PBN 59: Cay Da Ben Cu General Information: >> released 2001 >> produced by Thuy Nga >> 22 songs >> resemble PBN 49: Chung Ta Di Mang Theo Que Huong >> narrated by Nguyen Ngoc Ngan and another veteran singer (forgot her name) >> features beautiful "que huong" scenes that are similar to PBN 49 if not exactly the same >> songs mostly are slow, sad, depressed or tinh cam, buon, ren. (not exactly my genre) First Impression: After watching the video for the first time, I feel somewhat disappointed. First of all, the video is suppose to be about "que huong" because that is what the title is about "Cay Da Ben Cu". When I listen to the songs and the lyrics basically, I couldn't find any of that. I dont like the fact that Thuy Nga can extend the video into 3 tapes, such a rip off. Usually, each tape is like 2 hrs and the video has at least 24 songs. That is not including a short comedy skit that will take up more than 30 minutes. In opposition, PBN 59 only has 22 songs and there is no skit, ending up with each tape being 1 hour long. They are starting to do what Asia Video has been doing, 3 hours show, 1 hr each tape, $25 out of my pocket. A video with 22 songs can be compressed into 2 tapes, no big pain. But money is the deal here. No wonder why video from "The Gioi Nghe Thuat" (you know the Hoai Ling one) is so in demanding. It's because they are so cheap, 4 TAPES and only $25. I watched 3 video from Hoai Linh and I think they are not bad at all. Low budget but still good quality. Man, I'm telling you, don't buy PBN 59 if you have to. It's not even good compare to PBN 49. Actually I alway like PBN Video, and I know I alway will. It must have been because I was expecting more out of PBN 59 that when it is not as good as I thought it will be, that ruin the whole video. Disappointments: >> only 22 songs but 3 tapes, more $$ out of my pocket >> No Bao Han, and Ngoc Anh: They are more modern style singer so I guess Thuy Nga does not feel like putting them into a "que huong" video. But I have to negate myself saying this, if Lynda Trang Dai can appear in "ai ba ba" then Ban Han sure can do it to. And also, for Ngoc Anh, she just came to the US, so she can definately sing some "que huong" songs, even better that some other in particular. >> Dang Truong Phat is still with Thuy Nga: they haven't kick him away yet. ... Gosh... He can not sing. I'm sorry if you are reading this but Phat, please for God sake, never go on video again. What is so good about his voice that Thuy Nga is promoting him. Every time I see him, I have to go around look for my remote control. >> Another new comer, Phuong Diem Hanh. She can somewhat sing. Her voice is special, "tram and am". Anyone knows the English term for that. But she sings the WRONG song. The song is really similar to another song that originates from a poem of T. T. Kh. (Hoa Tigon or something like that). The song that she sings requires a singer with clear and high voice, not deep and ...... what is the word?????...... >> No dancers >> Some scenes are from PBN 49, can they find some new scenes and not used everything over and over again? >> Another big one: the background music to the narration is exactly the same as PBN 49 also, no new soundtrack, Song List: 1. Tro Ve (Chau Ky) - Thien Kim > > > somewhat disappointed because it's the opening song and it does not give the exciting impression that the video will be a good one. It has nothing to do with the song or the singer. Beside the lyric is really meaningful. It is because of the beat, too slow. Remember in PBN 49, the opening song was "hao hung" and good lyric also. 2. Lua Mua Duyen Tham (Trinh Hung) - Nhu Quynh, The Son > > > alright song, not really good not really bad. I dont actually like the way they try to show that the singers are in VN but they are really not. Trying to manipulate the viewers basically from perceiving that the singers are in the US and scenes between are taken in VN. 3. Can Nha Xua (Nguyen Ding Toan) - Khanh Ly > > > OK, I like some of her songs from Trinh Con Son. not to impressive with this song though, dont really know why, just dont like it 4. Ai Ve Song Tuong (Thong Dat) - Nguyen Hung > > > Can some one tell me where "Song Tuong" is? I never know such a river exist. I believe the song is remixed so it will be suitable to Nguyen Hung's style. It's alright also, cant say that it's good but not bad either. neutral 5. Ben Xuan (Van Cao) - Anh Dung > > > Why is this guy in every single video from every production??? Tinh, The Gioi Nghe Thuat, Asia, Thuy Nga.... God ... He just appears out of no where. Anyone knows his profile? First of all, his voice is not that special and his jokes are not even funny. The way he talks make me feel grrrrr..... 6. Noi Buon Chim Sao (Vo Dong Dien) - PHi Nhung > > > always like her, but have to admit that her song is not that great. just alright, no special comments. 7. Nguoi Dep Binh Duong (Trinh Hung) - Hoang Lan > > > the BEST performance of the first tape. here is my suggestion, fastforward to the first 6 songs and watch this one. You will see Hoang Lan .... ACTS. Exceptionaly good, and she is actually in VN to shoot the video. No fake graphic. I'm telling you, her acting is not bad. Her voice is really different when she talks though. This is the only thing I find worth watching. The song itself is not that good, it's the performance that counts on this one. After watching Hoang Lan in this video, I will definately buy her special video that she acts in "Tay Thi", and it's only $15. Every one, support her acting career by buying the video. 8. Loi Ve Xom Nho (Huyng Ngoc Dang, Dinh Tram Ca) - Lynda Trang Dai, Tommy Ngo > > > another good song, you will get to see Lynda in "ao ba ba", she looks just fine. One problem though, if Tommy could sing a little better, the song would have been perfect. 9. Dieu Co That (The Hien) - Truong Vu > > > Wow... the lyric is so straightforward and meaningful. It's about homeless children who have to go around selling lottery tickets. I'm telling you, it does happen, it's real life stuff there. With the scenes of that little boy leaving his blind grandfather at a bench in the park to go around selling lottery tickets, then at the end, he buys a peice of bread, splits in half he has one half his grandfather the other ... so sad. Only this I find worth watching... really sad. 10. Neu Biet Toi Lay Chong (Song Ngoc) - Phuong Diem Hanh > > > like I said before, wrong song for her 11. Nanh Chieu (Le Trong Nguyen) - The Son > > > didn't really have any impression with this song. It didn't really stand out I guess. But I know that The Son is in his usual best. 12. Huyen Thoai Ngu Hanh Son (Vu Duc Sao Bien) - Tuong Nguyen > > > I didn't finish watching the song, but hopefully it wont be as long as the his song in "Duoi Anh Nang Mat Troi". Oh my God, that song he sings in there was TErrible and it lasted for an hour. I seriously doubt that he can act, probably not even sing. In this video however, his clothing is hilarious. Maybe that is what his song is about but please, it looks terrible. 13. Chuyen Ben (Doan Chuan, Tu Linh) - Luu Bich > > > Coming Soon 14. Lang Toi (Chung Quan) - Nhu Quynh > > > really nice song but I haven't listen to Nhu Quynh sings it yet. 15. Neu Anh Ve Ben Em (Huynh Ang) - Truc Lam, Truc Linh, Loan Chau > > > Coming Soon ... but one question .... why is Loan Chau in there??? Can they just have Lam and Linh?? They alway sing together, why ruins that image? 16. Cau Hat Tinh Que (Tran Quanh Loc) - Manh Quynh > > > Coming Soon 17. Gai Nha Ngheo (Co Phuong) - My Huyen > > > welcome back after a break. the song is good, good lyric also, 18. Duoi Gian Hoa Cu (Tuan Khanh) - Tuan Ngoc > > > no impression even I watched this already. this guy can sing, his voice is really powerful but I just dont like the guy.. . 19. Duoi Bong Tre Lang (Hoang Chau) - Loan Chan > > > not a fan of her either.. didn't really paying attention 20. Ru Nua Van Trang (Huy Phuong) - Dang Truong Phat > > > Man ... this guy is awful. Cannot stand him... his voice .. his face ... every thing 21. Biet Ly (Doan Man) - Y Lan > > > she's alright, I dont particularly like her either. But I have to say that her song is freaking long, it's like 10 mins 22. Hoi Trung Duong (Pham Dinh Chuong) - Nhu Quynh, Phi Nhung, Thien Kim, Doan Thanh Nien Phat Tu Chua VN Toronto > > > long long song... Bac Trung Nam all represented by their most important river. Overall: There is some watchable part but mostly are not really memorable songs. I dont particularly like it and the video is not at all interesting, but that's just my opinion. It definately does not worth $25. My recommendation is save the $$ if you still haven't buy, and buy the nest one. Next video will be PBN 60: That Tinh. It will be like the video Thien Duong La Day with "song ca". It again is staged in Paris. Above is just my personal opinion, if you disagree or have any comments or maybe hate mails, contact me here.