On the evening of the 26th, the Kaohsiung Arena, located in the heart of Taiwan, was filled with the voice of Jiang Hui (江蕙), the queen of Taiwanese-language pop music. Her return to the stage was not merely a concert. It was a deeply moving night of remembrance for Lin Qiuli (林秋離), the legendary composer of the Taiwanese music scene who passed away in 2022. Jiang Hui’s sincere and earnest voice once again brought to life the countless masterpieces left by Lin Qiuli, proving that his musical legacy will live on forever through her voice.
Jiang Hui and Lin Qiuli were more than just a singer and composer; they were long-time companions who led the golden age of Taiwanese pop music together. Many of Jiang Hui's hit songs, such as 'Love Me for Three Minutes (愛我三分鐘)', 'Waiting for a Dance Partner (等待舞伴)', and 'Emotions to the Side (感情放一邊)', were all born from Lin Qiuli's hand.
On stage, Jiang Hui reminisced about their deep connection, saying, "At least ten of the songs he wrote became hits." She also paid tribute to his broad musical world, mentioning how he had expanded his musical horizons by composing not only Taiwanese-language songs but also Mandarin pop songs for top artists in the Greater China region, including Jacky Cheung, Andy Lau, A-Mei, and JJ Lin.
The highlight of the concert was undoubtedly Jiang Hui's special selection, 'Crying Sand (哭沙)'. Already a classic song made famous by Tracy Huang, this track was composed by Lin Qiuli about 35 years ago. Jiang Hui humbly said, "I can't compare to Tracy Huang, but I wanted to sing a different song on stage. I hope everyone doesn't dislike it." Her words contained both a sense of longing for her departed friend and a genuine desire to honor him. Reinterpreted through Jiang Hui's voice, 'Crying Sand' delivered a different kind of profound resonance from the original, deeply touching the hearts of the audience.
Jiang Hui also performed 'Love until I Can't Love Anymore (愛到抹凍愛)', a song she had never publicly performed before, bringing the concert's emotion to a peak. The lyrics, written by Lin Qiuli, delicately expressed the bittersweet emotions of love and separation through Jiang Hui's voice. The concert was not just a place to listen to songs. As Jiang Hui sang with respect for Lin Qiuli's musical talent and life, the audience reflected on the history of Taiwanese pop music they had created together, deeply engraving in their hearts the friendship of two artists who had once dominated an era. Although Lin Qiuli is no longer with us, his music and Jiang Hui's voice will live on forever in the memories of their fans.
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