eta song links: Notice: Steven's upcoming HK concert

Below is Steven's song list with song links.  No details and/or date as yet of said concert at this time.

I am totally baffled by his song list - only one song (憐憫我) from his numerous albums is on the list, and none composed by him.  How come? Didn't he say the main reason for releasing his Cherish albums is so that he can sing original new songs in his concert? What's changed? A pity since he has so many good songs from his numerous albums that his fans truly cherish. (with cds selling on ebay as much as US$87) Not that I can attend this concert, but if I do, I would much rather listen to a mixture of his original songs, theme songs, and cover songs. Imho, there are too many cover songs and not enough of his own songs (theme songs don't count) on the list - he is after all a bono fide singer in his own right with 16 albums so why neglect them?  As fan of his albums, his dismissal of his own songs truly saddens me.

On a different level, I think most music composers and lyricists would hesitate to compose songs for someone who won't deign to even sing their songs in his own concert. Unless covering popular oldies is a requisite set by sponsors or partner (x樂樂) for the concert (or that the concert theme is nostalgia), I think Steven is missing out on a good opportunity to familiarize if not promote his own songs as treat to his fans in the audience. Just saying! This upcoming concert is a "SM doing cover songs concert" instead of a "Steven Ma concert".  Am I being too harsh? 

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YYCMA

Date: June 5 at 8 pm (Sunday)
Venue: Shatin Town Hall
Tickets: $480, $380, $280
Time: 7:30 pm (hmm! not 8 pm as stated on above notice?)

song links
1.會友之鄉
2.水中仙
3.心竅
4. 錯認
5. happenstance (偶然)
6. 但願人長久
7. 漁舟唱晚
8. chu ge (楚歌)
9. 一點燭光 / 如此認識我

10. 親情
11.憐憫我

12. 李香蘭
13. 不了情
14.萬水千山總是情  
15, 忘盡心中情
16.情義兩心堅
17. 萬水千山縱橫/ 潇洒走一回/ 沧海一声笑
18. 天意

Chicago Concert 12-27-2015

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Yes! Steven finally retired his overused shanghai bund medley. Though audiences are mostly different for each concert but yay to his finally revamping his song repertoire with new songs.

His security guards definitely worked hard for their money 'protecting' their subject from overzealous fans.

Putting aside the obvious safety issues, I'm of two minds about singers (not just Steven) shaking hands with fans on or off stage. On the one hand, singer-fans' physical interactions naturally induce and inject excitement into an already heightened, contagious atmosphere of anticipation   - exactly how a spirited and animated idol concert should be. On the other hand, the pandemonium caused can be/is disruptive to audience's overall enjoyment in that their view is being constantly and consistently blocked by the crowds pooling at the the stage (especially irksome to those who paid good money for premier seating). I myself was both irked and distracted by fans constantly rushing down from all directions toward the stage during a performance. But then what's an idol concert without these small bands of zealous fans whipping up excitement, eh? Yes, excitement heightens the atmosphere but can excitement be aroused without the said distractions during the performance? Maybe all physical interactions should be relegated towards the end of the concert? Quite a dilemma!
What say you?

Editorial post on Butterfly Lovers

I was amused when I found out that Steven and Susanna sang 樓台會 as one of their Sunday Songbird duets. Incidentally,Susanna and the late Roman Tam (Lo Man) were the original singers of that song, which is in fact a subsong in the TVB adaptation of the Chinese classic《梁山伯與祝英台 - Butterfly Lovers》 . Although I've not watched that series, I recognized the song as I did for many of TVB classic theme songs - courtesy of my parents' tvb theme songs cassettes and cds. haha! I really enjoyed listening to old TVB classic theme songs, especially the wuxia's.  Anyway, I checked out Sunday Songbird episode 1 yesterday, and sure enough, I recognized all of the songs sang though I've not watched any of the series.  Adam looked so suave and debonair then. But...but the invited guests only sang and did not get to say anything at all.  So, Steven and Susanna would just sing and get off the stage when done?

Incidentally,  Ivy Ling and Betty Loh Ti's classic《梁山伯與祝英台》movie is my mother's absolute favorite movie, and surprisingly I love it too. I also enjoy listening to the Chinese opera Butterfly Lovers "化蝶" played on traditional Chinese musical instruments, and it was simply heavenly when ex-Chinese female figure skater, Chen Lu, skated to that piece of music. Link

tag: Sunday Songbird

Are the photos taken even of the same person?

A picture is worth a thousand words, here are 4 of them.

R- masculine confident look, well-defined solid chest, well-built form, attractive, smart
L= boyish bashful look, thin body frame, narrow shoulders, scrawny arms, underdeveloped


R=longish face, hollowed cheeks, chiseled looks, elegant nose, starkly dark lips against pale skin - an enigmatic look, striking.
L= full (moon) face, chipmunk's cheeks, dull eyes, bull neck, same outfit as top left pix without the stylish effect, nondescript.

See how important photography is?  Indeed, a picture tells a story but make sure to pick the right one for one's story.

2015 4/1/ Steven in Sydney

 4月18日 12:10 Acting cool in Australia, selfie captured Jesus light illuminating me, so happy, haha^^ Hallelujah! (澳洲扮cool自拍有耶穌光照住，非常開心哈哈^^ Hallelujah)

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Steven transferred 出色堂小馬工作室  4月18日 17:29  post:
Australia "Yeah Show" is about to start, our thanks to Aussie "little piggy" for her cupcakes. Steven thanks all of you for your affection, good show tonight! 在澳洲的Yeah Show 就快開場，感謝澳洲小豬送來的cup cake，四哥謝謝你們的愛䕶，今晚good show!

Steven 4月18日 18:55 : What touched me deeply was that she had 100 cupcakes delivered to the volunteers......the cakes were great, her thoughtfulness even more beautiful! Thank you, bless you! 最讓我感動的是她送來了100個cup cake給所有義工吃......蛋糕很贊，但心意更美！多謝，祝福妳！

For timely pix goto SM Fan Forum FB
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From photo (eta with the cake), looks like Steven has lost most if not all of his recently gained muscular built, now he's back to his slim self again. (somewhat lollipop?) Frankly, Steven could be more well built with broader shoulders. (but not the bodybuilders' bulky-and-hunky kind of built, thank you very much). Anyway, it's like Steven has this relentless on-going internal battle with his looks and body (to change his appearance). Like how he periodically (between filming) abuses his skin by over tanning and strains his heart with strenuous exercise routine. Last year, his body looked bloated and face puffy because he took protein powder supplement wanting to build muscles (not sure if he has since discontinued). And now seeing his current scrawny self on the above photo, looks like the months (a year and a half?) of hard work, strict diet and self deprivation are all for naught? Instead reportedly, his body-building special diet and rigid exercise regimen have adversely affected his health and landed him in hospital.  Or is this the case of "穿衣顯瘦脫衣有肉"?  (thin when clothed, muscular when bared). Steven is lucky his skin and body are so resilient and forgiving of his relentless 'torturing'. Incidentally, I prefer Steven with a healthy, light tan (as oppose to charcoal/burn tan or pasty fair) and of course doing regular exercise is good for health and stamina, but everything should be done in moderation and not in extreme as to compromise one's health.

updated 5/20/2015 shoes, Steven's wardrobe.

So, does Steven buy clothes and shoes by the bulk? And badminton rackets by the dozen?

On a fan group visit on location, a fan asks Steven outright if he buys his clothes by the dozen?  She says: "Because when watching Apprentice Chef, your clothes were all the same style but in different colors."  Steven admits he sometimes buys clothes of same style in 3 or 5 colors. link, and I guess he does the same for same shoes but different colors, too

At least his shoes are of different styles.

credit pix sources as labeled. FB

Song requests for Steven's concerts

Steven is soliciting song requests on weibo for his  upcoming concerts. I'd rather Steven sing more of his own songs than songs by other singers. And definitely, positively time to retire  his Shanghai Bund medley.

My song request playlist for now:

不再悲观, 无情雨，似是水中花，不应该发生，共同进退，雪在飘, 怜悯我，靜待那天, 我要结婚了，不遇见，如愿，傻，想飞，天意，心窍，变天，亲情，一起走过的日子，从头再来，命硬，海鸥，沉默是金，李香兰，沧海一声笑，明天会更好，掌声响起，

eta: others: 心照 遥远的她 只因有祢, 生命因愛動聽, 情人的小说, 回忆, (Perish in the name of Love playlist): 1) 帝女芳魂 2) 錯認 3)兵车还 4 萬民萬家都好漢

Editorial -- on.cc Starhall page on Steven Ma

Check out this on.cc Starhall 星星廊 page on Steven. Lots of uploaded old photos and screen stills especially selected to chart Steven's entertainment journey from his debut to 2013.

The photos are reposted on baidu sm