So far he has created five installments, starting with an overview of Shanghai-era shi dai qu (literally, "songs of the times") followed by episodes devoted to pairs of individual singers, such as Zhou Xuan & Yao Li and Li Xianglan & Bai Guang. Ling hopes to complete a dozen installments, after which he plans to enhance the contents of his site with singer and composer profiles and English lyrics for all of the songs featured in his podcasts.
This last feature, which he's already started, is a godsend for folks like me who love shi dai qu but haven't yet attempted the daunting task of learning Mandarin. Thanks to Ling's show I'm finally able to understand the words of some of my favorite songs. And let me tell you, it's like falling in love all over again.
So please check out Antique Shanghai Pop Music. It earns my highest recommendation. You can download the shows directly from Ling's site, as well as Apple's iTunes Store.
* The image above comes Chinese Woman and Modernity: Calendar Posters of the 1910s-1930s.
7 comments:
Thanks for highlighting this podcast! I downloaded some episodes this morning, first thing, and have been listening on the tube journey into work. That Ling certainly has some dulcet tones!
Excellent!!!
I found this wonderful sight via your link there to the right. I sent a thank-you note to Ling and got the kindest reply just late last week. What a gem, and what a collection! A great place for the beginner to start for both the music and Ling's scholarly commentary.
Thanks, I'll definitely check it out!
Glad to see some new fans for Ling's show. :)
And let me just add to what Tim said. If you like Ling's show, don't be shy. Send him an email and let him know!
hi duriandave,
Great find and a wonderful illustration (poster?, advertising flyer?) too.
Hi sbk! According to the caption from the book, the poster is an advertisement for Pathé Records from the mid-1930s. The lady is pointing to the price of the Regal record she is holding. Regal was Pathé's label for new singers.
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