Mi Zang – Lonely Journey
Taihe Music Group
No web site
12 Songs – 58 minutes
While it seems inconceivable given the heritage differences, nonetheless, Mi Zang is a Chinese blues band. Led by Han Yu who is the lyricist and composer for the group and plays rhythm guitar and provides the lead vocals. The remaining band members are Wei Wei on lead guitar, Liu Jianhuang on bass, and Zhou Qingzhao on drums. Numerous other performers are included on horns and other special appearances sprinkled throughout the album. There are references indicating that Mi Zang have released previous albums, and this is their first release in four years, but no information was available about any other albums.
Blues can serve as a universal language between people of all nations as can be seen from the number of European countries with blues societies. The album consists of twelve original songs. The album cover depicts heavy traffic traveling away from a lone man sitting on the opposite side of the road with no traffic traveling in his direction, displaying a certain loneliness that is in the theme of the music and the album title.
The album opens with “Dangling Dog Blues”, a funky kick off with horns, excellent guitar, and sung in Chinese. A translation provides the information that the song is about a lonely man traveling with a stray puppy and offering the sage advice, “you can’t see the rainbow if you can’t hear the bell”. “Jungle Hunter” continues with a bouncy, easy beat with no available translation. “Don’t Take It Seriously, Li Shichang” is another upbeat number.
A translation of the title song indicates that it about the loneliness and challenges of life, sometimes with disappointment and hope, but again offering the advice “Don’t doubt there is light behind you”. Some excellent guitar work again drives the song. “When You Have Nowhere to Run” gets a slight boogie going with the title giving a strong indication of the message and the addition of a harmonica providing a strong blues flavor. “A Steelyard in Hand” offers a translation about life struggles and the determination that “half is silent and half is struggling”. The song is a pure Chicago styled blues.
“August Boogie” is just what is says it is and featuring some honky-tonk piano by Rie Lee Kanehira. “If Love Is a River” at nine minutes is the longest song on the album and again features Rie Lee this time on organ. An explanation of the song compares love to a river, sometimes it flows smoothly and sometimes it is turbulent. The guitar indicates the ebb and flow of the song. “This City” has a reggae style rhythm backed by horns.
“Buses Are Crowded” is an evident issue in this song. “Sing The Blues at Home” gets things rocking. “Blue Mojito” concludes the album with a funky instrumental.
Be forewarned that the only English spoken on the album occurs when the group shuts out “August Boogie”. If lyrics are an important part of your listening and you don’t understand Chinese, then this should be a consideration. However, Mi Zang is clearly a very talented group with excellent guitar performances throughout and therefore worth a listen.
