HCM CITY — “Đi Trong Cuộc Đời” (Passing Through Life), a music album featuring latest songs written by Vietnamese-American musician Vũ Thành An, 76, has been released in HCM City.

The album consists of eight love songs praising the beauty of Vietnamese women, their humanity and optimistic soul.

The songs include Tình Yêu Cho Giầu Có (Rich Love), Giai Nhân Từ Ái (The Beauty of Humanity), and Hôm Nay Em Mặc Áo Mới (Today You Wear New Clothes).

All songs are performed by businesswoman and songstress Chu Thị Hồng Anh, who co-wrote three songs with An, including Đi Trong Cuộc Đời, Chỉ Có Hạnh Phúc Vĩnh Viễn Thôi (Happiness Forever), and Có Một Thời Một Đời Mà Thôi (One Time One Life).

“I am honoured to chosen by composer Vũ Thành An to sing his new latest songs. I feel comfortable singing his songs,” said An.

The album is arranged and produced by composer and music producer Nguyễn Quang, which is a mix of jazz, valse, bolero and pop.

Quang said: “Đi Qua Trong Đời depicts a completely new composer Vũ Thành An. It include songs with gentle and joyful melody that bring new feelings to audiences.”

Quang, a graduate of Los Angeles College of Music, was music director of two Việt Nam Television’s music programmes Sol Vàng (Golden Treble Clef) and Tình Khúc Vượt Thời Gian (Everlasting Love Songs), highlighting compositions by great Vietnamese composers like Trịnh Công Sơn and Nguyễn Ánh 9.

Born in 1943 in Nam Định Province, An moved to Sài Gòn in 1960.

His first song, Tình Khúc Thứ Nhất (First Love Song), with lyrics by poet Nguyễn Đình Toàn, became a top hit. 

His first album, Những Bài Không Tên (Untitled Songs), released in 1969, impressed audiences. He has sung more than 120 songs, mostly love songs. 

After An left Việt Nam in 1991 to live in Portland, Oregon, he began composing anthems and working for charities.  

In 2017, he returned to Việt Nam to host tours in HCM City, Hà Nội, Quy Nhơn City in Bình Định Province, Quảng Ngãi Province and Đà Nẵng City.

His shows featured veteran Vietnamese-American singers Vũ Khanh and Thanh Lan who were famous in the 1960s and 70s.

Vietnamese-American singers Quang Dũng and Bằng Kiều and girl band 5 Dòng Kẻ were also included.

The shows featured An’s love songs called Bài Không Tên (Untitled Songs), which have been popular for more than five decades.  — VNS