HanSangWon

한상원 : Han SangWon (1960 - )

Related : JeonInKwon LeeHyeonDo GigS

LINK : KPDB:2631

2 Funky Station(1997)

 

★★★★★ GaYo, Funk, Rock, Blues

==== DisTort, 1999 ====

HanSangWon is a representative popular artist who studied in other countryies with his musical companian JeongWonYeong. This second solo album is the fruit of his funky sound. He played Funk with Jeong WonYeong and it became the band Gigs. I think he does enjoy the playing. When I saw their concert(it was the first date with my first lover...^^) they giged the real gig. Of course his music is far different from GeorgeClinton or Prince, but I dare say he plays Funk. He sessioned in so many other artists album, and they participated in this album as guest musician. He is a professor of Seoul Jazz Academy and Seoul Arts Collage.

• [Play:HanSangWon2IlTal.mp3 IlTal; Deviation] with LeeHyeonDo of Deux
• [Play:HanSangWon2NeoEuiYokSim.mp3 NeoEui YokSim; Your Greed] with ShinHaeCheol of NExT
• [Play:HanSangWon2Kiss.mp3 Kiss] with LeeSoRa
• [Play:HanSangWon2Solitude.mp3 Solitude]

==== HongCho, 1998-01-09 ====

This is Mr. Han's second album. This is continuing his quest (?) for a funky fusion sound. He's been working hard doing sitting in for other people's sessions in between working on his own work. And in return (I guess), he has a handful of guest musicians on his album. These include LeeSoTa, LeeHyeonDo and other best session musicians in Korea. Also, Dee Horn Sections do a wonderful work on the brass section (did I mention that I really dig horns?).

I feel that it's gotten a lot better since his first album. Except for this occasional minor lyrical problem, all the songs have very groovy, funky sounds with solid instrumental performance. One thing is since this type of music has been created for so long, it will barely have an impact as a challenge for the gayo scene. Of course, his solid performance and western harmonic ideas will improve the overall quality of gayo, but it would be very hard-pressed to say that his music is "liberal." The same goes actually for KimGwangMin and JeongWonYeong.

3 #01(1998) as 'JeonInKwon & HanSangWon'

 

(DongA; DMR)

I think most of you know who these two people are, but I will introduce them nonetheless. Jeon, In Kwon is, I dare say, a legend in his own right in Korean rock. He used to be with a great early 80s group DeulGukHwa. Han, Sang Won is best known for his "funky" guitar playing (he is also known for spending ten years at Berklee :)). He is a very good guitar player. I wouldn't say he is a modern guitarist, but I believe he can just about play any style. His previous two albums weren't successful commercially, but I think he will be best remembered for his guitar playing, not for his original music.

Anyway, this album is brought by these two great musicians. Interesting thing is that this album had very little publicity exposure. Even the album jacket is very plain. I think they just knew only people like me will get it anyway. :)

I am not certain, but about half of the tracks are remakes, such as GeuGeotManI Nae SeSang and MiIn. And after listening to the CD for a while, I suddenly realized that Jeon, In Kwon actually sounds like Ozzy. Is it just me? It's a great CD. My only gripe is that the CD info sheet didn't credit the involved musicians. The marketing side of this project is really low budget. :)

Bottom line: Get it. --HongCho, 1998-10-27

4 D.O funk (1998) as 'LeeHyeonDo featuring HanSangWon'

 

(D.O Production; DMR)

You already know who LeeHyeonDo (formerly of Deux). And of course, HanSangWon, I've mentioned him several times already.

The CD has typical D.O melodic phrases all over the place. I guess, Hyun Do really cannot get out of his own formula... The performance and the recording is superb, but the contents just don't click with me. What else and more could he have done with this "funk"? I think marketing "funk" up front was not a good idea. "Funk" should just be a part of your work... (And why Lee, JuHan, oh, why? :)) Oh, by the way, Kang, HoJeong's synth brass arrangements were just fab. I saw his name several times before, and he seems to be doing a pretty consistent job.

I should say that his stuff is definitely listen-able and some tracks can actually transduce (huh?) foot-tapping and head-bopping. My gripe with his work is that he is too much caught up within his own formula... So, I am picky. Sue me. :)

Bottom line: If you like his stuff... --HongCho, 1999-01-31

5 Discography

As	Year	Album Title
HanSangWon	1993	Seoul, Soul, Soul
HanSangWon	1997	Funky Station
JeonInKwon & HanSangWon	1998	#1
LeeHyeonDo	1999	D.O. Funk
Gigs	1999	NoOlJa!
		Let's Play!
Gigs	2000	DongNeEumAkDae
		Town Band

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