UK singer Kirby charms with debut Vietnamese album
No one could imagine that a
man who spoke a few simple Vietnamese words could perform the famous and
emotional song – and with very perfect Vietnamese pronunciation. The
clip then attracted hundreds of thousand viewers.
"The great feelings I had for the country and the people of Vietnam, as
well as the wonderful song +Diem xua+, inspired me to learn more
Vietnamese songs," the 34-year-old singer said.
Four years after the "phenomenon", Kirby recently released his debut album which he simply named "Viet Nam oi".
The album features nine Vietnamese songs by famous local composers and
songwriters, including Tran Tien, Phu Quang, Le Minh Son and Truong Quy
Hai. The ballad Diem Xua, by veteran composer Trinh Cong Son, is
included in the album.
The album is a result of
Kirby's three-year plan Tra Da with Lee (Ice Tea with Lee), aiming to
improve his Vietnamese language, to learn more about Vietnamese culture,
and to strongly integrate into the unique culture of Vietnam – which he
calls his second homeland.
"Another main purpose of my +big plan+ is to sing for the Vietnamese people across the country," he said.
To implement his plan, travelling with his beloved guitar and some
Vietnamese friends from 2010 to 2013, Kirby made several journeys
through the country from the north to the south, from northern to
coastal provinces, and travelling from the delta to the highlands.
At many places the group travelled to, they received a warm welcome by
local residents. Kirby said the journeys through the country gave him
some of his life's most wonderful experiences.
"Like
a group of backpackers, we travelled to almost every corner and met
many modest and warm-hearted people, including farmers, workers, and
labourers," he said.
"We sometimes spent overnight
in very humble houses of local people or shared tea with a group of
people working by the roadside."
Kirby also made a strong impression on the people he met during the trips, especially when he sang for them.
"Looking at their happy faces, seeing them smile, I know that my
repertoire brought them some joy. They even sang along with me. I've got
so many positive and supportive comments."
After
several journeys, Kirby received what he expected: he is now not only
able to speak Vietnamese fluently, but he can place himself into a
Vietnamese person's shoes.
The British singer said: "A Vietnamisation process is taking place inside myself."
Kirby also spoke of his ambition to promote Vietnamese music and
culture beyond its borders by introducing his music to his international
friends.
Alongside the release of +Viet Nam oi+ in
Vietnam, the album will also be available in the UK. In addition, online
versions of the songs in the album are available on iTunes and the
online music store CDBaby.
Having first come to
Vietnam in 2002 to spend a summer holiday with Vietnamese friends, the
young British man decided to come back to the country one year later.
According to Kirby, his extremely strong impression
about the Vietnamese people and culture that he received during that
trip urged him to return – not for traveling, but for football.
He used to play football for the Fulham FC youth team, as well as
semi-professional teams in south London, and in 2003 Kirby obtained a
contract with the HCM City Post Office team and moved to Vietnam's
largest city, without any thoughts of becoming a singer one day.
After creating the 2009 "phenomenon", Kirby became a regular guest on
many TV shows. He also has joined famous songstress Anh Tuyet to perform
in several shows dedicated to composer Trinh Cong Son.
Also, in 2010 he was invited by former British Ambassador to Vietnam
Mark Kent to create the song clip "Que nha" (Homeland) as a New Year's
present for Vietnamese people living in the UK.
Further, Kirby is planning to release his second album – a joint
production of himself and young singer Le Cat Trong Ly – by the end of
next year.
Several concerts for Vietnamese people living in the
UK, as well as for university students in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City,
are on his 2014 schedule.
Currently a director of
operations at the Ashbourne College in Kenshington, London, Kirby has to
travel frequently between the UK and Vietnam to pursue his singing
dream.
To promote his debut album, Kirby recently
had two live shows in Hanoi and central Hue city. Similar shows will be
held in Ho Chi Minh City on December 28, and in southern Rach Gia city
in Kien Giang province on January 7.-VNA