zensationtealady

Something occurs, I believe, once one reaches a certain age – that the music of your parents generation suddenly becomes terrain that  you feel compelled to explore and find your own appreciation (..or further your disdain for that matter  – Hello, Julio Iglesias!).

I’ve probably long since reached that age, having pillaged my father’s record collection of his Simon & Garfunkel, Dylan, Fleetwood and Joplin et al many moons ago, but one artist that was brought to my recent attention (by a punk rock loving tea house customer no less), is Teresa Teng.

Since her re-discovery, I admit I have at times been guilty of abusing the Teng, of some days wanting nothing but the Teng (much to my father’s applaud and dismay) – so it only seemed appropriate that I share the joy of Teng here on le blog.

Teresa Teng was a ridiculously popular folk singer of Taiwanese origin who was a recording artist mainly during the 70’s and 80’s. Her style conveyed simplicity and sincerity and her voice was once described to contain “seven parts sweetness, three part tears”.

She is probably the most famous, the most imitated and the most missed of all Asian performers. She was prolific and recorded in her native Mandarin and also Cantonese, Japanese and English. If there were an English equivalent it would probably be Dolly Parton, or perhaps Dusty Springfield (who Teresa did cover once or twice), but such is a comparison between oranges and apples.

She famously entertained the troops and was banned in China for being “too bourgeois”, however, like all contraband, the populace found a way to buy her records and cassettes on the black market and she remained hugely popular.

Rumours and conspiracy theories surround her premature death in 1995; aged only 42 years old she succumbed to a severe asthma attack while in Thailand.

While I won’t dwell on the sudden and suspect circumstances of her passing, it is safe to say that she was mourned by many and left a vacancy in the hearts of music lovers, Asian and otherwise.

For me though, her music puts my nerves at ease. Even though I don’t even understand the lyrics, her melodies are so pleasing – and her voice, which conveys such bittersweet sentiment, is strangely echoed in the lushness of my pot of freshly brewed (and coincidentally, Taiwanese) tea. J’aime le Teng! Vive le musique.

Tea du Jour: Taiwanese Milky Oolong

Tunes: Teresa Teng – Tian Mi Mi (Sweet Honey Honey)