date: 27 aug 2004
day: friday time: 1900hrs
venue: eastern part of singapore
weather: humid
surroundings: cars wheezing and filling up the parking lots, a large congregation of people, a mix of excitement and exuberance tingling in the air
Today is the Sammi Cheng World Tour 2004. As I enter the premises, I thank GOD for the invention of air-conditioner. Literally cools me down and brought my body temperature to a more comfortable level. Security checks at the entrance for the tickets.
Security: "Sorry Miss, no bottled drinks allowed."
Moi: "Huh?" (grrrr, what the heck!)
The waiting gallery, a span of about 1/3 size of a basketball court, is already crowded with people. On the left, a mini commotion is going on. Curiously, I walked over to the reception. CDs, CDs and more CDs. Without battling an eyelid, I picked up one of them. Sneeringly, I whispered into the ears of my beloved companion and complained that the CD abit pricey (I bought the same CD at a much lower price). He replied saying this is the best time to "chop the carrot". Well, I do see lots of "walking carrots"...*chuckle*
On the right, a mini 7-eleven set-up. Aha, now the picture is clearer. I thought no food and drinks are allowed as like in Esplanade. But I was proved wrong because you are ALLOWED to buy food and drinks and bring them into the concert hall as long as it is from 7-11 (one of the sponsors) . They even had their staff(s), with tray of chips, sandwiches and drinks strap around their necks walking around to promote and coerce you to spend bucks.
Anyway, after much anticipation and waiting, the lights are dimmed. Video clips of Sammi's albums, past concerts, music videos blasted the screens. Without warning, fireworks started and ended almost instantaneously with the entrance of Sammi. Wow!! The majestic, the colourful stage performance, the vibrancy dancers, totally complements Sammi's powerful and confidence singing. During the first hour of her performance, she belted out both fast and slow numbers from her current album, mostly in her mother tongue, cantonese. As expected, she changes her outfit for every 2-3 songs, some demure, others outrageous. Her dancers also proved to be eye candies as they bared their tanned six-packed torso that you envy and jealous at the same time. The dancers are very pro, totally energized the moment their feet make contact with the stage.
During the second hour, she sang some of the songs by her teacher, Du Li Sha, a cantopop diva. Another 2 songs written by Gig Leung. She also belted out some familiar songs from some of her previous albums, some are movies soundtracks. Somehow, I feel that there is always a tinge sadness in her tone when she sings. On a happier note, Sammi picked some from the audience to sing with her on stage. One sang out of key, the other came up and then declared he know nuts about singing, another kept implying how much he likes and supported her. It ended with a gift each (hello kitty doll) as well as a piece of her unmalicious sarcasm which sent everyone into heaps of laughter. I appreciate her black humour. Sammi does have a sharp tongue.
Though there a few hiccups, like she forgot her lyrics, she can't hear the music clearly, no sound from the mic at one instant but overall still very much enjoyable. But I am sure she can do soooooooooo much better and hopefully with a happier soul. The most memorable moment was when she sang the theme song from "Love on a Diet" which has always been my all-time favourite.
Way to go Sammi!! You are the best!!