Nanyang Charm

NST - Sunday People
Sunday December 6, 2009
Nanyang Charm
By AREF OMAR

The 50s and 60s old resonates through its songs in Modern Nanyang. AREF OMAR talks to Chin San Sooi and Stefano Chen about the concert

MUSIC has a way of illuminating the smoky hallways of the past. The region of Southeast Asia in the 50s and 60s, also known as Nanyang, shared a discernible link with China. A snapshot of the cultural exchange and migration in old Malaya can be gleaned from the blend of music of the day, where popular tunes told stories of the land and its rich culture, influenced by its surroundings and neighbouring environments, in picturesque poetic splendour.

In an effort to showcase the allure of these evergreen tunes, local chanteuse Yudi has put together a concert entitled, Modern Nanyang.

Known for her distinct performing style of shi dai qu or Chinese oldies, the singer, songwriter and producer has enlisted the help of veteran playwright Chin San Sooi and professional tenor Stefano Chen as artistic director and music director respectively. Working together for the first time, both men discovered that they were on the same wavelength.

“I was born in Kuala Lumpur but I grew up in Ipoh. When I was about seven, I used to watch Chinese opera performances in the park and bangsawan plays at the Sunday markets,” says Chin, who would also catch snippets of cabaret queen Rose Chan’s sizzling performances as he surreptitiously peeked through crevices of the venue’s wooden benches.

“When Yudi approached me with Modern Nanyang, these were songs that I was familiar with and could relate to.” For Chen, who grew up in KL, it was those songs that his parents and grandparents used to listen to on the radio.

“They always evoke sweet memories for me,” he says.

Yudi has a voice like warm jade, says Chen

Chen went on to study and train in advanced vocal techniques at the Beijing Central Conservatory of Music and China National Opera House and has been working in China for the last 13 years. There he released his jazz album, Bop Within, and assisted in a promotional television show reel for the bidding of the Beijing Olympic Games.

Now based in KL as a singer, vocal coach and music producer, the 30-something Chen is all praise for Yudi.

“She has a natural talent. Her mezzo voice has the right range to pull off the style of these songs.

“Being away, it made me think of Malaysia, the songs we have that give a feel and represent the country. “When I met Yudi, we had many discussions about this and was excited when she came up with this project,” says Chen, who also enjoys film songs from the P. Ramlee era, citing Bila Tuan Datang as one of his many favourites.

As artistic director for Modern Nanyang, Chin, who trained in theatre at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London, says his contribution stems from the interpretation of the songs.
Chin has translated some of the tunes to English and worked with Yudi on perfecting her enunciation and pronunciation of the lyrics.

“She’ll be performing on a small stage with minimal props, so a lot will depend on the imagination and the authentic costumes,” he says.

There is talk of turning the Modern Nanyang concept into a full-scale musical production but for now the spirit of the tunes will be defined by Yudi’s mellifluous vocals and the silky silhouette of the lady.

“The silhouette was a defining trait of the era, as well as the shape of the guitar. The song, Liu Lian Piao Shang or Durian Passion, goes into that. It’s a hilarious number,” says the 50-something Chin, a founder member of Five Arts Centre, best known for directing Stella Kon’s Emily Of Emerald Hill.

Modern Nanyang will feature 13 songs including Indonesian folk songs Dayung Sampan and Bengawan Solo, Moonlight Bay and Picturesque Penang.

The repertoire will include songs in Mandarin, Cantonese, English and Malay. Yudi, who won the Best Voice Award at the Sumitomo One World Pop Festival in Tokyo in 1992, will be accompanied by Yuan Leow Yunn (piano), Vincent Ong (double bass), Charles Wong (drums) and Chien Vun Chieh (guitar).

So what is the allure of the Nanyang tunes from the 50s and 60s? “There was a certain innocence back then. I think it’s important to bring out the happy tunes, from a time where everything was much simpler,” says Chin.

n Catch Modern Nanyang today (8.30pm) at Precious Old China, Central Market, KL. Admission: RM120 (dinner show). Call 03-22737372, 016-3533998 or visit http://www.oldchina.com.my/.

Originally from:
http://sundaypeople.nst.com.my/Current_News/SundayPeople/article/CinemaTheatre/20091204192731/Article/index_html