Jacky Cheung 1/2 Century Tour in Malaysia

It's been a long waited for me since I bought the VVIP ticket with my buddies 6 months ago, finally I got chance to watch Jacky Cheung live in Malaysia!

I've missed twice of his concert in Malaysia after I bought the ticket but I was sending to Middle East for work and unable to watch it, this time it was a mixed feeling with happiness, emotional and excitement for me to watch his concert live.

Initially the concert planned to held on 9 Dec 2011 (Friday) and 10 Dec 2011 (Saturday) only, due to overwhelming of his fans and audience, the organiser decided to add more seats on both days. It doesn't solved the over demand, they decided to add another show on 11 Dec 2011(Sunday), and guess what? It still not enough! So the organiser added another show on 8 Dec 2011 (Thursday).

I can say it's a record breaking on his concert ticket sale in Malaysia, from 2 days concert became 4 days straight! I was worry on Jacky Cheung whether he can non stop singing for 4 days straights for a man at his aged of 50!

As expected, on 10 Dec 2011 (3rd show), Jacky was not feeling well due to flu, before the show began he stood out and explained he may not complete the show due to sound lost, but he promised will do his best in order not to disappoint all the fans, the organiser promised to pay back to us if the show not complete.

Jacky Cheung explained his condition

After the speech, the show began as per scheduled. The first 2 songs can hear that Jacky not sang to his best, I was so worry at that moment, but after the third song his voice getting better and better and he managed to sing to his best for 3 hours long non-stop!

Huge crowd before the show

The stage

Full house!

Show began

Rock n Roll mement

Laser show

Tribute to Lydia Shum

Ballads

Ending

Seriously during the show, my tears dropped few times, it is because I listen to his songs since his first album and always being his die hard fan before he became famous! His songs brought me lots of flashback memories.

He promised he will back to Malaysia for concerts in future, I'm looking forward to that!

Below are the songs list on 10 Dec 2011 (Saturday):

1. 花花公子
2. 小姐贵姓
3. 初吻
4. 你是我今生唯一传奇
5. 你的名字我的姓氏
6. 情愿
7. 一滴泪
8. 人在雨中
9. 三分拍
10. 如果爱
11. 天气这么热
12. 吻别(ROCK版)
13. 当爱变成习惯
14. 我应该
15. 月巴女且
16. 十二个音
17. 情网(JAZZ版)
18. 情人的眼泪
19. 我真的受伤了
20. LIFE IS LIKE A DREAM
21. DOUBLE TROUBLE
22. 李香兰
23. 每天爱你多一些(粤语版)
24. 一颗不变心
25. 明日世界终结时
26. 心如刀割
27. 饿狼传说
28. 头发乱了
29. 这个冬天不太冷(粤语版)
30. 分手总要在雨天
31. 遥远的她(粤语版)
32. 一千个伤心的理由
33. 只想一生跟你走
34. 祝福(JAZZ版)

It was an excellent performance by Jacky Cheung although he was sick, he did his best all his shows, really a perfectionist singer for a Chinese singer. I give 101% for his show!

Jacky Cheung Rocks!

Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn Of Events (2011)

Finally a long waited of Dream Theater's new album is out! I can't wait to get an original copy in Malaysia, yeah definitely I'll buy the original copy although I've listened the entire album downloaded from internet week ago.

"A Dramatic Turn Of Events" Album Cover

To me this album is awesome! Without Mike Portnoy (former drummer) the band's spirits still carry on with the new drummer Mike Mangini. I felt this album is more like back to old days Dream Theater which I more prefer on it.

'New' Dream Theater Lineup

From Left: Mike Mangini, John Myung, James Labrie, Jordan Rudess & John Petrucci

Below are my rates on all songs in this album:

1. On The Back Of Angels - 8/10
2. Build Me Up, Break Me Down - 7/10
3. Lost Not Forgotten - 8/10
4. This Is The Life - 9/10
5. Bridges In The Sky - 7/10
6. Outcry - 8/10
7. Far From Heaven - 7/10
8. Breaking All Illusions - 10/10
9. Beneath The Surface - 7/10

I felt this album mixing like lack of details, the drum sound is not that loud enough, maybe because it's downloaded version, hopefully the original CD sound is much better.

According to few music stores I went and asked about this album, all also said only can be arrived by next month, I really disappointed with it, still need to wait another month only can get the original copy. Anyway, I'm looking forward for it...

Dream Theater Rocks!!!

Pink Floyd Short Reunion

On 12th May 2011, it was the most historical night for music industry that all surviving Pink Floyd members were together in Roger Waters' "The Wall" concert in O2 Arena.

So coincidence on that night I was browsing around via Youtube on Pink Floyd songs, I wasn't aware that O2 Arena was having an epic moment, David Gilmour made surprised appearance in Roger Waters' "The Wall" tour for "Comfortably Numb" this song. I only knew about it the next day when I read Twitter's timeline mentioned about it.

It was my happiest moment when I knew about it, I immediately search the video everywhere to see how was it, surprisingly Nick Mason also appeared in the end for "Outside The Wall". To be honest, I was crying with joy when look at those videos, how I wish I was there!

Roger Waters & David Gilmour

Roger Waters & David Gilmour hugging each other

Nick Mason, Roger Waters & David Gilmour

Nick Mason, Roger Waters & David Gilmour

This was the 2nd time full reunion in 30 years when in 2005, full Pink Floyd members (David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Nick Mason & Richard Wright) were performing in Live8 concert. After 6 years they were together again but without Richard Wright who passed away in 2008. Seriously I can feel Richard Wright & Syd Barrett were there too...

David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Nick Mason & Richard Wright in Live8 2005

It is understand that David Gilmour will only do one-off show in Roger Waters' "The Wall" tour, but I believe that they will make another full reunion soon. Just look at their reaction to each others, I got no doubt they will on stage together in near future, I believe that's everybody wishes to see them all again on stage.

Roger Waters & David Gilmour (Comfortably Numb)

Nick Mason, Roger Waters & David Gilmour (Outside The Wall)

The Wall show really breathtaking when look at the projected graphic on the 30 feet height wall, I can't wait to see the official DVD for this concert and of course the Reunion of Pink Floyd!

I beg you all Pink Floyd fans please stand up and make more noise to request more Pink Floyd reunion!

Pink Floyd Forever!

New 'Dream Theater' Line-Up

On 8th September 2010, it was a shocking news in music industry that the greatest rock drummer Mike Portnoy announced to leave Dream Theater. Mike Portnoy also the co-founder of Dream Theater was the master mind of the band for 25 years long.

His departure really hurt all Dream Theater fans included myself, it's hard to imagine the band without the greatest drummer, what would it be? Seriously I love Dream Theater because of the chemistry among the bandmates, I can't find any band can play so well ever in this generation.

Mike Portnoy

Mike Portnoy

My dream vanished to see original line-up of Dream Theater live in concert which I planned MUST WATCH their concert if they do it in South East Asia again, I missed their last concert in Bangkok or Singapore that I planned to go but I wasn't around, it's such a waste!

For months everyone were wondering who will going to be the new drummer for Dream Theater, it was a difficult moment for John Petrucci, John Myung, James LaBrie & Jordan Rudess to choose 7 greatest drummers to join the band as official new Dream Theater.

It's not only about the skills, Dream Theater members used to be lived like a family and chemistry between members. After sessions of audition for all 7 drummers, finally they revealed Mike Mangini as their new drummer!

Mike Mangini

You can see all the audition series via RoadRunner Records Channel, the series named as 'The Spirit Carries On' with total of 3 episodes. I really wish Mike Mangini is another bomb for Dream Theater where their musics are more on Progressive Metal genre.

New Dream Theater
From left: Mike Mangini, John Myung, James LaBrie, Jordan Rudess & John Petrucci

I'm really looking forward for their upcoming new album, at least they still keep their spirit carries on, in this era is very hardly to hear any band that play the REAL musics anymore. To me music is not only easy listening like pop musics, I prefer musics need skills and chemistry among bandmates to produce the feel of musics.

Let's welcome Mike Mangini into Dream Theater's family, of cause nobody is the same, but at least they keep the spirits along!

The Spirit Carries On!

Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd

Wonder why I'm so in love this song? Well it's hard to explain why, it's like when you deeply fall in love with someone without any reason, it's all about the feel. If the love can be explained, that is not true love anymore.

To me, this song always my Number One song of my life and I've decided to make it as 'My Life Theme Song'. Everytime when I listen to this song, my soul will automatically go into the music and feel it especially when the guitar solo part. I can say it's the all time best guitar solo ever in rock music history, you may not agree with me but musics are very subjective, nobody can love the same music.

I started listen to this song when I was a kid, but I'm still don't understand about music that time, but after I watched the PULSE concert in my friend's house, I was totally deeply fell in love with this song! The concert was awesome and how I wished I can see this concert (PULSE) live in front of my own eyes, but looks like we'll never have the chance anymore...

Now I found out that my choice of this music is correct! 'Comfortably Numb' was rated as the Number One Greatest Guitar Tone of All Time... Ever! You can find out the source HERE. David Gilmour (Sound and Guitar of Pink Floyd) really is a Master of Guitar Tone of all, and his touched of every notes are full with emotion and feeling.

I've been searching for various version of this Comfortably Numb in live via Youtube recently, and moments ago, the Live8 version (2005) was the most emotion to me. I remember back in year 2005, I was watching the Live8 Live on satellite TV (Astro in Malaysia) and was waiting for Pink Floyd to perform on stage for the whole night long!

Live8 2005 was the most historic moment for all Pink Floyd fans as Roger Waters joined back Pink Floyd to perform on this charity concert after he left the band for 20 years! It was the most epic moment of the whole concert, the moment they stood out, I really can't hold my tears!

Pink Floyd - Comfortably Numb (Live8)

Now I still very emotion when watch this video when four of them hugged together at the end of their show, we'll not able to see this scene anymore as we know that the late Richard Wright is no more longer with us.

I read from some sources said that Pink Floyd will reunion for a big concert before Richard Wright left us, I really can't accept it! My long waited dream to watch Pink Floyd in live has gone forever...

Long Live Pink Floyd!

Comfortably Numb

2010 XPlay Shout! Awards

That was awesome! I missed the Xplay Party but this time I managed to attend the Xplay Shout! Awards at Stadium Putra, Bukit Jalil. Many thanks to Celcom's Xplay VIP ticket.

My VIP ticket

The Crowds

The Stage

The Screamers

Performances

These guys really rock!

It was a most epic moment for me when they started with rock musics which really cheer me up! I never expected they played Thunderstruck (original by ACDC) in the beginning, it was awesome!

Bunkface interviewed

Yuna the winner of the day

These guys really great

Stunning performance

The full list of all winners were:

Rockstar Award – Bunkface
The Ultimate Shout! Award! – Yuna
Break Out Award – Yuna
Mobile Artiste of the Year Award – 6ixth sense
Best On Screen Chemistry Award – Papadom
Favourite Radio Show Award – Hot FM
Coolest Radio Announcer Award – Phat Fabes
Hot Chick Award – Scha Alya
Hot Guy Award – Henry Golding
Flava Award – Mizz Nina
Music Video Award – Bunkface
Favourite TV Program – Showdown 2010
Fresh TV Series – Nur Kasih
Power Vocal Award – Faizal Tahir
Popstar Award – Yuna
Breakthrough Feature Award – Lagenda Budak Setan
Favourite TV Personality Award – Zizan

Xpax

XPlay Shout! Awards ROCK!!!

My Favorite Top 10 Rock Guitarists

Everyone who know me sure know that I love rock musics very much especially any rock songs with heavy guitar solos.

I've been talking lots of classic rock bands in the past, and I just found out I never rank my favorite top 10 rock guitarists ever. It's quite hard for me to choose for my top 10, I was thinking for weeks before I post this up.

Here is my final selection of my favorite top 10 rock guitarists, I think most of you that know me well who will me my No. 1 rock guitarist ever. Alright, without wasting time above is my list...

#10 - Ritchie Blackmore

Real name is Richard Hugh 'Ritchie' Blackmore, born in 14 April 1945, is an English rock guitarist for Deep Purple and Rainbow.

My favorite guitar works from Blackmore:

• Smoke On The Water
• Highway Star
• Catch The Rainbow
• Man On The Silver Mountain
• When A Blind Man Cries
• Soldier Of Fortune

#9 - Eric Clapton

Eric Patrick Clapton, born in 30 March 1945 is an English blues-rock guitarist. He himself as solo performer as well as a member of rock bands The Yardbirds and Cream.

My favorite guitar works from Clapton:

• Layla
• Crossroads
• Cocaine
• Tears In Heaven
• Wonderful Tonight
• White Room

#8 - Angus Young

Angus McKinnon Young, born in 31 March 1955 is a Scottish-born Australian musician, and lead guitarist, and co-founder of the rock and roll band ACDC.

My favorite guitar works from Young:

• Highway To Hell
• Back In Black
• You Shook Me All Night Long
• Shoot To Thrill
• For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)
• T.N.T.
• Thunderstruck

#7 - Slash

Saul Hudson (Slash), born in 23 July 1965 is a British-American musician. Former lead guitarist for Guns N' Roses, later formed Slash's Snakepit and co-founder of Velvet Revolver.

My favorite guitar works from Slash:

• November Rain
• Estranged
• Welcome To The Jungle
• Civil War
• Don't Cry
• Sweet Child O' Mine
• Paradise City

#6 - Joe Satriani

Joseph 'Joe' Satriani born in 15 July 1956 is an American multi-instrumentalist. Early in his career, Satriani worked as a guitar instructor, and some of his former students have achieved fame with their guitar skills (Steve Vai, Larry LaLonde, Kirk Hammett, Andy Timmons, Charlie Hunter, Kevin Cadogan, Alex Skolnick)

My favorite guitar works from Satriani:

• Cryin'
• Surfing With Alien
• Always With Me, Always With You
• Flying In A Blue Dream
• Satch Boogie
• Summer Song
• Until We Say Goodbye

#5 - Jimmy Page

James Patrick 'Jimmy' Page, born in 9 Jan 1944, is an English guitarist, songwriter, and record producer. He began his career as a studio session guitarist in London and was subsequently a member of The Yardbirds from 1966 to 1968, after which he founded the English rock band Led Zeppelin.

My favorite guitar works from Page:

• Stairway To Heaven
• Babe I'm Gonna Leave You
• Whole Lotta Love
• Immigrant Song
• Rock And Roll
• Black Dog
• The Song Remains The Same
• Since I've Been Loving You
• Kashmir

#4 - Jimi Hendrix

James Marshall 'Jimi' Hendrix, from 27 Nov 1942 - 18 Sept 1970, is an American guitarist and songwriter. He is widely considered the 'Guitar God' in the history of rock music.

My favorite guitar works from Hendrix:

• All Along The Watchtower
• Purple Haze
• Red House
• Fire
• Hey Joe
• Little Wing
• Voodoo Child
• Foxy Lady

#3 - Stevie Ray Vaughan

Stephen Ray 'Stevie' Vaughan or SRV, from 3 Oct 1954 - 27 Aug 2000, was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter.

My favorite guitar works from Vaughan:

• Lenny
• Pride And Joy
• Taxes Flood
• Tin Pan Alley
• Crossfire
• Riviera Paradise

#2 - John Petrucci

John Peter Petrucci, born in 12 July 1967, is an American guitarist and songwriter best known as founding member of Dream Theater and Liquid Tension Experiment.

My favorite guitar works from Petrucci:

• Hollow Years (Live at Budokan version)
• The Best Of Times
• Lines In The Sand
• A Change Of Seasons
• Erotomania
• As I Am
• Ministry Of Lost Souls
• Another Day
• Through Her Eyes (Live Scene from New York version)
• Endless Sacrifice
• Stream Of Consciousness
• Octavarium
• The Dark Eternal Night

#1 - David Gilmour

David Jon Gilmour, born 6 March 1946, is an English rock musician, best known as the lead guitarist, one of the lead singers, and one of the main songwriters in the progressive rock band Pink Floyd. In addition to his work with Pink Floyd, Gilmour has worked as a producer for a variety of artists, and has enjoyed a successful career as a solo artist.is an English rock musician, best known as the lead guitarist, one of the lead singers, and one of the main songwriters in the progressive rock band Pink Floyd. In addition to his work with Pink Floyd, Gilmour has worked as a producer for a variety of artists, and has enjoyed a successful career as a solo artist.

My favorite guitar works from Gilmour

• Comfortably Numb
• Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2)
• Money
• Time
• Coming Back To Life
• High Hopes
• Sheep
• Echoes
• On The Turning Away
• A Great Day For Freedom
• Marooned
• Shine On You Crazy Diamond
• Wish You Were Here
• Smile
• On An Island
• Wearing The Inside Out

Here is my most favorite guitar solo all time, it's so beautiful and I never get bored after thousand times listen to it. I use it as my mobile phone ringtone as well!

David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) - Comfortably Numb

My Top 10 Rock Guitarists!

Deep Purple Live in Malaysia

Last weekend (16th May 2010) was the most excitement day for me after a long waited rock concert held in Malaysia. It was Deep Purple, the legendary classic rock band came to Malaysia Genting Highland for the concert.

I booked the ticket since in March 2010 to make sure me and some friends got the seats for the concert, I really don't want to miss this concert since it is very very difficult to have rock concert in Malaysia.

It was my first up gone up to Genting Highland after 1989 when I was just a primary school boy and I don't even have the memory how it looks like. We decided to drive my friend's car up and I was the designated driver since I don't want to drink to get drunk.

When we entered to the concert hall, we found out our seats were not at good position, so many objects covered up the stage especially we can't see Don Airey the keyboardist at all! After the show started, there were so many empty seats at the center of the stage, and the crowds started to move over, we also don't missed the chance and move over to the center of the hall for better view.

This time I did not brought my DSLR out since they not allow to bring professional camera in, so I was just brought my point & shoot digital camera, and the quality are not that good. Anyway, it's better than nothing.

Deep Purple in Colour

The show started with a powerful and popular song, Highway Star. The crowds started to cheer when the music started.

From Left: Roger Glover, Ian Paice, Ian Gillan, Steve Morse & Don Airey

Steve Morse with his Superb Guitar Skills

Don Airey, as good as Jon Lord

Ian Paice, one of my favorite drummer all time

Roger Glover & Ian Gillan

Ian Gillan duet with Steve Morse

Steve Morse with Ian Paice

Epic Moment

Jamming Session

Overall the concert was great, but still got many great songs they never played on that night. The most craziest moment was when Smoke On The Water started, all crowds were cheering and sang together.

Last year I watch them before in Dubai, and it was a short concert. This time it was a full concern and Ian Gillan at least can sang better than last year performed in Dubai.

Deep Purple Rocks!!!