Lightyears

A*Mei just completed her first performance in a Japanese Musical “Turandot” yesterday in Tokyo, and heard it was very successful!! I want to fly to Japan to watch her too, if I am not having examinations at his point of time. Anyway, below are some pictures of her in the musical. And she looks stunningly beautiful!

Visit this website for more information on the musical: http://www.turan.jp/index.html

In addition, there is news there she may hold concerts in Japan after the end of the musical. And her “Star World Tour” Concert DVD will be released on Blu-ray DVD in May. So looking forward to it!! Also, she is supposedly remaining in EMI Music Taiwan, as opposed to rumours saying that she might return to Warner Music. However, there is also news that EMI is scrapping its Asia branches. Not sure how true it is, but we shall see.

2007 has been an amazing year in Chinese Music, with many artistes switching record companies, setting up their own companies etc.  After listening to a lot of great albums this year, I have decided that A*mei Zhang Hui Mei’s ”Star” album is my favourite of 2007!

The Taiwanese diva has put out many great albums to date and “Star” is definitely one of them. The album covers a range of songs, including jazz, R&B, pop, disco etc. and it really reinforces her status as a “Star”. Of all the tracks, I particularly like “You Do Love Me” or “ 你是愛我的”. It has the essence of a classic A*mei style ballad, and her delivery is just perfect! Another outstanding track would be “Don’t Sail Away”, which I think is an original English Song. Pronunciation aside, I think she captured the feel of the song, and it really grows on you after a few spins. In addition, there is also a super duet with a “newbie” Xiao Jing Teng, 蕭敬騰, in the song “A Moment” or “一眼瞬間”. Lastly, I would have to say that all the songs are just great, and if you have not gotten the album, you have to get it!

Anyway, A*Mei has had a great year, after parting with Warner Music Taiwan and joining EMI Music Taiwan, getting quite a number of endorsement deals, for example Taiwan Beer, and MAC launched a series of cosmetic products in collaboration with A*mei! She also launched her “Star World Tour” in November, beginning in Shanghai, and going to places in Southeast Asia, United States, Taiwan and so on. It was mentioned that the last stop would be in Hong Kong in early 2009. For the first half of next year (2008), she would also be involved in a Japanese Musical (visit this site for more information about the musical : www.turan.jp ).

Hope that she will release another amazing album next year, and I cannot wait to watch her perform live again!