Gary Chaw 曹格 - Back In Control (曹之在我)

It's been almost 1 and a half year since Gary Chaw 曹格 released his last album. A month ago, he released his latest album Back In Control (曹之在我). Lucky for us Malaysians, Sony Music Malaysia decided to distribute the album. So after Jay Chou and Lee Hom, Gary is another composer/singer that is under the Sony Music Malaysia label in this region.

Gary Chaw was back last week for a short press conference on his latest album Back In Control (曹之在我). Thanks to Sony Music Malaysia and Kel Li, Tian Chad and I got to attend the press con. The press con started off with MYFM DJ Royce Tan doing a brief introduction and then continued by showing us the MV of 爺爺 (Grandpa). It's a song written by Gary for his grandpa that he was not able to be by his grandpa's side when his grandpa passed on. The tune is very touching and if you watch the MV and has the same experience you might feel like crying too.

After the MV screening, it's time for Gary Chaw to come on the stage. Royce stated to ask Gary about the experience of making the MV for 爺爺 (Grandpa). Gary said,"I didn't think too much of it at first. The production team hired an 80 year old actor to pretend to be my grandpa. When the shooting starts, the "grandpa" start to pat on my head and say "乖，乖 (guai, guai)", and my tears started to flow out non-stop. This lasted for a few minutes only than the director shouted "Cut". When I looked up, I saw that the director is crying too. He has the same experience of never got the chance to say goodbye to his dad that has passed on."

Being a Sabahan, Gary told us that he should come back to Malaysia more often because now he is not used to the weather here and got a running nose once he got back here. Yes, we're all looking forward to that. It's good if you'll held a concert here in Malaysia too, Gary. ;)

Adrian (Managing Director of Sony Music Malaysia) presenting a souvenir to Gary to wish him “马到功成”.

Gary signing his autograph on the backdrop

There are ten songs in his latest album Back In Control (曹之在我). Going for a newer direction, breaking away from his previous albums. Most noticeable is of course the song he wrote for his grandpa, 爺爺. A very touching ballad that is written to remembers one's elder that has passed on.

"丑角 (Comic Relief)" is a love ballad that talks about how one is only a comic relief to the one he loves and is happy to be just able to do that even though the one he loves doesn't love him back. A very Gary Chaw's style of ballad that one can find in "背叛(Betrayed)" and "無辜(Innocent)".

For some easy listening and a Jazzy feel, I will opt for "喔愛 (Oh! Love)". It's not the normal heavy sadness song that one normally found in Gary Chaw. This song is about how one is openly admitting his love to his loved one and are happy about it.

One would have thought that it's a 中国风 (Classical Chinese meet modern music style) kind of song when listening to the opening of "驚天動地 (Earthshaking)". I was surprised that it turned out to be a rock song. Not those overy powerful rock song like heavy metal rock but still able to pull up a punch. Nicely done in the music arrangement here.

I can find the playfulness of Gary Chaw in the song "WHY WHY" by singing in different tone and attitude in each different phrase. It reminds me of his previous song "咖哩熱狗 (Curry Hotdog)". It's one fun and catchy song to listen to. I found myself singing the chorus just after listening to this song for 2 times.

悲歌王 (Sad Songs King) as the name suggest is not a happy song lol. Well, it's not too sad either. Another typical Gary Chaw's ballad. For those that was attracted by his style of ballad when they first know him will like it. As for me, it's a bit too cliche.

I feel very relax when I was listening "大女人 (Strong Woman)", the arrangement of this song is more to the relaxing side as if one is lying on a beach thinking about the woman he loves that is a strong and modern woman 大女人 and he himself is a 小男人 (the man behind the woman).

香檳時光 (Champagne Time) is another Jazz piece in the album but it's more towards the big band kind of Jazz. Well, Frank Sinatra happens to be one of Gary's favourite singer. I can imagine the MV being Gary on the stage singing with a band behind him in a lounge.

I don't know why I kept thinking of "Loving You" by Minnie Riperton when I am listening to 我也愛你 (I Love You Too). I was like waiting for the la la la la to come up but half way through the song I noticed the different already. Instead of continuing slow and easy like "Loving You" there will be the climax that goes into loud and high notes.

"片尾曲 (Ending Theme Song)" is another typical Gary Chaw's style ballad song. Oh well, this why fans love him anyway. It's his personality in his music.

Gary Chaw 曹格 - Back In Control (曹之在我)
01 爺爺 (Grandpa)
02 丑角 (Comic Relief)
03 喔愛 (Oh! Love)
04 驚天動地 (Earthshaking)
05 WHY WHY
06 悲歌王 (Sad Songs King)
07 大女人 (Strong Woman)
08 香檳時光 (Champagne Time)
09 我也愛你 (I Love You Too)
10 片尾曲 (Ending Theme Song)

My favourites are 爺爺, 丑角, 喔愛, 驚天動地, WHY WHY, 大女人, and 香檳時光. If you like Gary Chaw's music, this album is a must buy. Those that don't listen to his music can start by buying this album.

The talented Gary Chaw 曹格

Me, Gary Chaw, and Tian Chad.

I Got A Cert in Pole Dancing

Went to a press conference for Clorets Amateur Pole Dancing two weeks ago. Which is another invites from Nuffnang. It's been almost two months since the launch. This press conference is to introduce to the public the 15 shortlisted finalist from hundreds of videos uploaded. I was making my way to Celebrity Fitness in Bangsar Village 2 and I bumped into ....

Fiqa

She was there to meet a friend for lunch (at 3 p.m.). She ajaked me too but I have to go to the press conference. Next time ok ;)

I registered myself as a blogger and went in to a studio converted in to a press conference hall. The 15 finalists were there posing for photographs. There's still 10 minutes before the press conference begins.

Finalists and photographers at work.

And I of course take the opportunity to take a picture with...

Hannah Tan

The 15 finalists were introduced to the media in group of 5. Then Hannah and Pietro were brought up the stage to shared their experience about their pole dancing training that's been going on. They will be performing at the final on 5th of September 2008. They says that their performance is more to the funny side. (Well, we'll see about that at the final)

Hannah and Pietro doing their stuff

All the 15 finalist with Hannah and Pietro

After the formal introduction, there was a small refreshment prepared. I, of course get my tummy stuff first. LOL. After that I went around and have a small chat with each of the finalist. What I gathered from it the most of the finalist has no experience in pole dancing before but has experience in other discipline of dancing like Hip Hop, Jazz, Salsa, and Latin.

Kyetherine

Frances who took classes in pole dancing.

Shan

Emerald

Zoe

Sorry, I forgot.

Evita and Kyetherine

Samantha

Lisa?

Ms. Dream something lol (April Yim) Thanks Jason.

Vyvyn

Isaac, yupe one of the two male finalist. He's here to proof that man can pole dance too.

Another male finalist, Andrew Tan. He prefer hip hop but hope to challenge himself in pole dance too.

Sorry, I don't have PDA.

Janice and er...

Simon and Pietro. Nope, I'm not a finalist.


There was also a pole dancing workshop for the media, and we bloggers of course registered for it.

Our instructor Lola or Viva Vertical.



Julian, Jolene, me, Soon Seng, and Clare joined the workshop and is waiting for our batch.


I didn't know the workshop of our batch started and Pietro fill in my place first lol.

No. This is not what we learned from the workshop.

Pic stolen from Soon Seng's blog.

Us posing with our Certificate of Participation for Amateur Pole Dancing Workshop. What? It's still a cert right?

To catch the Clorets Amateur Pole Dancing Competition Grand Finals, all you have to do is flash a pack of Clorets Mini Mints (any variant) and you'll can enter to see the Grand Finals for yourself.

Date: 5th of September 2008
Venue: Zouk Club, KL
Time: 6.30 p.m.

I think I'll be there too. ;)

Warning: Please do not scroll down if you're eating.

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Urban Hulk

I got an invitation from Nuffnang about a press event that was code named Urban Hulk. In the invitation there's only a brief description about the event.

The Mysterious Invitation

Since I will be able to make it on that day, so I accepted the invitation. So I reached Celebrity Fitness about 3.05 p.m.

Most of the invited media and guests were already seated when I reached there. Say hello to Nicholas and Yee Hou from Nuffnang. I sat in front of Nicholas and next to Ringo. She's wearing a beautiful silky dress/robe on that day.

Camwhored with Ringo.

So, what is this all about? Well it's about two things from what I know is that this is a press conference for the launching of Clorets newest flavour in town, the Dark Secret. It is also to launch the Clorets Amateur Pole Dancing Competition.

The Pole

Oh, who's that long hair gorgeous?

The launch started with two professional pole dancers from Viva Vertical showing some of their pole dancing skill.

Emily doing her stuff.

The come the Urban Hulk. With one or two tablets of Dark Secret, he's able to attract both dancers to use him as the pole to dance.


Urban Hulk a.k.a. Mix FM DJ Pietro

You all remember this aunty from the commercial shown recently in most cinema? Yes, this is the Clorets Dark Secret commercial.

The CEO of of Cadbury Malaysia giving his speech. Now only I know that Clorets is a brand under Cadbury.

Clorets Brand Manager.

A slide from the presentation.

The slide describing the Clorets Amateur Pole Dancing Competition website on how you can join the competition. Oh by the way, the contest is open for anyone 18 year old and above. Yes that's mean female and male above 18 year old. Also, there's no height or weight restriction. I won't be joining though. Just shoot a video of yourself doing some pole dancing move according to the 6 category of pole dancing style listed on the website. Upload it to You Tube and then submit the embedded link to the site. Shortlisted contestant will get pole dancing training from Viva Vertical during the competition. So you potential dancers out there, click here now. Competition starts from 1st July to 3rd August.

Oh, yes, the long hair gorgeous is actually Hannah Tan.

Hannah, Viva Vertical trainers and Pietro showing the Clorets.

Oh, by the way, in the competition finale, Hannah Tan and Pietro will also show off their pole dancing skill. They are currently going under training in Viva Vertical. If you wanna see both of them pole dance, be sure to visit this site often.

Hannah T, Ringo and Pietro.

Hannah Tan and yours truly.

'Pole dancing' with Ringo.

The light food for the media and guests. I especially like the tuna thingy.

Ginny/French Maid/Sexy Cat

Ginny was there too, and today she's not in costume. This is the fourth time I met her. The second time I met her was during the Made of Honour gala dinner, she's in the same table as I and I didn't notice her. My bad, I am bad in recognizing people. Sorry Ginny. :p



The good ppl from Nuffnang, Yee Hou and Nicholas Chay. I was actually chewing my food when this picture was taken. Hence the Edison Chen's twisted lips look.

Guess who's this?
For those of you Cheeserland.com long time reader will surely know who is him. He's none other than Porkie from London. He's on vacation here. Nice meeting you Porkie. He's a professional photographer by the way. Hence the Nikon D300.

Loads of Clorets on display there. Which I helped myself to a few. :p

Bloggers group photo.
Back: Me, Amy, and Kimberly
Front: Shaun, Kenny Choo, and Kutu Cat

This is also some kind of a reunion for Shaun, Kenny, Kutu Cat and me. We first got to know each other in L Change the World movie press screening also invited by Nuffnang.

This is me trying to imitate a monkey pole dance. -_-