Logicgui.com

Following the success of their first collaboration Vi Ta Can Nhau, Quang Dung and Hong Nhung return to nostalgia in Co Dau Bao Gio, a refreshing brew of quality vocals and analeptic arrangement.

Right from the start, the album abducts its listeners into the romanticism of nhac Trinh with a charming implementation of vocal harmony. In “Tu Tinh Khuc,” each singer takes turn to lead while the other falls back airily. Quang Dung’s baritone caters perfect consonance to Hong Nhung’s tenor, and vice versa. This same chemistry is embedded in each and every duet track.

The single tracks are of no lesser hypnotism. Quang Dung declares king of nhac Trinh with a powerful rendition of “Xin Cho Toi,” while Hong Nhung exerts herself as a skillful vocalist in “Ru Em Tung Ngon Xuan Nong.” The bridge piece is especially sexy. Her cover of “Ru Doi Di Nhe,” however, is a bit weak vocally. I much prefer Thanh Lam’s take on the song.

What distinguishes Co Dau Bao Gio from all other Trinh albums is not only the quality of the vocals, but also the ingenious arrangement by Hoai Sa. He experiments with vocal improvisation in “Tinh Sau” and makes scat singing work while still maintaining the compositional drama of the song. In “Ngau Nhien” he utilizes a soft rallentando to end and bows out with a cadence run of the piano.

Co Dau Bao Gio showcases perhaps two of the best vocal interpreters of nhac Trinh accompanied by a masterful arrangement. The album truly is a “tuyet pham” for the ages.