14 發光的城市 A R O U N D T O W N FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2010 • TIMES BY David Chen MUSIC

stop Hell froze over, but this band compiled BY Noah Buchan

aipei rang in the New Year with a NT$30 million fireworks stayed hot display, a goofy catchphrase T( up!) and a gaggle of celebs and hangers-on singing and dancing he sun is gonna shine in my their way through the night. But backdoor someday” is one PERFORMANCE notes: the gossip media couldn’t refrain optimistic line that pops up from pointing out certain fake “Trepeatedly in blues songs. For Taipei What: Bopomofo CD release party aspects of the celebration: most blues band Bopomofo (ㄅㄆㄇㄈ), When and where: 9pm tonight at glaringly, its lip-synching “talent.” “someday” has finally arrived. Capone’s Restaurant, 312, Zhongxiao ETTV, Apple Daily, Times After three years in the making, the E Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市忠孝東路 and the Taipei Times’ sister Rainie five-piece expat group has released their 四段312號) and 9:30pm tomorrow at newspaper, The Liberty Times, all was makin’ it first CD, Hell Froze Over, a showcase Alleycat’s Pizza Huashan, 1, Bade Rd had the lowdown. rain. of their Chicago-style electric blues Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市八德路一段1號) Blues group Bopomofo celebrates the release of Hell Froze Over this weekend. Photo courtesy of Bopomofo First up, Wu Chun (吳尊) of Photo: Taipei times repertoire. The band celebrates this popular boy band Fahrenheit (飛 On the Net: Search for “Bopomofo weekend with shows at Capone’s Blues Band” on out to be one often played by rock ’n’ roll were penned by Rapier, who covers the 輪海). During a performance of the Restaurant tonight and Alleycat’s legend Jerry Lee Lewis. standard topics of heartbreak and good band’s hit song Superb (出神入化), to hide the fact that he was lip- Huashan tomorrow. But the initial excitement of that trip times but also lets his folksy, slightly the starched collar of Wu’s glittery- synching during his performance Bandleader and singer DC Rapier says Even though Sun Studio is better faded back in Taipei as the CD fell victim off-the-wall humor shine on numbers like gold jacket malfunctioned and in front of hundreds of thousands the wait has been worth it, especially known today as a tourist attraction — a to the typical roadblocks any unsigned, Making My Ulcer Bleed. knocked his headset away from his of fans in Taoyuan. Or, rather, his considering where the project started. fair number of Elvis fans pass through independent band might run into. Though Hell is good representation mouth. Oddly enough, his “singing” agent didn’t. The CD’s basic tracks were recorded at during the day — this modest two-story Over the next few years, Bopomofo of the group’s original work, says voice could still be heard. “The dance routine is difficult to Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, the brick building continues to serve as a had trouble finding an affordable post- Rapier, the band sounds better than ever “I wasn’t the only one singing,” perform live,” he said. “We felt lip- fabled locale that produced countless studio-for-hire in the evenings. production engineer who met their needs; and is ready for the next one. I asked Wu said later when asked for an synching to be acceptable because records from a who’s who of American Rapier says recording there felt the band’s pianist and singer Klaus Tseng him when to expect the next CD. “God, I explanation — as if to suggest [To] is the original singer.” rock pioneers that includes B.B. King, like being part of “living history.” His wound up doing the work in the end. A hope it’s not three years f rom now,” he that the media mistook his voice Pop Stop wonders if To can Roy Orbison and Elvis Presley. microphone was placed in front of the string of bad luck with manufacturers and said laughing. for that of one of his bandmates. chew bubble gum and walk at the Going to Sun Studio was like a spot where Elvis supposedly stood printers led to further delays. Hell is also a personal watershed for A quick look on YouTube, same time. “pilgrimage,” he said. “Being in the holy during his sessions, which was marked Hell Froze Over was named as such the 59-year-old Illinois native, who held however, reveals no difference There were other, lesser known, of the holies.” with tape in an ‘X’ on the studio’s old because “it took so long to get from rock star aspirations in his youth. The between Wu’s voice with or “bands” that engaged is this foul I was there for part of Bopomofo’s linoleum-tiled floor. recording to finished product,” said Rapier. year was 1969, and Rapier’s first band, without the headset. practice, but Pop Stop asks, what’s two-day recording session in 2007, as Bassist Mike Tennant likened the Bopomofo, which also includes a rock group called Hope, had recorded Further south in Taichung, the big deal? Lip-synching is as we were all in Memphis representing experience to “being able to touch Japanese guitarist Aki Ikeda and an album in Nashville. Just as they Netizens said that they heard Cyndi common in Taiwan’s celebrity Taiwan at the annual International Blues everything in the museum.” Looking for drummer Daisuke “Dafu” Neishi, plans were putting on the final touches, their Wang’s (王心凌) voice, even though firmament as fake body parts. And Challenge. It was indeed a thrill to be in a place to hang his jacket at the studio, to play the entire album at their shows producer ran out of money. The album the microphone was nowhere near nobody gets uptight about a nip the same room where Howlin’ Wolf and Tennant was told to rest it on top of one tonight and tomorrow. The songs have never got issued and Hope disbanded her mouth. Wang’s agent was quick here and a tuck there anymore Johnny Cash cut their earliest records. of the pianos. The piano he chose turned upbeat and danceable grooves and most soon after. to come to her rescue. — not unless, that is, some surgeon “During several lines of the provides illegal implants. 楊丞 chorus she was only supposed to Meanwhile Rainie Yang ( BY David Chen dance,” he said. “Not sing.” 琳) didn’t find love on New Year’s MUSIC Another search on YouTube Eve, as she had hoped. The singer shows that, unlike Wu, Wang said she was anticipating a text seems to be singing live. However, message from a love interest. It her vocals are sung over a never came. She did, however, Drumming to a traveling beat backing soundtrack. receive a marriage proposal from Incidentally, readers who check a female fan, according to a report visceral aspects of improvisation than the out YouTube may want to compare in the Liberty Times. Photos courtesy of Pietro Valente genre itself. New Order’s Blue Monday with But she’s keeping a stiff upper “It’s important [for me] to create Wang’s Happy Loving, the song lip. In a headline that partially PERFORMANCE music together with other people, to look she performed in Taichung. The read, “Lovelorn Rainie gets wet notes: for something unique for that moment, beginning of her tune is such an with her fans,” (楊丞琳濕身催情), the for that atmosphere,” he said. obvious a rip-off of New Order’s rag said that an autograph session What: Pietro Valente Taipei-based bassist Martijn Vanbuel 1983 classic that one has to earlier this week saw Yang happily When: Tuesday at 9:30pm is also appreciative of Valente’s skills, wonder what all the lip-synching squirting the crowd with a water Where: Sappho de Base, B1, 1, Ln describing him as “very playful” but hullaballoo is about. gun and getting drenched by a 102, Anhe Rd Sec 1, Taipei City “a good listener.” The two have been Perhaps Wang is just following water truck. (台北市安和路一段102巷1號B1) performing together live on their in the footsteps of her father, Wang Perhaps all that wetness will On the Net: www. respective solo projects, and both Chi-hui (王吉輝), who is currently spur on the person of interest ext week jazz buffs in Taipei have a pietrovalente.com served as backing musicians on a Golden under investigation for fraud. to give her a call. Yang has rare chance to catch Pietro Valente, Melody Award-winning album by pianist According to a report in the apparently extended the deadline a talented young drummer who Wu Su-chi (吳書齊), who died in 2008. United Daily News, the elder to Valentine’s Day. Nrecently finished his first album, Tales As the title suggests, Tales From the Wang invited a jeweler by the name Finally, Pop Stop ends this From the Far East. He will perform a set Far East was inspired by Valente’s travels of Lin Chi-hui (林奇慧) to join an week with some sad news. The 53- of original compositions at Sappho de the American Club in Taipei and has over the past several years to India, organization called the Research year-old mother of pop singer Elva Base on Tuesday before returning to his collaborated with Valente during his Thailand, China and Taiwan. The album Institute for Cross-Straight Peace Hsiao (蕭亞軒) passed away on New home country of Italy the following week. sounds or some particular sounds.” recent stay in Taiwan. “He plays the includes an interpretation of the Chinese and Law (海峽兩岸和平法學術研究 Year’s Day after a long battle with Valente is not a jazz drummer who His presence is strong in an ensemble drums as if he’s playing the horn.” folk song Jasmine Flower (茉莉花), which 院). However, it appears that this cervical cancer. May she rest in sits back quietly, taps on a ride cymbal setting and his playing often has a driving, Valente, who is married to a Taiwanese is titled Wide Breath in and “institute” is a front for selling peace. For once it was nice to see and occasionally slaps the snare. Behind funky feel, even on some of his slower national, lived in Taichung in 2007 and a funky tribute to Indian architecture, Buddhist trinkets. the celebrity firmament supporting the kit, his entire body is always moving. numbers. 2008 and was active in the jazz scene in Muswing. Though the CD’s Asian exotica Prosecutors have since charged one of their peers, rather than the It looks as if he’s trying to hit every part For some, he might sound too busy, or Taiwan and China. He has been in Taiwan theme might seem a bit cliche, the music the “chairman,” Hung Kun-yang usual backstabbing. of every drum and cymbal from as many come across as another loud, overzealous on a family visit for the past several is worth a listen for Valente’s earnest (洪昆陽), with fraud and are now Of course it didn’t take long different angles as he can. drummer. For others, his hunger for color months and currently lives with his wife in approach to composition. wondering why Wang the elder for the media to cynically point “My movement is according to the and tone is an asset. his hometown of Padua in northern Italy. “I want to try to be like a introduced Lin in the first place. out that the 30-year stands to emotion I’m trying to express,” said the “He’s a drummer that thinks more in He studied jazz percussion at the photographer of the places I visit, and at Returning to fraudulent singing, inherit part of her mother’s soft-spoken 27-year-old in an interview terms of melody,” said pianist Andrew Universita della Musica in Rome and says the same time the photographer of my Alex To (杜德偉) didn’t even try estimated NT$1 billion estate. earlier this week. “I try to dig out new Page, who is the music director of he was attracted to jazz more for the emotions,” he said. RESTAURANTS BY Ian Bartholomew BY Catherine Shu TIDBITS BY Ian Bartholomew N°168 Prime Steakhouse aleakala is named after a each bar. Tiki god masks, torches and slices of taro root crisps. Address: 4F, Grand Victoria Hotel, 168 Jingye 4th Rd, Taipei City (台北市敬業四路168號4樓) volcano on the island of Maui, and nets with little plastic fish The red onions were distracting, inter is the best season to Telephone: (02) 6602-567 Open: Weekdays 11:30am to 2:30pm and 6pm to but if you go there expecting trapped in them are mercifully — but the almonds and taro added savor oysters, a staple in Hsucculent roast pig, bowls of poi or tragically — absent, depending an unexpected and pleasurable 10pm; weekends noon to 3pm and 5:30pm to 10pm refined Western cuisine, or spam musubi, then you’ll be on your tolerance for kitsch. bit of crunch and flavor. My Wand Grand Formosa’s renowned Average meal: NT$1,000 and up On the Net: www.grandvictoria.com.tw disappointed. If all you want are Haleakala’s menu consists companion ordered the smoked Details: Chinese and English menu; credit cards accepted steakhouse — Robin’s Grill, is fruity cocktails in a modernized mainly of tapas that are plated chicken quesadilla with sauteed presenting an oyster feast featuring tiki bar, however, then the for easy sharing, including mini- bell pepper, onion, kidney beans Belon, Cabanon Special, and he N°168 Prime Steakhouse Of the seven starters offered, restaurant in Xinyi District’s burgers (vegetarian patties are and cheese (NT$220). It came with Gillardeau oysters from France, which located in the Grand Victoria I picked the sizzling Hokkaido newly opened Bellavita shopping available), quesadillas and rice miniscule dollops of salsa, sour are complemented with two wines Hotel in Neihu might easily Scallop, a minimally simple dish center just might hit the spot. wraps with dipping sauce. On our cream and guacamole; overall, the from Australia’s Penfolds winery to Tbe mistaken for just another garnished with a dab of parsley Prime, but not too pricey. Sleek white lamps topped first visit, my companion and I split flavor was unmemorable. provide the perfect balance of flavor general-purpose hotel restaurant, puree and beurre blanc. It was Photo courtesy of Grand Victoria Hotel with giant mounds of fake fruit — the Maryland crab cake appetizer Heartier items on the menu and taste. Grand Formosa has also except for two factors. The first all that was needed, for the fat, roasted seasonal vegetables, also mangos, bananas, apples, oranges with wasabi mayonnaise (NT$280). include the mini burgers, which crafted a special lunch and dinner is the two wood-fired ovens succulent scallops, seared with unadorned, their natural flavors — greet visitors as soon as they We were surprised to get bite- are stuffed with fat and tasty beef oyster feast that includes Canadian that stand prominently in the just a hint of gold around the brought out through roasting in ride up the escalator. Haleakala sized lumps of breaded and fried patties cooked medium rare. The oysters (baked with cheese or baked restaurant’s open-plan kitchen. edges and barely cooked on the Woodstone oven. takes up much of the fourth floor, crabmeat delicately arranged on a Maui mini-burgers are topped with spinach and cheese). The oyster The Australian-made Beech Oven the inside, were one of those If steak is not your thing, there with sofas, low tables and a bar rectangular white platter next to with guacamole, lettuce, tomato, promotion lasts until Jan. 31. and the US-made Woodstone taste adventures that it would are options such as oak-roasted on the landing. A dimly lit interior little dollops of sauce. Fortunately, pickle and sauteed onions Tel: (02) 2523-8000 X3930 Oven both have high reputations be possible to write a whole pork chop (NT$980), roast section has banquette seating and the crispy breading did not distract (NT$240). The onions should For those thinking ahead to next as items of outstanding culinary essay about. The warm spinach chicken (NT$750) and Moroccan- yet another bar. Spacious patios too much from the fresh crabmeat have been listed first, however, month and the upcoming Lunar technology, and are brand salad was no more than a small style rack of lamb (NT$2,000). with outdoor seating look like and the wasabi mayonnaise because of the sizeable portion. New Year, major hotels around the names that are familiar with pile of beautiful baby spinach The restaurant offers 12 they will be pleasant places to packed just enough punch (though Long strands were wrapped in a country have begun to release the most serious foodies as able, leaves and a few crispy pieces of wines by the glass, and a three hold a party when the weather it could have been spicier). I nest around the guacamole. The details of their special food hampers in the right hands, to provide bacon. The dressing, enlivened or four wine pairing menu for an gets warmer. Aside from the fruit ordered the avocado and tuna onions were sweet and I didn’t for the festive season. Shangri-La’s outstanding results. The second by mustard and sesame oil, had additional NT$880 or NT$1,100, towers, Haleakala’s decor also tartar lettuce wrap (NT$240) as mind them on their own, but Far Eastern Plaza Hotel, Taipei is factor is the controlling hand just a hint of the Orient. The main respectively, that can be part includes huge fiberglass hibiscus my entree, but portions were small they obscured the flavor of the offering a variety of take-out Lunar behind the counter, chef Danny course of Black Angus Top Cap of the set. This provides an blossoms and a straw roof above and the dish would have worked avocado (and had a tendency to New Year gifts. An assortment of Deng (鄧有癸), who is widely Steak, a cut pioneered by Chef opportunity for diners to sample better as another appetizer. The slip out of the burger every time I Lunar New Year cakes costs NT$650. regarded as Taiwan’s “godfather” Deng, was melt-in-the-mouth a variety of wines at a relatively lightly chopped tuna was mixed took a bite). Diners who like their Hampers priced from NT$1,780 of the steakhouse, who helped succulent. Three sauces (red inexpensive price. Even the steaks with guacamole, red onions and burgers relatively unencumbered contain XO sauce, Chinese sausages, shape both Sonoma and A-Cut. wine, horseradish and Bearnaise), are presented on a separate dish topped with toasted almond slivers might want to try the Malibu preserved Chinese meat, Chinese With N°168 Prime, Deng says three kinds of gourmet salt to facilitate sharing, and several (NT$240), topped with lettuce, tea and chocolate raisins. he is trying to create a family- (Himalayan rose, Hawaiian black steak dishes, such as the a Haleakala’s food isn’t really Hawaiian, tomato, bacon and cheese. Tel: (02) 2378-8888 X5867 friendly dining experience that and French fleur de sel) and three Chateaubriand (8oz, NT$1,200) or but the modernized tiki bar ambiance Like any good tiki bar, The Caesar Park Hotel, Taipei is nevertheless offers the absolute kinds of mustard (English, Dijon a prime rib eye (16oz, (NT$2,000), is fun for a round of fancy cocktails. Haleakala has an extensive menu offering take-out meals, including top of the range in steaks, as and grain), are provided, and are designed for two. Photo: Catherine Shu, Taipei Times of fruity cocktails. Our friendly its Dragon Flies and Tiger Leaps represented by offerings in its set while all are of excellent quality, The food at N°Prime is waiter suggested the Hawaiian menu, a six-course set menu menu such as the USDA Black it is all too easy to ignore their a match for any steakhouse Cosmopolitan (NT$220), a scoop that serves six to eight people Angus Top Cap Steak (6oz), presence and focus on the steak in Taiwan, and the laid-back Haleakala of mango sorbet in Citroen vodka (NT$3,980) and includes a mixed which comes with a starter, a in its totally unadorned state. atmosphere and simple setting with apple and lime juice. A platter, smoked pork ribs, deep- soup, a salad, roasted seasonal The results of careful selection, may even be a bonus if you are Address: 4F, Bellavita, 28 Songren Rd, Taipei City (台北市松仁路28號4樓) few non-alcoholic cocktails are fried pomfret with garlic, steamed vegetables and a desert for aging (the restaurant has its own not in the mood for the plush Telephone: (02) 8729-2868 Details: Chinese and English menu; credit cards accepted available, including the very sweet fresh shrimp with boxthorn, gluti- NT$1,500. Cheaper options, such aging room), and preparation and leather luxury that are so Open: 10am to 10pm; closes at 10:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays Summer Sounds (NT$200), made nous rice in lily leaf and taro cake. as the Black Angus New York can be tasted in every bite. often inseparable from top-tier Average meal: Individual dishes average NT$200 to NT$280; cocktails are NT$220 to with passion fruit, orange and Tel: (02) 2311-5150. Strip start at NT$800 for the set. There was also a side dish of steakhouses. NT$250 lemon juice, honey and yogurt.