Sunday, August 24, 2008

Joanna Wang - Ingenue




Time to talk about music. Made a new discovery when I came across this Joanna Wang. Joanna Wang (王若琳) is a Taiwanese singer/songwriter, daughter of famous Taiwanese music producer Ji-ping "Bing" Wang (王治平). Her debut album, Start From Here, was released in January 2008 as a double-disc set, one in English and the other in Chinese. She is 19 now and was brought up in the U.S.A. She moved back to Taipei when she was 15. She performs regularly in the Taipe Riverside Cafe. Fans have likened her voice to Sarah Vaughn, Norah Jones, Diane Schuur and Teena Marie.

I love her voice, smoky, earthy, and she is a composer as well, contributing 3 songs on the album. However she has been giving interviews saying the debut album was a "product" and not a true reflection of her vision for her music. I think there were some heavy handed production decisions, especially in doing the covers of True and New York State Of Mind - she is much better than that.


Joanna: " I don't really admit that the "debut" was my work because a lot of it was from purposes that were non-musical. also the songs i was forced to sing, in my opinion, are pretty horrible. call me ungrateful, but i'm a jerk. thus concludes my angsty teenage babble..."

I look forward to her second album, which is due out in December, which should showcase more her talents. Still, the debut album is pretty impressive already. I have listed 5 of her songs on the imeem jukebox on the left.

Get her album, and I am sure her subsequent albums will be even better.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't know about Joanna, I didn't know about the local 2V1G or something but based on what you wrote and I what I could listen from the samples on the net, I bought the CD but was quite disappointed once I played it on my Bose. The hidden imperfections from the net samples all bubble up to the surface and well, sigh... let's just say it's not something I would recommend to anyone.

SalvadorDali said...

just like personal taste, everyone would be different.... i liked her, and like a cd store, i always make sampling available of their music before readers make their decisions, other than making you having tea with her and singing for you, i don't know how else to write an album review n give u a listen before purchasing... i dont expect all to like her, it may not be yr cuppa tea... strange how u had the chance to hear her first and yet u decided to buy... i mean i have 6 of her song up on my jukebox... very strange indeed but diff strokes for diff people... i dont know how much more i can safeguard my next recommendation or review??

elizabeth said...

when the radio station played mi goong, I instantly got caught by her voice.. I eventually discovered that the voice belongs to Joanna.

I am not a connoseur, neither do I dwell on technicalities... I go by what I hear and how the music and vocals connect with me.

Joanna is good...

makubex718 said...

Joanna is very good, especially her voice... listen to her long ago ad... nice album

Anonymous said...

I like her too, she has been on my favorite link long time ago.

Unknown said...

Joanna is amazing.!!!

Unknown said...

Joanna is amazing!!