A concert report from Boris Lee. I just got back from my HK trip and I haven't quite gotten over the excitement of the concert yet. It's the best show I've ever seen in my life. Definitely worth the flight!

I went on Dec 26. night. On my way to the coliseum the taxi driver said Faye is the coolest female singer in HK. I thought to myself, what a nice start. After arriving at 7:00 I took some pics with the huge hedgehog, and then went memorabilia shopping. Some items had run out of stock, such as short-sleeve T-shirts (it was only the 3rd night!). What a shame I couldn't collect them all.

The show itself was of course the best part. Faye's singing was great even though she had to move around the stage a lot (not dancing, but taking care of the audiences at all four sides). She didn't talk much (only 3-4 times), but the interaction between her and the audience was still pretty hot. Like when she asked us "did you buy the hedgehog stuff sold outside the coliseum?", one audience yelled "of course we did! Now you made a fortune (fat dat)!" And Faye replied, "don't you like it when I make a fortune?" So cute...

The band was amazing too. Many songs were differently arranged from their album counterparts, given a heavier and fuller feel. At certain moments it almost sounded like a rock concert. As a whole the show was very music- oriented, as Faye had previously promised. The music came first, and all the rest was just complemental. The entire show was divided into several segments, each segment with its own music flow. Some upbeat and happy (Dream Person / Sleepwalking / Being Criminal), some acoustic and simple (Nostalgia / Awaken), some psychedelic and anesthetizing (Doomsday / Decadence / Angel - my fave part), and some emotional and heart-breaking (Scandalous / Brink / Dated).

The songs were somehow slightly different from at the first night as reported by Didar. To my disappointment Faye didn't sing Don't Break My Heart that night! Maybe the HK audience weren't so familiar with that song so it was just deleted from the songlist. Neither did she sing Red Bean. I was expecting her to sing Red Bean or Repayment all night but she didn't. It's really weird. Could it be time's running short or what? Also the rundown's a bit different too. On Sat night Faye sang Dated right after YH, followed by I'm Willing and then she ended the show with No Regret.

As for the stage design I think it's a bit too complicated. Faye had to rush to certain points of the stage in time for the devices to take her up or down. During Di-dar / Exit / Give Up Halfway Faye had to go up in the air on the highly lifted parts of the stage and she had to step from this part to another part totally unprotected. Meanwhile she needed to sing and smile and wave at the audience. It's almost acrobatic. I really see no need for such dangerous action, even though it did make the audience go crazy. Hope they can cancel this dangerous part since they can cancel songs. The lights were great (and certainly much less risky) though. They created the right mood for each song. Take Lost Track for example, a mixed ray of light of yellow, green, purple and pink was focused on Faye. Not only did it match the atmosphere of the song but it's also reminiscent of the Di-dar album. Such elaborate design.

The show ended at around 11:10. You think that's the end of the story? NO!! As I was crossing the road to get a cab, I noticed a small crowd had gathered near the car exit and I heard screams of Faye's name. It was Faye in the car! I ran at the speed of 100m race down to that car and I saw Faye! The car windows were kinda black but I could clearly see Faye and Tong-tong inside. Faye had washed away her makeup, looking very fresh and happy. She was holding cute little Tong-tong on her lap. As the car started to move in to the traffic flow I sped all I could up to the car and waved at Faye. Faye smiled and waved back at me! She then took Tong-tong's little hand to wave at me (the way she always did to the reporters)! I was happy! Faye and Jing-tong waved at me! It still gives a thrill as I recall now. So, Fayenatics who are going to see the concert, remember not to leave the coliseum too soon after the show, stay at the car exit and you may get a chance to wave at Faye!!
Boris Lee

A conert-going-ers view[Julie Wu]: Faye held a wonderful concert in Beijing. Although two days passed I still feel very exicted. You may get some information of the concert from newspaper, but I want to share with you something from a audience view. Faye sang totally 30 songs per night, can you believe it? In 2 hours, 30 songs. Actually, she almost said nothing during the concert except at the beginning, she said:"Thank you for coming to my concert" and at last she said:"Thank you again for coming to my concert. Next is the last song of tonight "No Regret"." She sang one song after another for 2 hours except several "Thank you" between songs. I heard many people say "Oh she must feel very tired singing 2 hours". Some reporters say she almost faded when she finished singing the last song. Audience are very crazy at Faye, they kept shouting her names and Dou Wei. When Faye prepare to sing the last song "No regret", the audience shouted so crazy that Faye was affected and she sang the wrong sentences. All the people laughed. Faye laughed as well, she asked the band replay and she sang again. Dou Wei is the drumer for the concert, I saw clearly from telescope, when Faye standed toward Dou Wei she always eyed him very coquetry. You can tell from the sight how deeply she loves him. Faye changed three outfits during the concert, you may see it from the newspaper. She is in a very good shape but a little too slim. She is so beautiful, so cool, thousands times of her pictures. I hope I could see her concert many, many times, I would never feel boring. She is always the star in my heart.
Julie Wu

Maybe you'll like to have some background of how the whole Chinese pop music scene is like. In a few words, it hasn't give artist much freedom in making their own desire music and this results in many so-called commercialised songs that suit the general public. Faye has gone through this stage too during her early years in the music scene. Compromising to songs selected by the company. As she wasn't a big shot then, her words doesn't hold much weight. However, by compromising, she does create a FAYE awareness among the general public and as she progress and with her increasing fame, she has more say in her music and we get to see more of her personal stuffs. I think the album Random Thinking does include at least 50% of her stuffs and you can see how she adores the music done by the cocteau twins and she's greatly influenced by Dou Wei too as you can sense Dou Wei's element in the song they wrote together - Promise.

Though Faye has more say in her music, she still can't shake off the fact that she's in this entertainment scene that everyone is just interested in making money thus none of her albums then are classified as "complete". (meaning uniformity in an album.) Polygram relaxed their control on her music yet restrict in certain means. However, an album released in 1995 - Di Dar has contained more Faye's personal stuffs. From the songs she wrote for the album Di Dar and Holiday, you'll know the style of music she prefers although she always emphasize the fact that she make that type of music cos she likes it to be that way, never try to classify them as Pop, Rock, alternative...etc. In Di Dar, we also see the name Zhang Yadong appearing in one of the song "I Think". This is their 2nd collaboration after "Float" (in Pleasing Myself album) I think Faye does communicate very often with mainland musicians and if you'll want me to classify Faye's music, I'll say that it contains both Europe and China feel in them. Di Dar is classified as an alternative album by the media then but still...I dun think it's that complete to be classified under that as it contains songs like "oui mui" (track 4), "enjoy"...etc songs that sounded mainstream and doesn't really fit into the album.

But I think the success of this album gives Faye the greenlight to take full control of the next mandarin album she's gonna produce - Exasperation. Exasperation is an album that shook the scene of Chinese pop. Not a single artist has produced an album that contains songs without lyrics, songs that you just hum all the way and songs that are not called songs as they're simply just music pieces. Well, maybe this type of album does exist in China but it's never been exposed to this commercialised music scene. Both praises and bad comments are heard but I think there has been more praises. Faye did it! She expresses herself fully in this album. Songs with lyrics are beautifully written and truely reflect her thinking. Even Dou Wei is envious of her skills in lyrics. When asked why there're some songs without lyrics, Faye said that music alone does express everything. Sometimes, lyrics just seem to be redundant and will even spoil the song! How true! She don't know how to play a single muscial instrument yet her music is full of variety. Cocteau Twins has also specially written 2 songs for her to include in this album and Faye handled them pretty well too especailly in background vocals which I'm always being amazed by her capability in handling her own background. Sometimes, you just don't realise that's her voice and you'll mistaken that as an instrument but should you intergrate the music, you'll realise Hey! that's Faye's voice! It has blended in so well that you don't realise them.

After the release of Exasperation, she gave birth and almost disappear from the music scene for a year but this has not affect her popularity at all. She returns with a bang signing a new contract with EMI which rumored to be one of EMI's highest paid artist. Reason she signed for this record label is simple she said - they gave me full control in my own music. This statement makes everyone expect an Exasperation Part II from her. However, when her first album with EMI is released entittled "Wang Fei", this album is not Faye Wong at all! I can say that songs by themselves are nice songs and way better than the existing ones in the music scene yet they don't fit in together as a piece. Again, you'll notice that some songs like Mortal World, I don't want to be this way either, Putting off the fire are songs make to suit the general public. Even Faye told the media frankly that she don't like this album at all and when asked by some host to take about the trend in this album, she said nothing as this is not her own music.

The only explanation I can give and a sensitive one which Faye and the record company will not reveal is they do not want Faye to go "downhill". She has not appeared under the limelight for more than a year and by signing on a contract with EMI which is highly paid, she understand that she needs to compromise a little to make everyone happy as if she were to produce another Exasperation, it won't be release within a short period of time after the signing of the contract the the heat may die down and the pressure will be on EMI. She is a considerate person and I think that's why we have ya...her "Wang Fei" album which is not Wang Fei. And she does kept her promise of releasing an album per year. We waited for a full year for the release of her current Sing and Play album and she wrote 4 songs for the album. Well...this album is way much better that Wang Fei in terms of completeness but still stands inferior to Exasperation. Faye told the media frankly she don't like two of the songs in there but not revealing their tittles. Nvermind Faye, you're heading towards the correctdirection. She likes to call this album Wang Fei but the production team disagrees as it's repetitive of the first album with EMI and so Sing and Play is not named by her too. Song Little Smart in the album is intended not to have any lyrics but the lyrics are written to suit the public again. However, Faye deleted part of lyrics and add in her humming. Song Face has make us realise again the flexibility in Faye's composition and singing technique and Faye has also said that that's her personal favourite in the album.

Quoting from a magazine review. Just because we can't quit Faye's music, there'll be another round of anticipation. Very true. I'm looking forward again to her next album...in a year's time.
Mingyi's Thought

Fayenatic Encounter No one of u would believed what happen today meant for me. I have been a Faye fan for more than 4 years, an never saw Faye live. But today in the signing session in New Century Center in Mongkok, Hong Kong. Today, not only I saw Faye, I have got hear autograph in a postcard, but that not all that excuited for what else I have to say. Today, I wore my Fayenatice T-shirt to the signing, she not only sign my post card, I asked she to sign on my T-shirt as well. She smiled and got up off her chair and sign in on my left shoulder, how often do you think that happened, she actually touched me............................... and she was so pretty. The news is not much but I am sure it will shock the whole Fayenatic World. Hiya! I couldn't sleep at night that I got four of faye's autographes!( 3 signed faye's <> and <>, 1 signed postcard).......ah....I haven't seen actual faye before......I 'm so excited....I was the 3rd. fayenatics who got faye postcard with autograph at this charity session. from ERIC

I rehearsed how to hand my cd to faye and thought what should i doing before. I was gasing at Faye that time when I was walking forward close to Faye. I took some photos of Faye. Next one was me la.......in my mind was nothing as a clean paper.....Faye really in front of me!!!!!!!!!!! when I have got Faye's autograph.... I said " ah Faye!!" her face turned to me and said "ah" with a smile....wor.... her voice is soft which got in my heart deeply....

And then Ricko, Edmund, Ah Hung, and my friend (Terry Li and Peter wong) got the autograph......i saw Ricko, Ricko's friend and Edmund got the autograph which was signed on their Cd....oh..lala.....oh...lala.........I was shocked that...........I.........I.........I.... have forgotten to hand my CD to Faye ah.......I 'm unexpectedly that I gave the postcard to Faye not my CD( at that time I hadn't noticed that I didn't give the Cd to faye......ahya.....me such as a big stupid.....) ~ ~, I have decided lining up again. We all came down along the stair....wor we took about 2-3 minutes reached the end of the queue which nearly the Exit of Mongkok Trains station....I 'm afraid that it was no time la...Faye would leave at 2;30PM. That time was about 1:45PM! I also rehearsed again.... my friend, Terry Li, he not only help me got the autograph signed at my <> album, but also help me took the Faye's photos and gave his postcard to me....hahaha....(didar! you should thanks to him ah)

Fortunately, we the line moved very fast....I was second time encounter Faye closely. I passed my <> to Faye, she signed fast as well. I also gasing at Faye...I said " ah faye, I want another CD ah..." when the autograph was signed the bonus CD... she smile with me....and signed her autograph at the another one...oh.....super! I have got two Faye's autographes in one time ah......so happy.........I have forgotten what is my name at that time!
YanKen

How I became a fayenatic This is my story about how I got to know about a Chinese singer named Faye Wong. I moved to Canada in 1989, when I was about 9. Like many Chinese Immigrants, I longed for things from china, because I still have vivid memories about my hometown. When my mom went to visit Hong Kong in 1993, she brought me back a bunch of CDs, and one of them was Faye’s (it was a fake one, but I didn’t know then). At the time, I wasn’t mesmerized by her voice, but as time goes on, I start to enjoy the song, "I’m willing". It wasn’t until last year that I received my first Faye album entitled "Wong Faye". I didn’t love it at first, but the more I listen to it, the more I love it. My favorite song is "bored", and this was a good tape to get to know Faye better even though she didn’t write anything on it.

This summer, I went to China to visit my family (grandmas and grandpas), it was also a good time to get lots of tapes and CDs (they’re cheaper in China ^_^). I read on the Internet that Faye’s new album might be out in August, but it wasn’t, I had to wait until October to get it! When the album was out, I rush to Chinatown to see if they got it, thank god they did, and it was the double CD version ^_^. Like always, it didn’t hit me too hard the first time, but I expected it, but the more I listen to it, the bigger the impact on me is, does anyone else feel the same?

Thanks for allowing me to share my story with you guys,
Winnie

Without having seen you, I know you very well: you're not like the other ones. People who discovered your talent, people who have worked with you know it. And, I do too, with your angelic voice. It was in the beginning of the 90's: a new era was coming, you also. You were somewhere away from the front-line.

Suddenly, you appeared, you were everywhere. Is it the way you please everyone without giving up your own pride? Artist have shortcomings but transformed them into qualities. Not you. You've stayed true to yourself, to your believes. Like a child, you were shy and innocent in your first stage performances. Time has passed by, you are still the same. You still possess that shyness and innocence that make each of your appearances delightful. Always the same, you've changed, experimented, grown up, evolved through your own music. The more we know you, the more you hide from us. The more you live your own life, the more we understand you. Contrasts are what you are made of. Supporting an edgy look, you seduce the whole world with your silky voice. Known to be avant-garde, you are profoundly traditional. Needless to try to decypher you, you always slip away. She has been here, she will be there again...

The straightfowardness that comes out of you has become the target for media's critics. What is candour to you has been mistaken for haughtiness to them. You were strong. You've survived, moreover. Your stardom made me forgot that you are also a citizen of Earth, like me, like anybody else. But then, on January the 3rd, 1997, a baby came, your baby, reminding me who you really are: a heavenly happy mother. Only 29, and you've already reached the apotheosis of your life. What else can I expect from you than being happy forever? Thanks Faye. Thanks for being here, thanks for being who you are.
Tuyet Linh Ma