‘A Wild Man's Dreams’ Wong Hong Mok In Concert 2012
Esplanade Concert Hall
Last Saturday

Singer-songwriter Wong Hong Mok was torn.
The xinyao veteran, better known as Huang Hongmo, told the audience: “I’ve always been someone on the sidelines and I feel very awkward to be thrust in the limelight. But I love singing.”
And so, he decided to mount his first solo show, 22 years after his debut album, A Wild Man’s Dreams (1990), was released.
He was noticeably nervous and forgot some lyrics and his grasp of the run-down was rather shaky. At the end, he revealed why he was in a light brown shirt and black jeans for the entire evening – he had forgotten to change despite getting a blazer for the occasion.
The fact that Wong, 53, was honest about his little slip-ups was charming in its way and the near full-house audience took it all in its stride. The atmosphere was convivial as his fans applauded and shouted words of encouragement.
They were there for his distinctive gruff and sonorous voice and Wong did not disappoint as he took on tracks such as the nostalgic Wan Zhong Feng Qing (Ten Thousand Sensations) and the title track from his second album, Confessions Of A Stupid Bird.
What sets him apart from his more genteel contemporaries is not just his voice. It is also the way he wholeheartedly embraces nature in tracks such as A Tree’s Conviction and Flower Date. And the visuals of waves, clouds over mountains, flowers and birds projected onto the screens on stage reinforced that notion.
Some of his compositions are like aural paintings as they sketch out the beauty of nature.
Lakeview At Sunset and Mountain Passion conjure up visions of tranquil calm and majestic awe respectively and it was a treat to listen to original singer Deng Shuxian perform them in her still sweet and clear voice.
It is a reflection of xinyao’s collaborative nature, and perhaps Wong’s reticent nature, that his albums often featured vocal turns by others.
Other than Deng, he also roped in long-time music buddies Zhang Jiaqiang, Liu Jinxiang and Zhou Xuanli to help him out on stage.
One memorable segment had them covering songs written by others; including the Hokkien number Red Peach Blossoms and the pop track One Day I Will.
Over 31/2 hours, including a 20-minute intermission, Wong sang, played the guitar and shared stories about his songs and his life.
His personality came through on the tender Mother, the bluesy love song Addicted To You and That Year, about the Xinhai Revolution of 1911 which overthrew the Qing dynasty.
He saved the most familiar for last and A Wild Man’s Dreams was the rousing finale for the set. The song opens with a dramatic howl and the crowd howled along.
From Wong’s beaming face, one could tell that a wild man’s dreams had been fulfilled.
(ST)