聖誕節歌曲英文的八卦，YOUTUBE、DCARD、PTT和Yahoo名人娛樂都在討論

#我的追星之旅

Paula Cole @ Natick
2017 Dec. 16


記得有一陣子在流行一個問題：如果你漂流到荒島，只能帶十張唱片，會是哪十張？年輕的朋友可能沒被問過這個問題，因為這好像是我小時候的問題……我只記得當時我被問這個問題的時候，我反問朋友，如果選擇十張唱片的標準是喜歡裡面的歌，可是荒島又沒播放器，所以是要選喜歡的設計嗎？結果被我朋友大大的白眼，說跟我玩假設問題真無聊。可是我明明是很認真地在考慮啊（無辜繞手指）。然後我又說，所以幹嘛用這麼奇怪的一個假設來包裝問句，不就直接問：你最喜歡的十張專輯是哪十張，不就好了？（依然不解風情）


好啦，我要說的是，如果要我選十張，我可能會非常痛苦，但鐵定有Paula Cole的《This Fire》吧！


記得發現Paula Cole也正在巡迴的時候，驚呼了出來，因為這麼多年，她的消息實在不多，連後來她發行的唱片，台灣都沒有代理，每次都是托要從國外回來的朋友幫我買的。然後一查我可以配合的日期……嗯，跟丞琳的小巨蛋同一天，而且很早之前就寫好在日曆上了。左思右想，就跟丞琳說，有一個我一直以來很喜歡的歌手，而且她演出不多，也不知道下一次有機會看是什麼時候，從頭到尾我都用非常可憐的口氣跟她說，所以善良如她就回我，好啦，如果是安室要開告別演唱會跟你撞期，我也會去看安室啊，你就去吧！順利請假成功的我，當然不能辜負丞琳，我一定要買到票！哈哈哈。


上一篇在Over the Rhine的追星文有提到，有些歌手的聲音你一聽到就有雷擊閃電般，Paula Cole對於我來說就是這類型的歌手。第一次聽到她的歌是〈Where Have All the Cowboys Gone？〉，一首可以立刻將我魂魄牽走的歌。而當買了專輯可以用耳機好好聽的時候，有幾個段落，她是同樣的歌詞，可是同時有兩軌聲音，一邊是如耳邊細語的誦念，但上了效果器；一邊是帶有自由旋律的歌聲，背景沒有任何音符，只有鼓聲的節奏，加在一起對當時的我（想想那是1996年）產生了前所未有的感覺，還有歌曲中不時出現樂音收空只剩節奏的空間，如潑墨山水的留白，讓我一聽就著迷。


但買了這張專輯後，最難忘的是，CD放入，按下播放鍵的第一首歌〈Tiger〉。一開始的兩句清唱，然後疊了兩軌同音的聲道，奇幻的半音階，接著鋼琴與歌唱娓娓道來，再用氣音與假音詮釋高音的部分，馬上一個空拍，迎接俐落的節奏，力道漸推，加入了許多真音，樂器的編制並不繁複，但更是力道滿滿。歌曲中段，將原本用假音詮釋的高音，全改為震撼人的真音，末段的吟唱加入怒吼的方式，有如歌名「Tiger」，在一個拉高的真音瞬間轉為假音進入尾奏，最後以倒轉清唱的方式結尾。實在無法形容當時聽到這樣的歌聲，有多麼震撼。


所以當來到現場，Paula Cole一上台，第一首歌就演唱〈Tiger〉的時候，你應該可以感覺到我腦中賓果機三個七連線的興奮了吧。更可怕的是，又是一個唱了超過二十年聲音還是一樣，每一個細節都還能做到的歌手！而且她的歌真的也是一首比一首難唱，她一上台第一首歌聲音就馬上到位，像伏在鋼琴鍵上的大虎，在〈Tiger〉的高音與怒吼時，我轉頭看家凱（他在這場來會合一起看），跟Paula Cole的歌不熟的他嘴張超大的，應該是被嚇歪了吧哈哈哈。這趟看到的這幾個女歌手真的是沒在輸的，我看完真的是打從心底覺得這幾個人都是妖怪！不可思議！


然後當然，越來越接近聖誕節了，演唱會想當然必定有一小部分的聖誕曲目。我竟然在這十二月中，從Tori Amos、Jewel到Paula Cole都聽到了同一首〈Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas〉，覺得滿有趣的，聽到三個喜愛的女歌手，用三種不同的方式詮釋，有一種做什麼研究的感覺。


這一趟除了Over the Rhine之外，每一場演出都有暖場嘉賓，Paula Cole上場前也有，她叫做Janie Barnett，讓我印象很深。通常暖場嘉賓總是會被觀眾因為太過期待主角而稀釋，即便覺得好聽也還是難掩更期待後面的登場。但她是這一趟唯一一個讓我完全沒有這個想法的嘉賓，結束後我還跑去買了她的專輯。她看起來應該將近六十歲了，可是聲音裡聽不出來，許多控制與處理都是那麼不費吹灰之力。歌本身也很動聽，加上一股說故事的魅力，更加迷人。


這一次的演出在一個小場地，現場應該不到兩百個座位，所以距離演出者不到五公尺，會後販賣專輯的人告訴我們，Paula會出來見大家，於是，又添一樁意外！我的破英文台詞也差不多就是那些，雖然滿開心的，可是跟見Tori的感覺不太一樣，可能已經是整趟旅程的最後一場演唱會了，有一股說不出來好壞的，霧一樣的狀態飄在心中。


回程車上，從加拿大飛來一起看演唱會的朋友Marc，瘋狂播放他所鍾愛的鄉村歌曲，分別放了六個不一樣的歌手可是聽起來聲音旋律彷彿是同一首歌播放六次。我就像戴著隱形耳機一樣，在腦海裡播放著《This Fire》。


來聽聽她就像直接伸手戳進你身體抓住你心臟的歌聲吧：

〈Tiger〉
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Q8j_rjL4jw

〈Where Have All the Cowboys Gone？〉
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPR108kwNo4

〈I Don’t Wanna Wait〉Live
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OS5Y3w7K7k8

〈I Believe In Love〉Live
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTiHkskdEqI

〈Be Somebody〉
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmZ-nMvggrI

〈Amen〉
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwWslLuIGh0


同場加映Janie Barnett的作品：

〈Better Times Are Coming〉
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTH61M4SlqU

〈Something Fruity〉
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zMEagar-Q4

12/29國際政治經濟新聞

* 【極端天氣造成今年損失1074億英鎊，美國中國印度最為慘重】據《每日郵報》報導隨著溫度不斷升高，氣候變化導致的極端天氣在2019年造成數百萬人死亡、受傷和流離失所。15起最具破壞性的事件造成損失均超過7.6億英鎊，其中7起高達76.9億英鎊，而且這些數字可能被低估。 —Forbes

* 【2019年亞馬遜雨林火災增八成 影響全球降雨量】2019年，亞馬遜雨林一場長達數月的大火在地球烙下巨大傷痕。專家指出，大火由人為砍伐雨林造成。人們砍伐雨林後再用火清理現場，終釀大火。若人類繼續破壞雨林，亞馬遜雨林將釋放大量二氧化碳，減少降雨，加劇全球變暖。 —NGC

* 【澳洲山林大火持續肆虐 旅遊業受重創】澳洲山火持續肆虐，作為世界文化遺產的藍山也遭受大火侵襲，被重重煙霧所籠罩，儼然成了「灰」山。持續的山火重創了當地旅遊業，生意只有往年的三分之一。下周受災最嚴重的新南威爾斯州還將迎來新一輪高溫，這將加重當地的山火險情，甚至危及悉尼附近的水利設施。—CNN

* 【聖母院將拆鷹架 展開修復工程】法國巴黎聖母院發生大火至今八個月，修復工程目前來到重要階段，工程師準備拆除聖母院的鷹架。當局計劃2021年開始動工修復聖母院。—新加坡聯合早報

* 社群媒體是21世紀的一把雙面刃。它是供民間發聲和思想眾籌的平台，也是假新聞和謠言泛濫的推手。當假新聞遇上選舉，情況更為複雜，幕後黑手的操縱可能誤導選民並影響選舉結果，打擊國家的民主制度。同個時候，當權者也可能把假新聞當作收緊言論自由的擋箭牌，侵蝕民主靈魂。—新加坡聯合早報

* 【大型對撞機夢想升級，或拉開新物理學序幕】據《自然》雜誌：歐洲核子研究中心（CERN）希望在2020年能為未來的巨型對撞機籌集到資金。這個全球最大的粒子物理實驗室將在明年五月召開特別會議，討論決定歐洲粒子物理戰略規劃的更新事宜，巨型對撞機是其中一部分。CERN的大型強子對撞機（LHC）是目前世界上最強大的對撞機，曾發現被稱為「上帝粒子」的希格斯玻色子。CERN希望更上一層樓，建造一台長度接近LHC的4倍，能量更是LHC的6倍多的對撞機，成本可能高達234億美元。美國費米國家實驗室在明年也將公佈新成果——「繆子g-2」實驗的結果，許多物理學家希望借此能揭示出以前未知的基本粒子。—Nature

* 非洲東部國家索馬里的首都摩加迪沙週六遭貨車炸彈襲擊，昨晚截稿前已證實至少90人喪命，數十人受傷，相信死亡人數還會上升。

出事地點臨近一個安檢站和稅務辦事處，是繁忙的十字路口。當地官員透露，許多遇難者是在籍大學生，他們乘坐的一輛巴士首當其衝，被引爆的炸彈擊中。死者中還包括17名警員，以及兩名在附近道路施工地點的土耳其籍工程師。

事發後，多輛汽車瞬間成了焦黑的殘骸，附近建築也毀壞不堪，地面血跡斑斑，炸彈的威力可見一斑。急救人員不停使用擔架將傷者抬上救護車，當中包括年幼孩童，另有多具遺體從被毀的汽車里移出。—新加坡聯合早報

* 2級熱帶氣旋「薩萊」週六（28日）挾帶大雨強風橫掃太平洋島國斐濟，近2000人在56個疏散中心避難，1人喪命。

斐濟多處地區出現山體滑坡、樹木倒下、道路毀損。斐濟最大島維提島（Viti Levu）無電力供應；往返斐濟的班機被迫取消或延遲，數以千計的旅客受困機場。

熱帶氣旋橫掃斐濟 近2000人避難1人死亡 https://www.zaobao.com/realtime/world/story20191228-1016696…—新加坡聯合早報

* 雖然朝鮮並未如期送上「聖誕禮物」，但美國國防部預測，朝鮮可能在明年1月初或2月中旬作出挑釁行為。美國國防部判斷朝鮮在1月8日（朝鮮領袖金正恩生日）或2月16日（已故朝鮮領袖金正日誕辰）前後採取行動的可能性更大。不過美國國防部也表示，這一預測「存在一定程度的不確定性」。—華爾街日報

* 俄羅斯軍方週五批露，已經開始部署第一批「先鋒」（Avangard）高超音速導彈。這類導彈最大的特徵是能以相當於音速27倍的速度飛行，可輕易突破美國導彈防禦系統，而且可耐受2000攝氏度的高溫。這款先進武器可能為全球核武強國的軍備競賽開啓新篇章。

俄部署高超音速導彈 或為迫使美重啓軍備談判 https://www.zaobao.com/…/internation…/story20191228-1016695…—新加坡聯合早報

* 特斯拉（Tesla）準備在中國開始交付本土化生產汽車之際，上海產的Model 3轎車將被免徵10%的車輛購置稅。

中國工業和信息化部週五（27日）在網站發佈《免徵車輛購置稅的新能源汽車車型目錄》，其中Model 3也包含在內，意味著車主買價將會降低。特斯拉10月份時表示，上海產Model 3的定價將在50000美元（67609新幣）左右。

特斯拉好事連連 中國將免徵上海產Modele 3車輛購置稅 https://www.zaobao.com/realtime/china/story20191228-1016600…—新加坡聯合早報

* 【新公民法抗議不斷 印高級警官對抗議者說：去巴基斯坦吧】《印度快報》28日報道，印度北方邦一名高級警官對抗議公民身份法的居民說，「去巴基斯坦吧」，這一幕被拍了下來。這段視頻是20日拍攝的，警官稱要清理這條小巷，他對著三個人說：「那些綁著黑黃帶子的人，告訴他們去巴基斯坦吧。你們在這裡吃飯，卻對另一個地方贊不絕口？」他還補充道：「如果發生什麼事，你們要付出代價。每家每戶的人都會被逮捕。」這段視頻在網上傳播，引發爭議。該警官回應稱，他之所以這麼說，是因為之前有人喊了親巴基斯坦的口號。

印度議會此前批准公民法案，允許從巴基斯坦、孟加拉國和阿富汗三國進入印度的非法移民獲得印度國籍，但穆斯林除外。此法案旨在賦予2015年前逃離上述三國的佛教徒、基督徒、印度教徒、耆那教徒、帕西人和錫克教徒以印度公民身份。該法案通過後引發了許多抗議活動。 —Euronews

* 今天NASA太空人Christina H Koch創造了女性單次太空飛行時間最長記錄，打破了太空人Peggy Whitson 288天的飛行記錄。—NASA

* 【伊朗拒絕釋放法國學者，其中一人已絕食4天】據法媒12月27日報導法國外交部長召見伊朗駐法大使，並向其譴責伊朗當局已關押法國學者Fariba Abdelkhah和Roland Marchal六個月之久。因間諜罪被指控的Fariba Abdelkhah已於12月24日起開始絕食，Roland Marchal被捕原因不明。法國歐洲與外交部長向伊朗駐法大使表示，十分擔憂Fariba Adelkhah女士絕食後的身體狀況，並重申交涉要求，但至今仍被拒絕。

法國當局曾多次要求伊朗釋放被囚禁的同胞，法國總統馬克洪也曾與伊朗總統魯哈尼進行電話會談，但伊朗方面將這兩名法國公民視為重要的籌碼，希望利用他們要麼在核問題談判中爭取到更大利益；要麼迫使法國釋放一名美國也「虎視眈眈」的伊朗核工程師。—Euronews

*【去英國霍格沃茨找哈利·波特過節】哈利·波特魔法世界的聖誕季活動（英文為The Christmas season at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter）融合了JK.羅琳筆下「大難不死的男孩」所有的故事，還增添了更多的魔力。一直到1月5日，奧蘭多環球影城哈利·波特主題公園各處都會舉行假日慶典。最棒的應該就是去霍格莫德村和對角巷過個節。這裡都有節日的各種痕跡，銷售的紀念品更是讓你記住一年的每個節日。風雅牌巫師服裝店有赫敏在舞會上的禮服、霍格沃茨各學院紋章形式的聖誕裝飾品，還有電影中經典場景中的物件。聖誕節為這裡帶來了新變化，各處都是樹枝、飾品、緞帶和彩燈。雖然奧蘭多12月的氣溫很可能還在80多華氏度（約26攝氏度），但是您依然想嘗一嘗假日才有的黃油啤酒。今年，霍格莫德村的青蛙合唱增加了麻瓜和巫師的節日歌曲，既有《祝您聖誕快樂》等膾炙人口的歌曲，又有《給聖誕老人念個咒》、《最魔幻的聖誕舞會》。

原作中的巫師歌唱家塞蒂娜·沃貝克和女妖合唱團在對角巷舉行的歌唱表演不可不看。她們既表演經典老歌《你偷走了我的鍋，但你得不到我的心》、《你用魔法鈎走了我的心》，還增添了新作《聖誕節飛來》、《假日咒語最棒了》。—Forbes

* 【四代傳承，Rocco Forte酒店集團的百年之路】1876年，貝爾從布朗酒店（Brown’s Hotel）的一間客房內，成功拔出了英國歷史上的第一通電話。此後，諸多皇族政客、文學巨匠光顧入住這個酒店，魯德亞德‧吉卜林在這裡完成《叢林奇譚》一書；斯蒂芬‧金也在這裡完成了自己的新作。美國總統西奧多·羅斯福夫婦、維多利亞女王、拿破侖三世和妻子、英國首相丘吉爾等名人政客，都曾在此下榻，留下過他們的身影。—Forbes

* 「通烏門」導致美國總統川普被眾議院彈劾，美國現在正在歡慶新年到來，川普假期間仍氣撲撲，一天內狂分享55則推文，甚至一周內兩度技巧性地公布潛在告密者的全名，引起輿論撻伐。—CNN

我是國榮。來自澳洲昆士蘭省，讀中學時成績非常好，分數已足夠在大學選讀任何一科。當時我希望成為一名醫生，因為可以幫助他人。我在新南威爾斯大學讀醫科，第一年是住在雪梨北區一個朋友家中，第二年入住大學國際宿舍，宿舍規定最少有半數是留學生，不是澳洲人。最先兩年結識了不少香港、新加玻、馬來西亞的朋友，與他們很合得來，不過最重要是入住宿舍後，便遇到了香港的流行歌曲。有一天我行經走廊時，聽到一些很悅耳的音樂，我便問同學這是甚麽歌曲及可否借給我欣賞，他便借了給我。我已忘記是Leslie還是Alan的歌，但肯定是其中一位。因為很喜歡這些歌曲，便到唐人街購買，後來一邊聽歌一邊看歌詞，因此慢慢地學識了很多中文字。
因為喜歡唱歌，所以在大學的同學活動，開始演唱中文歌，也曾參加香港學生會舉辦的歌唱比賽，參賽歌曲是「愛的根源」，結果獲得亞軍。我很清楚記得，國際宿舍為了文化交流，每年舉辦一次國際晚宴，希望不同種族的學生可以表演和分享文化。Leslie在一九八五年 唱Monica獲得獎項，那是一首我很喜歡的歌曲，所以在文化交流晚會我便選擇唱Monica。當時同學覺得很驚奇，我怎可能唱Monica。我是跟着錄影帶，學習他的舞步和唱歌技巧。我不停地在公眾地方練習，其他同學看到我很用心練習，也過來幫助我。在台上表演時有幾位同學為我伴舞，當晚演出非常成功。
一九八五年Leslie和幾位香港天皇巨星，來澳洲開演唱會。演唱會的主辦公司，需要義務司機，朋友問我能否當義務司機。我答應了，後來知道是當Leslie的司機。有一天他放假不用排練，我們便駕車往坎培拉，當日天氣多雲有微雨，甚麽也看不清楚，喝過咖啡後便離開，回程是Leslie駕駛，他的英語非常好，途中我們愉快地暢談，這次旅程對我來說是很重要的事情。
一九八六年Alan到來澳洲，我又當了他的司機。在他入住的酒店，介紹人在偶像面前，誤把我的名字說成河詠麟，當時在偶像面前我也不懂怎樣矯正。大約有兩年很多人以為我是河詠麟。他的四位女和音，知道我懂得唱他的歌，所以告訴了他，在排練那天他叫我上台一起唱。認識Leslie 和Alan兩位巨星，對我的影響很大，聽到他們的歌，和看到觀眾的反應，我開始對香港的歌唱發展很重視。
因為常常想着唐人街和唱歌，沒有用功讀書，因此醫科的第三年考試不合格，需要重讀，在一九八六年重讀了三個月便決定退學。
後來做了三份洗碗碟工作，還做了個多月砌磚的工作，我把工作一年多，所得工資儲起來，買了一張單程機票和帶了一千澳元，便到來香港發展。唯一的準備是問一個朋友能否到他的家中居住。他的父親很勉強地答應，但需要收租金。我甚麽準備也沒有，只是刻意買了一張單程機票，是因為不想遇到少許困難便放棄，返回澳洲。
初到香港時甚麼都不認識，沒有計劃，也沒有朋友。我最先是住在廣播道，但我的朋友不是在那裡居住，因為他還在讀書。初來時沒有事做，所以在外面逛了幾天，有一天意外地行到紅磡體育館，中門外有四名男士在吸煙，他們竟然叫我河詠麟。原來他們是Alan的樂隊成員，在一九八六年見過面，但相隔一年，竟然還可以記起我，這就是緣分。當時Alan正在為演唱會排練，他們帶我進去體育館，這樣便再見到Alan。一九八七年的演唱會是三十一場，我看了三十場。本來打算看足三十一場，但是有少許問題出現，因為我住的地方有規定，晚上十時半後便會關門，不會再讓人進出。但演唱會是不會這麽早便完場，每晚看完演唱會，我會行去尖沙嘴，然後再步行回廣播道，然後在公園外的石椅小睡，到五時公園開門便進去睡覺，但最終因捱不住，有一晚沒有去看演唱會。有一次Alan突然問我，今晚可否上台唱歌，我說當然可以，便成為他的嘉賓。我第一次表演Alan十分開心，但第二次他在台上介紹，有一個外國人，唱他的歌十分出色，當他呼喚河詠麟出場，因為我不在場，所以沒有出現。後來他問我為何沒有出現，我便向他解釋原因，他便安排我入住酒店，直到演唱會完結。所以便有第三次呼喚我上台，這是我第二次成為嘉賓跟他一起唱「朋友」，真是十分興奮。到八月他的生日會也有邀請我做嘉賓，其實每一件發生的事情都是有關係的。
後來我在北角僑冠大厦租了一間劏房居住，有一次從北角行到中環，看到一間職業介紹公司的招聘啟示，我便前往應徵。當時職員說我可以教英文，但我不是教師，他認為沒有問題，便介紹我到一間補習社工作。在補習社工作了幾個月，有一位同事看到一張電視台的海報，需要招聘 一個西方人，但要懂得說中文。我致電應徵，他是一位獨立經紀，我說沒有經驗和廣東話也不是很好，他說沒有問題。我便去見一位電視台女監製，她給我一段英文劇本，要我讀出來。因為很緊張，五分鐘都不能出聲，我跟自己說，不嘗試會後侮一生。那一段對白是警官責備下級，責備人一定是很大聲的，所以我便很大聲說出來。當時她正在做自己的事，沒有再理會我，但我的叫聲使她大吃一驚。因為沒有其他外國人給她選擇，她無奈地聘請了我，這套劇集需要兩個西方人，另外一位是當主角，從那時開始，便在電視台工作了二十年。
二零一四年九月我在N o w T V的一個音樂節目做嘉賓，在一間音樂室裡我和三位節目主持人，唱歌和談論音樂。到最近才知道，他們三位是100毛的老闆。到聖誕100毛找我拍攝雜誌封面，我不知為何找我拍攝封面，原來三位老闆是認識我的，只是我自己不知道。
二零一五年八月他們聯絡我，他們有一首歌，問我會否願意演唱，那首歌曲我很熟悉，歌詞十分口語化，應該可以學到的。但當時是星期五，表演是在星期日，只得兩天時間作準備，所以我很用心練習。舞台是有電視屏幕可以看到歌詞，但我盡量避免看電視屏幕，只是有需要時才看一看，便可以放心地唱。能夠上台非常開心，我可以扮了演一個角色，唱一首悅耳和有趣的歌，觀眾很熱鬧和興奮，真是十分難得。我知道這是一生一次，這不是自己可以做到，是他們給我機會。那首歌很受歡迎，而且登上了流行榜。聖誕節前他們聯絡我，表示將會舉辦總選，問我會否參加，我便欣然答應了。當天每位表演者，會有兩首歌曲，在十二月廿六日接到新歌，我從沒有聽過那首歌，是一首說唱歌曲，而且歌詞很陌生，對我來說十分困難，所以我不停地練習了四百多次。當晚表演由Now T V直播，有七十萬人觀看，想不到自己能夠獲得香港區最受歡迎男歌星獎，當宣佈我的名字時，極度開心，無人能想到，唱出真香港的歌曲，是由一個西方人唱出，可以感動到別人。這是天時地利人和，超乎現實，簡直是一個奇蹟。因為那首歌不是我揀選，是別人給我的，練習這首歌時眼睛常常都會充了滿淚水和很感動。
西方人在香港發展演藝事業是十分困難的，機會不多，只能扮演一些無關重要的角色，但我從來沒有想過放棄。五年前我計劃灌錄一張唱片，因為胃酸倒流，把聲帶灼傷，使我聲音變得沙啞，這件事使我非常懊惱，因為辛苦練習多年，卻發生了這個問題，後來我矯正了唱歌方法，問題得以改善，可以繼續唱歌，現在準備為唱片再進行錄音工作。
最近有很多關於少數族裔的事情出現在我身上 ，現在我為一個港台節目做旁白，是關於少數族裔在香港。他們在本地娛樂圈發展是十分困難，因為在一個有九成是同一種族的地方，看電視或電影，也是會看自己的種族，未必會看少數族裔。如果他們幾個人合作，做一個節目，然後在網上發放，是有機會成功。香港有很多少數族裔居住，有些人的中文比我好，他們也愛香港。
我心目中的香港人，是要做香港人做的事，吃香港人吃的食物，關心香港，不看膚色，希望他們也能說廣東話，最重要是覺得香港是自己的家，這便是真正的香港人。

I am Gregory. I hail from Queensland, Australia. During my high school years, my grades were excellent. They were good enough for me to enroll in any subject that I wanted to in university. At that time, I wanted to become a doctor because I could help others. I studied Medicine at the University of New South Wales. In my first year, I lived in my friend’s home located in North Sydney. During my second year, I lived in International House at the university. It was a rule for the school campus to have at least 50 percent overseas students. They cannot be Australians. I met a lot of Hong Kong, Singaporean and Malaysian friends in my first two years. I was able to get along with them very well. But what is most important was that after living in International House, I came across Hong Kong pop music. One day I was walking along the corridors and overheard beautifully melodic music. I asked my classmate what music he was listening to and if he could lend me the music to listen to. He leant it to me.
I have forgotten whether it was the music of Leslie or Alan. But I am sure it was one of them because I really liked that kind of music. I went to Chinatown to buy it. Eventually, I listened to the music as I read the lyrics. In turn, I slowly picked up a lot of Chinese characters.
I attended many different functions to perform Cantonese songs in university because I really liked to sing. I also attended a singing competition organized by the Hong Kong student association. The competition song was ‘Root of Love’. In the end I won second runner-up. I clearly remember International House wanted to organize cultural exchanges so they held international banquets each year. Their hope was for students from different ethnic backgrounds to perform and share their culture.
In 1985, Leslie won an award for singing ‘Monica’. It was a song that I really loved. During the international cultural exchange banquet, I chose to sing ‘Monica’. At that time my classmates were very surprised. How can I sing ‘Monica’? I followed the videos to learn the dance steps and singing techniques. I kept on practicing in public. Other students witnessed how hard I was practicing and came over to help me out. A few classmates became my accompanying dancers as I danced on stage. The performance that night was extremely successful.
Leslie and a group of Hong Kong superstars visited Australia to hold concerts in 1985. The concert organizer needed a voluntary driver. My friends asked me whether I wanted to be the voluntary driver. I accepted the offer. In the end I found out that I would become Leslie’s driver. There was one day when he was on break and did not need to rehearse. We drove to Canberra. It was cloudy and there was light rain on that day. We could not see clearly. After having a coffee, we left. Leslie was next to drive. His English was very good. During the journey back we chatted happily. The trip was very important to me.
In 1986, Alan came to Australia. I was also his driver. Our mutual friend misread my name as “Ho Wing Lun” in front of my idol during his stay at the hotel. I was not able to correct him at the time because Alan (“Wing Lun”) was my idol. Many people thought I was called “Ho Wing Lun” for around two years. His four back-up singers knew I was able to sing Alan’s songs. That was why they told him about it. During rehearsal day, he told me to sing with him on stage. Knowing superstars like Leslie and Alan had a great impact on me. To be able to listen to their songs and to witness the reactions from the audience led me to become interested in a singing career in Hong Kong.
I did not put in a lot of effort in my studies because I always thought of Chinatown and singing. Consequently, I failed my medical examinations in my third year. I had to re-take my subjects. In 1986, I re-took my studies for three months but then I decided to quit school.
In the end I juggled three dish washing jobs and also many months of brick laying work. I saved up a whole year of my salary and bought a one-way ticket to Hong Kong. I also carried $1000 Australian dollars on me. I then went to Hong Kong to develop my career. I only asked my friend whether I could stay at his place as preparation to living in my new homeland. His father reluctantly agreed but had to receive rent. I did not have anything equipped or prepared. I only purposely bought a one-way ticket because I did not want to easily give up when I encountered minor difficulties and return to Australia.
When I first arrived in Hong Kong, I did not know anything. I did not have any plans. I also did not have any friends. Initially, I lived in Broadcast Drive but my friend did not live there because he was still studying. I did not have anything to do at first. That was why I hung around Hong Kong for several days. One day, by coincidence, I came across Hung Hom Coliseum. At the entrance, there were four men smoking. They noticed me and surprisingly called out “Ho Wing Lun”. They were, in fact, members of Alan’s band. We have first met in 1986. Surprisingly, they remembered me after a whole year. That is called fate. At that time, Alan was preparing for his concert. The four men brought me inside the Coliseum. I saw Alan. There were 31 shows in his 1987 concert. I watched 30 of them. I intended to watch all 31 shows but there was a slight problem. There were rules at my guest house. After ten thirty each night, the door to the home will be locked. Nobody was allowed to enter or leave the house. But concerts do not end so early. So, after watching each concert in the evening, I would walk to Tsim Sha Tsui and then walk back to Broadcast Drive. I would sleep on the concreate seats outside the park. When the park opens at five in the morning, I will go in and sleep. Eventually, I was unable to handle it. One night I cannot watch a show. Once Alan asked me “Can you sing on stage tonight?” I told him “Of course I can.” I became his special guest. Alan was extremely happy when I first performed. By the second show, he announced that: “There is a westerner who can sing my songs very well.” He called out my name “Ho Wing Lun!” But because I was not at the scene, I did not show up. Eventually, he asked me why I did not show up. I explained my reason to him. He then arranged a hotel for me to stay at until the end of the concert. That was why he was able to call me out the third time! That was my second time as special guest singing “Friends” with him. It was exhilarating. In August, he introduced me as a special guest at his birthday party. Actually, everything happens for a reason and everything is interconnected.
Soon after, I rented a tiny flat at a building in North Point to live in. I walked from North Point to Central once. I came across a recruitment agency looking to hire. I went in to give it a shot. At that time, the staff said I could teach English but I was not a teacher. The staff said it was not a problem and introduced me to work at a learning center. After working there for a few months, a colleague saw a TV station’s poster. They were looking to recruit a westerner but that person needs to be able to speak Cantonese. I called to give it a try. The person who answered was an independent agent. I told that agent I had no experience and my Cantonese was not very good. The agent told me it was not a problem. I went to see the TV station’s female producer. She gave me an English script and wanted me to read it out. I was so nervous that I did not utter a word in five minutes. I told myself, if I do not try, I will regret it for life. The dialogue depicted a police telling off a subordinate. When you tell someone off, you must be very loud so, I read my lines out very loudly. At that time, the female producer was doing her own work and did not care about me but because I was so loud, I frightened her! As there were no other westerners for her to choose from, she had no choice but to hire me. The TV show required two westerners. The other westerner played the main character. From then onwards, I worked at the TV station for twenty years.
In September 2014, I appeared as a guest on a NowTV music program. I was in a band room with the three show hosts. We sang and discussed music. Only recently, I found out that they were the Founders of 100 Most. When it was Christmas, 100 Most invited me to appear on the cover of their magazine. I did not know why they wanted me to do it – only to find out that the Founders of the magazine already knew who I was! It was just me who did not know that.
In August 2015, 100 Most contacted me and asked me whether I wanted to sing this particular song. I was very familiar with the song lyrics. The lyrics were very colloquial. I should be able to learn it. It was Friday. The performance was on Sunday. I only had two days to prepare for it. That was why I practiced very hard. The stage showcased the lyrics. But I tried my best not to look at them. I would only glance at them when I needed to. I felt more confident and assured as I sang.
I was extremely elated to be able to perform on stage. I can play a role singing a wonderful and amusing song. The audience was super warm and excited. It was a moment to be treasured. I know this can only happen once in my life. It cannot be done by myself. It is because I was given a chance by 100 Most. The song was very popular and hit the charts. Before Christmas, 100 Most contacted me and expressed that there would be a final election of the songs. They asked me whether I would like to participate. I was more than happy to give it a try. On the day of the show, each contestant would have two songs.
On the 26th of December, I received the new song. I have never heard of the song before. It was a rap song. I was very unfamiliar with the lyrics. I found them very difficult. That was why I kept practicing it for more than four hundred times. The show was broadcasted live by NowTV. Around seven hundred thousand people watched the broadcast. I cannot imagine winning the Best Hong Kong Male Singer. When my name was announced, I was extremely delighted. Nobody can imagine that a westerner was able to sing a song about ‘real Hong Kong’. It can touch people. It was something that happened at the right place and at the right time. It was also surreal and a complete miracle. It is because the song was not selected by me. It was given to me by others. My eyes were often wet from practicing this song. I was very touched.
It is very difficult for westerners to develop their artistry in the entertainment industry. Chances are slim. They can only play roles that are irrelevant and unimportant. But I never thought of giving up. Five years ago I planned to record my own album. But because of stomach acid reflux, my vocal chords got damaged. My voice became hoarse and coarse. It brought me a lot of frustrations because I have worked hard for many years. Then this happened. I then amended my singing techniques and the issue improved significantly. I was able to sing again. I am now working on re-recording my new album.
A lot of ethnic minority issues materialized around me as of late. I am currently the voice over for a RTHK program about ethnic minorities in Hong Kong. It is very hard for them to develop their career in the local entertainment industry. It is because when 90 percent of the people share the same skin color comes together in a particular place, those watching TV or film will tend to watch people of their own skin color. They may not watch ethnic minorities. If a group of ethnic minorities work together to create a program for the web, it may work out. There are a lot of ethnic minorities residing in Hong Kong. Some of their Chinese is better than mine. They also love Hong Kong very much.
‘Hong Kongers’, to me, are people who need to do things ‘Hong Kongers’ do. Eat Hong Kong food. Care about Hong Kong. And do not look at skin color. I hope they can also speak Cantonese. Most importantly, they should regard Hong Kong as their home. Then, they are ‘real Hong Kongers’.

金勾杯金勾杯～金勾偶了薇🎅🏻🎄🔔
又到了一年一度路上出現最多燈泡、商店最容易不約而同放到同一首歌的時候了
而且街上還會出現非常多卯起來買東西玩交換禮物或騙小孩有聖誕老人的人們，真的是太溫馨啦！⛄️

因此尋人為了應景，又想讓大家聽聽不同感覺的聖誕歌。這次很用心在原本的經典聖誕組曲裡加入新的、年輕人唱的流行聖誕歌，有亞莉安娜跟小賈斯汀，夠年輕吧！
尋寶們不要聽到前面以為跟以前一樣就按掉哦！
而且影片中間還有小「亮」點🌟
找找看在哪裡吧！

帶來這首「聖誕組曲—好膩但還是要唱」（已經編得比較不膩了，大家要聽哦😽）

祝大家聖誕節幸福快樂換到好禮物🎁

編曲/錢沛筠 Dorry.C
混音/錢沛筠 Dorry.C
影像/7 Yun

#聖誕歌 #阿卡貝拉 #acapella #尋人啟事

六人終於合體啦
趕在聖誕節前合體好棒
今年比較冷很有聖誕節氣氛
分享給要一起玩交換禮物的朋友
記得1215來抱抱節聽我們唱歌
會唱新歌哦

聖誕派對遇孤寒朋友！錢銀計到足，對號入座似校園欺凌！(香蕉俱樂部 D100)

聖誕派對遇孤寒朋友！錢銀計到足，對號入座似校園欺凌！(香蕉俱樂部 D100)

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