Listeners will recognize classic folk melodies sung in Hokkien. Many songs were recorded with brass and string orchestras, standard for that time, which lend the tunes a quaint charm.
Traditional Chinese instruments like the pipa (�? and bamboo flute also appear, and the final two tracks are the A and B sides of a Taiwanese opera record.
But just as notable are the outside influences heard in the music. The melody to Dadaocheng Late at Night (夜半的大稻城) writhes slowly and sorrowfully much like a Japanese nakasi tune. To the Flowers (對花) almost bounces with jazz syncopation.
There’s another hint of American pop culture in Hope in the Spring Winds (望春風): The vibrato notes from a steel guitar are most likely a nod to the worldwide popularity of Hawaiian music at the time.
Taipei City’s Department of Cultural Affairs and the Taiwan New Cultural Movement Hall deserve credit for pouring resources into an interesting and worthy project. But recognition is also due to project planner and collector Chuang Yung-ming (莊永明), who wrote an extensive history and background on the composers, singers and songs for the accompanying booklet. Unfortunately it’s only in Mandarin
The CD is currently available at Eslite Music Store (誠品音樂館).
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