After the female singer finished singing, Trinh Cong Son suggested: 'Give me a kiss'

Singing Trinh's music is very 'hot' like no other

- Filming, releasing and promoting a MV on some occasion - something that seems to have never been seen before in Cam Van?

In previous MVs made by other parties or colleagues, I only appeared and contributed my voice; or filmed homegrown cover MVs mainly for family memories.

As for the MV Pilgrimage on the High Hill, which was professionally filmed, released on various platforms, and then met with journalists like this, it really hasn't happened yet. I feel like I'm 'racing' with today's youth.

At first, I planned to film simply like every other time, but suddenly I remembered my father when he was still alive often said that Cao Bang was very beautiful, so I had the idea of bringing the whole family to film the MV, as a beautiful memory together. So, I called director Tung Phan to discuss.

The trip went smoothly thanks to a loyal fan who guided us. Throughout the filming process, we also received enthusiastic support and favorable conditions from local officials and leaders.

The first time I filmed a music video like this, I was confused about everything. I had back pain, a spinal misalignment, and weak legs. Tung Phan told me to wear sneakers on the mountain path, but I didn't listen and wore normal sandals. Climbing to the top of the mountain, my legs were shaking, I smiled at the camera but I felt like falling.

When I got back to Saigon, I fell ill and have been there ever since. In return, I had wonderful views of the mountains in Cao Bang, then Co Chay hill, Ban Gioc waterfall... Such a beautiful MV, it would be a waste not to promote it.

- Are you shocked about the money issue because the cost of producing MVs these days is not cheap?

Tung Phan only charged for the crew, high-end equipment, flying cameras... and refused to take a single penny from the director's fee no matter how much I begged. Thanks to Tung Phan, the product was as economical as possible, not a billion-dollar MV like the others now.

- What role does Trinh Cong Son's music play in your career?

I am happy that I am not a muse but can sing his music and the audience recognizes it. Singers sing Son's music in their own way. Some are cute, some are fierce, romantic, cold... I choose to sing very 'hot', unlike anyone else.

When Mr. Son passed away, I made the CD Xin Cho Toi, intending to release it on the first anniversary of his death. At that time, there was a program, I was preparing to sing Xin Cho Toi with an orchestra of nearly 100 people, when I heard that the song was banned, the CD had to be kept. The following year, the press reported that the song was being circulated, so I released the CD.

The CD Xin cho toi has about 30 songs, including the songs performed, I sang about 60 - 70 of his songs throughout my career.

Famous singer Cam Van.

After I finished singing, Mr. Son asked me to 'kiss him'.

- Until now, what memory do you remember most about him?

Mr. Son's birthday is on February 28th, and he left about a month after the party (April 1st). Every year, on his birthday, everyone comes to his house without invitation.

On his last birthday, Son was very weak. He said: "Van, sing me a song." I had a hoarse voice and didn't have a guitar, but I didn't dare argue, so I sang "Where the Waves Return". Therefore, on his death anniversary every year after that, I often sang this song again.

He was sick but he was still dressed neatly, had nice hair and glasses. Son was very stylish, especially when friends came to visit because he loved meeting friends. He was an adult but was like a child who loved to be pampered and spoiled.

I heard many people, including musicians, say this and that about him. But in my heart, Mr. Son is still just the brother I know and respect.

He is cute, gentle and generous. No matter what bad things people say, he just says "Forget it", he doesn't know how to be angry. At this age, I also ignore bad things, but that is letting go. But Son's ignoring is very light, he doesn't care at all.

When he was alive, Mr. Son especially loved eating the goat curry I cooked. Sometimes he would say, "Van, come over this Sunday and eat goat curry." Very friendly.

Cam Van with Trinh Cong Son.

So when I heard the news of his death, I was sad, very sad. At first I thought it was an April Fool's joke. I thought to myself, "Oh my god, you're joking." When I called to confirm, I found out it was real.

- What about the image of the late musician at work, ma'am?

The first time we met was around 1984 at a gathering place on a ship at Bach Dang wharf. I was singing when I saw Mr. Son and Mr. Pham Trong Cau sitting below. Back then, the two of them were like a couple, always going everywhere together.

Mr. Cau sat below and shouted: "Van, sing Trinh Cong Son's music." I said I listened to a lot of songs but couldn't remember any, so Mr. Son came up and reminded me, very nicely.

Anyone who knows him knows that if he covers his mouth with his hand, it means he's drunk. So I sang a line of Old Love, and he reminded me of a line.

Later, when he assigned a song, he would often call me over and tell me to just sing, it was okay to get the notes wrong but not the lyrics wrong. He only reminded me like that, but he respected the singer very much.

Actually, there is a word in the song Xin Cho Toi that I firmly changed. The original sentence is "Xin cho may che dut phan nguoi" but I sang it as "Xin cho may che phan nguoi" because the word "du" is on a down note, giving a heavy accent. If sung correctly, it would not sound good. I said: "I wouldn't sing it like that", Mr. Son smiled and didn't blame me.

Trinh Cong Son stood next to Cam Van, reminding her of the lyrics to "Diem Xua". Photo: Musician Nguyen Ha

- At that time, did you ever think about becoming Trinh Cong Son's muse?

Never, Mr. Son did not even acknowledge me. He never mentioned me in music , if he had to mention me briefly when talking about the people who sang his music.

He loves me but never says it. Whenever I'm busy and can't attend any of his programs, he's very sad but doesn't say it.

Every time I sang and he liked it, he would click his tongue and pretend to like it, that's all. Once, after I finished singing, he said: "Thank you, give me a kiss" and then offered his cheek. I was surprised: "What's so strange? If I thank you, I should kiss your cheek, right?".

Mr. Khac Trieu was standing right there. Mr. Trieu loved Mr. Son very much. On the contrary, Mr. Son rarely bought gifts for anyone, only people bought gifts for him. Yet Mr. Son bought Mr. Trieu a pair of hammers when he returned from France.

- At 65, is there any Trinh song that is too much for you?

Not only do I not find it difficult, I sing better than before. Age and experience help my voice gain depth and maturity, of course I also have to 'practice writing and martial arts' every day.

Famous singer Cam Van.

I love my job but I don't abstain from anything to keep my voice. I drink ice water, milk tea, milk coffee, eat chili, stay up late... everything, as well as being lazy.

I now have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and have to go for checkups every 3 months because I'm afraid of diabetes. I recently started going to the gym with Cece Truong.

I have the habit of practicing a song until I feel the thrill. I practice each word and each note, remembering the emphasis and the rhythm. At this age, I still get stressed when singing a song.

- I heard that your relationship with Trinh's music will continue with a vinyl record?

This year I will release a Trinh music vinyl record produced in the US and mixed by Nguyen Cong Phuong Nam in Germany.

I wanted a vinyl record of Mr. Son's music for a long time, but after calculating the cost, it would be more than 1 billion VND. Where would I get it? Suddenly, a 'playboy' came down from the sky to make a record for me. I didn't have to pay anything, and even got paid a sum.

During the recording, he kept banging on the table, asking me to record 100 more Trinh songs. I thought he was joking, but every once in a while he kept mentioning it. Basically, everything was ready, just waiting for me to nod.

Source Vietnamnet

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