Intro

I am going to introduce you to my world.
My public life, as columnist, image designer, producer, performer, recording artist, and now as guest music lecturer is well known.
I love to sing, photograph and design. I had a flourishing art business for over twenty years.
No matter how busy I am, I make time for my family, friends and fans. Here we go!

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如何是好(上)

要製作一張好的唱片,最好由零開始,先定立一個主題,從構思音樂風格、選歌,如何突顯歌手聲音本身的特色,編曲、配器、全碟歌曲配搭,以致歌手形象、後期封套包裝設計等,當中一環扣著一環,互相有關連,互相影響著。因此需要一絲不苟,最好能度身訂做,最後的製成品才不會令人失望。且絕不能因其他種種理由,而影響基本應有的質素,不過,也絕不等於用昂貴的製作費就是最好的。相信專業的製作人都知道箇中原因及處理方法,但要平衡各方,真正實行又怎會是紙上談兵這麼容易?
若真的想製作一張好的唱片,團隊合作協調是最重要的關鍵。監製、歌手、樂手之間的信任與默契,決定了唱片一半的好與壞;選擇到合適的錄音室,有經驗的錄音師、混音師配合,就是向目標邁進了一大步。
但話需說回來,想製作出好的唱片,其實首先要知道什麼是好!應知己知彼,多參考不同的作品,提升自己的知識與品味。世界之大,無其不有,現在資訊發達,比以前更方便快捷,更容易找到具特色的唱片,各適其適。還記得中學時期,無意中聽到一首英文歌有著獨特的鋼琴前奏,還有那動人寂寞的歌聲,唱出震動心弦的歌詞,簡潔優美的旋律雖然只有AB段式的結構,但足以一聽難忘!更令我有一股儍勁居然逐間唱片店搜尋此曲!幸好那女聲很獨特,估計此曲應是她的作品,她的精選專輯應該會收錄如此有氣質的一曲。那時候的唱片店甚少有試聽機讓顧客隨意試聽,我在一家較大型的唱片行徘徊了差不多一個小時,終於鼓起勇氣用僅餘的零用錢買了她一張精選雙唱片,估計應該會有此曲。回家後急不及待尋找答案,最後終於聽到第二張其中一曲,找到了《I Need To Be In Love》。沒錯,那時候的我,才開始留意The Carpenters。雖然我從小學已經開始聽父親和舅父的英文唱片,但中學才正式開始唱民歌,在一次偶然的機會下,聽到了《Yesterday Once More》。從此瘋狂地愛上了這隊兄妹組合,不單只愛聽Karen Carpenter的聲音,更欣賞Richard Carpenter的音樂編排、創作,以及他倆自成一格的和唱。其後數年,也多了留意外國的唱片,一直至現在,成為唱片製作公司的核心人員,更多機會聽不同類型的音樂,對音樂有著一份特殊的感應和使命。
很多讀者都可能有類似筆者尋找唱片的經歷,相信只有通過自己身體力行的體驗,才會知道什麼是真正的好。知道什麼是好音樂,自然物以類聚,若有幸能遇上志同道合的音樂夥伴,製作好唱片自然事半功倍。
然而,如何選擇合適的製作團隊呢?試想想,是否約到最出色的音樂人彈奏錄音,便能有最佳的製作?答案就等於把所有頂級的名牌衣服全部穿在身上,或把最粗壯的線材和最貴的音響組合拼接起來,效果也不一定是最好的。尤其是我們製作發燒唱片,用上最頂尖的爵士樂手,把舊曲換上新裝後套在美聲的歌手身上,是否就是一張好的發燒唱片呢?值得大家深思,共勉之。

About Astor

Astor is able to express herself with logical literacy but full of artistic feelings. She acts to record her valuable, interesting and unforgettable experiences during her travel and plans to share with others her instant feelings, thoughtful insights and findings via poems, free verses, prose, narration, reference, etc.

Music, Movie, Musicals and Me

Music and theatre have had a close relationship. Theatre can associate with movie or musical theatre (musicals) and I love both of them. I sing theme songs in some Asian movies, such as“When I Dream” (theme from “Dragon Squad”). It easily recalls people not only from scenes of the movie, but also from memory. I love theme music from movies as well as songs from Musicals, especially Broadway. I remember I have fallen in love with Broadway since I was 12. Musical films characteristically contain elements reminiscent of theatre; performers often sing and dance as if there is a live audience watching. Some musical films were adapted for the stage after their great success, such as “The Wizard of Oz” and“Fame”, while successful musicals also definitely received movie adaptations, i.e. stage-to-film adaptations, such as“Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Evita”. We can share our moments after all these years by passing through “Over the Rainbow”, “Out Here On My Own”, “I Don’t Know How To Love Him”, “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina”, “You Must Love Me” ……

“Moon River” (theme from “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”) has to be selected in my new album "Theatre" although it has been covered by hundreds of artists all over the world. I sing it each time, it seems like a live performance accompanied by the pianist just in front of the audience.

“The Way We Were” (theme from “The Way We Were”) must be selected because it was the song of one of my favorite singers that influences me most, Barbra Streisand, and I won the singing contest with it!

“For All We Know” (theme from “Lovers and OtherStrangers”) was selected, of course, in tribute to my forever idol, the Carpenters.

WORDS from Astor :

I hope all of you would like the presentation of my albums.
Everlasting love dedicated to SUPERSTAR...
My dearest family,
Mom and Dad,
Uncle,
Tony,
Jan.
All the one I love,
Teachers and tutors, who have enlightened me,
All singers and writers of the original songs, especially Karen and Richard Carpenter.
All musicians,
All my fans and friends.
Thanks GOD.

Astor Fong

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