A place called youth
International tourists come for the old building. The Taiwanese guests, meanwhile, come from all around the island to revisit their youths. Yellow and Black B&B boasts a comprehensive collection of over 5,000 vinyl albums from the golden age of Mandarin pop in Taiwan, 1970‡1990.
Chung himself is almost like a DJ, taking requests from his guests. A Mr. Huang, who has come down from Keelung, requests the song “Speaking as Before,” written by renowned author Sanmao and performed by Monique Lin; a middle-aged man asks for the first track on Side B of Sarah Chen’s Talk to You, Listen to You, “Speaking Without Words,” which reminds him of his first girlfriend.
The track “Forgotten Times,” from Tsai Chin’s debut album Leaving Home, is also a common request, having come back into vogue thanks to its appearance in Andy Lau’s 2002 film Infernal Affairs. Also popular are 90s classic albums like Lo Ta-yu’s Zhi Hu Zhe Ye, Tom Chang’s Miss You Everyday, Chyi Chin’s Wolf and Happy Heaven, and Michelle Pan’s Forever Blue Skies. For guests, Yellow and Black is a veritable treasure trove, full of the sounds of days gone by.
After being asked to recommend a particular gem from the collection, Chung proposes “The Earth’s Most Beautiful Time,” a song written by musical titan Lee Tai-hsiang for intellectually disabled children that was often put on by Chung’s mother. The song, with its beautiful melody coupled with the powerful singing voice of Lee and the crystal-clear voice of Christine Hsu, is one of Chung’s most important connections with his mother.
Sitting in the B&B’s vinyl room as “The Earth’s Most Beautiful Time” fills the air, Chung holds his two-year-old daughter as they dance. Since leaving his old job and returning to the family home, Chung has had more time to be with his family and watch his daughter grow, all accompanied by a vinyl soundtrack. The experience has shown him that the things that are most easily overlooked are also the most precious, teaching him to enjoy the little details in life.
Vinyl, which dominated so much of the last century, has always had its own pace and quality, a particular purity it imbues to the listening experience.
How long has it been since you really listened to some music? Why not give yourself the chance to find a vinyl space where you can slow down, open your ears, and truly let the music take you away?
Choose an album and head for the listening room to immerse yourself in the charming sound of vinyl.
Domongo Chung left his old job to head back to his hometown with his wife and daughter and lead a cozy life surrounded by vinyl records.
1000 Springs is a classic folk album by legendary Mandarin duo Tianshui Music.
The soundtrack to the film Papa, Can You Hear Me Sing was also Julie Sue’s debut album.
8½ is one of Lee Shou-chuan’s most important contributions to Mandarin music.
The Earth’s Most Beautiful Time, composed and performed by Lee Tai-hsiang.
Yellow and Black B&B has an extensive collection of classic Mandarin albums from the 1980s and 90s.
Traditional architecture and vinyl make for a striking contrast, and it is this pairing that makes Yellow and Black B&B a standout addition to Kaohsiung’s Meinong District.