Commemorating the 30th death anniversary of late singer-songwriter Jang Deok, modern artists reimagine some of her greatest hits - now with Motte releasing covers of her tracks "Close to You" and "A Girl and Streetlamp."
Motte, the Ruby Records singer-songwriter who recently released "Airplane Mode," continues with the Jang Deok Project Tribute Vol 2. Her cover versions follow labelmates' Rainbow Note, who kicked off the project with a cover of the late Korean artist's "After You've Gone." The Jang Deok Tribute Project aims to bring the music created by the pioneering singer-songwriters who wrote some of the biggest hits of the 70s and 80s before tragically passing away on February 4, 1990 at the young age of 28 - 30 years ago.
Jang Deok's "A Girl and Streetlamp" and "Close to You"
While the song might be unfamiliar to the younger generation, people who grew up in the 1970s in South Korea must have heard the song "A Girl and Streetlamp," a hit arguable larger than her later release "After You've Gone." The song was performed by Jin Mi-Ryeong at a K-Pop festival, marking her debut as a singer. Jang Deok, then a student at Anyang Arts High School in 1977, was encouraged by singer-songwriter Song Chang-Sik to submit the song she wrote to the upcoming singer Jin Mi-Ryeong.
While the song was not among the award-winning songs at the time, it left an impression on the audience and eventually became an iconic song for both Jin Mi-Ryeong and Jang Deok.
On the other hand, "Close to You," is not as large as a hit as the other two Jang Deok songs included in the tribute project. Included in her 1988 release, "Golden Album Vol. 2," the ballad track is a hidden gem known only to the artist's followers. While it never entered charts or receive promotional attention as a single, it has developed its own identity as an underrated piece of music.
Motte on Bringing Old Songs to the New Generation
Comparing to Jang Deok's time, music journalist Kim Sung-Hwan notes that female artists today are more active - Motte being among them. The Ruby Records singer-songwriter has become popular among music fans for her versatility - incorporating different flavors from different parts of the world in her music - resulting in a unique sound that breaks genre barriers of pop, rock, R&B, and more. Additionally, her lyrics have been recognized for being relatable to the younger generation in reflecting their thoughts and worries. Some of her songs have been used in different television dramas such as the 2018 web drama "A-Teen."
In the Jang Deok Project Tribute Vol. 2, Motte incorporates her own musical sense to the Jang Deok tracks. "Close To You," originally a ballad track, has received additional folk-rock/ modern rock elements. Meanwhile, "A Girl and Streetlamp" receives notably more accompaniment, adding modern rhythms while keeping the sentiments of the original song alive.
Kim Sung-Hwan lauds Motte's efforts to match the melancholy and sincerity reflected in Jang Deok's original songs into those that can connect with modern-day listeners.
Stream "Close to You" and "A Girl and Streetlamp" below:
