1988

Cheung woos fans with a bubbling extravaganza

 August 1988

Reviewed by ieven Yim

THIS was the seventh show in Cheung's marathon series of 23 concerts and there weren't any signs of fatigue or breathlessness.

Instead we saw a giant extravaganza. No cost spared in this case - clothes bought from Europe, lighting and sound from Japan and three hours of non-stop music.

Cheung has had so many hits throughout his 11-year career that even he had to just settle for medleys, but his army of fans supported him all the way, screaming and whistling. He teased and taunted them, demanding more noise.

Teenage girls with cameras at the ready jumped at the chance to get a souvenir picture of their hero and with several costume changes they had a field day.

The use of dancers diverted attention and they helped to fill the large stage. Modern and elaborate, the dancing complemented the songs well.

Cheung opened with his current hits but it was an hour before he moved on to his older Capital Artists material. Songs like Monica, Stand Up, The Wind Continues To Blow and Who Can Share My Mind? were wildly received.

Don't Wanna Sleep was the highlight as Cheung came on dressed in cycling shorts and vest. He used every inch of the stage, accepted flowers from fans and even had time to pose for photographs.

The one disappointment was the guest appearance of Ann Bridgewater, who sang one song, not very well at that, and then left in a hurry - no doubt an exercise to get her in the limelight, since both artists are with the same recording company.

The concert was entertaining, full of energy with few dull moments. But what did Pepsi get in return? Not much it seems, because the Coliseum still had Coke adverts all over the place.

To make things worse. Coke adverts screened before the show started with Whitney Houston, quickly followed by one from Pepsi featuring Cheung. Political, it may be, but the crowd left after his two encores in a bubbly and fizzy mood.

Newspaper ( Hong Kong )