gary cao ge

"superman" - great album by gary cao ge

when i first interviewed gary chow (cao ge) back in 1999, i could never imagine that a guy with his physique and looks could possibly make it. i don't mean to disrespect his considerable talents, but in chinese music industry, good looks are prerequisite, regardless of the amount of talents you have. i remembered the interview vividly - gary came to my 2nd hand cd shop (music exchange) one afternoon, dressed in t-shirt and jeans and i was like "OMG, this guy is so ordinary!". so i almost wrote him off.

i am seldom wrong in singling out the stars of tomorrow in the chinese music industry. but in gary's case, i am dead wrong, embarassingly wrong. i ought to be hanged for the crime i committed in writing off gary as a potential star 8 years ago.

fast forward 8 years and i picked up - for the first time - gary's sophomore album entitled "superman". my, was i suprised by how much he has improved and matured and changed! i am listening to a first-class R&B singer from malaysia who has made in big in taiwan just the last 2 years! gary's voice graces the R&B tunes with so much finesse and style, massaging the tunes with the experience of a seasoned R&B and soul singer. i am so impressed.

and here's it - my apology to gary: i am glad you have finally made it. you are another singer who has made malaysia proud.