(2) Zhou Xuan: 30/40s My Chinese Music Influence

In the 50s, I listened to some Mando pop (Mandarin popular) songs by actress/singer Zhou Xuan. I remember the songs but not the singer and with my limited understanding of Mandarin, I am still able to appreciate the music. Again I must thank my mother for introducing me to these beautiful melodies from the past. Without her patience and effort I would have been devoid of this music genre.

In those days, the songs were played on old gramophones grinding 78 rpm records but some songs were also played regularly on radio. And like the singer (image), the songs are classic beauties!

*Perhaps the best-known of the early Shanghai recording artistes, Zhou Xuan recorded some of the most evocative songs of this era. An exceptionally beautiful one is her recording of the song Zang Hua (A Flower Burial), with lyrics from the classic novel of the Qing dynasty, Dream of Red Chamber.

These songs are now available on CD and some of the more popular ones (loosely translated) are, Shanghai Nights, Street Angel, Song Of Four Seasons, A Warning, Spring Morning, Please Tell Me, The Winds Of May and a personal favourite, When June Comes Again.

This particular double CD album boasts 40 titles by Zhou Xuan. And the digitalised technology is so advanced the recordings are devoid of surface noise.


You Tube Video by zzenzero: Yellow Leaves Dancing in the Autumn Wind.