From: abs0@coos.dartmouth.edu (Kelvin Leung)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.hongkong
Subject: Re: cantonese songs
Date: 9 Nov 92 01:37:57 GMT
Organization: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH

nephilim@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu writes:

>Talk about music scene, since Beyond turned to mainstream, Tat-Ming broke up,
>I really don't see much good music around.  Danny Summer is still around, I am 
>glad.  Other than those, everybody is doing the same old thing for years.  They 
>did change on style, and image, but new bottle, old wine.  Those are not the
>thing I am into.  I got really bored.  Talk about HK culture, I read Chinese
>novels like Dream of the Red Building, Wise Lee(Not as good as it used to),
>Monkey, Ko Loan.....  Do you mean stuff like that?  I don't read Little man
> weekly
>Journals, that's cheap.  That's pop culture.  Culture is a big thing.  I don't
>think I have learned enough to discuss it w/ you.  But don't mistake it.

I believe there are more than Tat-Ming, Beyond, Danny Summer, Dream
of the Red Chamber, "Wise Lee," "monkey," and "Ko Loan" out there in Hong Kong.

There are alot of talented people in Hong Kong.  Many of them have lots to
say if we were willing to listen/pay attention.  Have you ever get a chance
to go watch some plays in Hong Kong?  I usually attend the summer drama 
festival in Hong Kong.  The winning ones usually have a lot to say--and
often express their ideas in very unique and thought-provoking ways. 

Now, back to the HK music scene.  My favorite groups include City Beat,
Paradox ("Dream Theater") and Cocos.  There are a few more that I like, 
but I seldom hear from them, so I don't know what's up with them.

If you were to look closer at these three groups' lyrics (perhaps with
the exception of cocos, they wrote almost all of their songs and lyrics) you 
will realise they have quite a bit to say.  For example, City Beat's 
"Welcome to the Real World" which talks about the problems found in a
society (related very closely to Hong Kong), and how one should go about
solving the problems;  Paradox's "Don't Want to Use Make-ups" reflected 
the two members' desire--they want to be free, yet feel sad that one
has to put on make-ups in order to be accepted;  Cocos' "We are all human
beings" which talks about why we should respect one another...

this is just a short list, I am sure there are *many* *many* more of these 
type of songs.  

BTW, have you ever wondered why Paradox call themselves "Dream (and) Theater?"
(boy, I hope I am not putting words into their mouths...) In a hectic society
such as Hong Kong, people are too busy doing their own things and conforming
to the norms.  What can people resort to to alleviate their stress and
tireness?  dream and theater--something which aren't real but have impact
on our lifes...  gives us hopes and desires to go on...

Now, about books... the last book I've read and loved is called (pardon
me for another poor translation) "First: Be A Human, Then: be a Chinese." 
It talks about what it means to be a Chinese... but more importantly,
to understand Chinese's merits and foible.  Mind you, this book is written
by Hong Kong chinese and is very closely related to Hong Kong Chinese.

My knowledge is very limited.  Furthermore, I have very limited access to
what Hong Kong has to offer.  Yet, I still manage to find the (positive)
things listed above... trust me, if you look, you can find them too.


Yours Sincerely,
Kelvin
e-mail: abs0@coos.dartmouth.edu