Can you believe it's been nearly a year and a half since the first Paris By Night Talent Show? On those 2 faithful nights in February of 2007, we saw history being made, as Trịnh Lam and Quỳnh Vi would make their official debut to the Vietnamese audience. Since their performances on PBN 86 & 87, both Trịnh Lam and Quỳnh Vi have flourished in their respective careers. Although they may forever be referred to as being contestants on the Talent Show - it speaks of their immense talent that the competition does not define who they are as performers. Over the course of the past year, they have proven time and time again that the talent exerted in the competition phases was consistent and substantial. They have showed us that they belong on the same stage with any established Vietnamese singer.

Besides incredible natural vocals, their quick rise to fame can be attributed to their emotionally-driven singing abilities. They're able to express the joy, sadness, or despair of each respective song. In addition, they have incredible versatility as performers, being able to sing music in a variety of different genres. From pop to classical to traditional, they are both able to sing it all with ease and conviction. One moment Quỳnh Vi may be pouring out her soul in love ballads as TÌNH CHẤP NHẬN, the next moment she may be portraying the image of NGƯỜI PHỤ NỮ VIỆT NAM in TRĂNG SÁNG VƯỜN CHÈ. As for Trịnh Lam, he may be asking us TẠI SAO? in a modern suit and tie, but the next instance he may be dressed in traditional attire inviting us to join him on CON ĐƯỜNG CÁI QUAN. Just looking at the memory collage above, we can clearly see that they have both achieved a great deal in a very short amount of time.

This past August, Thuy Nga released Trịnh Lam's debut album, TẠI SAO? Not surprisingly, it was one of 2007's top selling albums. The hype of the Talent Show in conjunction with Trịnh Lam's singing and composing styles culminated in a very successful project. As the two favorites from the Talent Show, it seemed inevitable that these 2 voices would be paired up with one another. The first duet recorded by Trịnh Lam and Quỳnh Vi: THÊM MỘT LẦN YÊU THƯƠNG was one of the most beloved and requested tracks from Trịnh Lam's debut album.

Based on popular demand, these two voices again reunite in a new project entitled, TÌNH CÒN VƯƠNG VẤN being released by Thuy Nga this week. The album features 11 romantic songs, containing a very varied and beautiful collection of old and new selections. Before we delve into the actual recordings of the song, I want to take a moment to complement the photographer and designers for putting together such a classy yet simple album layout. The elegant and romantic pictures set the mood of the album even before listening to the first note of the songs.

I've listened to this album a couple of times now and I must say that it certainly touches your heart more and more each time. Personally for me, as I'm going through a very emotional heart ache this week, the songs and message in the CD have affected me in ways that I cannot imagine. No matter how many times your heart gets broken, it never gets easier. It was a timely coincidence that this CD was released this week, but I must say, I teared up several times as I was absorbing the messages and meanings of each song. I could see myself in each of the songs. And I'm sure you will be able to see yourselves in these songs as well. Everything in life has more impact on one's self, if you can relate to it in some form. So if you've ever had a broken heart, you will understand and appreciate these songs more. But despite these subdued moments of despair, you will also be able to recognize the underlying messages of hope in each song.

The first track of the` album will immediately catch your attention with the beautiful arrangement by Nhat Trung. The Chinese-influenced melody immediately lifts and transports your soul. This is also the title track of the CD: TÌNH CÒN VƯƠNG VẤN. Let's just ponder those 4 words for just one second. These 4 words have such a simple meaning yet it is very profound. This will also be the duet performed by Trịnh Lam and Quỳnh Vi in the upcoming Paris By Night 92 - Nhac Yeu Cau. In the DVD, you will see the stage divided into 2 halves to represent the 2 worlds which now separate the lovers. Again, this simple concept can have such a philosophical meaning. This is also the concept which is extended from the DVD and now illustrated by the front cover of this CD. It is in these tiny nuances which make me appreciate Thuy Nga products so much. The image created by this separation is almost poetic. Having heard the song several times already, I was able to really focus on the lyrics and the meaning of the song. Trịnh Lam's lyrics are always accessible and unpretentious, as is the case here. It is such a noteworthy ballad and I'm sure you all will fall in love with it.

NGƯỜI YÊU HỠI! ANH MONG MỘT NGÀY EM SẼ QUAY VỀ
ĐỂ ÔM EM TRONG TAY, CHO ANH THÔI SỐNG BÊN ĐỜI QUẠNH HIU

RỚT BAO GIỌT NƯỚC MĂ'T, EM CẦU MONG ANH LÁNH XA LỖI LẦM
VÌ EM CÒN YÊU ANH, NHƯ NGÀY XƯA.

VỀ BÊN ANH, XIN EM MỘT ĐỜI XÓA HẾT LỖI LẦM.
MÀ KHI XƯA ĐÀNH TÂM, XUA TAY ANH ĐÃ HỮNG HỜ TÌNH EM
VẪN ÔM HÌNH BÓNG CŨ, MONG NGÀY MAI ANH SẼ MAU QUAY VỀ
ĐỂ CHO TÌNH EM, MỘT LẦN THÔI XÓT XA ... (TÌNH CÒN VƯƠNG VẤN - Trịnh Lam)

While the remaining 3 duet songs have previously been recorded by other artists, what I admire so much about Trịnh Lam and Quỳnh Vi is that they are able to take these established classics and "make it their own." For moments as I was listening to these songs, it felt as if I were listening to them for the first time. And that is definitely a true credit to their abilities to reinvent a song and add their own personal touches to make it feel new while also maintaining the integrity of the song. What I also found enjoyable was their ability to make the song sound like a conversation; similarly to a dialogue between 2 lovers. I've listed below just a few lines from each of the duet songs to allow for this heart wrenching journey to continue. But besides that, my purpose in typing out some of the lyrics is so that when you go to listen to the CD, you will pay more attention to them and consequently understand and appreciate each song more. Try to see yourself within the lyrics of each song. Is that what you were thinking when you had your heart broken? Is that what you wanted to say?

MỘT MÌNH EM ÔM LÒNG ĐỚN ĐAU
TÌM ANH DƯỚI TRĂNG KHUYA KHUYẾ TÀN
LÒNG EM MONG RẰNG EM KHÔNG QUÊN
Ở NƠI VẮNG XA EM VẪN CHỜ (NỬA VẦNG TRĂNG - NHẬT TRUNG)

ĐÃ BIẾT CÓ HÔM NAY, MÀ CHÚNG TA VẪN YÊU DẠI CUỒNG
DƯỚI ÁNH TRĂNG, ĐÔI CHÚGN TA ĐÃ CÙNG NHAU GỐI CHĂN MẶN NỒNG
VÀ QUÊN ĐI NGÀY MAI CHÚNG TA ... CHIA LY ...(NUỐI TIẾC - TRỊNH NAM SƠN)

ANH Ở NƠI NÀO, ĐĂ'M SAY VỚI AI
NGÀY NÀO HẠNH PHÚC NAY ĐÃ PHÔI PHA
NHỮNG ĐÊM GIÁ LẠNH, NHỮNG ĐÊM NHỚ ANH
HỒN EM CHỈ THẤY MƯA GIÓ NGẬM NGÙI ....(ÂN TÌNH MONG MANH - NGỌC TRỌNG)

Besides the 4 incredible duets, the album also contains 7 solos, 4 for Quỳnh Vi, and 3 for Trịnh Lam. This includes the brand new song from Thái Thịnh EM ĐÃ TỪNG YÊU written especially for Quỳnh Vi. I love the how she sounds determined yet vulnerable in this song. The despair and yearning of a young lover is beautifully illustrated in Quỳnh Vi's top-notch vocals. ĐÂU CÒN CHI KHI MÀ ANH ĐÃ RA ĐI, MỘT LẦN PHÂN LY, TÌNH XƯA SẼ MÃI KHÔNG QUAY VỀ...

In similar fashion, Trịnh Lam paints the portrait of a man in despair in ĐƠN CÔI, a self-reflection written by NHẬT TRUNG. The slightly faster arrangement gives the song a more definite beat as if to symbolize the rapid yet steady beat of a heart in mourning. This sentiment is further personified through Trịnh Lam's very articulate and dynamic rendition in CÕI MỘNG. The jazzy and rhythmic beat gives the song a very relaxed feel. I love his very distinct and particular attack of words. Sometimes in a faster song it is difficult to differentiate the words. Here, Trịnh Lam has achieved the task of annunciating clearly without sounding "choppy" and still maintaining the feel of the song.

One of the most sad and depressing images of lost love, is someone sitting on their windowsill looking out onto the pouring rain. You're sitting there wishing somehow that the rain could wash away your sorrows and sadness. The rain is symbolic of the tears that you are no longer able to cry, because you have cried so much. Quỳnh Vi, through her amazing vocals in HẬN TÌNH TRONG MƯA, is able to paint that picture. Notice the urgency and despair in her voice. I particular enjoyed Quỳnh Vi using her lower register through the verses of the song. Maybe it's because of my emotional status right now, but through all the versions I've heard throughout the years, only this one has been able to move me to tears.

NGƯỜI TÌNH ĐI XA, MÃI NƠI CHÂN TRỜI
TRỜI THÌ U TỐI, MÙA ĐÔNG ĐANG ĐI TỚI, NGÀY THÌ DÀI QUA DÀI
MƯA VẪN RƠI MÙ KHƠI, MƯA TƠI BỜI
TỪNG GIỌT MƯA, RƠI TRÊN MÁI NGÓI NGHE NHƯ LỜI
LỜI TÔI KHÓC CHO TÔI ( HẬN TÌNH TRONG MƯA - LV PHẠM DUY)

It was great that the put the 2 "rain" songs back-to-back; as if to allow the listening audience to linger on to the image of a lost lover drenched in rain for a few minutes longer. The lyrics to this new song, MƯA BUỒN, by Trịnh Lam are so poetic. Listening to it, you immediately envision a man still wearing a suit, now drenched in rain, walking down the street all by himself. Although he knows that she is gone, he still calls out to her. Trịnh Lam's vocals in the song are truly amazing! The arrangement further enhances the performance. The key change prior to the last refrain was so exciting. In one instance we moved from a slower and soft arrangement which immediately transitioned to a faster, louder, and more powerful arrangement. The emotions expressed in this song are wide and varied. Trịnh Lam is able to make the audience feel his sadness, his loneliness, and his desperation. But through the key change and how he deviated from the original melody, we were able to understand his anger and his frustration as well. EM CÓ NGHE TỪNG ĐÊM MƯA RƠI, SAO ĐỂ TÌNH ANH CHƠI VƠI ...

Both VẮNG ANH MÙA ĐÔNG and MÙA HÈ AÍ ÂN allowed us to further see Quỳnh Vi's many different methods of attacking a song. She can be soft, loud, lyrical, or succinct depending on the phrasing of the song. Her soft whispers offers that gentility and sensitive side, while her loud dynamic vocals provides the frustration and her anger. It is amazing to me how both Quỳnh Vi and Trịnh Lam can offer such a wide range of emotions, in a single song, simply through their vocals and through their methods of shaping a particular phrase. I love how in both of those songs the soft verses slowly build up until you hit the climatic chorus. She draws you in and keeps your attention focused with her sweeping and lyrical techniques. There is also something very thought-provoking by including both a winter and a summer song in this album. Perhaps it is meant to say that love has no boundaries? Or does it say that love can be unpredictable?

I cannot speak of how far Trịnh Lam and Quỳnh Vi have traveled in the past year and a half. I cannot imagine what lies ahead of them in the upcoming journey, but if the past year and half is any indication, they will continue to succeed and garner further admiration from audiences everywhere. I wish them continued luck and success and hope they continue to deliver products such as this TÌNH CÒN VƯƠNG VẤN CD to their fans.. This truly was a very carefully thought out and executed project. Music can be so powerful, and this album has allowed me to express my feelings and has allowed me to reflect upon myself in this very emotional week for me. Love can be very complicated. It can be the most beautiful thing in life, yet it can also be the most disheartening. But love is part of life. Even those of us who have lost love have the right to be hopeful that one day love will enthrall us once more. Although, in times of despair, the glimmer of hope may seem to be very faint, even to the very hopeful.

That's all I have for now. This is definitely an album you must have in your collection. I can honestly say I have thoroughly enjoyed it and I know you will too. You know I can't end this without having to say something about piracy. The horrendous situation is crippling the Vietnamese music industry. Please don't play a part in this disheartening crime. Too many people put too much hard work into getting something like this album on store shelves. The process from start to finish is tiring, frustrating, complicated, and involved. Please make their hard work worthwhile by purchasing an original copy.

VẪN ÔM HÌNH BÓNG CŨ, MONG NGÀY MAI ANH SẼ MAU QUAY VỀ
ĐỂ CHO TÌNH EM, MỘT LẦN THÔI XÓT XA ...

John Nguyen
June 2008