Growing Pain (Part VII)

卻見我影身邊說 話我不孤單

Marketed under the obvious belief that the sum is greater than the parts, EMI released this compilation album named 新歌 Encore in 1983 probably just to fulfill contractual obligation. Headlined by such “chart topper” acts like 李龍基 and 葉麗儀, it featured galore of classic non-hits such as 無謂令我半天吊, 世界仔 with names that aptly completed the picture. Among all these insipid titles are two new songs, 過去．現在．將來 and 影子, by the comeback artist 特樂樂隊 that, if under better circumstances might have some potential.

Delegating 特樂樂隊 to the ensemble cast of a Z-grade compilation album belied their impact on Hong Kong pop music. Although 新歌 Encore marked the first time they had recorded materials in Cantonese, D’Topnotes, as they were known back then, has released many English records back in the 60s, when English pop ruled the rooster in Hong Kong, and they even reached certain amount of international success. In fear of dreading into area that is completely out of my element, I will refer those who are interested in D'Topnotes to Muzikland, someone more knowledgeable on the HK poineer pop artists

With its cheerful and upbeat melody that brought back memory of their 60s heyday, 過去．現在．將來 naturally enjoyed more airplay, and it was even plugged on 勁歌金曲. However, it is the melancholic lyrics of 影子 (particularly 縱見滿街也是人 亦覺得孤單) that stayed with me throughout the years. Never released in CD as far as I know, my version of 影子 was ripped from vinyl record and that is as good as it can get!

The comeback of 特樂樂隊 never rises above the occasional musical guest appearance on EYT, and 新歌 Encore remained their last foray into Cantopop. Obscure among the generation grew up on Cantopop, D’Topnotes, and particularly lead vocalist/bassist/keyboardist Christine Samson, still enjoyed some loyal followings today. A search on YouTube resulted in an unexpectedly numerous clips of their TV appearances. None more surprising than this rendition of Alan Tam’s 最愛的你, when Christine even sang a segment of Kurahashi Ruiko’s (倉橋ルイ子 ) Japanese original, Last Scene ni ai wo komete (ラストシーンに愛をこめて)