Playlist 17th March 2009

• Twilight Time - The Platters
  
• Sakura Version - Michio Miyagi
  
• Speedy Gonzalez - Peppino di Capri
  
• The Shadow Knows - The Coasters
  
• Angel of Death - Hank Williams
  

Live Action Manga Adaptations

On tonight's show I will be joined by anime expert and author Helen McCarthy and Alex Fitch, editor of Electric Sheep Film Magazine.
We will be discussing live action film adaptations of manga such as 20th Century Boys (pictured) and the Death Note series.
Tune in to Resonance 104.4 FM at 9pm or listen online at www.resonancefm.com

Gado Gado pics

Here's my first attempt at Gado Gado. I also made some crab spring rolls to have on the side. Yum.

Documentary on Shaw Bros classic The Love Eterne

Brilliant! Presented by Cheng Pei Pei, lots of lovely old footage. Ivy Ling Po talks about the making of the film. A classic Chinese story of ill fated lovers played by Ivy Ling Po and Betty Loh Ti (RIP). I bought two 10inch LPS of the soundtrack some years back. I also have the film on VCD in a box with a Love Eterne novelty fan. Should have been a hanky as it's a real tear jerker!

Singaporean Curry Puffs

Artist and friend of the show Jack Tan joined me last night to discuss the cuisine and culture of Singapore. He brought in some delicious curry puffs for the Dim Sum Lunchbox. Here's his recipe, thanks Jack!

SINGAPOREAN CURRY PUFFS

Pastry

250g Plain Flour
1/4 tsp Salt
1/2 cup Coconut Cream or 75g Soft Butter
100ml Water

Curry Filling

1 Tbs Veg Oil
1 Brown Onion
250g Lean Mutton or Beef or Chicken, finely chopped or minced
1 Tbs Curry Powder
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
salt to taste
1 Large Potato, boiled, peeled and diced
oil for deep frying
sugar to taste (optional)

Sift flour and salt. Mix in coconut cream or butter, and then water and lightly knead into a soft dough. Allow to rest for 15 mins or so. Roll out thinly and cut into circles about 8cm across.

Heat oil in pan and fry the onion until golden. Add the mat, curry powder, and pepper. Stir until everything is well mixed and the meat has changed colour. Add salt to taste and a little water. Cook for 5 mins - until the meat is done and then curry is dry. Lastly, add the potatoes and stir thoroughly to mix. Allow to cool.

Place a little filling on each pastry round, fold over into a semi-circle and crimp edges to seal. Deep-fry in plenty of hot oil until golden brown. Drain and serve hot or cool.

Frozen ready-made flaky or puff or shortcrust pastry may be used instead, but in this case the curry puffs are cooked in the oven.

DJing at Vibe Live Sunday 15th March

Sunday Shock Therapy: Revisiting the Superhero Apocalypse!

I'll be DJing at this event on Sunday at “Vibe Live” above the Vibe Bar at 91 Brick Lane, London E1 6QL.
Electric Sheep Magazine present their FREE quarterly screening event, which includes a 1960's Japanese superhero movie and an apocalyptic short!

Doors open at 2pm, the first 10 people in get a free copy of the new issue of Electric Sheep.

See the event listing on Facebook or at Alex Fitch's blog.

Gado Gado

On last week's show I made Gado Gado which was deeeeeee-licious, if I say so myself. I got the recipe from the fantastic food blog Rasa Malaysia. The blog gives recipes for hundreds of East Asian dishes. I guarantee you will feel hungry after visiting the site!
www.rasamalysia.com
The Gado Gado recipe was a guest post from another food blog, Indonesia Eats. I couldn't get hold of all the authentic ingredients but I had everyhting I needed for the sauce which really makes the dish. Peanut, cocunut milk, caramalised garlic taste. It also features my food craze crush of the moment - shrimp paste (pictured).

Beyond The Wall - Chinese Music Festival @ The Barbican

飛越長城來自中國的現代音樂

March-May 2009 – Beyond the Wall

Beyond the Wall is the Barbican’s exploration of Chinese music, concentrating on the bridge between East and West and on the influence each has had on the other. Grammy and Oscar winning composer Tan Dun plays a central role, as some of his works receive a UK premiere. The concerts also include a glimpse of Beijing’s underground music scene and Mongolian and Kazakh-influenced folk, as well as a chamber opera by Liu Sola.

Saturday 21 March
6-7pm: Chinese music in the foyers of the Barbican
Zhangjiajie Folk Daliuzi Group

7.30pm: BBC SO/Tan Dun/Anssi Karttunen
Tang Jianping: Sacred Fire

Guo Wenjing: Chou Kong Shan (Bamboo Flute Concerto)

Tan Dun: The Map (UK premiere), Concerto for Cello, Video and Orchestra

Tickets: £ 9/13/17/22.50/28

Tuesday 21 April 2009 7.30pm

LSO/Daniel Harding/Tan Dun/Lang Lang
Tan Dun: Internet Symphony 'Eroica'

Tan Dun: Piano Concerto (UK premiere), Mahler: Symphony No 1
Tickets: £9/13/17/22.50/28/35

Thursday 23 April 2009 8.00pm

UBS Soundscapes: Eclectica Dragon Songs

Lang Lang/Silk Strings (Cheng Yu, pipa; Sun Zhuo, guzheng; Hu Bin, erhu; Zhou Jinyan, yangqin)

LSO St Lukes

Tickets £7/14/21

Together with Lang Lang, the London-based Chinese quartet Silk Strings mix traditional Chinese music with their own contemporary interpretations in works by composer and jazz pianist Raymond Yiu. Born in Hong Kong, Yiu came to England in 1990 and studied at Imperial College. Among his works are commission for the LSO and the Aldeburgh Almeida Opera. Part of UBS Soundscapes: Lang Lang, 18 – 26 April 2009. lso.co.uk/langlang

Sunday 26 April 7.30pm

Beyond The Wall: Beijing Now

Yan Jun with Wu Na, FM3, White and Xiao He

LSO St Luke's

Tickets: £10/£15

Showcasing some of the leading figures of Beijing’s burgeoning musical underground scene, this concert will feature an array of musical talents whose daring approach reflects a distinctively Chinese set of circumstances and influences. Yan Jun is the central figure in the capital’s rapidly-evolving musical counterculture, whose live performances use feedback, loops and found voices to make hypnotic noise. White - a duo consisting of Shou Wang and Shenggy - formed in January 2006, and quickly became one of the most acclaimed outfits in the Beijing new music scene. FM3 were founded in 1999 by Christiaan Virant and Zhang Jian and are considered pioneers of electronic music in China. Their mass-produced FM3 Buddha Machine loop box was released to wide acclaim in 2005 and has gained a cult following all over the world. Singer, guitarist and performance artist Xiao He takes an avant-garde approach to traditional Chinese music to produce a sound that is exuberant, freewheeling and completely singular.


Sunday 10 May 7.30pm

Beyond the Wall

Kronos Quartet, Wu Man (pipa)

Yuanlin Chen: Tribe Among Mountains world premiere, co-commissioned by the Barbican

Tan Dun: Ghost Opera

Tickets: £ 9/13/17/22.50/28

Ghost Opera is a five movement work for string quartet and pipa, with water, metal, stone and paper. Tan Dun describes the work as a reflection on human spirituality. He was inspired by childhood memories of the shamanistic "ghost operas" of the Chinese peasant culture. In this over 4000 year old tradition, humans and spirits of the future, the past, and nature communicate with each other.

Tuesday 12 May 7.30pm

Liu Sola (libretto and music): The Afterlife of Li Jiantong world premiere

Chamber opera for Soprano, Mezzo, Bass, recorder, harp and sitar, Chinese percussion from traditional Chinese Opera

Theatre of Voices, Director Paul Hillier

Recorders: Michala Petri; Harp: Andrew Lawrence-King; Percussion: Gert Mortensen

LSO St Lukes

Tickets: £10/15/20

This chamber opera is based on the story of Liu Sola’s own mother Li Jiantong, an historical and political writer. Although highly respected by many Chinese, Li Jiantong’s books were banned all her life. Her first book, published in the 1960’s, was criticised by Mao and subsequently banned. During the Cultural Revolution, she was investigated, illegally jailed, subjected to fierce interrogations and eventually sent off to work in the fields. After her death, her spirit came to her daughter Liu Sola. This chamber opera is about her three visitations. In the first half of the concert, Wu Man plays pieces for pipa by Chinese composers, including Liu Sola.

Saturday May 16 May 7.30pm

Beyond the Wall: Voices Of The Grasslands

Hanggai and Mamer + special guests

Union Chapel, Compton Terrace, Islington, N1 2UN

Tickets: £12.50


Based in Beijing but devoted to traditional Mongolian songs, Hanggai mix throat singing with rock instruments, and dress like men of the steppes even though they live in the teeming metropolis of Beijing. With their elegant songs, top-notch production and strangely familiar tunes, Hanggai have made the leap from folk phenomenon to crossover pioneers. Hailing from the grasslands of Xinjiang province in the far West of China, Mamer is a legendary figure in the Chinese underground music scene – he’s been described as the ‘Lou Reed of the grasslands’. Mamer’s band IZ is credited with single-handedly kickstarting China’s alt-country scene; his work has influenced a huge range of acts, including Hanggai.

Concerts at the Barbican Hall, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS unless stated otherwise

Box Office: 0845 120 7550 www.barbican.org.uk/beyondthewall

Lion Sculpture for London's Chinatown

Next month a sculpture will be unveiled in Wardour Street. Hsiao-Chi Tsai from Taiwan and Kimiya Yoshikawa from Japan have created The Lion sculpture, commissioned by Chinatown Arts Space and Shaftesbury PLC.
The Lion is a striking contemporary interpretation of a traditional Chinese symbol of greeting and guardianship made of jesmonite, brightly coloured Perspex and treated steel, the colour and pattern of The Lion are used to represent the diversity of East Asians living and working in the UK. The sculpture will be approximately three metres in height and will be installed permanently on the corner of Wardour Street and Shaftesbury Avenue at the unveiling on 8th April 2009.

Chinatown Arts Space are running FREE sculpture workshops in the run up to the unveiling, for dates and info. see:
www.chinatownartsspace.com

I will definitely attend the unveiling and will take my camera. I hope to have the artists come on my Resonance FM radio show to discuss this exciting new work.
More news soon.....

Playlist Tuesday 3rd March 2009

Kien Lim was live in the studio and he played 3 of his own tracks (hear them here) as well as Hank Williams' Cold, Cold Heart.

• Mr & Mrs Teardrop - Hank Wangford & The Lost Cowboys (Whistling in the Dark CD, Sincere Sounds)
  
• Peanut Vendor - Carlo Montez and his Orchestra (Embassy Records 45 EP Latin Americana )
  
• Al Pie De Tu Reja - Lydia Mendoza (Lydia Mendoza PART 1: First Recordings 1928-1938 Folklyric Records, Arhoolie)
  
• I Just Don't Like This Kind of Living - Hank Williams (The Unforgettable Hank Williams, MGM LP)
  
• Seemingly The Old Friend Comes - Anita Mui (Love Anita Mui 3 disc CD, Huaxing Music Records)
  
• A Yuh - The Uniques (Watch This Sound LP, Pressure Sounds)
  
• Baby It's You - The Shirelles (The Shirelles And King Curtis Give A Twist Party, Ace Records)
  
• Twilight Time - The Platters(The Very Best of CD, Universal)
  

City Showcase - Call for new musical talent

London’s annual City Showcase event is searching for new musical talent. The 3 day event will be held May 7-9 and will cover all types of music from classical to pop, from rock to urban and all types of performer’s from bands to singer songwriters, from solo artists to DJ's.

Any artists that want to showcase their work should send a cd demo with a MySpace link or weblink, a brief biography and a photo to City Showcase, PO Box 2212, RH20 2XJ. Clearly mark your envelope as a City Showcase application.

www.cityshowcase.co.uk

Kien Lim playing live on Lucky Cat

Singer/songwriter/troubadour Kien Lim will be my guest on tomorrow night's Lucky Cat. Kien will perform a few numbers live in the studio for your listening pleasure. His style is a mix of folk, country, rock, pop and indie. Check out his web site:
www.kienlim.com
Tune in to Resonance 104.4FM Tuesday 3rd March at 9pm via your FM radio in London or online anywhere else:
www.resonancefm.com

Lucky Cat on Facebook

I've finally caved in and signed up to Facebook. Please come long and join the Lucky Cat Radio Group:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=58658831033&ref=nf.
A club night is imminent, get your qi paos dry cleaned now! More news to follow.....

Playlist Tuesday 24th February 2009

• Rose are Red - Kong Ling & The Fabulous Echoes (Hits Vol II LP on the Diamond label)
  
• Jimmy Come Lately - Kong Ling & The Fabulous Echoes (as above)
  
• Here Come the Heartaches - Delroy Wilson (Straighten Up Volume 4 PAMA)
  
• Aaj Ki Raat - Mohd. Rafi (An Evening with Mohd. Rafi EMI Angel)
  
• The Crow Flies Back To The Forest - Guangzhou Cantonese Opera Troupe (Victrola Favorites - Artifacts From Bygone Days Dust to Digital)
  
• The Structure of Javanese Gamelan - (The Columbia World Library of Folk and Primitive Music)
  
• We're Going Rollin' - Alton Ellis & Eddy Parkins (Mark Lamarr Presents - Duke Reid's Nuclear Weapon Trojan)
  
• Kowloon Hong Kong - The Reynettes (EP of the same name)
  
• Courting The Woman From Chiang Mai - Sri Ma Keow (Victrola Favorites)
  
• Soulful Proclamation - Messengers Incorporated (Midwest Funk: Funk 45s From Tornado Alley Now Again)
  
• Yasukibushi (Tale Of Yasuki) - Komachiyo Okada (Victrola Favorites)
  
• Satan Is Busy In Knoxville - Leola Manning (Barrelhouse Mamas Yazoo)
  
• Story Of Tang On (Part Two) - Sa Ma Nang Noi (Victrola Favorites)
  
• Chanting The Ten Vows - Chinese Buddhist Nuns (Victrola Favorites)
  

Tea Exhibition

A cup of Tea Solves Everything is a forthcoming exhibition curated by other Asias (a collective of international artists, and artists of the Asian Diaspora based in London)
A diverse range of artists were invited to interpret the statement "A Cup of Tea Solves Everything" for this multi-media exhibition.
There are plenty of events and film screenings and best of all it's all free.
20th Feb - 14th March
DEPARTURE, 649 Commercial Road, Limehouse, London E14 7LW

See the Other Asias web site:
http://otherasias.webnode.com/current-1-5/
Or their Facebook page.

Playlist Tuesday 10th Feb 2009

Anna Chen took over the show and discussed Anna May Wong and the 5th year anniversary of the Morecambe Bay disaster with film expert Jasper Sharp and Liberal Democrat candidate for Hammersmith and Morecambe Bay disaster committee member Merlene Emerson.
I drove the desk and really enjoyed listening to the discussion. Anna has put some photos up on her blog:
madammiaow.blogspot.com
Merlene Emerson's site:
www.merlene.org.uk
Midnight Eye, Japanese film site co-created by Jasper Sharp:
www.midnighteye.com

There was not much music on the show:

• Some clips form the Anna May Wong film Daughter of the Dragon
  
• 47 Rockets for Wan Hu - White (see Kwanyin Records)
  
• The Delta Blues - John Sinclair with Charles Shaar Murray
  

Anna Chen on Lucky Cat Tuesday 10th Feb

I am pleased to announce that writer, broadcaster and performer Anna Chen will be taking over an episode of Lucky Cat this Tuesday 10th February. Anna will be joined by East Asian film expert and writer Jasper Sharp and Liberal Democrat Merlene Emerson who is a member of the Morecambe Bay disaster committee.
Anna and guests will discuss the life and career of Chinese American film star Anna May Wong. Then there will be information on the 5 year anniversary of the Morecambe Bay disaster and unauthorised worker's rights in the UK.
If you wish to donate to the Morecambe Bay Victim's Fund please visit this web site:
www.ghosts.uk.com

Red Curry Paste

You can use this paste for the Thai Roast Dinner recipe I did, as well as for Chiang Mai noodles, red curries and stir fries. Once you have made the paste you can keep it in the fridge for 3-4 weeks.
Ingredients:

• 6-12 red bird's eye chillies, chopped
  
• 3 cloves garlic, crushed
  
• 1 stem lemon grass, crushed and chopped
  
• 2-3 medium shallots, finely chopped
  
• 1 teaspoon fresh stem ginger, grated
  
• 2 teaspoons fresh coriander stems and roots, chopped
  
• large pinch cumin
  
• 2 teaspoons shrimp paste
  
• 2 tablespoons veg oil
  
• dash of fish sauce
  

Pound the chillies, garlic, onion, ginger and lemon grass in a pestle and mortar until mushy and juicy then add the rest of the ingredients except the oil. I like to then transfer to a little blender and whizz to a smoothish paste and then add the oil.

Playlist 3rd February 2009

• Good Luck - Tsui Ping & Friends (Chinese New Year Songs EP, EMI)
  
• Django Shoots First - Sir Lord Comic & Lee Perry(The Big Gun Down CD, Trojan)
  
• Return of Django - Upsetters(Tighten Up Vol. 2 LP, Trojan)
  Simon's Asia Beat Mix:
  
• Enjoy Yourself - The Stylers (Teen Dance Music from China & Malaysia, Companion Records)
  
• My Boy Lollipop - Sakura & The Quests (Puppet on A String)
  
• For a Few Dollars More - Man Chau Po Orchestra (The A-Go-Go From River Kwai CD)
  
• Rescue Me - The Reynettes (Kowloon Hong Kong CD)
  
• 4/4 For Guitar - He 6(Go Go Sound '71 Vol. 1 CD)
  
• Boom Boom - Sakura & The Quests (Sakura Goes Boom Boom)
  
• - 70s Thai Orchestra (previously credited as Siamese Temple Ball)
  Thanks Simon
  
• Always Together - Stephen Cheng (7" 45)
  
• Rain In London - Miyagi Michio (Masterpieces of Koto LP)
  

The Takashi Miike film Sukiyaki Western Django was released on DVD here in the UK on 2nd February.

Thai Style Roast Dinner

Can't decide between a curry and a roast dinner? Then why not have both...

You will need:

• 4 teaspoons of Thai red curry paste (make your own or buy a ready made pot)
  
• 2 pork steaks
  
• 2 sweet potatoes
  
• 1 onion
  
• 4 cloves garlic
  
• a little veg oil
  
• half a tin of coconut milk
  
• a few dashes of fish sauce
  

Serves 2
Pre-heat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius. Get a large roasting dish and rub a little of the oil onto the bottom. Peel and slice the sweet potatoes into rounds. Peel the onion and chop into 6 chunks. Peel the garlic cloves ans cut in halves. Place all of these in the dish and add a few dashes of oil and mix in, then add and mix 2 teaspoons of the red curry paste. Get the pork steaks and rub a teaspoon of the curry past on to each (coat both sides). Lie the steaks in the middle of the dish surrounded by the veg. Cook in the oven for about 20 mins then turn over the steaks and turn veg. Pour in around the steaks (not over) half a tin of coconut milk. Add a few dashes of fish sauce and return to the oven for 15 mins.
Chow down. Roast dinner cooked with a red curry gravy, yum.