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Which Way, Robert Frost?
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = Which Way, Robert Frost?
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| artist = Jacky Cheung
| album = Private Corner
| language = Cantonese
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| label = Universal Music
| writer =
| producer =Andrew Tuason ()
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"'Which Way, Robert Frost'" recorded with the title Zho Du N (Looking for you) is a song by Jacky Cheung (Cantonese pinyin: Hok Yau), written by Roxanne Seeman and Philipp Steinke for Cheungs Private Corner album. The title and lyrics refer to the narrative poem "The Road Not Taken" written by the American poet Robert Frost. The lyrics were adapted into Cantonese by Kenny So ( Qiao Xing). It was released on January 29, 2010, by Universal Music.
Jacky Cheung performed "Zho Du N (Looking for you)" at his Private Corner Mini Concert at the Hong Kong Jockey Club on April 30. Cheung's Private Corner Mini Concert DVD was released on July 23, 2010.
Composition and lyrical inspiration
The title and theme makes reference to the Robert Frost poem "The Road Not Taken". The inspiration for the writing of the lyrics came from the sentiments that Seeman felt, after attending a screening of the Disney/Pixar animated movie "Up". Roxanne Seeman provided an explanation of the concept and writing of the lyrics for the song to be adapted into Cantonese language. Kenny So was the author chosen to write the Cantonese adaptation.
The song is a waltz.
Style
Zho Du N (Looking for you) is a song in the style of Canto-jazz, a genre coined by Jacky Cheung for the style of songs on Private Corner, his first jazz album.
Recording and production
Zho Du N (Looking for you) by Jacky Cheung was produced by Andrew Tuason (). The rhythm section was recorded in Malaysia. Tollak Ollestad is featured on harmonica. His harmonica part was recorded in the Netherlands. Cheung's vocals were recorded in Hong Kong.
Critical reception
Tencent described the swaying sketch with harmonica as the main accompaniment, writing "the many semitones in the tune, show a unique sentiment in Jacky Cheungs interpretation."
Tencent rated Finding the Right You (Zho Du N (Looking for you)) as best composition on the Private Corner album explaining that Jacky Cheung is called "God of Songs" because he can sing a slow ballad "straight into people's hearts". The song was described as being the one that "most easily reaches into people's hearts intoxicatingly touching their souls. In the case of excellent lyrics, music, arrangement, and production, the composition is even more outstanding because this song can capture the key to the human heart."
Live performances and usage in other media
Cheung performed "Looking for you (Which Way, Robert Frost)" at his Private Corner Mini Concert held at the Polytechnic University Hong Kong Jockey Club on April 30. The show was taped, with the Private Corner Mini Concert DVD releasing July 23, 2010.
Credits and personnel
Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes.Private Corner (CD booklet). Hong Kong: Universal Music. 2010. 889 905-7.
* Jacky Cheung lead vocals
* Andrew Tuason () arranger, piano, conductor
* Ted Lo arranger, strings
* Lewis Pragasam drums
* Andy Peterson electric bass
* Tollak Ollestad featuring, harmonica
* Sham Kamikaze guitar
* Kenny So ( Qiao Xing) Cantonese lyrics
* Roxanne Seeman songwriter
* Philipp Steinke songwriter
* Steve Thornton percussion
* Beijing Love Orchestra strings
Paolo Onesa version
"Which Way, Robert Frost?" was recorded by Paolo Onesa in English on his Pop Goes Standards album, released on Valentines Day, February 17, 2014, by MCA Music, Philippines. It was produced by Francis Guevarra.
The track is included in The Crossover Cafe II compilation album released by Universal Music, alongside songs by Norah Jones, Maroon 5, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and others.
In BusinessWorld Online, Jeffrey O. Valisno described the song as having "romantic written all over it" saying "Mr. Onesa sings like a guy smitten with a lovely girl while paying a tribute to the American poet of The Road Not Taken.
Awards
"Which Way, Robert Frost?" received multiple Awit Award nominations at the 28th Awit Awards:
* Best Performance By A Male Recording Artist, Paolo Onesa
* Best Musical Arrangement, Benjie Pating
* Best Vocal Arrangement, Arnie Mendaros
* Best Engineered Recording, Ferdie Marquez & Efren San Pedro, Freq Studio & 12 Stone Studio
References
Buy Which Way, Robert Frost? now from Amazon
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