Im Tae-kyung Questions the Classics
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
``Traditional'' and ``enduring'' are associated with the word ``classic,'' and classical music usually refers to centuries-old work by Beethoven and other dead composers. In his new album ``Sings the Classics?'' (Sony BMG Music), tenor Im Tae-kyung delves into a classical crossover conundrum ― a musical quest challenging the meaning of classical music.
``The question mark is most important in `Sings the Classics?''' the 34-year-old said in a concert last week to promote his freshly released album. ``Wouldn't the music that is skin-deep to our generation become classic 100 years from now?'' he said to a very responsive and packed crowd in the LG Arts Center, southern Seoul.
He addresses the ``thesis'' question with his first ``case study'' of beloved American and British pop from the 1970s and 80s. Im sings 13 classical melodies by John Lennon, Queen, the Carpenters, Stevie Wonder, Frank Sinatra and Simon & Garfunkle among others. These artists are household names in Korea, having been a must in the music literature for the older generation and appearing time after time in various soundtracks.
Im collaborated with musicians like Park Jung-bae, who writes songs for bubbly pop group Girls' Generation, and these pop classics are reborn wearing a modern, acoustic color. Remaking such renowned songs as ``What a Wonderful World'' isn't easy, but the lyrical tenor, with his smooth technique and soulful tone, showed that a husky voice isn't necessary to do justice to Louis Armstrong.
Crossover music has its fair share of singers like Il Divo. But homegrown singer Im brings tracks that may become a new staple of the crossover genre for everyone to enjoy.
``Sings the Classics?'' is Im's first album in four years, and like his best-selling first, it is currently topping charts online (www.interpark.co.kr). For fans, it was a special treat to see him onstage again just a month after his sold-out concert in March. ``Where are you looking? I'm right here,'' Im had said, appearing in the middle of the crowd, setting off screams as he ran through the aisles on the first floor of the venue. This time, he apologized for not being able to visit fans on the second and third floors as he had promised in March, and instead gave out autographed CDs through a draw.
Im opened the show with Tosti's ``La Serenata'' and crooned love songs from his album, ``Love of My Life'' and ``When I First Kissed You'' among others. The slim singer changed several times, sporting tuxedos to a more casual style. He also showed off a retro glam look with a golden jacket and thrilled female crowd when he took it off onstage.
He also sang ``You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman'' (where, naturally, he replaced ``woman'' with ``human'') and ``Jealous Guy'' by John Lennon (Im was high school dorm room neighbors with Lennon's son Sean). One highlight was ``Bridge Over Troubled Water,'' where he jammed with the pianist. The track on the album itself was also a spontaneous production between the two.
Though not included on the album, Queen's ``I Was Born to Love You'' was spectacular. A female chorus trio, whom Im playfully called the ``Jin Sisters,'' gave a fabulous performance of ``Isn't She Lovely.''
Im also gave a sneak peak of subsequent volumes of the ``Sings the Classics?'' series, which will include mixtures of rock and opera and ``gagok'' or old Korean pop. The beloved Italian tune ``Felicita,'' of which the second half was delivered in Korean, was thoroughly engaging. He wrapped up the show with two encores, to which the audience responded with a standing ovation. Afterward, the seats cleared in no time as fans flocked outside to line up for autographs.
The new album and concert were smart moves. Diehard fans can indulge in familiar tunes sung by their favorite singer, including a few from his last concert like ``This Masquerade.'' Even Im told audiences that the album had been ``tested out.'' But it was a thoroughly enjoyable concert, even for those whose daily agenda doesn't include tuning into Im's radio show. The same goes for the recording.
As an added bonus ― though some critics may protest the slight roughness ― the album has no sound effects whatsoever ― not even auto-tuning. ``It's music without the extra seasoning, like fresh, raw sushi. It's completely stripped naked,'' he said. ``I guess you could call it `nude' music,'' he laughed with the audience. The subsequent volumes of ``Sings the Classics?'' will come in the near future, as will Im's second original crossover album later on in the year.
Im studied under the late Metropolitan Opera tenor Richard Cassily. He debuted in 2002 after completing a master's in engineering in the United States. The engineer-turned-singer captivates audiences in concert and opera halls, and is also a shining musical star in Korea and Japan and familiar voice through his radio show and hit TV drama soundtracks.