Back To The Stars

Chet Lam

On the Mandarin release My Lonely Planet (2009), Hong Kong singer-songwriter Chet Lam went around the world with tracks such as Last Exit To Brooklyn and Dublin.

And in two months’ time, he will perform at the Esplanade as part of its Huayi Chinese Festival of Arts.

But before that, he is headed for the stars and singing in English on this disc. The concept album is inspired by Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s fable of innocence and experience, The Little Prince, and the songs are written from the perspectives of different characters.

But even if you are not familiar with the classic French story, there is much to enjoy – from the gentle, guitar-driven musing on Chasing Sunsets and Thanks For Setting Me Free, to the wry wordplay on Trust: “There’s a hole in my heart, drains me from inside/As I keep wandering from love to lust.”

Just when you think the album is a fully acoustic affair, he throws you a curveball on After The Pain, with its gently throbbing beat and synth sounds. The instrumental track From Turkey, With Love serves up an unexpected duet of drums and flute.

Lam’s clear, pure voice suggests that innocence can remain even after we have acquired knowledge and experience, and have loved and lusted. To steal a line from the lyrics of his track, When He Sings: “... when he sings he can break my heart in two.”

LaMusique (CD/DVD)

George Lam

Cantopop veteran George Lam gives classic tunes such as Who Is The Most Loved easy-listening makeovers on his latest release.

As if to dispel the persistent rumours of marital trouble, he also teams up with his wife, singer-actress Sally Yeh, on duets such as 00:10 and Love Remains After Separation. Come to think of it, however, the latter title is not very auspicious.

Love ballads overwhelm this selection. Nevertheless, tracks such as With Love stands out for its different arrangement, giving Lam a chance to belt it out with gusto.

I have never been a fan of his thin upper register, though. Is it my imagination or does he sound more frail now and the notes more pinched?

On the accompanying DVD of his Made In Love gig in Hong Kong in September, one can see the physical effort it took Yeh, who is 49 to Lam’s 63 years, to squeeze out the high notes.

Strictly for fans.

(ST)