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A 3 years wait since his previous concert "Incomparable to Jay World Tours" and a change in company (From Alfa to JVR), the standards of this audio compilations have however, not met expectations. This review is on his audio CD segment, which is crucially different from his visual performance which can be seen on his DVD of the concert, to be reviewed separately.
Major Flaws:
1. Audio recording/Signal receiving.
The unexpected quiet crowd in the earlier segment of the Taiwan's concert was not helpful, especially when Jay pauses at moments during his songs, passing the mic to the audience. The audio signals received from te audience stands were weak. Often than not, you can hear only the song's music playing in background, with no voice at all once Jay pauses, not even the voices of his choral band. It's especially disturbing when the song just pauses with no vocals recorded, a rather annoying song hence resulted. Such annoyance was prevalent in more than 1 song. The clarity of voice recorded pales much in comparison as to his previous World Tours' compilations.
2. The choice of songs.
Let's take a look. 黄金甲，无双，本草纲目，霍元甲，菊花台，千里之外，发如雪，双截棍，周大侠。9 中国风songs in a compilations of only 22 tracks, this is seriously too heavily Chinese flavoured. While I have no strong biasness against 中国风, I believe that if correct 中国风 tracks are chosen, they are perfectly fine. But 黄金甲， 无双，本草纲目are seriously not well received and obvious that the crowd is not familiar with them. Choosing the earlier two of which as opening tracks are serious flaws as they fail to hype up the atmosphere opening tracks should. 霍元甲although another heavily chinese flavoured song, has catchy chorus at the 霍霍霍霍霍霍霍霍part, this would do good in spicing the atmosphere, just as 哼哼哈嘻in 双截棍does.
菊花台and 发如雪were well received. However, the tiredness in Jay's voice was apparent in his handling of such technically challenging songs, although no major flaws spotted in these 2 songs, one would expect a better than tip-top performance from the Star of the Current Era. Luckily, the ending of 菊花台with a long ending note to suggest that he is an able singer after all, exciting the crowd with the longer than expected breath sustained in that note. The star of 千里之外was Fei Yu-Qing than Jay, as apparent from the waves of cheers whenever Fei opens his mouth. It did not do well either when Jay wrongly placed his emphasis heavily on his nasal range while attempting to maximise clarity.
A total of 21 + 1 bonus track (周大侠) is seriously incapable of satisfying his listeners. Especially when popular tracks such as 星晴，安静，最后的战役，搁浅，枫，心雨，彩虹were glaringly missing from the selection, many of which did not even make the list to be performed across concerts.
The Pluses.
1. Verbal Interaction
It's highly apparent that Jay is very comfortable with verbal communications now. Compared to the past concerts, when you would be glad that he mumbles a line or two, you can actually hear him joking, teasing the crowd and interacting with them in almost all songs except for fast tracks and the ever romantic-sounding piano ballads.
2. 听妈妈的话， 甜甜的，麦芽糖 & 阳光宅男
阳光宅男is seriously, the best track in the double CD compilations, in my humble opinion. The fast tempo of the song, chosen as the ending song (before encores) was an excellent choice you would hate for appearing too late. The atmosphere of the concert crowd was taken to the highest peak with this catchy and jumpy song. You would be tempted to hop on the spot from listening to this track. And the very apparent ease Jay is able to communicate and engage the crowd in the interval of the song makes this song ever so easy on the ears, especially when he gave an assesement of his own performance and evaluated his concert.
麦芽糖is really a very cute song, with the essence of a children's song in making, if not for its tongue twisting fast lyrics and challenging notes. In the long interval of 麦芽糖, attentive audience would have realise the music was similar to a familiar children's song in his original audio CD released couple of years back. But for the non-realising crowd, Jay informed you the link by singing "娃娃国，娃娃兵，金发蓝眼睛。娃娃国王胡子长，骑马去当兵。娃娃国，娃娃兵，金发蓝眼睛。娃娃国王胡子长，骑马出王宫。" He sounded so CUTE!!!
甜甜的was not bad in exciting the crowd, but I heard a better rendition when he performed in his World Tours stop in Singapore during January, this track alone, would be rated well, but a fail if you compared to the Singapore's version. 听妈妈的话had a pleasant surprise installed. Jacky Cheung, who was roped to sing via video, the chorus of the song which saw the lyrics mentioning him. An interesting playfulness seeming fitting of Jay.
3. Piano Prince
Would you doubt when I say that he has the most chance of acquiring a Best Male Singer when you listen to him with a piano? Piano Ballads are his World Tours Trademark, and also his forte. The ability of him to engage you into the world of the song is ever so strong and soul-sucking. Why girls go ga-ga over him? Listen to his piano ballads, it's as though he laid his heart opened, letting you screen it and fall into it. His voice seems to reflect his heart and soul, prompting you to fall in love with him. There is no doubt that he is the Piano Prince.
4. Lyrics book.
Severely disappointed by his selection (or rather, non-selection) of songs, poor audio reception, tired voice portrayed, the design of the lyrics book was seriously the first of the compiled package which got my head nodding. The front was a total black folded cover with cut out words of JAY against the green back inside. Giving a non-flat design contrasted with catchy green and distant black. A wise selection of design here. His image in concert was not well done especially with that CMI hairdo, more on the vivisuals will be discussed in the visuals packed DVD review of Jay 2007 The World Tours Live Performance.
+++周大侠 was a bonus track which should appeal highly to the movie-goers who have watched The Kingfu Dunk. You might recall the flashy fighting scene which really goes well with this simple song. Just go tofu~
Unless you are a fan, you are better off purchasing the original albums or his DVD, this CD by itself, is not recommended.
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