1-Off the Record  March 7, 2007

By Rick O’Shea 李柯

 

  After 11 years and 4,100 consecutive programs, I passed the new time limit for foreigners at CRI. Saying goodbye to the audience we had built over the years was the most difficult part. We had an unusually strong connection for a radio program! And I had to mention to my friends at the 21^st Century that there would be no more lyrics to print for the “song of the week” like we had been doing for more than a decade.

  But instead of wishing me “good luck” like most people, I was surprised when the 21^st Century asked me if I would like to write a new column! We have so many ways to have music in our lives: MP3, CDs, internet radio, radio, TV, etc. Music is a part of our lives more than ever before! Would I like to write about that?

  Well, yes! Seems so natural. Sliding off the radio for awhile and into print. Cool!

So I’ll make some suggestions of some new music to check out, but I will not really be a “music critic.” I’m more like a friend introducing you to a new album, movie, artist, club, etc. And I want to share some ideas from the most important people in the music world. You, the listener!  I like stories connected with music.

Got any music related stories to share? You can reach me anytime by email: rick21st@hotmail.com

 On my last show, I read the lyrics to Jordan Hill’s “Remember Me This Way.” I wanted a song that would remind people that the connection will still be there.

  “ Every now and then
We find a special friend
Who never lets us down
Who understands it all
Reaches out each time you fall
You’re the best friend that I’ve found
I know you can’t stay
A part of you will never ever go away
Your heart will stay
 I’ll make a wish for you
And hope it will come true
That life would just be kind
To such a gentle mind
If you lose your way

Think back on yesterday
Remember me this way”

And now we can be connected here! It’s a new page of life for me. Literally! See you next week. EnJOY!

—————-

I’m Still Listening to Grammys Nominees March 14, 2007

Rick O’Shea

Li Ke

  People are always asking me what CDs I listen to the most. Lately? “Grammy Nominees 2007.” I listen to it even more after the Grammys! No doubt, it’s a sampling of some of the best of the past year.    

  I saw the Grammys on TV and it was not exciting until Christina Aguilera bust out and sang a tribute to James Brown. She was amazing! She stole the show! She’s on the CD with one from her “Back to Basics” album which has her stretching back to some older styles. And they say Christina may play China as part of her current tour. She’s “A-list” and I would be first in line for those tickets!

   Gnarls Barkley is on the CD with “Crazy,” Justin’s “Sexyback,” Corrine Bailey Rae’s “Put Your Records On,” and even The Black Eyed Peas with “My Humps”…

  We’ve had fewer concerts lately in Beijing as the stadiums are being upgraded for the Olympics but we’ll get a surprise every now and then. We stood up, sang and shouted during the entire Black Eyed Peas concerts in Beijing and Shanghai last year!

  Back to the Grammys Nominees 2007 CD. John Mayer, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Mary J Blige, etc. This album is just packed with some of the best music, including the Dixie Chicks who were awarded with 5 Grammys! After some rough years with many radio stations not playing their music in response to some personal views they had spoken in concert, their new album confirms they have not “sold out.” They did not stop writing, recording, and touring. They did not stop their musical mission! The Dixie Chicks are bold talented women! “I’m not ready to make nice
I’m not ready to back down
I’m still mad as hell and
I don’t have time to go round and round and round
It’s too late to make it right
I probably wouldn’t if I could
‘Cause I’m mad as hell
Can’t bring myself to do what it is you think I should”(from “I’m Not Ready to Make Nice” - Dixie Chicks)By the way, who would you like to see perform in China if you could choose? I am really curious…send me an email.And … Stay in touch!

 rick21st@hotmail.com

——————————————————-

Invisible Music Connection  March 21st, 2007

Rick O’Shea

Music touches us in a variety of ways. Recently, I was doing a voice recording in a studio. The recording session went smoothly and after we finished, one of the clients asked me if I could do him a favor? His wife was in the hospital and he wondered if I could pay her a visit. She’s been going through treatment for some time and she could be there for a while longer. He thought my visit would be a good surprise for her since they used to listen to a nightly radio program I co-hosted when they were English major students in university. I said, “sure, let’s go NOW!”  It took quite a while to get there as the hospital was in the southern part of the city. We finally arrived and went to the room that she shared with two other patients. I kind of expected her to be lying down and weak, but instead, she was alert and lively as she sat on the bed and told me how they (her boyfriend then, husband now) would listen to the music program together. And then we spoke about all kinds of things. She has a very nice voice and they dialed a company that uses her on their phone message. It sounded so professional! She has a laptop and MP3/radio to keep her connected to the outside world while she recovers. She speaks Chinese, French and English fluently, and the music she likes to listen to is varied.  Eight o’clock came about too soon, but hospital visiting time was over for the day. I said we could easily stay in electronic touch. I am hoping for the best for her and I will return soon.   I’ve thought about it afterwards. I thought how brave she has been going through this illness.  And how her incredibly supportive husband seized the opportunity to ask me to visit her. But to tell you the truth, I think I was moved more by the visit than she was! So glad to meet both of them, and now we are friends. Actually, we have been invisible friends for years now. Through a music program on the radio!

  Let’s appreciate the “treasures” in our lives, and music connections! {sorry to say that my friend’s wife passed away Thanksgiving Day 2007-Thankful to have known her–rest in peace and love}

—————————————————————————————

 ZIYO Mar 28, 2007

by Rick O’Shea Li Ke

    I went to LUSH last week in Wudaokou near Peking, BLCU, and Tsing Hua Universities. I particularly like small clubs in university areas because of the vibrant music there, and it’s much more intimate than a large club. A friend informed me that the band ZIYO would be playing there that night. That gave me a good reason to drop by because I’ve known lead singer Helen  since we worked together in radio a few years ago, and in fact she’s now heard weekends on HIT-FM in Beijing. 

  Anyway, after she left radio for a while she began hosting CCTV 9’s Center Stage where I see her sometimes. Poised and natural, Helen gives us a “proper” introduction to performances in China with a bit of that “CCTV smile.” She wears it nicely and it’s always a pleasure to see her.

  But then, there’s Helen’s other side! You must catch her fronting the band ZIYO! The small club was packed and most were standing when ZIYO came out to play. If you think she’s going to be that sweet TV presenter, you are wrong! Helen loosens up 100% and goes through different styles from screeching rock to a very heartfelt “Alone” and lots of musical flavors in between. She sings in English and Chinese and they had no problem playing to the crowd which kept moving closer as the music continued. An indie sound, yet unique. They do play in different places in China, and if you get a chance to see them, do it! Go to their website where you can read about them and hear some of their music! www.myspace.com/ziyo

  You know, most of us go through the week and listen to lots of recorded music on MP3s, some radio and other sources. But to me, after all that listening, nothing sounds as fresh and powerful as a live performance in a club! Concerts are good, but too many performers duplicate what you can hear on their recordings. There’s an energy in smaller clubs which makes you feel as though you are not just watching and listening, you actually become a part of the musical atmosphere. Love it!  

Support local music and get out to some clubs! And let me know which ones you recommend!