Over the past two years, there have been several changes in musical styles in the Republic of China. In the first place, the mixture of student music with commercially popular music has formed a completely new genre. Secondly, new singers have emerged with their own distinct styles. Third, the tastes of the listening public have been widened by an appreciation of each singer's ability. The public is now able to accept more musical styles, and record sales have come to depend increasingly on fitting the right song to the right singer. This article introduces three female singers who have managed to fit in successfully with this new trend: Tracy Huang, Pan Yueh-yuin and Lin Huei-pin.
Tracy Huang's voice is said to be as sweet and melodious as that of an oriole singing in a cave. Despite her beauty, Tracy dresses conservatively and projects a serious image. Some interpret her approach as being cold, but on meeting her, most people find her warm and friendly.
Unlike most other Chinese singers, Tracy first became popular singing English songs, which were well received in the United States as well as in Southeast Asia. Recently, she has recorded Chinese songs which are selling well in Taiwan and has appeared on a local TV variety show. Her album "There is only Separation" has been a bestseller. Another album, "Mutual Love", entered the top ten only a week after it was issued, and moved to number one shortly afterward.
Although Tracy Huang is one of the leading singers in Taiwan today, few people know that when she first started singing, her father disapproved. While she was studying dance at the College (now University) of Chinese Culture, she and her friends formed a singing group which performed for the International Community Radio Taipei. When her father came home from Kinmen where he was stationed at the time, he was furious and even locked her out of the house. Fortunately, her mother was there to open the door. Recalls Tracy: "My father is just an honest soldier and he didn't like the idea of my singing in public. Later, he said he would relent on three conditions: I had to be home by 10 PM, I couldn't accept any gifts form fans, and it mustn't affect my grades. I remember nodding my head until it almost fell off!"
Tracy is so far not following in the footsteps of other singers who become popular in Taiwan first, then abroad, and then get married. Tracy, instead first got married, became popular abroad, then returned to become popular at home. While singing for ICRT she went to Singapore and met her future husband, who is Southeast Asian representative for the Totoni Watch Corp. On her return to Taiwan in 1970, she recalls, "When Liu Chia-chang composed "Cloud River" he invited many artists to audition and I was chosen. Record sales were good. Just as I was becoming famous, my husband proposed, I accepted and had to abandon my singing career temporarily to live in Singapore." But soon she was feeling lonely and returned to singing, obtaining a contract with the British recording company EMI. Tracy works hard to pronounce English words correctly, differentiating carefully between such words as fill and feel, alone and along, and plan and plane. She has recently signed up with the German firm PolyGram. Her English songs are so well done that most people cannot tell it is an Asian singing them. Many people still like her English songs best. But she soon found a greater challenge in singing Chinese songs written especially for her. Now that she has done well her father is proud of her.
If Tracy Huang's voice is silk then Pan Yueh-yuin's voice is more like rich velvet. Pan's sad songs remind us of the pressures and unhappiness that abound in modern society. "This probably has something to do with my own past," she says. When she was a freshman in high school her mother died, to be followed six months later by her father. Though she had elder brothers and sisters, she chose to be self-reliant. Her elder sister has a beauty parlour where she worked and lived for awhile. Her singing career started when she stood in for an entertainer at a restaurant where she was working as a waitress.
As her popularity grew, she was given the opportunity to sing on television. But when she was asked to wear Mexican dress and put on a moustache, she balked. "Why should I dress up when it is my voice that is important, not my appearance?" she asked. This incident showed her adherence to principle.
She has now returned to school, bought an apartment (which she is in the process of furnishing) and is also studying piano and dance.
Her most famous song, "Blue Skies Every Day" is in the sad, romantic style in which she specializes; and which should ensure her a bright future in her chosen career.
Lin Huei-pin, the latest arrival on the Chinese music scene, is in appearance like movie star Lin Feng Chiao, while her singing style is reminiscent of Feng Fei-fei.
Now 20 years old, Lin recalls "My father, who died 10 years ago, used to sing a Japanese song that I can still remember and which first interested me in a musical career." The third of four children Lin used to sing and play the guitar her mother bought for her birthday. She says of this period: "My brothers and sisters and I would all perform in turn, but no one would talk while I was singing, otherwise I would start all over again."
When Lin decided to try recording she had to borrow a tape recorder. She also needed an empty house for better acoustics and so the backup singers would not overpower the lead singer.
This first tape came to the attention of the Ko Lin recording Co., which was so impressed that Lin was signed on for voice training. Normal ly, the contract is not signed until the training period is finished. Once Lin started singing in public, she enjoyed instant popularity. She never forgets the advice given to her by Feng Fei-fei: "You must work hard and be able to overcome setbacks."
While luck has played a part in the success of all three artists introduced in this article, talent has been the major factor in their emergence among the most popular singer in Taiwan today.
[Picture Caption]
1.-3. Tracy Huang, Pan Yueh-yuin, and Lin Huei- pin, three leading singers of popular songs in the Republic of China. 4. Tracy Huang likes to dress in a simple and elegant fashion.
1. Tracy Huang's voice is clear, crisp and sweet. Her performances are feminine and elegant. 2. Tracy Huang resting in the yard of her house in Singapore. 3. Tracy Huang's albums have been on top of the charts for weeks. 4. Tracy Huang projects a cool image. 5. Tracy is gracious and polite to everyone despite her star status.
1. Pan Yueh-yuin has an individual appearance and singing style. 2. Listening to records is one of Pan's favorite pastimes. 3. Pan grew up in a lonely environment. 4. Pan loves to wear Chinese clothes. 5. Pan excels at singing sentimental songs.
1. Lin Huei-pin is a new arrival on the Chinese music scene. 2. Despite her youth, Lin's voice is firm and mature. 3. Lin remains a child at heart. 4 and 5. Her image of being like a well-behaved child has captured the hearts of the listening public.
Pan Yueh-yuin,.
Lin Huei- pin,.
4. Tracy Huang likes to dress in a simple and elegant fashion.
1. Tracy Huang's voice is clear, crisp and sweet. Her performances are feminine and elegant.
2. Tracy Huang resting in the yard of her house in Singapore.
3. Tracy Huang's albums have been on top of the charts for weeks.
4. Tracy Huang projects a cool image.
5. Tracy is gracious and polite to everyone despite her star status.
1. Pan Yueh-yuin has an individual appearance and singing style.
2. Listening to records is one of Pan's favorite pastimes.
3. Pan grew up in a lonely environment.
4. Pan loves to wear Chinese clothes.
5. Pan excels at singing sentimental songs.
1. Lin Huei-pin is a new arrival on the Chinese music scene.
2. Despite her youth, Lin's voice is firm and mature.
3. Lin remains a child at heart.
4 and 5. Her image of being like a well-behaved child has captured the hearts of the listening public.
4 and 5. Her image of being like a well-behaved child has captured the hearts of the listening public.
