Album marries ancient Chinese songs with Western instruments

Taiwan musician Wakin Chau (left) and author Chang Tachun compare their cooperation in the album Jiang Hu to that between two martial arts masters. Zou Hong / China Daily

Veteran singer not yet over the hill

Surf's up for now laid-back Chang

Singer-songwriter Wakin Chau's idea about his latest album, Jiang Hu, was born in a small noodle restaurant in Taipei six years ago, when he was dining with Taiwan's notable author and literary critic Chang Ta-chun.

Chau suggested Chang write the lyrics for his new album, while he composed the songs. Chang was at first dumbfounded because he has never written lyrics.

That dinner lasted for hours and led to more dinners in the same restaurant before the completion of Jiang Hu, which means "world" in Chinese wuxia (martial arts) stories.

The two attended a recent preview concert of the albumin Beijing, where Chau performed five new songs while Chang played the role of narrator.

All 12 songs on the album are written in ancient Chinese language and performed using Western instruments.

"He is a born singer-songwriter and keeps on pushing the boundaries," 56-year-old Chang says when asked what drew him to Chau. "He is also an interesting man, who knows many people and tells funny stories. As a writer, sometimes In arrow down my perspective and stay in my own world but Chau broadened my vision and imagination."

The writer say he is not worried if the lyrics can be understood by the audience, especially the youth.

"Chinese people have the instinct to understand the ancient language because it belongs to the nation," Chang says. "Even if they don't understand the exact meaning of each word, they will get the emotion I want to express."