Grey (Sandy Lam album)
Encyclopedia
"Grey" is the fourth studio album
by Sandy Lam
, released under CBS Records
in 1987. To continue the success of her last album in February of the same year, Sandy and her producers focused on the successful elements of her last album and applied onto this album, which introduced Eurodance
into Hong Kong. Through this album, Sandy has proved herself not as a one-hit-album wonder, but a determined singer who can always create breakthrough in her albums and performance. "Grey" was released very strategically by CBS Records
. They were named Grey Project Phase 1, 2, and 3 respectively. Phase One showed Sandy looking directly at the audience, and the clothing and background was cream-white. Phase One was released in vinyl
, cassette tape and CD. Phase Two showed Sandy looking at the audience at the corner of her eye, in which the background and clothing were mainly dark blue and black. Phase Two was released only in vinyl
and cassette tapes. In Phase Three, Sandy showed no demand from the audience. She was in stark black and white. Like Phase Two, Phase Three was only released in vinyl
and cassette tapes. Phase Three was a 12 inch remix of "Grey" and "Family Man".
2. "Morning" ("早晨...")
3. Family Man (住家男人)
4. Accidental Experiment (無情實驗)
5. Unreal Show,Real Love (戲假情真)
6. Grey Make-up(灰色化粧)
7. Jukebox (點唱機)
8. Eagle and Stars (鷹與星)
9. You Can Only Live Once (祇可活一次)
10. Some Ending (某一個終點)
Grey (Double Mix)--Released under "Grey Project Phase Three, The 12" Remix" 1987
Family Man (Special Rock Edition)--Released under "Grey Project Phase Three, The 12" Remix" 1987
Family Man (Hi-lite Mix)--Released under "Brand New Sandy" CBS record 1988
Grey Make-up (Extended Version)--Released under "Brand New Sandy" CBS record 1988
In this album, Sandy led out an even longer curly set of hair. This was her trademark along with her dance moves of "Grey", which was once again, choreographed by Clarence Hui. The mood of "Grey" is darker and rougher than her previous albums, hence why the album name, track 1, and track 6 gave reference. To aid with the concept, the photos in the album were all black and white depicting Sandy and bandmates practising at the rehearsal. Fans regard this album as to "less breakthrough, more commercial success" as compared to her last album.
"Grey" was the first peak of Sandy's career, which it went triple platinum(150,000 copies) and ended up as one of the best selling albums at the end of the year and in her entire career. "Grey" and "Morning..." also topped the RTHK charts at #1 and successfully earned Sandy two Jade Solid Gold
season award. At the end of the year, she had a total of 3 nominations(one of which was "Passion" from her last album) from the Jade Solid Gold
season awards. "Grey", the classic dance track, won Sandy one award in both the Jade Solid Gold
and RTHK year end awards presentation. Other singles such as "Family Man" and "Grey Make-up" received mediocre airplay. "Grey" was so successful and commercial mainly because of the first single, which is obviously the title track, is a rare Eurodance
in 1987 and has the classic catchy phrase-Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha... "Grey" was clearly intended to appeal to wider audiences through different musical genres and a concept in context with the audience.
is a Japanese records company, Producer Fung would still require Sandy to cover some Japanese song for commercial reasons despite the success of her last album. Of course, like last album, Clarence and Sandy took the risk to cover English songs, such as Heartache by Pepsi & Shirlie
for "Grey". In "Grey", Sandy explored different styles of music, such as Eurodance
("Grey"), Jazz
("Morning...") and Rock
("Family Man", "Accidental Experiment"). This album had considerably more remixes than her previous albums, which eventually built Sandy as the Dancing Queen at one stage in Hong Kong. "Grey" was the album that brought in two of Sandy's two major composers of her latter albums. They were Andrew Tuason, who was most remembered for composing title track "Grey" on this album, and Anthony Lun
, who was most remembered for writing and composing "Grey Make-up". Anthony Lun
became a producer for Sandy's albums later.
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by Sandy Lam
Sandy Lam
Sandy Lam, also known as Lam Yik Lin, is a Cantopop singer who sings in Cantonese, Mandarin, English, and Japanese.-Career:...
, released under CBS Records
CBS Records
CBS Records is a record label founded by CBS Corporation in 2006 to take advantage of music from its entertainment properties owned by CBS Television Studios. The initial label roster consisted of only three artists; rock band Señor Happy and singer/songwriters Will Dailey and P.J...
in 1987. To continue the success of her last album in February of the same year, Sandy and her producers focused on the successful elements of her last album and applied onto this album, which introduced Eurodance
Eurodance
Eurodance is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in the late 1980s or early 1990s primarily in Europe. It combines many elements from House, Techno, Hi-NRG and especially Italo-Disco...
into Hong Kong. Through this album, Sandy has proved herself not as a one-hit-album wonder, but a determined singer who can always create breakthrough in her albums and performance. "Grey" was released very strategically by CBS Records
CBS Records
CBS Records is a record label founded by CBS Corporation in 2006 to take advantage of music from its entertainment properties owned by CBS Television Studios. The initial label roster consisted of only three artists; rock band Señor Happy and singer/songwriters Will Dailey and P.J...
. They were named Grey Project Phase 1, 2, and 3 respectively. Phase One showed Sandy looking directly at the audience, and the clothing and background was cream-white. Phase One was released in vinyl
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
, cassette tape and CD. Phase Two showed Sandy looking at the audience at the corner of her eye, in which the background and clothing were mainly dark blue and black. Phase Two was released only in vinyl
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
and cassette tapes. In Phase Three, Sandy showed no demand from the audience. She was in stark black and white. Like Phase Two, Phase Three was only released in vinyl
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
and cassette tapes. Phase Three was a 12 inch remix of "Grey" and "Family Man".
Track listing
1. Grey (灰色)2. "Morning" ("早晨...")
3. Family Man (住家男人)
4. Accidental Experiment (無情實驗)
5. Unreal Show,Real Love (戲假情真)
6. Grey Make-up(灰色化粧)
7. Jukebox (點唱機)
8. Eagle and Stars (鷹與星)
9. You Can Only Live Once (祇可活一次)
10. Some Ending (某一個終點)
Alternate versions
Grey (Grey Mix)--Released under "Grey Project Phase Three, The 12" Remix" 1987Grey (Double Mix)--Released under "Grey Project Phase Three, The 12" Remix" 1987
Family Man (Special Rock Edition)--Released under "Grey Project Phase Three, The 12" Remix" 1987
Family Man (Hi-lite Mix)--Released under "Brand New Sandy" CBS record 1988
Grey Make-up (Extended Version)--Released under "Brand New Sandy" CBS record 1988
Conceptual Aspect
When the producers revised the successful formula of the last album, they realised it was Sandy's image and "semi-adult contemporary music" that caught the fans. Therefore, the thoughts, life and ideas of a single lady or Sandy herself is expanded even more in this album. Like her last album, she clearly paid more effort into something she was comfortable to work with.In this album, Sandy led out an even longer curly set of hair. This was her trademark along with her dance moves of "Grey", which was once again, choreographed by Clarence Hui. The mood of "Grey" is darker and rougher than her previous albums, hence why the album name, track 1, and track 6 gave reference. To aid with the concept, the photos in the album were all black and white depicting Sandy and bandmates practising at the rehearsal. Fans regard this album as to "less breakthrough, more commercial success" as compared to her last album.
Commercial Aspect
As a fast strategic follow-up of Sandy's success only a mere five months ago, "Grey" fared extremely well on the charts. "Grey" became very popular and earned Sandy several awards at the end of the year. "Grey" was a very mainstream album compared to many of her latter albums, which diverged even further into eclectic genres like dancehall and electronica."Grey" was the first peak of Sandy's career, which it went triple platinum(150,000 copies) and ended up as one of the best selling albums at the end of the year and in her entire career. "Grey" and "Morning..." also topped the RTHK charts at #1 and successfully earned Sandy two Jade Solid Gold
Jade Solid Gold
Jade Solid Gold is a music show on the TVB Jade television channel. It has been running since October 10, 1981.-TVB HD Jade:**Thursday at 6:00am to 6:30am**Thursday at 6:00pm to 6:30pm...
season award. At the end of the year, she had a total of 3 nominations(one of which was "Passion" from her last album) from the Jade Solid Gold
Jade Solid Gold
Jade Solid Gold is a music show on the TVB Jade television channel. It has been running since October 10, 1981.-TVB HD Jade:**Thursday at 6:00am to 6:30am**Thursday at 6:00pm to 6:30pm...
season awards. "Grey", the classic dance track, won Sandy one award in both the Jade Solid Gold
Jade Solid Gold
Jade Solid Gold is a music show on the TVB Jade television channel. It has been running since October 10, 1981.-TVB HD Jade:**Thursday at 6:00am to 6:30am**Thursday at 6:00pm to 6:30pm...
and RTHK year end awards presentation. Other singles such as "Family Man" and "Grey Make-up" received mediocre airplay. "Grey" was so successful and commercial mainly because of the first single, which is obviously the title track, is a rare Eurodance
Eurodance
Eurodance is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in the late 1980s or early 1990s primarily in Europe. It combines many elements from House, Techno, Hi-NRG and especially Italo-Disco...
in 1987 and has the classic catchy phrase-Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha... "Grey" was clearly intended to appeal to wider audiences through different musical genres and a concept in context with the audience.
Musical Aspect
Since CBS RecordsCBS Records
CBS Records is a record label founded by CBS Corporation in 2006 to take advantage of music from its entertainment properties owned by CBS Television Studios. The initial label roster consisted of only three artists; rock band Señor Happy and singer/songwriters Will Dailey and P.J...
is a Japanese records company, Producer Fung would still require Sandy to cover some Japanese song for commercial reasons despite the success of her last album. Of course, like last album, Clarence and Sandy took the risk to cover English songs, such as Heartache by Pepsi & Shirlie
Pepsi & Shirlie
Pepsi & Shirlie were a British pop duo who released two albums, All Right Now in 1987 and Change in 1991.-Career:The act comprised Helen "Pepsi" DeMacque and Shirlie Holliman , who had been Wham! backing vocalists. Holliman's original singing partner, Dee C...
for "Grey". In "Grey", Sandy explored different styles of music, such as Eurodance
Eurodance
Eurodance is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in the late 1980s or early 1990s primarily in Europe. It combines many elements from House, Techno, Hi-NRG and especially Italo-Disco...
("Grey"), Jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
("Morning...") and Rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
("Family Man", "Accidental Experiment"). This album had considerably more remixes than her previous albums, which eventually built Sandy as the Dancing Queen at one stage in Hong Kong. "Grey" was the album that brought in two of Sandy's two major composers of her latter albums. They were Andrew Tuason, who was most remembered for composing title track "Grey" on this album, and Anthony Lun
Anthony Lun
Anthony Lun is a Hong Kong songwriter, arranger, musical director and singer who sings in Cantonese, Mandarin, Japanese and English.Anthony Lun is a graduate of La Salle College, Hong Kong, Santa Clara University and University of Michigan .Upon returning to Hong Kong in 1986, Anthony released an...
, who was most remembered for writing and composing "Grey Make-up". Anthony Lun
Anthony Lun
Anthony Lun is a Hong Kong songwriter, arranger, musical director and singer who sings in Cantonese, Mandarin, Japanese and English.Anthony Lun is a graduate of La Salle College, Hong Kong, Santa Clara University and University of Michigan .Upon returning to Hong Kong in 1986, Anthony released an...
became a producer for Sandy's albums later.