Note: Though I have released the playlist as it is, I may add to it as I find necessary - this is just for starters. I'll let you know when I update the playlist through my Shout Box. But either way, hope you enjoy it! Oh, and please feel free to click here if you want to watch the playlist on Youtube.
"A Pair of Lonely Hearts" - Jacky & Priscilla ChanActually, this was the only video clip (a 1995 performance) I could find featuring Jacky and Priscilla (also featured here in retrotvb's blog. The other one was a karaoke version that featured the voices of two nameless studio artists and when I'm looking through different versions, I always try to get one, whether audio or video to feature the original artists. And I see no reason to cut out Jacky and Priscilla. Their voices were a perfect match for this song). I think it's really sweet and cute that Priscilla plants a kiss on Jacky's cheek just before they head into the performance. And LOL. Touches his face. And although I could have just used the clip of just Priscilla's performance, I didn't really feel like cutting out the other female artists Jacky duets with, namely: Vivian Lai, Karen Tong, Shirley Kwan and Vivian Chow. Shirley leaves the stage on the same set of steps that Big V comes on: "Hey Viv." "Oh hey Shirley." LOL.
Tracklist for the medley:
1. "A Pair of Lonely Hearts" - Jacky & Priscilla Chan
2. "Neverending Flow" - Jacky & Vivian Lai
3. "Missing Each Other In The Wind and Rain" - Jacky & Karen Tong
4. "Ask" - Jacky & Shirley Kwan
5. "Only Everlasting Love" - Jacky & Vivian Chow
I would really suggest scrolling down a little further to watch the clip below of the live performance when Jacky was invited as a guest at Priscilla's concert in 2003 (and/or if you want to see Priscilla sing her song "Window of Love" (玻璃窗的爱) which comes right after the end of the duet). That was the time when he dyed his hair blonde. Heheh. I've provided a loose translation of the dialogue that goes between Priscilla and Jacky, just below the vid. So funny. These two have some real on-stage chemistry. And they're both really playful! :D Priscilla's funniness really makes me feel even more bad for the way the general HK audiences treated her when she wanted to make her comeback.
Priscilla: Now this guest of mine, I'm not kidding - he really is my good, good, good, good, good, good, good, good friend...but we don't actually know each other that well.
[Audience laughs]
Priscilla: Furthermore, this guy during the Lunar New Year doesn't give me any red packet. Well, of course, although I'm not young anymore but I'm not married yet so I still have a right to get red packets. But he doesn't give me any red packet. Well that's not right. I hope that tonight he brought it with him...hope that he brought Kjeldsens Danish Butter Cookies or otherwise a bunch of bananas because I'm very greedy. You all know I sang "Greed, greed, greed" (貪貪貪) of course. Right?
[Audience laughs]
Priscilla: I've invited this guest - who I'm not too familiar with to come out: Jacky Cheung.
Jacky: [scratches head] Hello.
Priscilla: Come on, baby! Red packet!...What?
Jacky: No one told you your collar was flipped inside-out.
Priscilla: Oh my God.
Jacky: I'll help you flip it back.
Priscilla: Oh yes. Thank you very much. I don't speak Chinese.
Jacky: It's alright.
Priscilla: I speak English. Let us speak English.
Jacky: Okay, no problem.
Priscilla: [laughs]
Jacky: I'm very good.
Priscilla: You're very good in English?
Jacky: Yes.
Priscilla: No, you have to speak Singapore-English, it is the World Trade Centre.
Jacky: No problem, ah.
Priscilla: No problem, la. Okay now, my red packet?
[Audience laughs]
Jacky: So why don't I give red packets? Why? Because...um, the main reason-
[Audience Member]: Stingy!
Jacky: Yes, stingy is part of it, you know how it goes. My career's not good -
Priscilla: They say that skinny people who get richer get even more stingy. I only know that I'm very generous.
Jacky: Really?
Priscilla: I am because I don't -
Jacky: Well after all, you saw me just as I entered the industry.
Priscilla: Hey, what are you saying?
Jacky: Right?
Priscilla: Well, in all honesty, it really was that way. When he went to compete for the - what number, what number, what number district?
Jacky: 18th District.
Priscilla: Yes, 18th District. The 18th District Singing Contest. I really was watching him from down below, watching him saying: "Wow, that one will definitely make it! That one will definitely make it!" Like that. I really saw him as he just entered the industry.
Jacky: And Priscilla Chan was the first -
Priscilla: Woman you fell in love with.
[Audience laughs]
Jacky: This is something that you don't need to say, whenever I see women, I get completely spellbound and feel like I fall in love with them all.
[Audience laughs]
Priscilla: Now you're just talking nonsense again.
Jacky: Okay.
Priscilla: You, you're really - you never give me any red packet, I'm telling you.
Jacky: I don't dare to. How could I dare to give you any red packet? Right?
Priscilla: Really?
Jacky: No.
Priscilla: Okay, enough for now. Let's sing a song now. Otherwise the audience will get angry.
Jacky: Okay. Sorry.
Priscilla: Sorry, sorry, sorry. Sorry Sir, sorry Madam. Okay. Haven't sung this in a long time. Do you think I'll remember the lyrics?
Jacky: Of course you'll remember.
Priscilla: No, sometimes I forget - not going to look at you.
[Singing]
Priscilla: Which side should we go to?
Jacky: Your call.
Priscilla: Your call.
[Singing]
Priscilla: Thank you very much Jacky tonight for being my guest. Thank you. I absolutely have to get you to hug me. I want you to hold me. I want you to carry me. [Jacky carries Priscilla like she needs saving] No, you can see everything! [Screams] Hey, you can see everything down there!
Jacky: I thought - ???
Priscilla: Yee.
Jacky: I thought that when you went on stage that you got ready. Thank you. Thank you very much.
My 2¢ & Extra Notes:
- I really just could not resist laughing with this one and just felt that I had to include the whole dialogue between Priscilla and Jacky. It felt too strange to just play the song on its own.
- Okay, so I never really translated the English dialogue between Jacky and Priscilla, I just included it. Just think of it like a transcript. But hey, it's funny! Jacky adds an extra vowel sound to the end of "I'm very good." Hehe.
- This whole Jacky and Priscilla business talking about each other is super hilarious. The audience obviously love them for it. Well I bought into it anyway. :D
- Needless to say, they both sounded great in this particular performance. And Priscilla was all good with remembering the lyrics. Just like Jacky said she would be.
- LOL. Jacky carries Priscilla. I thought she just wanted a hug. Or for him to just lift her up in his arms. Guess she got more than she bargained for!
- Now I don't actually know what Jacky said to Priscilla after he put her down.
Video credit: hybyj (youku.com)
"Soft Murmur At Midnight" - Jacky & Priscilla Chan
Jacky and Priscilla both do their take on a Sam Hui classic (which could also be loosely translated as "Whispers In The Night", which is precisely what the uploader did). There is absolutely nothing wrong with the other "God of Songs" version but I think Jacky and Priscilla's version gives a much softer feel to the song. It's almost lullaby-ish.
"Get Close To" - Jacky & Priscilla Chan
To Priscilla fans: Sorry, she doesn't appear at all in this video clip, but her vocals do. This was the theme song to Plain Love 2 and the lyrics are very well-suited for the show, I must say. Priscilla's voice is very sweet-sounding on this track and accompanies Jacky's rich tones beautifully.
"Await the Colors of Autumn" - Jacky & Vivian Chow
The ending theme for the 1993 TVB series The Buddhism Palm Strikes Back. I find this song very likable, just like the two singers. Vivian sleeps on Jacky's shoulder and...what?! She doesn't know him?! You'd think the two were lovebirds but, apparently not. I wonder how long they took to film this MV, because the bus seems to be in one of those rural areas that don't really have much. Yes, you munch on that apple, man.
"Neverending Flow" - Jacky & Vivian Lai
This little track was one of the many Joseph Koo works that really worked. But just like Priscilla makes a no-show in "Get Close To", Jacky does the same thing. However, Little V makes an appearance and so does Kevin Cheng
"Young And Without Love" - Jacky & Shirley Kwan
The opening theme song from the 1990 TVB series The Gods and Demons of Zu Mountain.
My 2¢ & Extra Notes:
- So I actually found this MV before I found the clip on YT. I tried looking for the MV on YT but no one seems to have uploaded it. There's pretty much no way of including a video on a YT playlist from an external source unless you upload it onto YT. I'm already in trouble with TVB authorities, so I've just put the video up here.
- I think the overall volume for this video is lower than the one in the playlist but then again, it doesn't have to fight with crazy sound effects.
- You know, Shirley has a pretty suitable face for dressing up in period drama clothing. Sometimes I find that certain people are just not suited for period dramas - their looks are much too modern. Not saying Shirley is old, of course.
- Jacky carries a fire-torch (yeah, old school!) around looking for Shirley, but he's dressed in 80's/90's clothing.
- Shirley bites her finger. Ow. But that makes it easier to meet Jacky.
- Yeesh. She has to walk through all that water in that thing?!
- So Shirley and Jacky finally meet, she grabs his hand and time for the moment of truth. Jacky holds back onto the tree. Awwww! Shirley looks so sad...but she gives him this "I understand" look.
- I have a feeling this MV was cut short. Shouldn't we see Shirley's face at the end as she turns around to look once more at Jacky?
- They didn't even say anything but their facial expressions were enough. Much kudos to the torn lovers on-screen.
Video credit: 【内江友迷群】 (56.com)
"Extraordinary Summer" - Jacky & Faye Wong
The flipside to the Mandarin version (more on that in the Mandopop part of the playlist). You really can't get enough of that "Oh A E Yeah" chorus, can you? Well, neither can I to be honest. And it seems Liza Wang's Hot Coffee performance at the 1994 TVB Anniversary really benefited from the use of that catchy chorus too. And I'll never pass on seeing Faye attempt to dance. On the other hand, Jacky moves pretty well for someone who didn't go through extensive formal dance training (like Aaron Kwok, for example).
"Shooting Star of the Flower and Piano" - Jacky & Kit Chan
Kit actually has a very suitable voice for singing musicals, like in Snow.Wolf.Lake. I think this song is absolutely lovely and charming. And Jacky sounds great on this track too - it's a great and refreshing contrast to a lot of unthoughtful ballads these days, more refined and not so pop-like. I think it's also quite reassuring for aspiring Cantopop singers that someone like Kit (who is originally from Singapore) to have made a name for herself in the world of Cantopop.
"Shooting Star of the Flower and Piano" - Jacky & Sandy Lam
Nope, that's not a repeat typo mistake, it's the same song as the one before. Okay, so I just said that Kit had a suitable voice for singing musicals but that doesn't mean that no one else can sing the same song well. Well, I've taken this little live performance featuring Sandy and Jacky and this just confirms why people still regard them as part of the Heavenly Kings and Queens today. And it's cute how Jacky and Sandy hold hands :D
"Day And Night" - Jacky & Sandy Lam
This song is just so nice to listen to. There are many versions on YT for this track (mainly just featuring Sandy) but this was the only one with good sound quality that featured both Jacky and Sandy. Sandy's gentle falsetto is absolutely great on this track and Jacky really tones it down to fit the pleasing orchestral sequence. The lyrics also go hand-in-hand with the music, just like Jacky and Sandy go together so well when they sing. This song isn't your average pop song - as Matt says here, it's "high brow" describing this track as one of his favorite songs from Sandy.
"Asking Who To Take The Lead"- Jacky & Sandy Lam
A Roman Tam and Jenny Tseng favorite of mine from the 1987 TVB series Genghis Khan but I really liked the spin that Jacky and Sandy gave to it. Taken from the Jade Singers Celebrate TVB Anniversary 1993, of course. Well, mainly they were just chasing after Lawrence Cheng on a bicycle with microphones attached. Sandy's cute pigtails. LOL. Run Jacky! Run Sandy! Go, go, go! I personally think Jacky comes off a little better from this but both of them do a pretty good job - chasing a moving microphone is not easy, let alone singing a song that requires such powerful vocals and lots of breath. Luckily though, both Jacky and Sandy were fit.
"Fragrant Orchid" - Jacky & Sandy Lam
Okay, so this was never an officially released duet and Jacky regresses to a backing vocal, with Sandy turning into lead, but I just had to include this. This is one of my favorite Jacky songs. Period. Though we may see more Jacky and Sandy collaborations in future, this one is kind of special. It was '93 and the two were on top of their game. One King to one Queen. Yes, that's Anthony Lun playing on the piano behind them. Jade Singers Celebrate TVB Anniversary 1993. retrotvb mentioned this particular performance here along with a recap of the ceremony and we can all see why the audience were clapping so hard after Sandy lingered on that last note. A very good rendition of a Jacky classic and definitely a change to hear it sung in a female's vocal like Sandy's.
"Lover And Confidante" - Jacky & Sally Yeh
Okay, so this is Sally's song. But I just had to slot this in after Sandy and Jacky's performance, which came after the performance in the original show too. Jacky switches to singing the lead vocal and Sally to a supporting role, even though we all know very well she can sing lead anytime. But that was the beauty of this singing variety show - not doing things by the book and improvising as needed. Sally's very cheeky here when she shows how flattered she is when Jacky sings a line that kinda implies that.
"100 Years Of Golden Classics (Medley)" - Jacky & Sandy Lam
This little performance from the 2009 Hong Kong Film Awards doesn't actually feature any songs originally sung by Jacky or even Sandy. And it's not strictly Cantonese but most of the repertoire was. What it does feature though is a bunch of classics etched into history, all for the purpose of entertaining those special audience members at the Hong Kong Film Awards. Cha-chambo! A-go-go! Sorry, I just couldn't resist. Did I mention how much chemistry Jacky and Sandy have on stage? And hey, it's Andy on screen! Oh geez, he doesn't look too well...but Sandy sure covers the song mighty fine. I know they sung for almost 10 minutes but still, I wanted to shout encore because there are times when I wonder what other great songs they could cover. Tracklist as follows:
1. "Love Without End" (不了情) - Theme from "Love Without End" (不了情) (1961)
2. "Can't Say How Happy I Am" ( 說不出的快活) - Insert Song from "The Wild, Wild Rose" (說不出的快活) (1960)
3. "The Youthful Ago-go" (青春阿哥哥) - Insert Song from "A Romantic Thief" (多情妙賊) (1968)
4. "L-O-V-E Love" - Insert song from "Let's Rock" (大家樂) (1975)
5. "Half Catty Eight Tales" (半斤八兩) - Theme from "The Private Eyes" (半斤八兩) (1976)
6. "Friendship Years" (友情歲月) - Theme from "Young and Dangerous" (古惑仔) (1996)
7. "If Heaven Had Love" (天若有情) - Theme from "A Moment of Romance" (天若有情) (1990)
8. "Chase" (追) - Theme from "He's A Woman, She's A Man" (金枝玉葉) (1994)
9. "Wish" (願) - Theme from "Twenty Something" (晚9朝5) (1994)
10. "The Human Path" (人間道) - A Chinese Ghost Story II (倩女幽魂II之人間道) (1990)
11. "The Moonlight's Lover" (月光愛人) - "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" ( 臥虎藏龍) (2000)
"Love Is Difficult" - Jacky & Anita Mui
This theme song from the 2001 film July Rhapsody, starring Jacky and Anita as well. We can say thanks to seasoned lyricist Albert Leung for penning the lyrics to this song and Jacky and Anita for their strong vocal partnership. Anita's distinct voice blends in so well with Jacky's that I feel kind of melancholy that she's gone.
"Ten Thousand Wisps of Smoke (From Start to Finish)" - Jacky & Coco Lee
Now this song (which is also known as "From the Beginning 'til the End") featured as the theme for a 2002 film in the series "Tobacco Free", which was all part of an anti-tobacco campaign. It's got a pretty contemporary urban, up-tempo feel - no wonder because it's composed by Mark Lui. I've always thought that Coco Lee (born Ferren Lee - hmmm...that's very different compared to Coco. It sounds a lot more formal) was one of those singers that had a natural R&B tone and flavor to her voice and that HK should have treated her much better. After all, the woman could sing. When she sung runs, you know she was singing runs. Some other singers just sound like they're just wailing. Jacky, is of course, is very good on this track too (Na na na...). The video is cute too. Heheh. Jacky, watch the road! Watch the road! Coco. Jacky's asking for your phone number! And then they become a couple. I sure hope she gave up smoking - Jacky don't encourage her! LOL. Because that would only ruin her pretty voice.
"Intoxicated Reflection" - Jacky & Kit Chan
Theme song from the 2006 TVB series Country Spirit, starring Sheren Tang, Charmaine Sheh, Gordon Lam, Joe Ma and Savio Tsang. Though I appreciate that they put the older actors together and using outdoor scenery outside of HK and TVB studios, putting Sheren and Charmaine together is where you begin to see the gaps in acting experience. The song is worth listening to though. And I guess it was also very suitable for the show since it was about the wine business in the good old days. Unfortunately, the video that I originally put on the playlist was caught for copyright infringement, so I've just put up another version that's just got the audio track.
"Tolling of A Buddhist Temple"- Jacky & Danny Chan
A fun little duet of a traditional song (which can be translated as "Temple Chime" and numerous other ways) that you sing faster and faster (as Danny most kindly points out at the start). The late and great Danny (composer, singer, songwriter, actor - what else do you want?) with Jacky. So this isn't actually a song from either of Danny or Jacky but I thought it was a rare moment that I should slot in.
"Strong Passion for Half a Lifetime" - Jacky & Karen Tong
Another great pairing - Jacky and Karen. The pairing probably had something to do with Polygram owning pretty much all of the artists during the golden era but not complaining about this 'couple'. Hahaha. Anyway, now that Polygram are gone, it's gonna be pretty hard to hear duets like this one - kind of breezy, gentle and most important of all, likable in future.
"Missing Each Other In The Wind & Rain" - Jacky & Karen Tong
I actually already included this one in my quick 10 Cantopop Female/Male Duets playlist so I decided to switch that clip (the original MV) with this one. The performance at the 1992 JSG Awards after getting the award for best duet. Hey, Jacky's front row and Karen's a couple of rows back. I remember they lined up all of the major winners in the front row and since '92 was the year of the 4 Heavenly Kings, we could all see them there. And hey, that's Maple Hui sitting next to Karen - she always looks so smiley. One word for Karen. Hotpants.
"Only Everlasting Love" - Jacky & Cally Kwong
Another one that I added to the last playlist I did but I felt that a Cantopop duets playlist for Jacky would not be complete without this song. But I swapped the video clip, of course. Now you've got a nice melody being met with the clang-clang-clang's of swords from the TV series of which it came from. Not surprisingly, another piece from Mr. Joseph Koo. Cally was actually a pretty good singer for someone that came out of a beauty pageant. Her voice was just so feminine - perfect for those love ballads.
"Gratitude" - Jacky & Alan Tam & Ronald Cheng
I would say Jacky's voice stands out the most on this track, compared to Alan and Ronald, whereas I would say Alan and Ronald's stand out - cut your hair men! It's very modern soft pop-rock and not really a real duet, since it has 3 people, so we'll just call this a collaboration (I have no idea what a song requiring 3 people to sing is called. Group?).
"Romantic Suite" - Jacky & Kenny Bee & Terence Choi
This is one of those cutesy love songs from the 80's accompanied with a very cutesy MV. We'll forgive you for the bad walking to the camera sequences and cheesy background vocals. After all, Terence cooks a meal for his woman, Jacky knows how to barbecue a chicken wing in a campfire and Kenny - well I don't really know what he's trying to do really.
"Medley" Jacky & Alan Tam
So the former, well not former since The Wynners never actually disbanded 80's pop singer Alan Tam swaps songs with Jacky. Not entirely sure which show this segment was from but certainly enjoyable all the same. And like I've always said, if you're a good singer, you should be able to sing another singer's songs well. Heck, that's the basis of all singing competitions. And these two, do just exactly that. Tracklist of what they sing:
1. "Phantom" (幻影)
2. "Love Is Dead" (情已逝)
3. "The Roots of Love" (爱的根源)
4. "Only Want To Love One Person for Life" (只愿一生爱一人)
5. "Rainy Night's Romance" (雨夜的浪漫)
6. "Loving Deep Into Fall" (爱在深秋)
