Tung Duong should tone down the flowery language.

Gone is the sharp edge and fiery intensity of his stage persona; on the vinyl album The Voice - Timeless, the audience encounters a different Tung Duong: less flamboyant, more relaxed, and minimalist in his music.

Singer Tung Duong has just released his first vinyl album, Timeless, featuring classic songs - Photo: Provided by the artist.

Thirteen years ago, when Tùng Dương recorded his CD "Love Songs 1," which mostly consisted of old songs, the singer was only 29 years old. He handled the songs smoothly and flawlessly, but at that time, Tùng Dương was just an "outsider" voice. Listening to him, one can imagine a young man, driven by love, entering the world of love songs of the older generations, cautiously singing with reverence for its beauty.

However, at Timeless , it is also because of their love for the music of Lam Phuong, Pham Duy, Nguyen Anh 9, Anh Bang, Trinh Cong Son, and Ngo Thuy Mien that these artists are enjoying themselves, feeling utterly free in that world.

Not only does Tung Duong engage in dialogue and conversation with the older generation, but he also dialogues with the Tung Duong of the past within the vast expanse of music .

Tung Duong signs autographs for fans.

Timeless is like a slice of time.

Timeless comprises eight classic songs, like a snapshot in the flow of Vietnamese music history. While reinterpreting songs originally associated with a particular singer, Timeless retains Tung Duong's signature style.

What I liked most was "A Corner of the Sky, " the arrangement and the way it was sung opened up spaces rarely seen in this very familiar song, bringing new experiences.

Against a backdrop of jazz and funk-infused arrangements by music director Hong Kien, featuring guitar, piano, drums, trumpet, and more, the singer improvises and performs.

There are parts with Tùng Dương's very distinctive vocal embellishments, parts that playfully soar high and then drift (the hook); or the ending is rough and rustic, the song is finished but the voice still vibrates in the throat.

"Imprinted" on Tuan Ngoc's voice, Tung Duong didn't dare try to imitate him. Instead of singing it simply and straightforwardly, he delivered a nuanced rendition of "A Corner of the Sky " while still retaining the song's essence.

That's also how Timeless takes it, leading the audience back to the most original elements while still showcasing the aesthetic sensibilities of the new generation singing classic songs. And actually, if Tung Duong sang like Tuan Ngoc, it would be boring, so Tung Duong has to be Tung Duong!

The same applies when Tung Duong sings "Alone," "Lonely," "Sorrow," "The Feelings of a Traveler," etc.

Timeless is the first vinyl record in Tung Duong's series paying tribute to musicians of the previous generation - Photo: Provided by the artist.

Listening to "In What Lifetime Will We Love Each Other" sung by Tung Duong feels more relaxed, though the pain of the young woman from years ago is still present. And in that world of love songs, Trinh Cong Son's music cannot be absent: "Lullaby of Sorrow" and "Footprints in Paradise".

"Listening to the recording, the audience will notice a few notes that sound true to the human voice, slightly bright or slightly subdued... I wanted to preserve and maintain the raw and authentic singing voice, less embellished, and without using technology in this comeback," Tung Duong said.

The artist further shared that after the experimental and groundbreaking albums of recent years such as Human, Multiverse , and Timeless , Tung Duong's voice returns to its most refined form. In these albums, the beauty of his voice is intertwined with melodies that resonate with the hearts of many generations of Vietnamese music lovers.

Tung Duong sings with tolerance and experience.

Composer Hong Kien said that Tung Duong's voice is currently at its peak, combined with his experience and thorough research into music and singing style, so Tung Duong seems to soar through the arrangements, sometimes harmonious and relaxed, sometimes intense and versatile.

According to him, Tung Duong is passionate, but this time his voice is compassionate, experienced, and takes a step back to clearly see the landscape of Vietnamese music through many periods.

Latest image of singer Tung Duong - Photo: Provided by the artist

Speaking to Tuoi Tre newspaper , the singer said this vinyl record is the first in a series paying tribute to composers of the previous generation. Similar to his previous tributes to the "Four Composers of the Red River" (Pho Duc Phuong, Nguyen Cuong, Duong Thu, Tran Tien), his honoring of classic music in the CD "Tung Duong Sings Love Songs 1," and his tributes to love songs praising his homeland and country in "Tung Duong Sings Love Songs 2."

"Next up could be younger musicians, the generation of Phu Quang, Thanh Tung... And who knows, maybe one day we'll even make vinyl records of today's young music?", Tung Duong revealed.

CENTURY BEANS

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tung-duong-bot-hoa-my-20251108100022737.htm