a rustic analysis* 

Pete Teo Tsu Hoo is his name. Apparently, Tsu Hoo means "si fu", akin to someone very intellectual, a scholar and a master. And that rings true to Pete. He has masters in law and while he was pursuing his masters, he taught philosophy in a London university. For a graduate from Inogoto University, that's super terror for my standard. He's a terrorist! (Get the pun? Oh, never mind!)

'Rustic Living For Urbanites' is the title of the first album. Back in July 2003, a music informer friend told me 'Jesselton Tonight' was very good and that I should check it out. Having just returned from my virgin Kinabalu climb, I thought Jesselton was an appropriate song to remember KK by.

"Would you fall in love in Jesselton tonight?" Pete asked.
No, not exactly. Instead, I had fallen in love with Jesselton itself. And I plan to make yearly visits.

Back to Rustic. Boy, was I smitten. Totally. It now sits comfortably on my Top 5 best albums chart and it may continue to stay within that rank for a long time to come. That voice. The stories. Wow.

Pete referred to Rustic as music of a drowning man clutching at straws, due to its melancholic theme. But to turn around a forlorn episode of his life to this piece of gem, that's powerful use of negative energy. Awesome.

And if that's not enough, wait till you hear him sings live.

Big in talent. XL in personality. He's been tagged as one of the nicest people around. Reading his mails affirms that too. Genuine. Humble air surrounds him, despite being an active chimney.

There are lots of characters portrayed in Rustic, as well as other songs available via his website. And I would like to attempt to unveil them all.

Van (Jesselton Tonight)
That's basically Van Morrison himself, whose 'Astral Weeks' album reigns high as Pete's all-time favourite. And he also sang 'Brown Eyed Girl' - the contagious la di da song.

Annie & Frank (Alive 'N Free)
Annie was pretty, has dark eyes and suffers from split personality. Her alter ego is Frank. They both died in 1945, in the year of the night.

Susie (Rhapsody In Blue)
Susie was a woman whom Pete chats up in a bar one night, only to his dismay, uncovered she was a man after all. I like her. I think she's kinky. Wicked too. On evil black nights, she offers spices in cones or sticks. She likes to watch, repeatedly. And she knows her calcium; she likes a man with strong bones. Ironically, Pete is Mr. Bones himself. Hmmm.

Joe (Marianne Called)
He's the one who married the Marianne chick. The one who stole her heart at the bridge. The one whom Pete decided to jump into the water, to allow the new lovebirds some privacy. The drunkard one. The one who broke the news to Pete about Marianne's demise. The one whom Pete consoled with a mere "I'm sorry", despite his own pain on the loss.

Anne (Marianne Called)
She's the one who left Pete on one gloomy December.

Tom (Marianne Called)
Tom is Marianne & Joe's eldest child. There was another baby due in June; gender and name not specified.

Blue (Blue)
She is a friend of Pete's friend. One who was going through some rough patches - must be a beautiful quilt to inspire such a lovely tune.

Emily (The Red House)
Another man Pete chats up in a bar inspired this song. An ex-convict who lost everything while serving his term; wife, child and self-worth. Emily is the child he had lost. On some sunny days, the love-torn father steals a moment off her from far away, amidst the background of the corner red house, by the old fruit tree.

Paul / Paulie (The Red House)
The one who went down together with the ex-convict back in '85. The informer of the downtown swindle, but whose invitation the ex-convict refused. The one who never rehabilitates.

Tom (Tom)
This is a new song, which I assume is about the grown-up Tom.

Madame George (Last Good Man)
'Last Good Man' was written as a tribute to Van Morrison. The song which didn't fit into the Rustic ensemble, hence was taken out in the eleventh hour. What a waste - it's my favourite song by Pete. I particularly liked the line "Drinking Guinness in a Milo can". Clever. Anyway, in the song, Madame George was repeatedly said goodbye to. Madame George is not a person. In fact, the line "Say Goodbye to Madame George" was taken from Morrison's song 'Madame George', also from 'Astral Weeks'.

Lastly, the million-dollar question...

Who is Marianne of the trilogy fame?
As he continues to keep tight-lipped about her, my only conjecture is Marianne is Pete himself. In the dead of night, when he unmasks his cross-dressing persona...

Hee!

(For more of Pete, say "Verbose Master, appear now!" and click here)

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Pete's comment via email Tue, 10 Feb 2004 14:23:24 +0800:

Haha. U had me in stiches.
Some hits some misses.
All really great. I am honored my dear Anjali.
Mummy should be proud of you. :-)

February 01, 2004 // anjali* pranced on tip-toes all over the keyboard at 1:01 am
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