I first heard of "David Tao 陶喆" through an interview of our local 4-piece all male vocal group "Baby" (now defunct?) on a Chinese radio broadcast. One of the vocalist whose style I enjoyed named DT's music as a great influence. I have never heard of such person then and therefore have little idea what kind of music DT was doing.
By sheer chance, while I was browsing thru the CD section in a bookstore, something caught my attention. The music album cover is simple and striking, with heavy blue coloured tone and the singers face only partially revealed. It is done in a very abstract kinda way with the name 陶喆 (taozhe) was printed up front. I suddenly recall the recent broadcast I just heard and how they joked about DT's name is made up of 2 吉，which means "good" in Chinese. They would purposely mispronounce his name as 陶吉吉 (taojiji).
Impulsively, (the cheap price tag helps) I snag up this CD along with some other a;bums. I really dunno what to expect from the CD but as I pop it into my player and listen from track 1 to 15, anticipation turns to surprise, and in turn I was totally mesmerised by the music. I was completely floored by how wonderful this CD was crafted. The production was something I would never expect coming from a Taiwanese release. I vaguely remember what else I bought that day from the CD section, and find myself putting DT's debut studio solo release, as it turns out to be, on repeat. The more I listened, the more I am awed by how perfect was this work of art. I am quite sure the vocals, compositions, production, arrangements, mixing etc, would win even Grammys if it would to qualify. As with all his later albums, DT was the composer, arranger, frequent instrumentalist and producer.
This is one album that I have never been bored with, never skip tracks and, IMHO, never gets old.
David Tao Debut Album Tracklist:
1.Airport Take Off
2.飛機場的10:30 (Airport in 10:30)
3.Airport Arrival
4.愛 很簡單 (I Love You)
5.沙灘 (Blue Moon)
6.十七歲 (Our Love)
7.望春風 (Spring Wind)
8.王八蛋 (Bastard)
9.是是非非 (Yes No Song)
10.流沙 (Everything's Gone)
11.Take 6 Minus 3
12.心亂飛 (Do I Do I)
13.再見以前先說再見 (Say Goodbye)
14.沙灘 鋼琴版 (Suite Blue Moon)
15.Answering Machine
