mang Em Di.

In term of set design, thankfully Thuy Nga uses the big screen more effective than Asia. I like they way they use the three piece large screens combining with props in the foreground. The result is aesthetically beautiful. Thuy Nga’s set design is still topnotch comparing to other productions.

Although Video 73 is definitely way better than video 72, Thuy Nga still need to improve their music and topic. Nguyen Ngoc Ngan and Nguyen Cao Ky Duyen aren’t too bad on this one and I am glad Nguyen Ngoc Ngan stated his political statement regarding to issue of singers from Viet Nam performing in the US. He has a good point there. Lastly, what do you think of Bang Kieu? I can’t stand his bitch ass vocals.

Last week, I made my first payment through AT&T Wireless via checking account. Everything went smoothly and I even got a confirm email from them. Today, my service was interupted without any warning. They emailed me when to pay my bill but they did not bother to warn me about my incorrect routing numbers (my bank gave me the wrong routing numbers). I whipped out my credit card to make a payment over the phone in order to get my service back. After I recieved my confirmation numbers over the phone, the lady told me there will be a $25 charge for restoring each phone (I have 3 phones). She transfered me to customer service and the guy told me there is nothing he can do to weave the fee. It is my responsible for not making the payment on time. With Verizon, the late fee is 1% without cutting off my service. Verizon even reminded me about my payment via text messages. I was totally dissapointed and would like to cancel my service but I am 1 day over my trial period and I have to pay $175 for each phone. I was totally speechless for this kind of ignorant business from AT&T. So if you’re thinking of going with mLife, remember it is truly a miserable life.

Nguyen Khang is the male version of Khanh Ly on Trinh Cong Son’s music. His transformation of Ru Doi Ta Nhe, Ha Trang, Bien Nho and Chieu Mot Minh Qua Pho are quite impressive. Although Nguyen Khang is a newcomer, he performs Trinh’s songs with confident and power, especially Ru Doi Ta Nhe. His duet with Diem Lien on Lien Khuc Diem Xua is simply beautiful. Even though Diem Lien gives a fantastic performance, she couldn’t hold up with his superb vocals. I would love to hear him performs with Khanh Ly on Trinh’s music. Together they would create a spectacular experience. As far as Quang Dung, he is nowhere near Nguyen Khang in term of vocals. Nguyen Khang edition of Ru Em Tung Ngon Xuan Nong is way more superior than Quang Dung’s version.

Nguyen Khang’s 10 Tuyet Khuc Trinh Cong Son definitely sets itself apart from other Trinh’s album. Dam Vinh Hung is going to have a hard time topping both Tuan Ngoc and Nguyen Khang. Actually the album only contains 8 tracks performs by Nguyen Khang. Moi Coi Di Ve performs by Trinh Cong Son himself and Lien Khuc Uoc Mi performs by Thanh Ha. I want more of Nguyen Khang on Trinh Cong Son.

My break has been good so far. Spending time with family and friends and mostly with Samantha and Eric (my niece and nephew). They are so adorable and it is just a joy to watch them play and grow.

I have been eating like crazy too. Finally getting some real Vietnamese food such as Bun Mam and Canh Mang. I took some photos and will post them when I get back to Poughkeepsie. I will probably create a food catagory so you can drool on.

Today, I went back to La Salle to pick up my transcript in order for me to take some classes at Vassar. While I was there, I visited some of my professors and classmates in the DArt program. Here is a photo of me and Prof. McCoey featuring on La Salle’s portal. It was nice to see them again.

I also picked up quite a few Vietnamese CDs in Philly’s Chinatown. Actually 10 altogether (mostly Tuan Ngoc, Nguyen Khang and Ngoc Lan) so I can enjoy for two weeks and during the road trips.

That’s it for now. I’ll be back later. It’s time to hit the park with my hommies for some volleyball games. Peace out!

I’ll be gone for two weeks. Not going anywhere particularly; just needed a break from this digital madness. I am quite burning out actually. Besides, I need to spend some quality time with my mother. Probably not the most exciting vaction but it will at least be meaningful to spend time with my family. We’ll visit my sister in Willimantic, CT and a few days at Poughkeepsie and New York city. I’ve been working at Vassar for more than two years and she has never been up here. I probably won’t be blogging as often but I might check in once in a while. I really need to get away.

Tuan Ngoc sings for singers. That’s his reputation and he has been able maintained his classy style for many years; therefore, he is still well recognized by the Vietnamese entertainment in both the United States and Viet Nam. Tuau Ngoc gentle vocals and indomitable flairs have inspired many young artists including Quang Dung, Nguyen Khang, Quach Thanh Danh, Tran Thai Hoa, and many more. Even though these young artists have been quite successful in Tuan Ngoc’s style, none has been able to come close to his refined vocals. When listening to these young artists, I can feel the hover of Tuan Ngoc. On the contrary, there is no lingers of others when listening to Tuan Ngoc.

Tuan Ngoc’s Dem Thay Ta La Thac Do showcases 10 of Trinh Cong Son hits. Highlights include compelling versions of Nhu Mot Loi Chia Tay, Dem Thay Ta La Thac Do, Em Con Nho Hay Em Da Quen, Ru Em, Vang Phai Truoc Ngo, Ru Doi Di Nhe, and Xin Tra No Nguoi, where he unwinds the melodies and flows the emotions out of the songs. The results are rather touching and inspiring. His vocals on Em Con Nho Hay Em Da Quen are hipnotizing with the way he ebbs and flows the words. His version of Nhu Mot Loi Chia Tay is the best I’ve heard so far. He accentuates his caressing vocals to create an exquisite experience.

Dem Thay Ta La Thac Do is an even album with 10 mellifluous vocalizing and elegant musical engineering. It’s an enjoyable album for Trinh Cong Son lovers and an essential collection for Tuan Ngoc fans.

While we’re on Trinh’s music, Dam Vinh Hung is coming out with his Trinh’s album. It is going to be an interesting album. I am not sure if he can pull it off. With his uniqueness, I have high hopes on it. It is now the most anticiapated album for me.