14 書香人生 B O O K S & R E V I E W S SUNDAY, APRIL 18, 2010 • TAIPEI TIMES Hardcover: US CDs Taiwan BY DAVid CHen AND Andrew C.C. HuanG Have no illusions STAFF REPORTER AND CONTRIBUTING REPORTER ‘Courtesans and Opium’ is a salacious story masquerading as a cautionary tale BY BRADLEY WINTERTON CONTRIBUTING REPORTER his classic novel’s Chinese name means “romantic illusions,” PUBLICATION NOTES Tbut the academic publishers of this new translation probably hope to catch the eye of a wider public than mere scholars with their more sensational title. It was written by someone who called himself only The Fool of Yangzhou and is dated 1848. Its first known publication was in Jane Zhang (張靚穎) The Hindsight (光景消逝) The DoLittles Fire Ex (滅火器) 1883, though for all anyone knows it Believe in Jane (我相信) From Dripping Tears, He Saw Hopes Earthquakes Standing Here (海上的人) may have been published previously in Universal Music (在眼淚中看見希望) Self-released Uloud Music another, lost edition. Uloud Music It’s about the brothels of Yangzhou, their residents and their patrons. It pre-dates two other remarkable East Asian novels on the same theme, Nagai Kafu’s Rivalry: A Geisha’s Tale [reviewed in Taipei Times March 2, 2008] and The Sing-song Girls of Shanghai by Han Banqing [reviewed in Taipei Times June 22, 2008]. COURTESANS AND OPIUM The semi-anonymous author claims in a brief preface that he’d TRANSLATED BY PATRICK HANAN spent 30 years and all his money on 328 PAGES the spurious pleasures of “false love hile China’s Super Girl of a pipa (琵琶). The true delight, once a member of Anarchy (無政府), a and guitarist Chris Robison lays down COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY PRESS and affection,” and that he hopes by Wchampion Chris Lee (李宇春) however, is Endless Longing (朝思暮 Taichung band that was the ringleader a memorable acoustic guitar riff on the writing this book he can warn others has been grabbing the headlines 想), the theme song to the costume of a group of punks in the early 2000s folk rock number Darla Evil, one of off such a sorry lifestyle. But this, of international media with her comedy Panda Express (熊貓大俠). known as the Feirenbang (廢人幫). Now the album’s stronger tracks. of course, is a very familiar form of bribes) in the first place. And both bans controversial androgynous look, With a nod to Theresa Teng’s (鄧麗 he is poised to be a star again, this time Earthquakes is available online disclaimer, offering a self-righteous are indeed soon relaxed. second runner-up Jane Zhang (張靚穎) 君) classic A Thousand Words (千言 a little bit closer to the mainstream. and at various outlets in Taiwan. Visit moral purpose for what is in reality a This is the traditional Chinese world is slowly gaining popularity with her 萬語), the song embarks on a sonic www.dolittles.com for details. salacious story that is far more likely — DAVID Chen of drinking contests, elaborate meals, girl-next-door appeal and powerhouse journey that flaunts Zhang’s command — DAVID Chen to attract newcomers to the pleasures dragon boats, financial deals, sworn delivery of meaty ballads. As China’s of understated singing with a poignant arthquakes is the first full- it describes than to put them off them. brotherhoods, sentences of exile, answer to Mariah Carey (with multi- and intimate delivery. Elength release by The DoLittles, ire Ex (滅火器), another band Sermons, after all, don’t make much auspicious dates, marriage brokers, from the Feirenbang days, is back money, but Sex and the City-style octave vocals, whistle register and — ANDREW C.C. HUANG a Taichung-based band started in F ancestor worship, tea-drinking, with its second full-length album, narratives certainly do. exorcisms, rice-growing and fireworks. long curly hair), Zhang just might be 2006 by British expat Andy Goode. Standing Here (海上的人). The four- So, what does this literary trail- It probably hasn’t changed that much China’s biggest music export since he Hindsight (光景消逝) is an “emo This album will appeal most to the blazer have to offer? It’s about the in essence, though the opium has gone, Na Ying (那英). Tscreamo” band with a polished group’s loyal fans from the expat pub piece Kaohsiung group, formed by lead loves and fortunes — often misfortunes being replaced by other substances. Believe in Jane (我相信), Zhang’s sound that takes its cue from groups circuit — Goode chose the album’s singer and guitarist Sam Yang (楊大正) too — of five married males who are The massage girls are certainly back in fourth studio album but her first to like Linkin Park and Green Day. nine tracks from a pool of his band’s and bassist JC Chen (陳尊敬) in 2000, all enthusiastic brothel-goers. Two business. And today Yangzhou itself, receive distribution in Taiwan, was From Dripping Tears, He Saw strongest live material. has come a long way from its days as a things are clear about them, as Patrick where Marco Polo once got a job, is an co-written and produced by award- Hopes (在眼淚中看見希望), the four- The DoLittles, armed with two cover band. Hanan, the book’s highly accomplished important tourist destination. winning Taiwanese producer Adia (阿 member group’s second album, brims electric guitarists, a bassist and Many of the pop punk numbers on translator, explains. First, they are by As for the sexual content of the 弟仔) and sees Zhang’s diva prowess with punk energy, emo angst and metal drummer, play modern rock with a this 12-track CD are primed for radio, no means unhappy in the experiences book, it’s of course not as explicit as in full display with an abundance of melodrama — a perfect sound track for pop tilt. The sparse guitar riffs in The with feel-good choruses, fat-sounding they encounter, so that the novel’s we’re used to today. Nevertheless, it’s power ballads. The title track I Believe angry and frustrated teenagers. Clocks drive a groove that reminds guitars and catchy melodies. The song ostensible function as a warning to arguable that the old games continue Days (日子) would fit well on a TV future customers is undermined from (我相信) (with lyrics written by Zhang The CD packs a punch at the me of early U2, while the revved-up unaltered — fully justified accusations sound track for a teen drama. the very beginning. And second, the herself) is an uplifting anthem that beginning with Act I: Mirror of Mirth, electric guitars and engaging vocal of infidelity answered by unbelievable Yang mostly writes and sings in women they fall for are a long way vows of constancy, demands for proclaims unconditional love. I Don’t a song reminiscent of Taiwanese heavy duet on Slow Down fit the band’s Hoklo (commonly known as Taiwan- from being only exploitative gold- money answered by protestations of Want to Pray is a jazz-influenced gem metal stars Chthonic (閃靈), full of self-identification as “progressive diggers. They too have their feelings insolvency — jealousy and avarice, in in which Zhang moans about love in shrieking vocals and double-kick drum alternative rock.” ese) and shows that the language — their pride, their hopes and other words, mixed in with a hunger for laid-back vocals with improvisational blasts. But the song doesn’t celebrate Above all, these songs are designed works well in modern genres, not their affections. compliments (and a knowledge by the verve. The unequivocal highlight, the underworld as much as express a to rouse an audience. The frenetic just nakashi and old-fashioned pop. As for the opium, it’s in no way men of what their compliments might I Need You (需要你) is a grandiose, desire to escape it. On one line, lead Stooge is a crowd-pleaser that will Freedom (自由路) and Old Picture (舊 seen as the harmfully addictive be rewarded with), and a fundamental inspirational song with melodic singer and guitarist AJ (阿傑) sings, “I especially resonate with expat English 照片) are infectious numbers that beg substance it’s nowadays routinely female need for love — if only the chirps and soaring vocals reminiscent won’t live in the dark side this time.” teachers tired of working for the boss: you to sing along, if you’re not already portrayed as in both official Western partner really could be trusted. of Whitney Houston’s classic One The album’s lyrics, which were “You’ve been working for the man so moshing. Yang sounds equally at home and Chinese thinking. The 19th- There are various formal elements Moment in Time. written and sung in English by AJ and long/she has sucked you dry/you’re singing in Mandarin on Dusk Freeway century brothels offered it to in the novel. There’s a quaint summary Other tracks attempt to establish bassist Rico, will sound either overly such a stooge.” (黃昏公路), one of album’s best tracks. customers, in Hanan’s words, “almost introducing each chapter, a number of Zhang as a multi-talented R ’n’ B ambitious or just plain awkward to The opening track Sunshine sports The band has also been tapping into as readily as they offered them tea.” poems are introduced here and there, 快活 native English speakers. AJ manages a hippie vibe, as Goode sings in the mainstream sounds, and to good effect. Historian Frank Dikotter’s argument and every chapter ends by urging the chanteuse. Have Fun ( ) is a A Man on the Sea (海上的人), a wistful in Narcotic Culture [reviewed in reader to turn to the next one to find disco-infused dance rouser that offers to jam this obtuse line, “Trumpeting refrain, “Take a little piece of sunshine ballad, could be considered a homage Taipei Times Dec.