While the media focused on Spring Scream last week, we hit the streets back in the capital to ask the proletariat what they thought Taiwan's hottest act was. After crisscrossing the city to consult self-proclaimed critics who spend as many as 12 hours a day listening to local music, the results were nearly unanimous.
Taipei's betel nut-chewing, pedestrian-blind taxi drivers agree: The musical event of the year - if not the century to date - begins at the Taipei Arena next Friday when the "Queen of Taiwanese Songs" takes to the stage in her first ever arena concert.
In an informal poll, 17 out of 20 taxi drivers who listen to Taiwanese music declared Judy Chiang (江蕙), or "Second Sister" (二姐) as fans know her, to be the best Hoklo-language singer ever. (Drivers with flowers or smarmy waiter outfits were not included in the survey.)
PHOTO: DAI WEI-NING, TAIPEI TIMES
Chiang was originally scheduled for two shows next Friday and Saturday, but when tickets quickly sold out the promoter added a third show on April 20, and then another on April 22. Though all four performances are sold out, some ticket holders advertising on sites like Yahoo Auctions still had seats available at the original price when contacted earlier this week.
Next weekend's shows come as a surprise to Chiang's legion of fans. The 43-year-old began her career aged 10, singing with nakasi (那卡西) bands at beer halls in Beitou. But though she's recorded some 50 albums, the media portrays Chiang as a shy, frail character who has avoided large concerts because of stage fright and a weak constitution.
Articles in the Liberty Times (the Taipei Times' sister paper) have stated Chiang suffers from heart problems; tinnitus, a ringing sensation in the ears; and vertigo so bad she sometimes finds herself crawling around on the ground. A Michael Jackson-esque nose job could be added to the list - "It's much too small for her face," one fan wrote online.
The image of the sensitive star overcoming her weaknesses to produce such a large body of work has endeared her to millions.
"When she sings, you know she's been through hard times. Her songs can really touch your heart," one cabbie said tenderly, before gushing a mouthful of betel nut spittle into a plastic cup.
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