Ba Din

Regrettably short-lived brightest star or more like a comet? He came out so brightly shined --- and left us so soon (he is one of the best). The memory of Ba Din is almost like encounter of a brightly zooming comet --- a memory that imprints in our hearts forever.

I was depressed so I went to a far away canteen tea shop rather than the one we used to sit and hang out with friends. I choose the one that is particularly empty so that I can sober as much as I would like to. Everything looked so boring and empty. Then, I heard Ba Din first album Nay Yar (The Place) in that empty tea shop --- for the very first time. The songs grab my attention --- I had never heard of him yet --- so I called up a little waiter and inquire the album and the singer artist. He told me "Ba Din". It was rather a strange name. No one pay attention to his album at that time --- or did I heard pre recording ??? Most likely not but who knows.

The next day, I was up beat --- happy to be myself again and was hanging out with friends, informing them of Ba Din, but no one paid attention or interest to it until --- before we knew it --- I think it was the Lotto ticket sellers on the bike --- started playing Ba Din's album everywhere around the town --- and then it just took off ---. It was phenomenon. The whole Rangoon is playing Nay Yar where ever you go. There is no escape to it. And to be honest, I like them all --- never tired of listening to his songs.

I am a huge Ba Din fan --- yes, I noticed his vocal quality is not super duper --- but it doesn't matter. He sang it very passionately --- like he means every bit of all the lyrics. His songs are simple but very memorable. Each song is very simple but very unique in different ways.

I think he had 3 albums ( I could be wrong) --- I am acquainted to only the first one. I like "Theit chit Tar Bae" (Love you much) the best. I also like Nay Yar 2 song too. The most covered song must be the song about the black sheep --- which remind me of one of our friends ( You know your nickname my friend --- I hope you are having a happy and successful life).

I will always be Ba Din's fan --- forever. I have never seen him on any concert, nor even on his album cover. I have never seen any of his pictures or interviews in the magazine back then (again, I don't read much of magazines then anyway.) Basically, I have no idea how he is like or how he looks like. (I couldn't find any of his picture). Still, I am a supporting fan.

Listen Ba Din's songs here:

Thait Chit Tar Bae (Love You Much): www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLEEPymxr70&feature=related
Nay Yar 2 (The Place 2): www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqE-cs6p-bs&feature=related
Thoe Mae Twae AhKyaung (About Black Sheep): www.youtube.com/watch?v=OP4MWameaIU&feature=related
Tite Tite Saing Saing (Coincidentally): www.youtube.com/watch?v=54Fr1wXNkb8&feature=related

Khin Maung Htoo

Bobbing head dolls always make me to instantly remember Khin Maung Htoo. That is how he sing. Technically, his style in singing is shaking his head from side to side rather than up and down as in bobbing head dolls.

He became a singer for the passion of singing since his original career is far from entertainment. He has a nice clear voice (except it could be nasal at some points which bothers me). His voice quality is good, notes are perfect, but he sang a bit too lightly --- in a way which reminds me of Aung Yin at times. Their singing style is very similar.

He achieved public attention through "Khin Maung Htoo: Best Songs" album in 80s, golden years for KMH? A lot of his songs are well-liked and accepted by public. He had made a lot of duets well known with different female vocalists as oppose to most others. "Kabar a pyin phat" with Hay mar nay win, "Ah Phaw Mon" with May Sweet, "Strawberry cherry lover" with Sein Moe Moe --- and others?? I bought his Best songs album and listened a lot. "The first Day (Pahtama Nae)" is my favorite forever although that song is not too well recognized. "Chit Ayu Khan" was the most famous in that album. Most of his song titled on a name of a girl--- strangely. "Missing Inya" was one of my good mood songs. Dad loves "Hmaw Daw Yaung" and made me play on guitar and sang that song countless times. "Maung SayKyaung Thu" is the song brings me of the past memories.

I was surprised that he is still actively singing --- good for him. Could that be his passion? I am not a Khin Maung Htoo fan but I can listen his songs tirelessly. And due to the Burmese tea shops culture, when one singer got famous, one must bound to listen to their songs --- like it or not --- after a while, one got sort of brain washed either giving in to the songs or hatred towards the songs has grown bigger inside the heart. Most of the time, we just getting used to the songs that we had not liked because those songs became part of our life events and unforgettable memories.

Listen Khin Maung Htoo songs here:

Hmaw taw Yaung:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=anZbOnk6ooA&feature=related
Missing Inya:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Q5MpxSaOx0&playnext=1&list=PL497B8C6C8C5D09AE

Aung Naing

Never seen him on any concert. Never met him personally. I think I saw him on television one time --- I don't remember which song --- possibly one of my three favorite songs of Aung Naing.

I do not know much about him or not very interested except that I have acquainted with his songs a lot of time. "Min Maie Hmar Soe" album was the one that I listened full album for a long time. I loved that title song lyrics ending " --- when someone else ever approach you for your love, just letting him know that you have me in your heart and turn him down". It sounds demanding but the song is about the distant love relationship where insecurity can kick in time to time.

Out of all Aung Naing's songs, "Pann Khinn Htae Hmar" is my favorite song where chorus was fun to sing along and the breaks are fun to play on the guitar. "Mg Thriri May" is another favorite song which can bring back beautiful memories of innocent and clueless days. In the still of the summer nights, we played guitar with fun and passion and not one night passed without one Aung Naing's song.

I saw him on the stage (I mean on DVD) concert for 25 years old songs??? something like that. Anyways --- I like his singing style --- casual, simple and plain, durable over time -- almost like plain old jeans.

awww---"Thein Htar Hmar Larr" was the song we played the most since the chords are super easy. I think that one is Aung Naing's song too.

Listen Aung Naing's songs here:
Pann Khinn Htae Hmar: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9T_8KG1VcIQ&feature=related
Mg Thiri May: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dYabQoXitE&feature=related
Thein Htar Hmar Larr: (remix by Pho Karr: style is sort of different and some lyrics varied) www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UfJ_34kunY&feature=related

Nay Myo Say

I have never known much about him. I heard that his mom is well known in the movie industry. I also heard when he opened Mr. Guitar, I was like --- aww! he stole my dream and really envious of him on account of doing everything that I would like to do. Now that he is doing painting as his profession, I have died with jealousy and barely made it back to life. Some guys have all the luck --- as they say. Well, but he is The Nay Myo Say and I am just a little critter ---sort of like a cricket? Well, enough of self not-so-dignifying confessions. Let's focus on just him.

I used to teasingly named him "a shorty", nothing personal --- just life had nothing better to do and giving people nicknames when the telephone lines are not working or the summer is just too hot to go out to a tea shop or any shop to hang out with friends. There were no cell phones, no Internet, no mp3 players except Walkmans that is if anyone can still recall what the Walkman is. There were only a good old tape recorders and limited access to VCR for variety entertainment. I cannot focus on Nay Myo Say because thinking about him is making me relive funny old days and clueless and naive cold nights. Again, let's focus on just him.

I thought "Pyay Pyay" sang " Kyae Kyawe Nya Tine Su Taung Mae (Wishing upon every star falling nights)" --- not sure --- may be not, it is just his own song ---( but I liked that song instantaneously on the first hearing because of the dreamy lyrics. It is a bit cheesy but I needed cheese and it was perfect. That was how I hear his name --- the person who wrote the song. Not many people know him back then.

Then, he came out onto public television with his solo record --- I forgot the title of the album, "Little Lane"?? (But is that Ko Hmoe?). I always got confuse between two of them on who did sang which song. I remember seeing him on TV frequently singing 4 or 5 of his songs. They were okay, not too memorable but were simple and entertaining. I cannot remember the songs much anymore but I also don't remember the negative feelings about them. It was good, simple, and easily forgettable. He sang " Every star falling night" on television --- and I can still recite all the lyrics of that song until now --- the only unforgettable NMS song to me.

Nay Myo Say voice quality is average, not super clear, but has his own distinct style and features. Since he is more experience in song writing, of course he knows how to hit his notes very well. I met him uncountable times as the wedding singer. Other than that, that was all in my memory or so far I can recall.

Listen to his song here:
"Fallen Star Night": www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ruUJXRlsRw
"Lann Kalay" (yes, that was his song not Ko Hmoe) www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVV7DgRi0VQ

Zaw Win Shein

One of a few drummers who break through to be famous as a vocalist is Zaw Win Shein. I heard someone in Yin mar recording said how well his skills in drumming. I overheard a casual conversation stating that he is the best drummer at that time.

He looks always cool and conservative all the time. Big eye glasses are his style. I noticed him with the song "Little silver moon"; the original song title is "Only you". Even until now, it is my favorite song although he is more well known for the songs for "Rosie".

His voice is clear and sharp. I like the clearness of his voice. He is not very a passionate singer but he sings the songs very beautifully and perfectly. Listening to his songs, I felt it is flawless --- but may be because of his conservative nature, he doesn't want to show the deeper side of his heart.

I am not a die hard fan but took notice of his effort in breaking the barrier of a famous vocalist from a drummer. Somehow, it seems to be that drummers have to give up drum when they become vocalist. However, he plays drum a lot of the time while he is performing and I like that kind of performance --- something refreshing and original.

He dressed up very formally in performances. If he wears traditional outfits, he wore proper tike-pone and yaw long-gyi. If he wears western style, it is a full suit. I cannot remember seeing him a T shirt or a jean. His styles are very conservative but it suits him very well.

Saung Oo Hlaing

When he came out brilliantly as a vocalist with "Your Hero-lover"album --- I even loved the commercial --- the long hair girl and a jeep --- fast, catchy, and romantic. I was one of those who went and bought that album first and listened really hard through day and night. "Min Ye" is the song from that album used for the commercial and it is my favorite song in that album. I anticipated so much for the second album --- but life changing events come up in my life ---I couldn't listen to new Burmese releases for quite a while.

When I hear his singing again --- it was in 19:18 and I was fallen in love with Burmese songs again. It was a really nice pairing with Alex and Sithu Lwin. The first song of that album was my favorite. Every winter break from college, driving back from the dorm to home on a long road trip; blasting that song right after the stressful finals are so memorable in my life.

He lived in Yankin and I was around Yankin a lot of time but we never come across. Our well known senior --- we even had the same tutor at college. I have heard a lot about him how much he is into music and all that. I am glad to see him doing what he loves the most.

His vocal is powerful at times. He has a unique voice but not very emotional. I love that fact that he is trying to have own tunes. He can write songs very well but not very playful --- most lyrics are very straight forward. His songs are very listenable but somehow he cannot seem to escape from his signature notes. I support him for his effort although I would not listen to his new songs repeatedly like the very first album or 19:18 album.

I enjoyed "Our Gita Yetwon" (I am not so sure the title) song for it's honesty. I think I watched his "20 years music journey" --- but do not remember much to comment on. Awww --- I also heard that he was coaching the girls' group (I am not too sure. I don't even remember which group --- I just remember that their vocals are sort of weak).

He is dark. He is thin. He loves keyboard. He almost always wear caps. He is tall. He must be kind too --- one can hear in his voice. I wonder what he is up to now?

Listen here:
19:18 song www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7GTy5exMu8&feature=related
Min Ye: www.myanmarmp3.net/album.aspx?AlbumID=364

Phyo Gyi

Phyo Gyi was one of the new comers that I did recognized not for his vocal quality but again --- for his passionate singing. The very first time I saw him was with May Sweet doing a duet of an old song something about flying against the wind love song ( I guess it was L Koon Yee and Pb Than Naing song). That song instantly grabbed my attention. I thought --- wow! --- he sings his heart out although his little "wooh!" was not too confident. I read in a magazine about his interview --- about his surgery when he was young. His voice is sort of cracked and lacking at times but his passion is so appealing that we can forgive.

After that song, I have heard him sing here --- there. It was good but nothing break through into my head to wanting to listen again and again until that ridiculous wedding.

Yes, my weakness and lethal flaw is that being too opinionated and judgemental. I have never seen any wedding as big of an advertising campaign than his wedding with one of the most annoying actresses of that time. I asked why? Gosh! Why it has to be her?

While I was highly annoyed by the wedding campaign --- I watched his wedding special song album over and over again. The songs are catchy --- fun to listen. I liked that album as I put in my easy listening list.

I haven't listen any Burmese songs since after that time --- just recently I saw a couple of his songs on you tube. He looks much thinner and older now (I am sorry for the criticism). I am very sad to see him getting thinner. I heard that he is divorced now??? I am not sure --- but the incident was not very pretty.

I wish I can write more about him but I don't know much about him. I think he has a good heart though. May be he needs to hang out with good friends, think only about music and do really good albums since he has a potential. I wish you the best.

Listen song here:
www.musicvideos.com/watch-phyo-gyi-sone-thin-par-kyal-pyout-nya/1ppcYA4Saso.html