Rippling Brook comes from Huang Hongying's very first album, Hakka Sister Loves to Sing, released in 1995. This was 8 years before she joined the Hugo label for whom she has recorded a further 7 studio albums. This album had hitherto passed me by, and I am so glad that I finally woke up! Just to hear Huang at an earlier stage in her career is rather special, but for the album to be full of such gems too is an added bonus. The sound quality, whilst not as pristine as her Hugo recordings, is still fine. The sheer energy, as well as quality, of Huang's voice continues to inspire me. You can see Huang in concert singing various songs such as https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sF5vS8HRA0 and she gives an interview in Singapore on Hakka culture at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7uAIElT15o. Huang Hongying is a Hakka folk singer, and very much a Hakka sister too. She was born in Huizhou, Guangdong, China, in 1962. Huang was taught the art of singing Hakka folksongs by her mother. Huang believes that Hakka folksongs are the natural voices of the Hakka people which developed from the daily chores performed by ordinary folk. She has performed in various countries in Asia, Europe and Northern America, and continues to promote Hakka folksongs as a flourishing art form. So much more than just a singer – Huang is an ambassador. She also sings in Cantonese and Mandarin. Whether sentimental love songs, or loud, high-pitched songs, she excells. Her highland twang and magnetic stage presence often has native Hakka speakers in raptures. Elegant and refined one moment, sparkling and effervescent the next. A Hakka Diva who just loves to sing ... and sing. At the age of 24, she had the opportunity to develop her musical skills in Beijing, but prefered to stay in the "culture-soil" of her beloved Huizhou. As well as giving everything to her Guangdong roots, Huang has regularly toured Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and the United States for concerts and in particular, cultural exchanges. She is a National Class One Performer, trained in Chinese ethnic vocals under Chen Ling, and then studying at the bel canto school of singing under Cai Jingyi. Her wonderful voice has won her numerous accolades and awards. Huang is Deputy Head of Huizhou City Musical, and has served as the main soloist, personally involved in the preparation Huizhou Folk Art Troupe. I998, the Guangdong Provincial Federation of Trade Unions awarded her the prestigious "Guangdong Province May 1 Labor Medal". Huang particularly focuses on adapting Folk Songs to the new aesthetic needs of the times - that traditional Hakka folk songs have not fully adapted to modern life. As she says " without undermining the basis of its original spirit, we have to do something to enhance the work, making it both artistic, but also universal ... " She goes on to mention reaching young people particularly, as well as a wider audience in general. This was something Contemporary English Folk Music also addressed, and very successfully so. The Hakkas or Khek, literally “guest people”, are a Chinese dialect group that migrated from Northern China to the South over the past millennium. Settling mostly near Huizhou in Guangdong province, they are distinct from the Cantonese and known for their circular community houses or tulou English Translation Hey, the bright moon arises, gleaming with tears It reminds me of my elder brother in the mountains Brother is far away just as the moon is in the heavens Brother brother ... ahhhhhh The rippling brook flows through the mountain Hey, the moon shines like Banpo Village did I think of my brother when I see the moon A burst of light wind blows uphill Brother brother ... ahhhhh Do you hear the younger sister called the elder brother Hey...... Mandarin Lyrics 哎 月亮出来亮汪汪 亮汪汪 想起我的阿哥在深山 哥象月亮天上走 天上走 哥啊哥啊哥啊 山下小河淌水清悠悠 哎 月亮出来照半坡 照半坡 望见月亮想起我啊哥 一阵轻风吹上坡 吹上坡 哥啊哥啊哥啊 你可听见阿妹叫阿哥 哎...... Pinyin Āi yuèliàng chūlái liàng wāngwāng liàng wāngwāng xiǎngqǐ wǒ de ā gē zài shēnshān gē xiàng yuèliàng tiānshàng zǒu tiānshàng zǒu gē a gē a gē a shānxià xiǎohé tǎng shuǐ qīng yōuyōu āi yuèliàng chūlái zhào bàn pō zhào bàn pō wàng jiàn yuèliàng xiǎngqǐ wǒ a gē yīzhèn qīng fēng chuīshàng pō chuīshàng pō gē a gē a gē a nǐ kě tīngjiàn ā mèi jiào ā gē āi......

• published: 17 Mar 2016
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