NAN QUAN MAMA ROCKS TAIPEI
Upstaged at own show, but…
Taiwan R&B group doesn’t mind it at all
By Chang May Choon
September 22, 2006
THE saying goes: Like father, like son.
Jay Chou may not be the actual parent, but his influence on his protege Nan Quan Mama was unmistakable at the latter’s outdoor concert held recently at Tamshui Fisherman’s Wharf.
It’s not just the music – Nan Quan’s R&B ballads reek of Jay’s signature mumble-rap style. Jay also claimed, albeit jokingly, that Nan Quan leader Devon, who is also one of his closest buddies, would ‘steal my clothes’.
To play tit for tat, Jay ransacked Devon’s wardrobe to put together a pink and white ensemble to wear to Nan Quan’s concert.
It did not look bad, just weird.
But the crowd did not seem to mind.
Jay, 27, was only the guest star of the evening, but judging by the surge of the crowd and the intensified screaming, he was pretty much the act everyone was waiting for.
Even when he was not on stage, Devon made sure to drop his name frequently.
He would ask fans in the crowd if they preferred Nan Quan or Jay, or claim that ‘this next song is 10 times better than Hair Like Snow (Jay’s previous hit)’.
Luckily, the other three Nan Quan members – Lara, Chase and Yuhao – did not share his Jay obsession. (Friendship or worship, it’s debatable.)
But each had their own role to play.
Russian-Chinese babe Lara, the only girl in the band and the youngest at 18, was easily the most striking member with her crystal clear vocals, and exotic yet cutesy appeal.
Click to see larger image
Fans saved their loudest screams for guest star Jay Chou (above) at Nan Quan Mama’s concert.
With a poodle-inspired hairdo, she looked like a singing doll.
Classical pianist Yuhao, 25, was the quiet one who rivalled Jay in pounding the ivories. But he also showed his wild side by performing an energetic hip-hop dance, complete with somersaults.
Surprisingly, the seemingly aloof Chase, 24, turned out to be the crybaby of the night. Tears flowed during his guitar solo on the self-penned folk number, Eating The Fish You Cooked.
ODE TO MUM
A tribute to his mother, it is a song he said he has never been able to deliver without succumbing to his emotions.
Here lies another link between the Nan Quan members and Jay – all were raised by single mothers whom they love dearly.
Later on, during the celebratory post-concert party, the quartet explained that Chase’s song was special to them as they empathised with the joys and woes of having a single parent.
Said Yuhao: ‘It makes us stronger.’
While Chase’s outburst was emotional, Jay’s tribute to his own music teacher-mum was more upbeat.
Faking a child-like voice, he playfully delivered his new single, Listen To Mum.
Perhaps a more apt saying then would be: Like mother, like son.
