Singapore 60s: Andy's Pop Music Influence

Decibels: 1965-1970 A Band In The Making Part 2

2012-02-06T21:47:00.024+08:00

Part II:

Decibels drummer Jimmy Chng shares his experience as a band boy in this final episode:

Our very first gig was at someone's birthday party held in an HDB flat in Jalan Bahagia and we were paid $30. Through friends' recommendation and word of mouth, we did get quite a lot of gigs, especially on weekends. These were usually birthday parties, Dinner & Dance parties, festive occasions, Tea-Dances, etc.

We even had an opportunity to play at the Lido cinema, providing background music to models strutting on stage in Maidenform lingerie. This was in conjunction with the screening of the movie, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum (image 2).

As the local music scene matured, the demand for bands with singers ensued. We first had a friend who would sing mostly Johnny Lion's hits. He sang with our band for less than a year. Then Evelyn Tan (image 1) sang with Decibels for a brief period too. She later joined The Siglap Five and made some records under Evey Lyn with The Siglap Five.

Our very first taste of competition was at the Battle Of Guitars (organised by ACE Enterprises) which was held at the National Theatre. We performed well enough to get into the finals but did not win. Our second and last competition which was organised by Rediffusion, was held at the Odeon Cinema. Again, we entered the final but did not win.

We got a 2 month contract to play at Toby's Paradise Bar in Anson Road. We were recommended by The Vigilantes as their contract there had ended and they got a better paying contract at West Point Niteclub in Pasir Panjang. Incidentally, most of the original Vigilantes band members were my classmates in Queenstown Secondary Technical School.

The original Decibels lasted till around 1969 or 1970. We disbanded partly due to waning interest and partly due to fewer engagements coming our way. Charles, our bassist subsequently joined The Tones whilst Steven and Patrick concentrated on their job careers.

My memories of the later stages are not too clear. After some months, I continued the Decibels band with some members from D'Quivers. We had a one month contract at Toby's Paradise Bar this time.

After the contract, the lead guitarist left. We looked for a replacement and managed to find a lead guitarist by the name of Bernard Chua. He had a friend named Samad, who had a very good and powerful voice and we invited him to join us too. He could belt out Tom Jones numbers with ease. I can't remember how long this chapter of Decibels lasted but when we finally disbanded, Bernard went on the join The Hi-jacks.

Image 2: Google Images.

Jimmy Boyle: Anak Pulau Pinang Music Composer

2012-02-01T20:43:00.020+08:00

(I used to listen to Jimmy Boyle and his music on our local radio station during the earlier years of my life. Two edited articles taken from the internet form the basis of this posting. Connections to the original sites are provided below.)

He was a big name in the Malaysian entertainment industry. A jazz musician and composer of many well-known tunes, his most recognisable effort called Putera Puteri is still performed by local artistes today.

The composer was the late James W. Boyle, a Penangite of Eurasian descent. Jimmy Boyle, as he was more popularly known, was born in Penang in 1922 and educated at the St Xaviers Institution. Later, after graduating from Raffles College in Singapore, he returned to his alma mater as a teacher where he taught English among other subjects.

"As a composer, his music was not unknown outside Malaya or Malaysia. He was accepted as a Malaysian Composer and Arranger for the Classical Saxaphone Quartet of N.W. University USA and Kansas City University Brass Ensemble.

The BBC and the Voice Of American had both broadcast his music. Jazz critics (like Jerry Michigan) knew of him. International jazz musicians like Charles Lloyd and influential jazz trombonist Jack Teagarden rated him highly."

Boyle composed, arranged, played and recorded his music for radio and television. The English Service of Radio Malaysia used to have short, regular programmes featuring the Jimmy Boyle Trio. He had a composition, Kemegahan Negara Ku, which was played at midnight on the birth of Malaysia in 1963. The first Malayan flag was raised to one of Boyle’s tunes.

Among his other notable compositions were: Putera Puteri, Ingat Ingat, Jauh Jauh, Rayuan Mesra, or Melody Of Love, Api Dan Air, Bunga Negara, Ke-Hulu Ke-Hilir, Pantun Melayu, Gemaran Bulan, Bertugas, and Sungai Pahang.

"Jimmy Boyle had hoped to perpetuate the soul and spirit of his country and its people. He has made a huge contribution to the music scene of Malaysia. Nothing seems more fitting than to give a tribute to one of Penang's musical gems." He passed away in May 1971.

Information: Colloquiums: http://www.penangstory.net.my/mino-content-paperrozells.html

Information: Anything Goes, Sunday, 5 April 2009. The (almost) forgotten Jimmy Boyle. By: Quah, Seng-Sun Bukit Mertajam, Penang, Malaysia.
http://ssquah.blogspot.com.au/2009/04/almost-forgotten-jimmy-boyle.html
http://www.facebook.com/ssquah

Information: Little Penang Street Market. Every Sunday Of The Month. Press & Reviews Press Conference - Monday, 3 July 2006. A tribute to Jimmy Boyle. http://www.rozells.com.my/

DECIBELS 65: A Band In The Making Part One

2012-01-26T20:07:00.019+08:00

A sincere and humble member of pop group Decibels writes from his heart. Thanks very much Jimmy Chng for taking us into your world.

"For each renowned local pop band of the 60's, there must have been at least a dozen or more lesser known ones. Allow me to introduce myself and let you in on one of the lesser known pop bands of that era.

My name is Jimmy and the band I was in was called Decibels. Our 4-member group comprised Steven Lo (lead), Patrick Lian (rhythm), Charles Yip (bassist) and myself on drums. I must mention that my former school and Singapore Polytechnic classmate Douglas Cheng was the catalyst for the formation of a ad-hoc pop band which eventually led to the birth of Decibels.

The organisers for Singapore Polytechnic's 1965 Orientation Night were looking for a band for the occasion but were unable to find one. Now, Douglas could play rhythm guitar whilst another Poly classmate Steven Lo, could play lead. Douglas managed to get a drummer and a bassist friend to help out.

Together with some borrowed guitar amplifiers and only one or two practice sessions, this ad-hoc band was ready for the Orientation Nite gig! Thankfully, there was a last minute guest band - I can't remember the name - that the organisers managed to hire that "saved" the nite. Reason was that the ad-hoc band's repertoire was pretty limited.

All this while, my involvement was like that of a stage-crew - viz. helping out in setting up the guitar amplifiers, microphones, power extensions, etc. This one-off event sparked my interest in forming/joining a pop band. I had never learnt how to play the guitar nor the drums though.

Steven had a friend Patrick, who could play the guitar and I had a neighbour, Charles, who also could play the guitar. My late dad was an electronics engineer and he knew how to build amplifiers. Here we have 3 guys who could play the guitar so if I wanted to be part of the action, then I had to learn to play the drums!

I promptly bought a pair of drumsticks from Swee Lee or was it TMA? With some guidance from Patrick who had some rudimentary drumming skills, I started practising like hell... on table tops or whatever surfaces deemed practical.

Soon enough, my dad bought a set of second-hand drum set and that was the beginning of the band. The band's name Decibels was suggested by my dad. It is an electronic term used in measuring the loudness of sound. It seemed apt for a band's name and sounded nice too. Hence we adopted that name and in mid 1965, Decibels was born."

Image/Original article: Jimmy Chng Copyrights Reserved.

Singapore in 1964, Dragon Season Of Superlatives

2012-01-21T18:16:00.046+08:00

Dragon Year 1964 was not a year to forget. During the Chinese New Year season from around 13th February, the cinemas in Singapore were showing two Elvis Presley movies simultaneously, Love In Las Vegas, with Ann Margret at the Lido at Orchard Road and Fun In Acapulco (image 3) with Ursula Andress (undress too, they say) at the Cathay. Elvis hits were heard everywhere.

Just wondering how Singapore pop fans felt because this was the same year and month when the The Beatles invasion of the US (image 5) started as they left London on February 8th for North America with their amore-y (armoury) of mop-top music. It looked like a new dragon month of superlatives.

But that month, floods were in their superlatives too. So if Singaporeans had dared to brave the rain, attractions at the cinemas in town illuminated big names like Yul Brynner and George Chakiris acting as Kings Of The Sun at the Capitol. Doris Day and James Garner were in Move Over Darling at the Odeon (read previous posting). And comedians Bob Hope and Jack Lemmon appeared in the midnight hour with A Globall Affair and Under The Yum Yum Tree.

In the smaller theatres, a Chinese movie called, The Story of Three Loves (image 4) starring Grace Chang, Lin Tsui and Chao Lei were showing at the Alhambra, Majestic and Odeon-Katong cinemas respectively. The three actors were top-notch then and the movie was a special CNY attraction.

With a similar theme, P. Ramlee as actor, director and producer was making it big in another of his movies. Madu Tiga or Mistresses Three (image 1) was showing to full houses at the Rex Cinema. It was a once-in-a-lifetime double festival as Singaporeans and Malaysians were also enjoying Hari Raya Puasa which started the next day for Muslims. So the term Kungsi Raya (coined from Kungsi Fa Cai and Hari Raya) came to be and according to the calendars, happened only once in 30 years.

For those who had preferred to stay at home and watched TV with the family during cosy rainy nights, The Kung Hee, Kung Hee Show was on and top artistes that year featured, Sugiman Jahuri, T.F. Tan, Malay comedienne Momo Latiff (of Malay film fame) and a skiffle group called Spitfire.

There was another variety show the next morning on 14th February called, Let's Get Together with The Suara Singapura Singers, The Singing Khoos, Alban deSouza, Malay comedian Alias Congo aka Abang Apek, female impersonator Percy Leicester (like Kumar without the jokes) and Terrence de Souza with his Band. The highlight of the show were The Gaylads (image 2) from the Flamingos Combo, the top most wanted band at Singapore's night-spots those years.

These were early years for Singapore pop when The Crescendos hit the headlines with Mr. Twister, The Sundowners with Malaysia Wonderful and The Quests (image 6) with their big hit Shanty. Andy and The Silver Strings got together and were playing the circuit with band engagements at nitespots, while in Hong Kong, The Fabulous Echoes became the pop Pinoy group with A Little Bit Of Soap and Dancing On The Moon.

Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, Elvis, Beatles, Bob Hope, Quests, Crescendos and Flamingos. It was truly a year of superlatives.

End of Dragon tale. Back to reality. And a happy 2012 everyone!

Images: Google.

13th February 1964 Chinese New Year Attraction

2012-01-21T08:50:00.019+08:00

Another Chinese New Year Posting:

On 13th February in Dragon Year 1964, the Odeon Cinema at North Bridge Road was showing a Doris Day movie Move Over Darling co-starring James Garner (image 1). And there was No Free List, which meant that all complimentary passes had been suspended. It was CNY season and cinemas were packed (read Part II soon).

By sheer co-incidence Larry Lai sent me a note yesterday about DD's latest recording done last year. So after all this time, here she is again. One of US' pops top artistes, Doris Mary Anne Kappelholff is back. But she never left the scene did she?

I remember those years when I would take a bus to the Capitol Cinema at North Bridge Road just to catch one of her many movies, from romantic comedies and screen musicals like, Tea For Two, Calamity Jane, Love Me Or Leave Me, Pajama Game, Tunnel Of Love or Pillow Talk to thrillers, The Man Who Knew Too Much and Julie. She actually made 40 movies!

And her songs... She is still singing today and for 55 years. All the way since 1947. From her signature song Que Sera Sera, her academy award winner Secret Love and my favourite Teacher's Pet (image 2) and #hundreds of others that it's too long to list. So we remember her today for a new song just released.

Here's what good friend LL said about DD:
"Doris Day, easily one of my favourite singers from the 60's, is 87. Last September she recorded an album titled My Heart (image 3) and it hit the U.K. charts at No. 9. The world's oldest pop star to hit the U.K. Top Ten!"

Yes, trust him. He presented most of the world hits during his Rediffusion days. Thank you Larry. BTW, he's a dragon too. Ah, no wonder. Song on right bar>
Images from Google: 1 Yesteryear. 2 Today.

#Doris Day Songs: http://www.whosdatedwho.com/tpx_12344/doris-day/songs

Henry Fu Su Yin: Song Sold 100,000 Copies In '65

2012-01-15T14:50:00.019+08:00

A CNY ang pow ( 红封包). Chinese Mandarin Pop Oldies (國語流行歌曲):

Singaporean singer, songwriter and lyricist Su Yin (舒雲) had a deep, powerful, bass baritone voice suitable for the Mandarin songs that he belted out. Whether it was an Eric Burdon, Engelbert Humperdinck, a Bobby Helms, Mick Jagger, Ray Peterson or even a Blue Diamonds hit Su Yin could make each song his own. And in Chinese.

His singing style went down well with local Chinese fans. Also known as Henry Fu, he became one of the most popular pioneers promoting Mandarin songs during the 60s and was instrumental in establishing Chinese artistes like Rita Chao, Sakura Teng and others from the EMI Mandarin pop stable.

Su Yin, as was the culture in the 60s, covered western pops widely and released several albums with another home grown guitar group, The Quests. Some of his tracks included: Ramona, Greenfields, Green Green Grass Of Home, Love At First Sight, Yesterday, Lady Jane, Fraulein, You Don't Have To Say You Love Me, House Of The Rising Sun, Portrait Of My Love, First Bend Of The River, Summer Wine, Tell Laura I Love Her among others. Apparently, these translated versions by Su Yin, proved popular enough for Mandarin listeners to buy them in quantity profitable for the industry.

He was a manager with a record company and would usually sing covers with lyrics written by a well-known Chinese composer Li Tian (黎天). One song, which attracted much attention is Mona Lei (蕾夢娜), a Mandarin version of the Gilbert/Wayne 1940 evergreen Ramona which appeared on his Long Play album called, A Green Pasture At Dusk (黃昏放牛＊一片青青的草地), released in 1967. Another, Tell Laura I Love Her came with Grand Prix sound effects that haunted me for days!

Because of his following, he had appeared in many pop shows at the National Theatre, Victoria Memorial Hall and other venues all over Singapore. Since he could sing Mandarin favourites too, his regular appearance on the Chinese television channel, radio and Rediffusion proved as successful and Su Yin who often sang on stage with his own guitar, became synonymous with 60s music.

But the one song that launched Henry Fu Su Yin's career in 1965 was Yodelling Cowboy (黃昏放牛) which sold a staggering *100,000 copies in Asia. That was big, anytime!

A Happy Dragon Year To All. My year!

*Information from local TV series: Rollin' Good Times screen crawler uploaded by: shcg1shcg.

Images: Andy Lim Collection.

Sundowners: Twisting 'Bengawan Solo' In English

2012-01-09T19:58:00.021+08:00

Reflections from 1963:

It was a lucky break for two brothers and a cousin when a popular Indonesian folk song Bengawan Solo (a 1940 Gesang Martohartono composition), was released with original English lyrics on world label Warner Brothers by the three lads. Covered by so many artistes that it's hard to list, this evergreen Asian favourite was given a new twist.

The flip side of the single was Cotton Fields, a 1940 composition by Huddie Ledbetter. It had been covered earlier by Harry Belafonte and singers like The Seekers, The Highwaymen, New Christie Minstrels, The Beach Boys, Elvis Presley, CCR, Elton John, Johnny Cash and even in French by Petula Clark.

Tony Seow (image 1, left) and brother Lawrence (right) at 18 and 16 with cousin and group guitarist George Lim at 17 (centre), singing schoolboys from St. Andrew's, pressed the 7 inch single with their parents' blessing.

The single (image 3) was released officially for sale in July 1963 for both Singapore and the international market. When the trio, who called themselves The Sundowners, first heard their own recording at their home in Serangoon Road, they beamed with joy and excitement and felt they owed their success to a supportive family and encouraging friends.

Don't forget that it was the early sixties and, according to the news report, was the second singing group in Singapore to cut a record for world-wide distribution. You must surely know who the first local group was?

The English lyrics for Bengawan Solo was composed by the brothers' father Thomas Seow and the arrangements for both the songs were their own. They had an All Stars Quintet to accompany them. They explained that the public would not pay for a carbon copy of a popular song when they could buy the original, so after working with the songs for about three months the father decided on the keroncong backing with a twist tempo to keep the music current.

During a newspaper interview after the release, The Sundowners had ideas of including a girl since they were hoping of expanding into Malaya and making it big. But, according to the group, if the plan did not work out they had to think of other ideas.

The Sundowners had also released a second single in 1964, Malaysia Wonderful and That's The One For Me accompanied by The Tornados (image 2) comprising, Derek McCully, Freddie Koh, Stanley Lee, Lennie Lee.

You may think it strange today that three Singapore boys would want to praise Malaysia in song? But the situation was different because our island was still with the federated Malay states in 1963 when the vinyls were recorded. Singapore's short-lived merger with Malaysia ended when it left the federation in 1965.

Just wondering how these recordings would go down in history? Any comment?

Images: Andy Lim Collection.

When The Twist Dance And Movies Were Banned

2012-01-02T10:04:00.016+08:00

Hey, you may not know this. Not only were songs banned in Singapore in 1959 but a dance too. In the early years of Independence, saw the banning of The Twist, a dance fad from Western pop culture. As explained in an another *posting the Helen Shapiro/Billy Fury movie Play It Cool was banned because of its 'undesirable song and dance sequences'.

According to Wiki, The Twist's original inspiration came from the African American plantation dance called 'wringin' and twistin,' tracing back to the 1890s. However, its original aesthetic origins, using pelvic movement and the shuffling foot movement, could be traced to West Africa. Throughout the 20th Century, the dance evolved until it emerged to a mass audience in the 1960s.

So in Singapore, three other films which featured the dance were not allowed screenings. These movies were, Hey, Let's Twist, Twist Around The Clock and The Teenage Millionaire (images 1,2). This was a cinema clean-up because there was a policy that where books or films were detrimental to morals, they would be banned. Even juke boxes and pin-ball machines (image 3) were not allowed in Singapore. So what songs did we miss from all these movies?

As an example, the first movie Hey Let's Twist had a group called Joey Dee and The Starliters perform, Shake Me Baby, Hey Let's Twist, Peppermint Twist, Round and Round, Roly Poly, Let Me Teach You How to Twist, Shout. Also another two songs: Let's Twist by Mama and Shake Me Baby by Jo Ann Campbell were on the sound track. Just wondering if any of them reached our hit parade charts?

Apparently not only were Western movies banned, even Mandarin and Japanese movies were taken off the list as part of the authorities' campaign against yellow culture which had caused the 'moral degeneration of our young'. Censorship by the Culture Ministry was significant between June 1959 and June 1960.

But don't forget dear readers, that this was a season when The Shadows/Ventures were just around the corner and the saxaphone, double-bass, piano and f-hole guitars were still in vogue. It was a season of change. And change we did, when common sense prevailed.

The ban did not last long as Chubby Checker's famous stance and dance movie posters (image 1) crowded the scene afterwards. Tables turned in February 1963 as Singapore's first recording stars **The Crescendos released Mr. Twister fronted by power voice Susan Lim. The group was such a hit that even Singapore's Minister for Culture, Mr. S. Rajaratnam accompanied them on their Malaysian tour a few months later. All's well that ends well.

Do you have similar stories to tell about Singapore's sixties music scene? Write in.

Images: Google.

*Play It Cool Movie: http://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2011/04/play-it-cool-movie-banned-in-our-local.html

**Crescendos: http://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2009/06/new-dances-like-twist-made-way-for-pop.html

2011-12-27T22:33:00.006+08:00

ALL THE BEST FOR A 60s MUSIC DRAGON YEAR IN 2012

Questing For A Singapore 60s Christmas Record

2011-12-22T14:45:00.010+08:00

Having met five of them recently but separately, I decided to highlight this particular recording of our top local pop music stars. I had kept on the shelves this vinyl to wait for an opportune moment to post it. I am not the first to do so.

So when I was in touch with former rhythm guitarist Jap Chong and wrote to him about this EP, he explained that this special pressing (CHK 1063) was recorded before a live audience to enact a rousing Christmas party ushering in the season of plenty. It was the first time that pianist Jimmy Chan, the band's latest member, made a pressing with them. This vinyl was completed just before they left for their first trip to Hong Kong near the end of 1967.

For the new readers of my blog, after some changes in their line-up since they first started in 1960 and before they disbanded in 1970, here are The Quests (lst image) once again with (from left): Jap Chong (rhythm), Sam Toh (bass), Jimmy Chan (keyboard), Lim Wee Guan (drums), Reggie Verghese (lead) and Vernon Cornelius (vocals).

And how old were these guys then? In their twenties. Forty-four years down the road with Jingle Bells, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, White Christmas, We Wish You A Merry Christmas. Yes, and a Happy New Year too.
Images/Article: Andy Lim Collection.

If you have stories to tell about The Quests and other local musicians, pop bands and singers please contribute in the Comments column. We must keep our pop music heritage going for the young ones. Some of them know that we had a golden age of music once upon a time but most of them don't.

It doesn't matter what your story is, even if you say, "It was so hot at the Singapore Badminton Hall at Guillemard Road when I saw The Quests on stage the first time..." It is such an important comment because our young boys and girls don't know that we were devoid of air-conditioning in the 60s and we were practically fanning ourselves with newspapers, souvenir programmes and paper fans but at the same time cheering and screaming for our own pop stars, dancers, comedians and MCs on stage.

Your take on the stories of yesteryear is so important. Let's help each other and please give generously. Thanks.

SMRT Trains, Christmas And Vintage Elvis Presley

2011-12-18T17:55:00.010+08:00

SONGS I LOVE:

Our problems with SMRT trains here in Singapore remind me of vintage Elvis with Mystery Train. No connection whatsoever with the lyrics. There are hundreds of train songs but this one is the best ever by the best singer ever. But I am not sure about Singapore having the best train service ever. Seems to have made many Christmas shoppers unhappy. Cannot go to Orchard Road... (Song is on the right side-bar of this blog).

Train arrive, sixteen coaches long/ Train arrive, sixteen coaches long/ Well that long black train got my baby and gone/ Train train, comin' 'round, 'round the bend/ Train train, comin' 'round the bend/ Well it took my baby, but it never will again (no, not again)/ Train train, comin' down, down the line/ Train train, comin' down the line/ Well it's bringin' my baby, 'cause she's mine all, all mine/ (She's mine, all, all mine)... by: Junior Parker n Sam Phillips 1953.

MERRY XMAS FOLKS AND FOR A HAPPIER TRAIN RIDE 2012! GIMME A BREAK!

Image: Google

Lyrics: You Tube

Bowler Hats, Checkered Vests: Singapore Dixieland

2011-12-16T08:51:00.031+08:00

"Way down in New Orleans at the Golden Goose/I grabbed a green-eyed dolly that was on the loose/Well I dig that music and she sent me too/I said pretty baby come on let's do/The Dixieland Rock /Well the Dixieland rock /Let your hair down sugar, shake it free/And do the Dixieland Rock with me...

With the blue light shining on her swinging hips/She got the drummer so nervous that he lost his sticks/The cornet player hit a note that's flat/The tromboner hit him while the poor cat sat... Elvis Presley, King Creole: Dixieland Rock lyrics."

"Dixieland music, sometimes referred to as hot jazz, early jazz or New Orleans jazz, is a style of jazz music which developed in New Orleans, USA at the start of the 20th century. It spread to Chicago and New York City by New Orleans bands in the 1910s. Well-known jazz standard songs from the Dixieland era, such as Basin Street Blues and When the Saints Go Marching In, Tiger Rag, Basin Street Blues, Panama are a few known songs. Edited: Wiki."

New Orleans came early to Singapore and this island has no Golden Goose Club but the above lines from Presley's song prompted me to write this posting as I vaguely remember when a *Dixie band performed in the sixties in Singapore. These were music artistes well-versed in their craft and as the above images prove, were well established and even televised in black and white way back when.

The music caught on some in Singapore and there has always been a steady stream of enthusiasts who love the genre. Al Hirt, Pete Fountain, Louis Armstrong were some of the imports that locals listen to.

Check out their full regalia too - bowler hats, checkered vests, special bow-ties and sleeve garters that were usually worn by musicians playing this genre, be it barbershop, ragtime or dixie. But suspenders (master interviewer Larry King's favourite) and straw hats, familiar accessories for the uniform, were not used here. To all 21st Century male fashionists. You don't know what you've been missing. Cool Cats they were man!

The first image features a Radio Television Singapore (RTS) camera in a studio at Caldecott Hill, filming a group playing Dixieland music for a Special Easter programme. The second one shows Anthony J Danker with his solid Hofner guit with bowler hat intact. The third shows, from left, Eddie Fernandez, Harry Klass, Anthony Danker, Claude Oliveiro and Jimmy Gan. If there's ever to be a 50s Music Hall Of Fame line-up, these boys would definitely fit the bill.

Today, Dixie is alive and well on our island, thanks to the various schools, Community Clubs and music institututions that help to organise groups. One group, the Summertimes Big Band (Singapore) has a thoroughbred of jazz players, vocalists and music directors trained, qualified and schooled from licentiate colleges in the UK and US to lead the way.

The pictures above could have been taken in the mid-sixties after the advent of television in 1963 but are labelled under a 1958 portfolio. Is this a mistake? Anyone?

*Read Horace Wee's (previously with RTS/SBC Orchestra) under Comments below:

Images: Thanks to Anthony Danker for them. Courtesy of National Archives, Singapore (for online reference viewing only).

Original article: Andy Lim.

M. Ismail - Singapore Radio TV Malay Pops: Part 1

2011-12-11T10:53:00.015+08:00

Part I:

While googling for Kalong Senandong, a malay pop music program that featured Singapore sixties stars, I chanced upon a newspaper website called Johore Streets, Reaching Out. An article about M. Ismail drew my interest.

I had listened to and appreciated M. Ismail's (image: far right) singing and performances when he was on Radio and Television Singapore in the sixties. What attracted me to this article is the information he provided regarding the prohibitions he faced as a singing school teacher then. The article is entitled: When P. Ramlee liked my singing: Interview and pictures by Syed Abdullah Syed Mohamed (connection below).

Mohd Ismail Sman was born in Singapore about 70 years ago. He started singing back in the late 40s with his class mates when he was in primary four at Sekolah Melayu Tanglin Besar, Singapore. They sang Malay and Indonesian folk songs taught by their music teacher. His involvement in music warmed up especially when he was exposed to western pops and rock n roll at Stamford College secondary school in 1953.

His parents, on the other hand disapproved of his showing his musical talent since they came from a religious family background but their displeasure wore off as Mohd. Ismail and his brother became the subject of pleasant neighbourhood chats and the pride of the older generation when they became joint champions in a singing contest held at a community centre.

After winning Bintang Morisko (of the keroncong genre) and becoming champion in 1958, organisers of Persama (an arts performing society run by Singapore Malay artistes) praised his style and nicknamed him M. Ismail and urged him to perform on a higher platform. Locally recognized by then, he was selected to sing regularly at Radio Singapura. "This exciting experience of singing live in a good studio, backed up by experienced musicians, enhanced my confidence in singing as a career."

In 1963, he won the Bintang Radio competition organised by Radio Singapore and Malaysia and managed to win the hearts of the three judges, one of whom was the late Tan Sri P. Ramlee. The famous Malay singer, actor and producer proposed that M. Ismail be rewarded with an additional prize for being the best langgam (folk song) singer.

M. Ismail confessed that he did not record any album as his teaching job prohibited him from doing so. "I was a teacher at a secondary school,' he explained, "and under ministerial regulations then, government servants were forbidden from receiving royalties from recording companies."

Do you still remember M. Ismail? Let us know. There is a forthcoming Part II to this posting.

Image: M. Ismail (right) performing with Ahmad Daud, Julie Sudiro and Saloma in the ‘Kalong Senandong Goes Latin’ TV show in the mid 1960s — Picture by Syed Abdullah Syed Mohamed

From: http://www1.nst.com.my/Current_News/JohorBuzz/Friday/MyJohor/2484246/Article/

Singapore Sixties Music Is Spreading Positively

2011-12-09T08:24:00.008+08:00

Has this blog been hijacked? Yes if the whole blog is taken and put under another name. No if only one posting with a particular theme is taken verbatim. The practice is common. But it's interesting news because the above screen snip was taken from Rock Is Alive at coffinride.com on 8th January, 2011.

The above image reads: Rock Is Alive: We Gonna Rock n Roll All Night Singapore 60s: Andy's Pop Music Influence: Rock n Roll Yodeling … 新加坡60年代安迪的流行音乐的影响. सिंगापुर निश्चिंत संगीत. ஸின்கபொரெ முஸிக் இன் தெ 60ஸ்

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I guess this one isn't but helps to spread Singapore 60s music news. That's good. And what a shapely, lithesome body... the guitar I mean.

Image from: http://www.coffinride.com/

Rollin' On Canadian Highway With BTO Rockers...

2011-12-02T17:36:00.034+08:00

SONGS I LOVE:

Thanks to my wonderful friend Rob M. for the songs I've learnt and the ride along the scenic Canadian Highway:

My own knowledge of heavy metal or rock bands is hardly enough for me to write any decent posting on the genre. But I truly appreciate my first ever heavies when I listened to Deep Purple in the 70s and except for a few songs like Smoke On The Water, Highway Star and Black Night the interest stopped there because I could not take too much of the cacophony and extremely high decibels emanating from both the powerfully voiced singers and their amplified instruments. It was only by chance that I listened to this genre of music again.

On a nostalgia trip in the mid-nineties I returned to Vancouver, Canada and travelled from there to Winnipeg in a car. A really wonderful Winnipegian friend (image 1) came all the way from his home town, drove West to B.C. for two days, picked me up from the city in his purple, 1995 two door sports Chevvy Cavalier and we drove back East for the next 8 days, seeing sights across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskachewan, Manitoba and hearing songs by *BTO (image 5, 6) and other 60s to 70s rockers from his car-radio.

We met many friendly bikers along the way (image 4), bears catching trout on the Canadian rivers, deer that walk the roads, camouflaged white goats amidst the pale hills and sometimes soaring eagles in the skies. In the background, the rugged mountains, hush pines and glacial plains (image 2) were a bonus.

"You seem to love loud music?" I asked on the second day of our journey.

"To keep me awake Andy," he replied. "You don't wanna drive the car since you guys drive on the wrong side of the road in Singapore and I have to keep myself awake all the time. Besides, BTO music is truckers' music and drivers keep themselves awake and entertained with heavy metal and CBRadio."

I understood what he meant. It was hard for him to keep awake during the long and quiet drives (image 3), especially after lunch. I kept my mouth shut for the rest of the journey realising that if it weren't for my good friend I would have to suffer a bus trip that would take more days. But I always made sure he was awake and chatted with him when the player was switched off.

The baptism of gutter guitar filled me with fire and after some driving practice I took over Rob's car on the fourth day. I learnt a few songs on the road like, Taking Care Of Business, Roll On Down The Highway, You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet, Take It Like A Man, Let It Ride, a favourite American Woman and other rock hits.

I also realised that the growling guitars and gruff grinding of voices from heavy rock kept me awake while we were on the long Canadian roads from two o'clock in the afternoon, sometimes under a blazing Canadian sun in the middle of June. But when the eyes just would not open, we would shade under a large tree on a side road and take a cat nap.

I was sad, not glad, when I had to leave Winnipeg again and missing the BTO stuff that I never got to collect. I am still learning about this genre of music. Anyone got any vinyls or CDs of truckers' music to spare?

*"Bachman–Turner Overdrive (frequently known as BTO) is a Canadian rock group from Winnipeg, Manitoba, that had a series of hit albums and singles in the 1970s, selling over 7 million albums in that decade alone. Their 1970s catalog included five Top 40 albums and six Top 40 singles.

The band has sold nearly 30 million albums worldwide, and has fans affectionately known as gearheads (derived from the band's gear-shaped logo). Many of their songs still receive play on FM classic rock stations (Wiki)."

Images 1, 2, 3, 4/original article: Andy Lim Collection.

Image 5, 6: You Tube and Google.

100 Country Stars n Legends For Easy Ridin'

2011-11-27T08:22:00.015+08:00

When Victor Koo of FOYers Bloggers' Group wanted to meet me on the afternoon before National Day (8.8.2011) I thought he wanted to celebrate the occasion together. We did actually and had coffee n cake at a quaint roadside cafe near the Novena Church. But he also brought along a book (image) as a gift. In fact this same gentleman introduced my blog to yesterday.sg and helped establish it somewhat. Thank you very much Victor for your kindness and friendship.

I learnt much reading it and realised how the spurts of information, glossy photographs, sidebars, precious *nuggets about each star and a greatest-hits list make the book mighty informative but easy ridin'. Like reading a great blog on an iPad.

Legends of Country by Liz Mechem and Chris Carroll introduces the CW hit list of pop singers that helped put this genre of "music on the map and keep it there." From Roy Acuff, Bill Carlisle, Defore Bailey, Lefty Frizzell and Hank Thompson (I honestly haven't heard of them before) to familiar ones like Alabama, Chet Atkins, Gene Autry, Johnny Cash, Charlie Daniels, Merle Haggard, Barbara Mandrell, Jim Reeves, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette, Conway Twitty, Shania Twain and Elvis!

There are 100 mostly known names, all covering 160 pages of pioneers, storytellers and musicians who had, "left their imprint on this unique art form." And like how the Introduction explained, "Country's all about using small stories to represent big themes, and using big themes to illuminate small moments", this huge publication tells a lot.

So much for the **book. Now the authors. Liz Mechem is a freelance writer and editor teaching fiction writing in New York City. Chris Carroll, her husband is a photographer whose work has appeared in many national magazines.

*Nuggets: 1. "Barbara Mandrell was known as the Princess of Steel for her prowess on the steel guitar." 2. "Sonny James became the first contry artist in 1971 to record a program for a moon flight." 3. Did you know that Floyd Tillman recorded, G. I. Blues before Elvis in 1941? Ah, but is it the same song? Interesting facts.

**Again, thanks Victor for your present. More book-gift postings for Chun See, Yusnor Ef, Larry Lai, etc. in later weeks.

Image/Original article: Andy Lim Collection.

2011-11-23T04:05:00.008+08:00

This blog is into its 4th year. Thank you for the support. I could never have done it without my modern black and white amah chay...

1962 'Baby Elephant Walk' Again Now In Singapore Save Our Asian Jumbos From Extinction!

2011-11-22T09:24:00.017+08:00

Please make our children aware:
Grandparents, mum and dad take your children to view the stampede at Orchard Road, not of the shopping crowds but of the elephants that are everywhere in Singapore. I did the safari with my grandson J. and we enjoyed every moment.

The cutest one is the durian elephant at Orchard Road (image 1). These elephants remind me of a popular 1962 instrumental hit from the film Hatari called, Baby Elephant Walk by Henry Mancini and his Orchestra (song is on right bar).

It is a piece of music written in 1961 for the 1962 release of the movie. "The composer combines brass instruments with repeated blasts from the tuba and woodwind elements to convey the sense of a toddler that is large and plodding, but filled with the exuberance of youth. The catchy, jazzy simplicity of the tune has made it one of Mancini's most popular works (Wiki)."

The Elephant Parade statues exude similar feelings with colourful, huge babies but created to raise awareness and money to save the Asian elephant from definite extinction. Each statue of the jumbo is decorated by a different artist, then displayed in public places across Singapore for view. The first Parade took place in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and the event has spread across Europe, from London to Copenhagen to Milan.

At the end of the exhibition, these artistic statues are auctioned with profits going to the Asian Elephant Foundation. The charity is for an Asian animal and Singapore is the first Asian city to hold this Parade. More than 160 elephants are currently on display across the island.

They are displayed along Orchard Road, in other shopping malls, at the Botanic Gardens and the Esplanade Waterfront up to January 31, 2012. Better pursue them before they're hunted down by poachers!

Do you know of other songs from yesteryear with the elephant theme?

(This posting is not an advertisement to promote Singapore tourism but one to SAVE our elephants!)

Images: Andy Lim Collection.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-the-Elephants/58282388160

From Records To Night Spots: Irene Yap Part II

2011-11-20T11:45:00.019+08:00

When Irene Yap decided to turn professional, a singing contract during her school holiday in 1971 took her to Genting Highlands, Malaysia, where she performed and was accompanied on stage by The Commandos from Indonesia.
This new life lasted for 15 years and included stage appearances with Rahim Hamid (Singapore's Nat King Cole) and The Pebbles, Sonny Bala and The Moonglows and many other top pop Singapore bands.

She entertained at a string of hotels all over Singapore from about 1972 to 1980 including the Apollo at Ion Bar in Kings at and the Ambassador in the East Coast. Her nightclub stints included the El Amigo, Lido Deluxe (image 2), the Capuccino at Plaza Singapura and other popular spots.

A journalist from an English newspaper, remarked in an article that Irene "has a voice that is light, almost ethereal." With a voice so heavenly like the songbird herself, it was not a wonder that she had encore performances at the clubs that she was in. Irene remembers that in a particular nightspot "management kept asking me to come back..." She did, and remained a resident singer for almost five years. And that told a lot about her!

There were moments in her youthful career that Irene sung duet with guitarist and keyboardist Edmund Tan. They entertained audiences with hits like , Jackson, Love Me With All Your Heart, He'll Have To Go. Her nightly club acts widened her repertoire and she sang in other languages too.

Irene added, "The regulations in the nightspots were very strict. Being underaged I had to apply for a licence to perform. We were not allowed to patronise customers and had to wear decent costumes."

But it was a varied, colourful and successful life's journey for this songbird. From the first vinyl record contract offered, where the Charles Lazaroo Orchestra accompanied her in Pretty Ribbons and where she went through "hard gruelling sessions of recordings", up to the time that she retired to get married, she never regretted a moment.

Irene moved to the US for a short while, living in two major cities. She had been a housewife since except for a comeback at two nightclubs in 1995. During her very early years one newspaper headlined her as the "pint-sized veteran of show business".

Today this true veteran reminisced, "When you start singing at such a tender age, you never think about anything else. Singing becomes your life and doing something you love. No regrets except that it had taken some of my childhood."

Irene's story reveals her positive attitude towards a life and career that she chose to take. It is a music journey spanning quite some years but she has made it a successful one. Thank you Irene for sharing your past moments with me. I appreciate it very much.

Images from Irene Yap Collection: 1) Night club poster. 2) Chinese New Year songs with two other singers. The three of them did a Chinese Variety Show appearance and also recorded children's songs.

Original article: Andy Lim. All copyrights reserved.

Irene Singing At 11 And 10 Albums By 14: Part 1

2011-11-17T13:06:00.011+08:00

In 1966 when Irene Yap (image: 1,2) was only 11 years young she was asked by a Mr Heng to sing with a Singapore guitar group called The Sandboys while watching them during a rehearsal. According to Irene, the gentleman was affiliated to White Cloud Records (more popular with the production of Chinese pops) and signed her up for a recording contract after listening to her voice.

Irene made her first vinyl singing the very popular Pretty Ribbon by Engelbert Humperdinck. But her version was different because she sung it in both English and Chinese. It was a hit and sold about 8,000 copies! She carried on with White Cloud and in the next four years, up to the time she was 14 in 1970, Irene had released seven EPs and three LPs.

Irene recalled that before the singers had final recording sessions they had to be properly trained. She continued, "So when I was only eleven Mr Heng sent me for vocal training by Liang Pin a famous Hong Kong singer then. Besides singing scales I had to do the Por por mor fer, a Chinese pronunciation course."

As her popularity peaked, Irene was well publicised by the local English papers. Stories about this youthful singer, her recordings and pictures appeared in The Straits Times, New Nation, Singapore Herald, Eastern Sun and other vernacular newspapers. Within the short span she had appeared on the little home screen during Chinese Variety Show produced by RTS (Radio Television Singapore) and other programmes like Take Four, The Guthrie Hour and on the Malay Variety channel.

With such a success story and because she wanted to pursue her love for singing Irene made a decision to turn professional and it was during her school holiday in 1971 when Irene decided to...

(More about Irene in the next posting and what the newspapers say about her and the special licence she had to obtain to perform because of her age.)

Do you remember Irene and her White Cloud recordings? Tell us.

Images: Irene Yap Collection. Copyrights Reserved.

Article: by Andy Lim as told by Irene Yap.

Mel n Joe Ferdinands: My, How They've Grown!

2011-11-13T13:15:00.022+08:00

Mel agreed to meet Andy for a personal interview but everytime they fixed a date, one of them got too busy. They had postponed it a few times but since Mel and his brother Joe would be launching their book soon, all decided that blog readers should be given a peek of the book instead. It's not out for sale yet but here's a morsel from the blurb:

"Stalwarts of the local music scene, Mel & Joe have played, sung and done it all. Household names since they first appeared on television in 1971, Mel & Joe are not only two of Singapore’s best-loved musical talents; they are living proof of our rich musical past and vibrant present.

From the early days of Talentime and the black-and-white broadcasts of RTS (Radio Television Singapore) to their glorious heyday with one of Singapore's top bands, Gypsy, they continue to rock on with passion.

Throughout their musical journey, family support – parents, siblings, wives and daughters – has been instrumental in giving them the love and inspiration that was needed to strive to continue to be the best they can be musically.

Music brings the brothers even closer, and at the same time, continues to forge a strong spirit of camaraderie that they share with their audiences.”

Do you have comments to make about Mel and Joe? Tell us...

Article from book: I Play And Sing. Copyrights reserved.

Image 1, 2: Mel n Joe Ferdinands Collection.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mel-Joe-40-Years-On-Still%20Rocking/250131127355#!/profile.php?id=559476181

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Mel-Joe-40-Years-On-Still-Rocking/250131127355

Did You Guess? Who's This Guy?

2011-11-13T12:46:00.010+08:00

Why it's Willie Nelson. Did you guess? But his voice remains intact. You can always tell.
Images: Google.

It's Not Another Elvis Posting. Martin D28 Guitar

2011-11-12T12:58:00.010+08:00

I have been asked many times if I play the guitar. Yes, I replied, but only using the 4 basic chords on C. Well, that's not too bad, some cynics replied, better than not being able to play at all. But deep within I know I can play more chords than that.

On another occasion, someone who has been reading my blog regularly (I have some blog fans too you know) asked me if I knew anything about musical instruments. A very superficial knowledge I said. Well, this gentleman replied, you need to write some articles about the guitar at least. What's a music blog without stories about musical instruments? True!

So with a mission to accomplish, I decided to buy another guitar to learn about the guitar and with the help of an exceptionally good lead guitarist from a Singapore 60s band (don't ever sound my name, he says) I went searching for one. And that was when I rediscovered the Martin D-28, one twang twang that I had salivated over for some time.

So without anymore fanfare, here's a brief from Internet websites and my own experience about this particular guitar that Elvis Presley fans will be definitely be familiar with (image 1). Or are they?

Do you own a D-28. Want to tell your story before I begin mine?
Image: From Scotty Moore's website: http://www.scottymoore.net/TributeD28.html

Radio TV Singapura Family Album: Thanks Horace!

2011-11-10T08:12:00.023+08:00

A note from Horace Wee:

"Thanks for posting Joy Suares on your blog. I don't know if its of interest, but I found this picture (image 2) taken on January 2009 of the four of us. L to R: John Lee (Tenor saxophone/Music arranger), myself Horace Wee (Guitar), Joy Suares (Double bass under Gus Styne and Ahmad Jaffar orchestras) who was 90+ years then but passed on recently at 93 and David Chen (Trombone). Both John and David were with the TCS Orchestra till its disbandment. It was a sort of reunion that day as we had all worked with the Radio/TV orchestra at one time or another.

I checked also the mention of Guantanemera (image 1). Yes its my vocals, and very strangely, I only got a copy of the 45rpm vinyl disc from a friend who was getting rid of his LP's quite recently. Funny thing - after all these years (40), many people come up to me and recall this recording. PS. The making of this recording. I had the guidance for the pronunciation of the lyrics from the (then) Spanish wife of veteran violinist Julai Tan, who had recently returned after many years living in the UK. Cheers,
Horace"
Thank you for the contribution.
Image/article: Horace Wee.

Copying Pop Lyrics With Pen And Paper: 50s Way

2011-11-07T10:19:00.010+08:00

During the 50s or earlier:

FL, who comments frequently on my blog, tells of teenagers buying exercise books to copy popular lyrics. There were no computers nor lyric websites to download from. So they bought note books to copy their favourite songs.

Remember the trademark? It had a Light House Brand and produced by a firm called Goy Liang Book-Making Company. Remember the back cover with its set of multiplication tables? I think these note books still exist today. Or do they?

Usually the enthusiastic pop song collector would listen to a particular song from the record, radio or rediffusion and copy the lyrics onto a sheet of paper. The trick is to copy the salient words and rewrite the whole song later. Like a stenographer (what's this?), but writing in words rather than using shorthand.

Most times enthusiasts bought exercise books with hard covers to document their precious lyrics but these books cost more than the ordinary ones which cost 20 cents a copy. I managed to find two copies from my cupboard (image 1).

The more enthusiastic followers would cut images from newspapers and magazines and paste them on the pages of their treasure trove and showing off their collection. Those with money to spare would buy glossy black and white photographs to paste.

Later years:

Song books were printed and sold with guitar chords. Images 2 and 3 illustrate the smaller version. You can still find them in the shops today but the thicker ones that contain 400+ songs may cost as much as S$60 each.

There are still adults today who collect pictures, photographs and newspaper cuttings of their favourite pop bands and singers? Do you have any recollection of copying songs using scraps and pencils? Sketching pictures of your favourite stars perhaps? Tell us.

Images/original articles: Andy Lim Collection.

West Point: Memories Of A Teenager In The 50s

2011-11-06T09:50:00.004+08:00

I had mail recently in response to my article about West Point Gardens at Pasir Panjang, so instead of publishing it under Comment and be left unseen, I thought I'd post it for all. I must thank Ms Gloria Yap, who is in her early 70s, for taking time to pen these beautiful lines.
.
West Point Gardens - Nostalgia of a Teenager in the 1950s
.
Swaying coconut trees
Balmy ocean breeze
Feathered dresses
Halter-neck dresses.
A sprawling open Garden
A special, tiled dance floor
On green grass below -
Starry skies above
Mirroring the quickening heartbeat
of young love.
Dancing feet
To the beat
Of a live orchestra playing
And bodies in love, swaying.
Sweet smiles and sweet gestures
Sweet drinks and many beer glasses
Thus walking on air
Thus dancing on air
Nevertheless, romance was in the air
Oh West Point Gardens of the 50s
So etched in my heart and in my memories.
.
Image: Google
Original article: Gloria Yap.

First Liverpool Artiste With US Hit Before Beatles

2011-11-06T08:42:00.003+08:00

The interview with Russ Hamilton by Dr Lee Yan San was in 1999:
"Russ was the first Liverpool artist to have a big hit in the US before the Beatles. His song Rainbow reached number 3 in the US chart. He also had a big hit We Will Make Love in UK and Asia and was very popular in Malaysia, Singapore and other parts of Asia.
RTM Radio 4:
He was my favourite singer especially during my high school days and I have all his records. His music is still being sought after in Malaysia. On my own initiative, I did the interview with him for RTM Radio 4's very popular regular Sunday night programme produced by a very well known D.J. Reezal who introduced me to his listeners. Russ Hamilton became a close friend of mine and had since passed on. This is a tribute to my friend." Watch the videos on right bar>

.
Article and image from: You Tube.
Original article by Lee Yan San who hails from Penang, Malaysia.
You can read about them by clicking on Labels below:

West Point Gardens Pasir Panjang: When Fairyland Beckons: Singapore 50s Music

2011-10-30T10:48:00.019+08:00

Dance and Pop Band Venues in the 50s:

I remember when I was in my early twenties being chauffeur driven in the night in an Opel Record (image 3) to *West Point Gardens. A good friend had suggested that we experienced the place and I agreed.

To the uninitiated West Point was a distance away from the Orchard Road belt of nightclubs, dance floors, lounges, pubs and bars. From its name description, it was also on the west end of Singapore compared to another music hot spot, the more populated east coast.

So it was the first time in my life that I went there and as we were approaching the area under cover of trees, shrubs and near darkness, I could hear faintly the music and noticed the glow of flourescent lighting.

When I came out of the car I was pleasantly surprised to see that West Point Gardens was a fairyland in the woods. And as Peter Chan explained: "One thing I cannot forget were the strings of multi-coloured lightbulbs hung across the garden." Don't forget it was the beginning of the 60s and as a young 'un everything seemed bright and beautiful to me.

West Point Gardens had been in existence since the early 50s and was patronised by the well-heeled caucasians and locals to dine and dance. The main attraction was a circular open-air area that had a bandstand, a cafe with chairs and tables at its peripheral, guarding the precious dance floor jealously, allowing only the selected to tread. During high-tide evenings I was told, betwixt the music, one could hear the lapping waves from the sea beside.

Doli Tupaz and his Hawaiian Rhythm Kings (image 2) were the resident band at the Gardens since the 50s and the 1955 photographs above show Anthony Danker, Doli Tupaz, G. Mani, Jimmy Tupaz and William Frois.

The other line-up (image 1) included Charles Danker and Horace Oliveiro. Their repertoire of popular hits from the 30s onwards took them to royalty status indeed! Samba, rhumba, mambo and grass-skirt, palm-tree swaying music filled the Pasir Panjang air. Sliding guitar, ukelele maracas combinations were the order of the day.

After the 50s and during the Singapore garage band (locally known as kampong bands)explosion, these swing bands were taken over by the more youthful guitar gangs, as they ambled in rapaciously with their portables and colourful Hofners, plugging them into their black box amplification. And as the solid bass guitar replaced the booming double-bass a new era was born; anyone could jive, twist, shake and rattle on the floor as West Point Gardens changed its tune.

*NB: According to Peter Chan, whom I consult to authenticate yesteryear locations in Singapore: "West Point is a condominium today. As one travels along old Pasir Panjang Road near the junction with Clementi Road, there is an old house which was Kwa Geok Choo's family house during pre-WWII. One door away was a police station (maybe a carpark now), then a condominium. That place was West Point Gardens.

I passed by that place very often in my father's car in the 1960s as we took the West Coast Road over a road bridge to Boon Lay before turning into Old Jurong Road. West Point had an old Peranakan type bungalow raised on legs.

There was a large garden and the beach was in front - today's longkang (exceptionally large monsoon drain) - between West Coast Highway and those old houses."

Images 1, 2: National Heritage Board Singapore Website.
Image 3: Google.
Information: (1) Peter Chan's distinctive recollection of West Point and (2) Ms E. Chua, her Opel Record and chauffeur.
Original article: Andy Lim Collection.

Change This Blog To An Internet Shopping Centre?

2011-10-28T21:54:00.010+08:00

Maybe I should convert this blog into an internet shop like e-Bay or Amazon.com and start selling the products that I write about. Won't it be a great idea? Imagine the amount of money I can make with just a 10% cut. These letters below are just a few of the mail I have received where surfers and friends have requested to buy CDs, vinyls (records) and books. Here are some of the letters:

1) Just spent 60 Euros on a boring research book recently. This one sounds interesting. Any chance you could fly me a copy Andy? Will do an internet transfer from UOB. :)

2) I am Santhosh from India. I would be extremely grateful to you if you could help me get the MP3 of the following songs of Ervinna. I had a cassette which had 22 English songs of Ervinna, which got destroyed. I have managed to find 13 out of that 22 - but could not get the following 9 songs. I am ready to pay.

3) This musta be the Dinoref that you have mentioned to me... gonna have to see if I can gets my hands on one of Michael Goh's albums of Dinodevotion...

4) Wow, the book by Yusnor Ef is a major discovery for me. I have many songs from that era, now I need that book to accompany them. Please provide some info on where to buy it. Many thanks!

5) "Mary Ho Any chance you have a Red Fender Stratocaster in your collection? ; ) Also, you mind sending me an autograph version of your CD? I will do a $fund$ transfer from here if you don't mind.

6) Do you know of any other copies of the EP (The Diamond Four) that are in existence?

7) Mary Ho commented on a post you were tagged in."I don't have a red one at the moment but would love to own one if I can find it.:) I'm in London now, saw one at Harrod's yesterday but it's a three quarter size... I didn't buy it. Glad you mentioned my CD, will autograph it and send you a complimentary copy. Please let me know where I can send it to.:)"

No I'd rather leave it as a blog and make my usual comments about Singapore 60s music. So please keep on writing because this coming November the blog will be 3 years old. And I am not trying to promote it. Just having fun. And I probably won't earn 2 cents from it.

What do you readers think?

Images: from Google.

Original article: Andy Lim.

Early British Invasion of Singapore: RAF 50s Music

2011-10-22T12:23:00.021+08:00

An Earlier British Invasion of Singapore:

"The Club at the air-base in 1955 to 56 was a beaut place. There were good bands that played there too, one of which I recalled had everyone lustily singing Irish protest songs... (edited)"

"Eggs and chips, export lager and Elvis on the jukebox, singing Don't Be Cruel as I lusted after Mary, a lovely Irish redhead WRAF... (edited)"

During the early years of Singapore's colonial history, before Cliff Richard and The Shadows rocked Singapore with their performances in the 60s and before UK Servicemen vocalists and bands like Philips recording artistes Bobby Lambert, Brian Neale, The Dee Tees and The Diamond Four performed at the Golden Venus and Serene House, British servicemen who were here in the 50s already had a rollicking time with big band swing music at a Club at RAF Changi.

A band like the above (image 1) had four blowing instruments, drums and tinkle board. They never needed electric plugs nor solid guitar amplifiers to make music. Like the local pop 60s band after them that played during T-dances, these amateur groups were in great demand especially during the weekends. But these chaps, who called themselves JG, appeared without bow ties, suits nor shoes as they jammed in shirts, shorts and slippers.

Image 3 shows the party goers having a great time on the floor. These young men and women made sure they enjoyed themselves at the Club, dancing perhaps to the sounds of British greats like Ted Heath, Johnny Dankworth, Humphrey Littleton and American swingers like Glen Miller, Harry James and Benny Goodman.

This particular gathering could have been a birthday party with balloons to boot and was held at a ballroom in the Club during the 1950s (image 2). So if the later imports brought RnB, then the earlier ones established swing. And no soft drinks like Green Spot, Sinalco or Mirinda Orange for them but beer, beer, beer, gushing through the bottles for a jolly good time.

"Pardon me boy, is that the Chattanooga Choo Choo, Track 29, well you can gimme a shine..."

If you are familiar with the above images, please write in.

#The Passing Away Of Edmundo Ros:
[The JG band could have played some Edmundo Ros' Latino music too, who knows. FYI this great music leader had just passed away on 21st October, 2011 at 100 years young. He was one of my favourite musicians, having listened to him nearly every day in the 50s with favourites like The Wedding Samba, Melodie d'Damour, Quizas Quizas Quizas (Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps).]

Images: from Flikr.

Original article with accumulated information from websites: Andy Lim

When Music n Broadcast Professionals Meet

2011-10-18T11:34:00.017+08:00

There was a party at the SRC before Christmas 2010, organised by my neighbour and friend Leo Fernandez. He is a saxaphonist and having been a former SBC (Singapore Broadcasting Corporation) musician he can easily command an army of professional melody makers to his gathering by just playing on his flute, like Browning's Pied Piper of Hamelin.

It was a celebrity crowd that came along to squeeze their horns, crack their guitars, tickle the ivories and smash the skins. Abel Gan, Sam Gan, Billy Martinez, Danny Koh (image 2 with Leo Fernandez), Horace Wee (image 3), Jerry Murad, Terry Mortimer, Thomas Paul, Michael Bangha and Shankar Paul jammed to grace the occasion (image 1).

A host of veteran broadcasters were there to enjoy the party also. There was Joan Chee, Mildred Appadurai and Lucy Leong. So like fine wine and fizzy drinks, sweet music flowed and gushed throughout the occasion.

I must thank Juliana Lim for the connection because up till today I have yet to meet her and Leo. Soon hopefully?

For more pictures , the full Christmas story and to find out who Juliana Lim is, check her blog below:

Images/Information: http://julianaplim.wordpress.com/2010/12/19/xmas-party-with-music-veterans-sun-19-dec-%e2%80%9810/#comment-2

Versatile: Singaporean Randy, Indonesian Ervinna

2011-10-16T11:32:00.009+08:00

Both had hit records in the 70s. Randy Lee (image 2, left) of the Stylers had EP and LP vinyls sold in the thousands because of the cover songs the group recorded during those golden years. Likewise with pretty lady singer Ervinna (image 1,2 right) who was another S.E. Asian hit maker.

The Stylers with rhythm guitarist and leader of the pack Randy, had recorded in English, Chinese and Malay. Even today, in record shops, The Stylers vinyls dominate the shelves with their cha-cha, a-go-go and other dance instrumentals. Rhythmist Randy is now involved in the administration of a company that deals with body-building equipment.

Ervinna, a Chinese Indonesian singer from Surabaya, was one of Indonesia's pop vocalists, having released more than 200 albums of Western and Chinese songs recorded in Singapore in the 70s and beyond. The figure did not include dangdut, Jawa, keronchong, Melayu and other traditional songs.

It is common knowledge that during her hey-day, Ervinna often released 3 albums in a month. Besides The Stylers, she had been accompanied by other groups like Singapore's Thunderbirds, Charlie and His Boys, The White Cloud Orchestra and the Orches Melayu Pancaran Muda of Indonesia.

These two artistes met recently in Surabaya, Indonesia to chat about old times and for Randy to present Ervinna with the first series of CDs that had recently been taken hot off the press from The Stylers stable of pop songs.

Images: Andy Lim and Randy Lee Collection (Copyright).

Original article: Andy Lim.

Monroe, Matchbox, Playboy, PonyTails: 50s Part II

2011-10-11T10:12:00.021+08:00

*Part II:

Page references are from: Remember The 50s, Objects and Moments of a Dynamic Era, Edited by Mariel Marohn, Tectum Publishers (2011).

Several songs flooded my mind again these few days as I checked the 1953 pop charts on the internet. That year recorded many hits: Hank Williams', Your Cheating Heart, Nat King Cole's Pretend, Vic Damone's April In Portugal, Patti Page's How Much Is That Doggie In The Window? and an instrumental that lives forever, Eddie Calvert's Oh My Papa. Also Georgia Gibbs, Seven Lonely Days was like a refrain on the airwaves.

As I continued my journey through the 50s and using the book as guide, I could not remember seeing a Cadillac 59 anywhere on Singapore roads, nor a pair of Capris or a Kelly Bag but I did recall the tiny Matchbox Cars (image 3) which fascinated me as a teen (pages: 104, 88, 78, 74).

There were also hula hoops, ponytails, Tupperware, Chupa Chups and sewing machines which apparently dominated the 1950s as 'sales leapt dramatically during this decade (page: 61).' We had 6 Singer sewing machines at home as my family ran a tailoring school.

Again those years of pops kept filling my head to the brim: A Dear John Letter by Jean Shepard and Ferlin Huskey, Till I Waltz Again With You by Teresa Brewer, No Other Love by Perry Como and sexy Silvana Mangano dancing the mambo in Anna, El Baion (image 2). It was the movement and sensuality of Mangano's performance that attracted a large audience at the Rex cinema daily.

The book concluded with chapters on Hollywood churning superstars and Shaw Brothers and the Cathay Organisation in Singapore importing the movies they acted in. We were seduced by Marilyn Monroe, Marlon Brando, James Dean, Alfred Hitchcock and King Elvis (pages: 162, 166, 172, 174 and 168).

One thing was missing in Singapore even up till today. It was a scintillating magazine that shook the earth but never came to our shores. Playboy (page: 160) was launched in the same year by Hugh Hefner with the cover of Monroe (image 1).

With 175 pages of fun, reading the book could seduce you too and take you on that journey to way back when. Are you familiar with the 50s? Or maybe your parents are?

*Read Part 1 of 3: Esplanade, Sea Dragon, Songs, Singapore Part I, Friday September 30th, 2011. Click 'Books' under 'Labels' below.

Images from Google.

This posting is not a book review.

Original article by Andy Lim.

"Muzik Melayu Sejak 1940... an": Oleh Yusnor Ef

2011-10-09T10:56:00.012+08:00

I was invited to Yusnor Ef's latest book launch at the National Library at North Bridge Road (image 1). It was held at the Pod on the 16th floor. The gathering, that included Minister Dr. Yaacob Ibrahim, was well attended and many of the invited guests enjoyed good food and music performed by Sri Gemilang, an 8 piece orchestra that featured traditional Malay music like Bunga Tanjong and Bengawan Solo. Their lady singer Cha Cha provided soothing vocals in air-conditioned surrounding.

The book, which is in Malay, traces the development of Malay pop music from the 40s to the 70s. Content has philosophical quotes about music from Mencius, Aristotle, Beethoven, P. Ramlee and a host of other well-known personalities.

Interviews with the various Malay artistes, composers, their lyrics and songs abound as stories are told complete with record-cover images and photographs from yesteryear. The different genres of Malay music, that include discussions on its roots, growth and final blossoming, are appropriately covered by the author.

My favourite pages are those that trace the development of music from Malay movies, the Pop Yeh Yeh kugirans (garage bands) and Lagu Lagu Jenaka (humorous songs). To reveal more about this exquisite book would not be fair to Yusnor Ef. Besides, I am still reading it. Best is to get a copy if you are keen to learn more about Muzik Melayu Sejak 1940... an.

Oh yes, there's a CD with 25 Malay classic songs included with the book.
This posting is not a book review.

Image: Invitation card of which the left half is the book cover.

Original article: Andy Lim.

(SINGER AHMAD JAIS HAD PASSED AWAY. LISTEN TO GELISAH ON YOU TUBE AT RIGHT BAR).

Happy Children's Day Today: Use Your Imagination

2011-10-08T09:53:00.009+08:00

Children will use their imagination if given the chance. This Posting is for J, J and J

OURCHESTRA by Shel Silverstein:

So you haven't got a drum, just beat your belly,
So you haven't got a horn - I'll play my nose.
So we haven't any cymbals -
We'll just slap our hands together,
And though there may be orchestras
That sound a little better
With their fancy shiny instruments
That cost an awful lot -
Hey, we're making music twice as good
By playing what we've got!

Image/Poem from: 'Where The Sidewalk Ends'
Copyright 1974 by Evil Eye Music, Inc.
HarperCollins Children's Books
HarperCollins Publishers,
10 East 53 Street, New York, NY 10022.
Andy Lim Collection.

A Tribute Posting: Steve Job's Done On iEarth

2011-10-06T12:17:00.011+08:00

Steve Jobs Gone! (1955-2011)

What's he got to do with 60s music?

"My model for business is The Beatles: They were four guys that kept each other's negative tendencies in check; they balanced each other. And the total was greater than the sum of the parts. Great things in business are not done by one person. They are done by a team of people." (Wikiquote)

Image: http://www.crunchbase.com/person/steve-jobs

An Apple a day... the doctor's away.

Dr Lee's Rendition of Silverstein's 'The Giving Tree'

2011-10-04T13:49:00.021+08:00

To all the children on Children's Day:
So you think only Singapore seniors are active? Think again. My friend Dato Dr. Lee Yan San (image 2 left) who hails from Penang is not only a good medical doctor but a great singer as well.

He has a family that backs him musically during his singing stints at home, on stage and in the recording studios. He has provided me with a few CDs and I have encouraged him to put his songs on You Tube.

Recently Yan San took a popular story/song from one of Shel Silverstein's (image 3) vast collection, recorded it with his music group and posted it on You Tube. It's called, The Giving Tree (image 1) and made popular by Bobby Bare in the 60s.

It tells a touching tale of a tree so giving with a boy that not only does it provide the child with a shade but allows itself to be cut down and be made into a boat. The song ends with the tree, now a stump. And the child? You must listen to the song to appreciate what the lyrics suggest. Actually the song reminds me of Elvis Presley's, Old Shep, with a slightly different theme of course. The Giving Tree is posted on the right bar.

Shel Silverstein was an American poet, singer, songwriter, composer, screenwriter, cartoonist and author of children's books. His books have sold over 20 million copies and translated into 20 languages (Wikipedia).

On a less serious tone here's another dose from one of Silverstein's books, Falling Up. It is called, Danny O'Dare:

"He did a dance called the Funky Chicken,/ He did the Polka, he did the Twist,/ He bent himself into a pretzel like this./ He did the Dog and the Jitterbug,/ He did the Jerk and the Bunny Hug./ He did the Waltz and the Boogaloo,/ He did the Hokey Pokey too. It's easy to see... Danny O'Dare wants to dance with me." You'll be surprised to find out who Danny is!

[About image 2: Yan San also has a knack for making friends. He met We Will Make Love 60s British megastar Russ Hamilton several years ago and they became great buddies. Russ had since passed on.]

1. If you like to read more about Russ Hamilton and Yan San check him out by clicking Labels below.

2. If you like to read Silverstein's books go to the bookshops or libraries. Tons of them around. Get Falling Up and Where The Sidewalk Ends. Read them to your children or grandchildren on Children's Day.

Images: 1) from You Tube, 2) from YS Lee Collection, 3) Google Images.

SINGAPORE CHILDREN'S DAY: FRIDAY OCTOBER 7th, 2011.

Remembering 'Nobody's Child' On Children's Day

2011-10-02T11:16:00.020+08:00

SONGS I LOVE:

Usually Singapore celebrates Children's Day on lst October but from 2011 onwards it will be on the first Friday every October. So for this year it's on the 7th. Just as we honour the children, we must also remember the impoverished and homeless ones around the world.

The 1969 hit Nobody's Child by British singer *Karen Young (image 4) highlighted the plight of a blind and unwanted child in an orphanage. The song originally written by Cy Coben and Mel Foree was first recorded by Hank Snow in 1949 and had been covered by artistes that included George Sheridan and 3 of the Beatles.

Another group called The Traveling Wilburys that had Bob Dylan as member, recorded the song for a benefit (image 2). Asian artistes included Agnes Chan and Irene Ryder, both from Hong Kong on Life Record and Pon EMI Regal. Singapore has two versions, one on a Philips Product Long Play by 60s stars, Heather and The Thunderbirds (image 2, details below**) and the other by Lisa Lim and The Stylers on Amigo Records (image 1).
Nobody's Child: Cy Coben and Mel Foree.

(Refrain) I'm nobody's child I'm nobody's child /Just like a flower I'm growing wild/No mommy's kisses and no daddy's smile/Nobody wants me I'm nobody's child...

As I was slowly passing an orphan's home one day/I stopped there for a moment just to watch the children play/Alone a boy was standing and when I asked him why/He turned with eyes that could not see and he began to cry...

Some people come for children and take them for their own/But they all seem to pass me by and leave me all alone/I know they'd like to take me but when they see I'm blind/They always take some other child and I'm left behind...

No mother's arms to hold me or soothe me when I cry/Sometimes it gets so lonely here I wish that I could die/I'll walk the streets of heaven where all the blind can see/And just like the other kids there'd be a home for me...

**PSY 112 275 Philips: Heather - Harvey and The Thunderbirds, 'Birthday'. Side One: I'll Never Fall In Love Again, Birthday, Nobody's Child, Early In The Morning, Special Delivery, The BalladOf John and Yoko. Side Two: Wonderful World, Tracy, With A Little Help from My Friends, Train, Romeo And Juliet, Time Is Tight. To read about the The Thunderbirds click

Labels below.

Image 1, 2: Andy Lim Collection.

Image 3, 4: Google.

*There is an added Karen Young biography and connection on the Comment page. She had passed on in 1991. Click Comments below.

Esplanade Sea Dragon Songs Singapore 50s Part 1

2011-09-30T11:20:00.043+08:00

Part I:

Page references are from the coffee-table book, 'Remember The 50s: Objects and Moments of a Dynamic Era' by Tectum Publishers 2010 (image 3).

Nothing jolts the memory like snapshots of old. Using the coffee-table book as a guide, the content as milestones and the photographs as lightning conductors I recreated my own teenage journey as I flipped through the pages of time and reminisced the moments, momentos and music of the 50s.

Images quickly conjured in my mind as I read the short paragraph about the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II (page: 18). In the first week of June 1953 when I was only 13, Singapore celebrated the coronation in style. I recalled how my parents booked one of Adelphi Hotel's uppermost rooms facing North Bridge Road so we could watch the coronation floats passing by below us. This event could have been the original concept for our annual Ching-gay parade.

A trip to the old Esplanade the next evening revealed the most fascinating sight that I had ever seen in the 50s. A dozen sampans at sea were carrying a beautifully illuminated sea dragon spouting neon lights (image 1) but from afar the illusion was so life-like and breath-taking. And this was a time before the advent of high technology and laser lights.

As I turned around to face inland, the crowned 20-storey Asia Insurance Building before us stood high and mighty in the night sky. It was the pride and joy for Singaporeans then as the building was the tallest on the island. Neon signs below the crown twinkled brightly announcing, Long Live The Queen (image 2).

In the same year certain songs played constantly over the radio waves. Bill Hayley's Crazy Man Crazy, Les Paul and Mary Ford's Vaya Con Dios, Perry Como's Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes, Dean Martin's That's Amore, Kay Starr's Changing Partners and Earth Kitt's C'est Si Bon were some of the more conservative ones featured on Radio Singapore.

Do you remember the 50s in Singapore? Or perhaps your parents do? Are you aware that God Save The Queen was Singapore's National Anthem in the 50s?

Check out Part II soon for references from the book about the hula hoop, pony-tail, Tupperware, Capris, Match-Box Cars, Cadillac 59, Playboy, Drive-Ins and James Dean.

Images 1 and 2 by courtesy of Susan Brooks.
Image 3: Book cover 'Remember The 50s' Editor: Mariel Marohn (Tectum Publishers 2010). NLB Singapore. Ref: 306.09045 REM.
Original article by: Andy Lim.
(This posting is not a book review.)

When Seniors Meet In Camaraderie And In Music

2011-09-25T10:05:00.017+08:00

We gather at a magic spot where fresh air is the order of the day and when music even fills the crevices of the monuments that abound. About 9 senior bloggers get together for a session as teh-tarek flows. Ukelele and harmonica sounds charm the surrounds beneath the tree-lined meadows of Siglap Hill.

"O, it came o'er my ear like the sweet sound That breathes upon a bank of violets, Stealing and giving odour..."

"The man that hath no music in himself, Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds, is fit for treasons, stratagems and spoils..."

"You just call out my name, And you know wherever I am, I'll come running, To see you again, Winter, spring, summer or fall, All you have to do is call, And I'll be there..."

Right bar videos:

Wee Kiat and Dick (image 1) on the harmonica and ukelele play, Oh Suzanna.

Peter Chan (image 2) plays a piano solo, Look For A Star.

Video clips from Peter Chan.

Image 3 from James Seah.

Check out: http://blogtoexpress.blogspot.com

When Mr. Piano Player Meets Mr. Twinkle Toes

2011-09-24T08:06:00.010+08:00

At 70 plus years you'd think that the dancer would stop his prancing on the ballroom floor and that the pianist would stop his tinkling on the grand piano. Not so for Singapore 60s champion, celebrity dancer Sunny Low (2nd right) and former Quests keyboardist Jimmy Chan (lst left).

When present singer/guitarist and company CEO Ronnie See from The Burns (with tie)organised a lunch with former broadcaster Larry Lai (3rd right) and I to meet these two gentlemen at the Grand Shanghai Restaurant at the Grand Corpthorne Waterfront Hotel for a Tiong Bahru gang get-together, untold stories poured from them, like wine from a rare vintage label.

While Sunny is still tutoring students in his Sunny Low Dance Studios at Riverwalk Galleria, Jimmy is still at his keyboard in the Marina Mandarin Hotel. And boy oh boy, do they have stories to tell. Together, their contribution to the 1960s pop music entertainment scene in Singapore add up to about 140 years of dancing and piano playing. They were hot in the early years and still are today. Twinkling toes and fancy fingers. Wow!

There will be postings on Sunny Low and Jimmy Chan soon.

(Ladies present: Mrs Jimmy Chan and Media Consultant, Simin).

Original article/image: Andy Lim Collection.

Check out postings on Ronnie & Burns, Larry Lai by clicking 'Labels' below:

Sensual n Lethal: Mini Skirts n Knee Length Boots

2011-09-18T17:14:00.023+08:00

Singapore Pop Music Sixties Minis As Short as K-Pop's Girls' Generation in 2011:

When the girl-group appeared on stage with mini skirts and twanging strings, the boys on the dance floor with their pint of beer in hand, were goggling at pink flesh on display. They were hardly listening to the guitar music that the band was belting out.

This scene was common in the mid-60s when Mary Quant made her fortune and the mini-dress found its own energy as acceptable female toga both on the entertainment scene and on the streets. From the Liverpool clubs in England to the Lost Horizon in Singapore, the ladies were liberated at last.

Simultaneously, when the skirts became shorter, ladies' boots became longer and these knee-length footwear became the next fashion icon. Although female boots had been in existence long ago, paired with the short skirt, both slithered their way to a uniquely sensual combination. Knee-length socks too made their comeback.

Taking advantage of the trend, who should come sauntering round in February 66 but the daughter of 'ole blue-eyes'. Sultry Sinatra strutted, sang, showed off her legs and insisted that These Boots Are Made For Walking.

Nancy became the pop icon that year and the song soared to the top of the charts both in the US and internationally, gaining recognition as the boots walked right up to South Vietnam to entertain the servicemen there.

These outfits were truly attractive and sensational, especially when they were first introduced in Singapore and worn by our Asian girl-groups. In the 70s when discotheques charmed our island, night-clubs would have witnessed the sequinned version that created Night Fever as they sparkled and shimmered under disco and strobe lights. John Travolta's white suit remained in the shadows.

So whatever the colour combination, whether it's white with red boots, shining silver throughout, florals on white with white boots or just jet black like Nancy's, these girls looked resplendent and held the stage all the way (images).

Finally here's a message to the youths of today. If you think your K-Pop girls (Korean-pop), like the soon to come Girls' Generation, with their minis and boots are sexy, you should have seen our girls in the 60s. They were the originals. Cheers everyone... And bottoms up!

Images: 1 You Tube screen grab Nancy Sinatra. 2 The Reynettes, Hong Kong Pop Group. 3 The Idaly Sisters at the Lost Horizon, Singapore. 4 Mimi n Taiwan 5 Petal Girls, Taiwan Pop Group. Thanks to all the generous You Tube contributors with their videos and images.

Original article: Andy Lim.

60s Music Played At 9/11 Memorial Service

2011-09-12T23:07:00.010+08:00

Paul Simon (image 2) sang Sound of Silence to a large crowd at the 10th Anniversary 9/11 Memorial Service at New York City's Ground Zero. 60s folk singer James Taylor (image 1) and cellist Yo-Yo Ma were on stage as well.

"And the vision that was planted in my brain still remains..."
Image: Google Images.

Shao Fong Fong Sings In Impeccable English

2011-09-07T19:45:00.013+08:00

(Josephine Shao, Siew, Xiao, Siao, Fong Fong, Fung Fung, Fang Fang. Same name but spelt differently.)

I had often seen 60s Hong Kong movies which starred Siew Fong Fong and it didn't matter then whether I understood the language or dialect that the script was in. She was a joy to watch and what attracted me then was her pretty face and her ability to entertain her audience with her Jane Bond kiss-bang, wuxia chops, sword wielding choreography and hippy-hippy-shake dancing.

Examples were movies like, SwordsOf Swords, I Love A-Go-Go, The Lady Killer and many more. She was one Chinese actress that most fans in the 60s would remember. On the silver screen Josephine Siao was a major star in both Mandarin and Cantonese movies. In that decade alone she had acted in more than 200 movies and those days the Hong Kong film studios churned out films like factories produced chopsticks. Personally she felt manipulated, like a "puppet."

Delving into her life and history, I found that she was born in Shanghai in 1947 with a career spanning some five decades, from her beginnings as a child star up till the highly respected professional that she is today. She was the most popular princess in the group of actresses termed the 'Seven Cantonese Princesses' and became one of the biggest teen idols in Hong Kong along with frequent co-star Connie Chan Po Chu.

Unlike many child stars, Siao made a successful transition to adult stardom, winning so many awards and remaining one of Hong Kong's most prolific and popular actresses today. Having largely missed out on a formal education because of her acting career as a child, Siao pursued her studies in later years despite the handicap of increasing deafness and the demands of raising a family. She holds an MA in Child Psychology and is also a published author.

Digging into my drawers lately, I managed to find some western pops by Shao Fong Fong on EMI vinyls (images). And the recordings were proof enough of the fluidity and ease with which she used the English language. The lyrics were beautifully enunciated and her gentle, soft but clear voice was sufficiently suitable for the covers she was interpreting as she delivered them with grace and dignity. These few western covers she did were a contrast to many of the Cantonese and Mandarin songs she sung on screen and those recorded on other vinyl labels.

Her diction and phrasing reminded me of Malaysian teacher and pop singer Frankie Cheah's English language recordings on EMI. (Click 'Frankie Cheah on 'Label' below to read posting.)

Vinyl Notes: EMI ECHK 527 (1969). Bluer Than Blue, Who Will Buy this Wonderful Morning, Running Free, Goodbye. EMI ECHK 523 (1968). L.O.V.E, Love, Ding Dong Song, Kiss Me Goodbye.Images/Original article: Andy Lim Collection. Information from Websites.

*Notes from a Website about the actress:

Josephine lost all the hearing in her right ear at age two and has become nearly deaf in her left ear since 1990 so decided to retire for good. Fredric Dannen relates the following about his meeting with Josephine Siao - who he noted has impeccable English.

"At her request, we met in the conference room of a hotel, because, she explained, 'my gadgets do not work so well in noisy places.' Siao did not seem to miss a word I said, and I thought perhaps she had exaggerated her condition, until Ann Hui (the director of Summer Snow) later told me that Siao often has to lie down after a conversation, because the strain of using her aid left her exhausted.I was all the more amazed at Siao's acting skill - her deafness is indiscernible in her movies - and all the more grateful for her interview."
From: http://hkmdb.com/db/people/bio.mhtml?id=2222&display_set=eng

Aku Dia Dan Lagu: Lagu2 Nostalgia Lirik Yusnor Ef

2011-08-29T21:26:00.013+08:00

In February this year, Yusnor Ef gave me a 5CD presentation box of about 128 of his original compositions, sung by the top 60s and 70s Malay pop yeh-yeh artistes from Singapore and Malaysia.

The singers are too many to be named but they include Ahmad Jais, Eddie Ahmad, A. Ramlie, Sanisah Huri, Sharifah Aini, Rozainah Baharudin, Milah Husain, Mariah Bachok, Anita Sarawak, P. Ramlee, A. Razak, Ahmad Daud, Salomah, Rahimah Rahim, A. Romzi, Sugiman Jahuri, Rafeah Buang, S. Rossley, Junainah Amin, Kartina Dahari, Saadiah Saad, Fazidah Joned, Elmi Salleh, J. Mizan and a host of others.

In the accompanying 140 page booklet of glossy photographs, thumb-nail sketches, music sheets, lyrics and testimonials from the top hierachy of the Malay music community, the set represents Yusnor's lifetime achievements packaged into a compact gift-box that is a treasure trove of musical gold pieces.

So as you listen to Yusnor's compositions sung by artistes who are still household names, you can browse and enjoy viewing his 40 plus years of photographs and documented anecdotes titled: Kisah Di Sebalik Lagu and the reasons why he pens the songs which he holds so dear to his heart.

Here are a few one-liners from the dozens of tributes he received through the years.

1. 'He is a prolific writer of more than 250 songs... one of our greatest music icons in the 20th century.'

2. 'His phenomenal ability to pen human emotions of his cultural situatedness... his own conviction of music as makanan jiwa.'

3. 'His works in Bahasa Melayu and English have been held in high regard throughout the Malayworld... shedding fresh light on the development of Malay music.'

4. 'He is a true teacher in my eyes, perhaps that is probably why I still call him Cikgu till this day.'

5. 'My husband and I introduced him to P. Ramlee...'

Some of the songs in the series and randomly picked are: Gelisah, Anak Zaman Ini, Tiga Gadis Jelita, Taj Mahal, Tangisan Malam, Ros Merah, Senjaka, Joget Aidilfitri, Suasana Riang Di Hari Raya, Si Bujang Tua, Sinar Hidupku, Normila, etc.

About Pulau Tekong (Island), Yusnor Ef and me:

I have known this patient and talented gentleman since 1963 when both of us took a daily boat ride from Changi Jetty to the two schools we taught in. He was the Malay che'gu at Selabin Malay and I at Pulau Tekong Chinese.

In the rain and sunshine as we rocked n rolled in the boat, our friendship continued through the years. Although Mohd. Noor taught for about 5 years in his, I was lucky enough to serve for only one year. Those were hard times indeed.

Image/Original article: Andy Lim Collection.

TO ALL MY MUSLIM FRIENDS AND READERS, SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDIL FITRI, 2011.

Bottled Drinks Cool Heat Generated By 60s Music

2011-08-26T12:08:00.016+08:00

"In the 60s, hawkers roamed the kampongs and the streets of urban Singapore. The children who grew up in this foodscape share their memories - the roving calls of these hawkers were music to their ears, and fed their seemingly insatiable appetites. Their memories - both pungent and poignant - are set against a turbulent backdrop of merger and independence, lawlessness and unemployment and the Big Fire.

The food on offer in this episode includes, Indian rojak, wanton mee, kaya bread, mee siam and tuckshop tidbits. The Singaporeans sharing their stories, include Jerome Lim, Peter Chan, Shak Kadir, Yeo Hong Eng, Andy Lim, Toh Paik Choo, James Seah, Lam Chun See, Aziza Ali, Dick Yip, Ong Yew Ghee, Ivy Lim-Singh, Geraldene Lowe-Ismail.... Foodage Facebook."

The above images were captured from Foodage TV Episode 2 (shown on OKTO Channel, Thursday, 11.08.2011 at 10pm) where Andy Lim described how he waited outside the five-foot way of his home for Mr. Sultan's Indian rojak and the wonton mee pushcart man with his bamboo stick tick-tock call.

He also recalled the pop 60s music explosion when Cliff Richard and the Shadows invaded Singapore with their twanging guitars and new Fender sounds. The heat generated by the music was so intense concert patrons had to buy ice-cold, bottled, soft drinks like Green Spot, Framroz, Red Lion and F&N drinks (image 4) to cool their hot and soaking bods.

Caught in this exciting music tsunami, Andy joined The Silver Strings (image 2) for two, short but exciting years where they performed at night spots, lounges, restaurants, hotels and the Vic and National theatres. When he left, Shirley Nair held the stage, the group contracted with Philips Singapore to become recording stars (image 3).

Images: Foodage documentary/SittingInPictures.

Thanks to producer Chang Soh Kiak.

Original article/Images: Andy Lim Collection.

'Return To Sender': Elvis Presley Stamp: Part II

2011-08-20T15:52:00.011+08:00

The Book (image):

Meeting friend bloggers, including blogger/author Dr. Tan Wee Kiat and being presented with his latest publication, Singapore Stamps & Money, One For The Birds, reminded me of a particular stamp I wanted to buy some years ago.

The Stamp (image):

It was first issued on 8th January, 1993 on what would have been Elvis' Presley's 58th birthday. By the end of that year alone it had already become the most profitable stamp in the history of the US Postal Service.

Consequently the stamp is not of great monetary value as a collectible item although it remains a must have for any serious Elvis fan or collector of Elvis memorabilia. Harder to find items such as whole sheets of stamps, first day covers and even covers cancelled with the words *Return to Sender are particularly sought after.

The USPS printed 500 million of these Elvis stamps - three times the usual print run for a commemorative stamp - and it has become the biggest selling commemorative postage stamp of all time and the most controversial ever issued.

The United States, however, is not the only country to have issued Elvis stamps. In fact, Elvis first appeared on a postage stamp issued in Grenada on the first anniversary of his death in 1978 and has since been featured on international stamps everywhere from Antigua to Zaire.

The Song:

*Return To Sender is a 1962 rock n roll single by The King himself and written by Winfield Scott and Otis Blackwell. So when the commemorative stamp to celebrate Elvis Presley's birthday was introduced, many Americans wrote invalid addresses on their letters marked with the new stamp.

Thus, they would get the letter back with "Return To Sender" written over it and the Elvis Presley stamp with the date of the first issue day on it, which would increase the value of the stamp.

Except for a few songs, Elvis seldom had anything to do with the art of songwriting. It is about a man having an arguement with his girlfriend. He keeps trying to send her letters and she keeps returning them refusing to answer to them. He can't seem to believe that he and his girlfriend's relationship is over with.

The song was featured in the film Girls! Girls! Girls!. Return To Sender went to number one on the U.K. singles charts, and number two on the American top forty charts. Can one buy these Presley stamps on the market? Yes, but according to collectors, they are not worth much. Sold in sheets, they cost about US$25.00. Interested anyone?
Information edited: (1) http://www.funtrivia.com/askft/Question78150.html

(2) http://www.squidoo.com/elvisonstamps

Image: 1. Dr Tan Wee Kiat's book 2. Google Elvis Presley Collection.

SINGAPORE STAMPS, 2011. SINGAPORE PHILATELIC BUREAU.

Succulent Sweet Singapore Sixties Songs: Part IV

2011-08-19T09:48:00.006+08:00

Here are some food songs served on local Singapore platters. But they are not to be eaten. So let's visit this hideaway called Pop Inn, hosted by The Quests. Watch Your Step as we go in where other band members will be waiting to dish out their speciality.

The first is an original composition by Quests bassist Henry Chua called, *Tea Break. It is the flip side of their EMI single CHK 1050. Then 5 of D'Starlights boys, who are actually from the Philippines, will provide their packets of *Peanuts to the guests. No ordinary peanuts these because you can't buy them For A Few Dollars More. Other dishes on this EP platter include: Something On My Mind and I Believe. (EMI ECHK 585).

Next comes Veronica Young along with her original serving of a *Lollipop each for her guests. Composed by Singaporean Patrick Seet, Veronica sings,

"Lollipop, I want nothing but lollipop/ Won't give anything for lollipop/Cause nothing can be better than lolli-lolli-pop-pop.../Lollipop, give me sweet little lollipop/ Then I'll dry my little teardrop..."

After distributing her lollipops they all say, Thank You For Your Kindness, 2nd song on the list with The Thrill To Love You and Dreams Of Love (Philips ME - 0192 - VE).

No cakes, curry-puffs or finger-food during this tea and sympathy and as Jade And Pepper remark, Hey It's Happening Again, they provide, *Coffee, Toffee, Squares (Baal Records SP 1005). Rounding off the afternoon are The Surfers with bottles of *Honey. This EP platter has Hooray For Hazel, Mony Mony and Answer Me. These two groups look like they are from the October Cherries. Ah well!

At the end of it all the *Watermelon Man delivers his red and green fruits accompanied by The McCoys and Stevie Lorraine. But nobody leaves as they go Yakety Yak through the night. Such Moments for the party, according to Stevie, are rare indeed. (EMI ECHK 591, Philips ME - 0158 - SE).

If you know of other Singapore recordings with food titles please contribute.

*6 Food songs include originals and covers by our Singapore artistes.

Original article/Images: Andy Lim Collection of EMI, Philips and Baal Records.

(This posting, with 4 other postings on food, is in conjuction with the SittingInPictures documentary, FOODAGE, where Andy Lim has appeared in Episode Two discussing his mother's cooking, hawker food and music in the 50s and 60s. Chang Soh Kiak produced.)

Western Pop Songs With Food Titles: Part III

2011-08-17T19:13:00.007+08:00

All this discussion about ikan belado (chilly fried fish) and murtabak (Indian meat pancake) reminds me of songs that have been lingering in my mind for a while. Food, Glorious Food is the opening number from the musical Oliver! Written by Lional Bart, it is sung during a sequence when the orphan boys from the 60s musical are fantasizing about food while going to collect their bowl of porridge - gruel to be exact.

"Food glorious food/We're anxious to try it/Three banquets a day/Our favourite diet /Just picture a great big steak/Fried, roasted or chewed/For food marvellous food/Wonderful food, magical food/Fabulous food, beautiful food..."

There are many, many western pop titles with food words in them but this list is limited to songs familiar and popular around the 60s. It is a short list and some lyrics do not discuss food at all. Here goes:

1 All That Meat And No Potatoes Louis Armstrong 2 American Pie Don McLean 3 Banana Boat Song Harry Belafonte 4 Blueberry Hill Fats Domino 5 Brown Sugar Rolling Stones 6 Catfish Bob Dylan

6 Cigarettes and Coffee Otis Redding 7 Country Pie Bob Dylan 8 Goober Peas Kingstone Trio 9 Gravy (For My Mashed Potatoes) Dee Dee Sharp 10 I Got A Lovely Bunch Of Coconuts Merv Griffin .

11 Lemon Tree Peter Paul & Mary 12 Lollipop Chordettes 13 Porcupine Pie Neil Diamond 14 Strawberry Fields Forever 15 Sweet Potato Pie James Taylor 16 Tutti Frutti Little Richard 17 Watermelon Man Herbie Hancock.

I have been trying to think of Singapore pop songs that have food themes. Doesn't matter in whatever local language they are in. If you remember one, please contribute.

For a long list: http://www.squidoo.com/songs-about-food
Image: The Wynners Long Play/Andy Lim Collection.

Sarbat Stall, Taj Cinema At Geylang Serai: Part II

2011-08-16T08:48:00.026+08:00

There are songs written in Bahasa Melayu (Malay) from Singapore and Malaysia that describe Geylang Serai in the 50s and 60s. Geylang Serai, which lies in Eastern Singapore, was a predominantly Malay area and people frequented the open street and wet markets to buy condiment and fresh ingredients for their home cooked meals.

Ahmad C.B., who originally came from Indonesia and lived in Malaya had been composing songs since the 40s. He wrote this one that relived the busy scenes of Geylang in the evening.

The Taj Cinema he mentioned in the song was a rendezvous for many young Malay couples who frequented the place to watch movies. A similar meeting place in the city was the Magnolia Milk Bar at the Capitol Cinema, near the junction of North Bridge Road and Stamford Road.

Geylang Waktu Petang (Literal translation in blue)

Di waktu petang di Geylang Serai: In the evening at Geylang Serai,

Terang benderang sungguh-lah ramai: Bright, cheerful and crowded,

Tua dan muda miskin atau kaya: Old and young, poor or rich,

Semuanya ada terdapat di sana: They are all there.

Begitu banyak orang jualan: So many people selling their wares

Sehingga sesak sampai ke jalan: Overcrowding on the roads

Bermacam barang terdapat di situ: Lots of things to be found

Kasut dan baju 'macam model baru: Shoes and clothes of the latest fashion

Kalau penat carilah bai serbat: If tired, look for the Indian drink hawker

Di dekat Panggung Taj: Near the Taj Cinema

Di situ tempat kalau nak buah: That's the place for fruits

Di situ memang murah: That's where they're cheap

Kalau nak kuih tak susah pilih: If you need cakes, easy to choose.

Berbagai bangsa yang lalu lalang: The many races that frequent the place

Sungguh lah puas mata memandang: Satisfy their eyes

Itulah kisah Geylang waktu petang: That's the story of Geylang in the evening

Sungguh cukup ramai di Geylang Serai... Very crowded is Geylang Serai.

(Thanks to Ms Chang Soh Kiak, producer: FOODAGE documentary.)

Image: Mr. Johar Amir, You Tube.

When Noodle Man Uses Bamboo Percussion Part 1

2011-08-11T15:41:00.024+08:00

A little deviation from the norm:

Watch FOODAGE tonight and listen to the sound and music of food hawkers as they call out their wares in Singapore 60s. There's the Indian rojak (spicy salad) man and won-ton mee (noodles) man. The former shouts his food on the five-foot ways of Geylang Road while the latter has an assistant who creates a *percussion solo on his bamboo sticks (yellow image above). They are music to the teenager's ears who hops out of his home to patronise the vendors and savour the yummy treats.

*Comparable to the drum solos of Gene Krupa (from the Benny Goodman Orchestra) and Brian Bennet (from The Shadows).

Media Corp. FOODAGE Documentary: Octo Channel Thursday Nites: 10.00 pm.

Check it out: http://www.facebook.com/foodage

Read more about hawker calls in Singapore and click to: 'Comments (General)' or 'ConnectionMusic' under Labels below:

HAPPY 46TH, SINGAPORE NATIONAL DAY 2011

2011-08-09T10:06:00.005+08:00

1957 - Li Xiang Lan In 'The Lonely Boudoir': Part I

2011-08-06T01:17:00.011+08:00

SONGS I LOVE:

A few years ago, my trip to one of the many 'antique' shops in Singapore proved fruitful when I managed to buy a *10-inch Pathe Long Play vinyl of 10 songs that I had been searching for some time. Li Xiang Lan (or Lee Hsiang Lan in Wade-Giles) who probably recorded it in 1957, was one of my mother's favourite female singers. Although she loved pop westerns and Indonesian keroncongs we listened to Mandarin songs too.

The album, Lan Gui Ji Ji - CPA 134 - (above), literally meant, Orchid Chamber, Quiet, Quiet. The back sleeve is both in Chinese and English and subtitled, My Lonely Boudoir. The promotional material went: "Soprano Lee Hsiang Lan is well known to all music fans. Ten years ago she made many hits with the recordings of Mandarin songs such as Song Of The Sweet Seller and We Met Too Late. She has very clear diction and an entrancing voice. Indeed one of our most outstanding artises!"

The songs that were recorded reflected the mood of the album cover. Side One: My Lonely Boudoir, The Crow And The Phoenix, A Wandering Life, The Moon Over The River and Song Of The Heart (cover for the Western hit, Eternally). SideTwo: Young Days, Three Years, Ten Square Miles, We Met Too Late and Only You (not The Platters version).

Li Xiang Lan is one of the seven Shanghai greats. Another diva Zhou Xuan, appropriately dubbed the lady with the 'Golden Voice', is a personal favourite too. Just for the record, the other 5 divas are Bai Guang (White Light), Bai Hong (White Rainbow), Gong Qiuxia, Wu Yingyin (Queen of the Nasal Voice) and Yao Li (Silver Voice).

Li Xiang Lan, who tipped the scale as one of the most versatile entertainers born this side of the Pacific, is also a popular film star and had acted in both Chinese and Hollywood movies. One of her hits on the big screen was House of Bamboo. This coloratura soprano (lyric soprano of a high range) had a career in Japan, Hong Kong, Korea and the U.S. But do you know her real name and nationality?

1975 - SuZanna Teo And Curtsie: 'Loving You'

2011-07-31T10:29:00.012+08:00

In April 1975 a young lady from the U.S., with a five-and-half-octave vocal range, composed and recorded a song, Loving You (not the Elvis Presley version) with much success. The singer was able to enunciate in the high registers to set her apart from other whistle-register singers. Unique *Minnie Julia Riperton became a star when Loving You sold a million copies and opened her to the pop music world.

Eight months later in December, a young lady from Singapore sang the same hit and won the 1975 Discovery #Talentime at the Shangrila Hotel in Orange Grove Road. Her main prize was a recording contract with EMI where she recorded the Riperton number with 11 other covers on an LP titled, SuZanna Teo Loving You (EMGS 5003).

Nineteen year old Suzanna, who was a Pre-University student at Victoria Secondary School, owed her singing success to Curtsie, the guitar she strummed and hugged during the competition. In her last year as a teen, Suzanna explained that music was her life for the moment and something which she could do "wholeheartedly." When asked about her future plans during her interview with The Straits Times, she added that she wanted to be a social scientist.

In addition to her grand prize, she won a trip to Hong Kong and an appearance at the **Frances Yip TV Show. Suzanne also bagged a pewter tropy, a $200 record voucher, a cassette player and other useful gifts. According to the Straits Times report, an RTS (Radio TV Singapura) announcer Adaline Scheerder was the runner-up and Samuel Owen, a veteran vocalist, won the third prize. The judges were a distinguished line-up of personalities then and included, George Favacho from RTS, Daisy Devan and Keith Bruce from EMI and Lawrence Magnan from Shangrila Hotel.

This interesting LP was the only one recorded by Suzanna. It was produced, arranged and conducted by Reggie Verghese (Quests' Lead Guitarist). The recording/mixing engineer was Vincent Lim. The sleeve design was by THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE with photography by Bernard Chan.

Side One: Follow Me, Rock and Roll Coaster, This Time I'd Be Sweeter, Danny's Song, When The Party's Over (Riperton), April Fool. Side Two: Loving You, Never Can Say Goodbye, Please Tell Him That I Said Hello, Tomorrow, You're No Good, Special To Me.

Like our own Olivia Ong today, Suzanna Teo was a hit in the mid70s. According to Audie Ng, music impresario, he contracted her to sing at the Imperial Hotel Singapore in the early 80s when she was at the top of the hit parade. Have you heard Teo singing or listened to her recording before? Tell us.

*Wikipedia: Singer/Songwriter Riperton died of cancer in July 1979.
**Pop lady singer of the 70s who hails from Hong Kong.

#Many young hopefuls those days participated in singing competitions which might help them secure a recording contract and some fame. Fortune is something else. Click 'Talentime' label below for similar themes.
Information from: The Straits Times Press, Singapore 5/12/1975, Pg 10.

Images: EMI Records Singapore/Andy Lim Collection.

'Gado Gado': Spicy Indonesian Salad And Song

2011-07-23T10:41:00.017+08:00

Traditional or folk songs that center around the home and family are common in Asia. Indonesia is no exception. Gado-gado, a spicy salad, is a popular dish from the kitchen tables of the thousands of islands in the Indonesian Archipelago. It is the first song with a food theme that I learnt as a child of the 40s in Singapore. The other popular one with a similar theme is Rujak Uleg with lyrics in Javanese.

Gado Gado (lyrics)
Gado-gadonya, Bung, (Gado gado is from Jakarta)
dari Jakarta
Sangat digemari (Loved by everyone in the country)
rakyat jelata…
Satu bungkusnya, Bung (A packet costs five rupiah)
lima rupiah
Bang Achmad pulang, Bung (Husband Achmad is home, gado2 is ready)
sudah sedia…
eMpok Saminah, Bung (Wife Saminah is too lazy to go to the kitchen)
malas ke dapur
Semua ada: (Everything's in: fried tofu, fried prawn-crackers)
tahu goreng, kerupuk udang,
campur-campur… (a good mix of ingredients)
Bila Mpok Minah, Bung (When wife Minah is too lazy to market)
malas belanja
Beli gado-gado (She buys gado-gado, Jakarta styled)
dari Jakarta
Lyrics: Uchin Nor Hasyim. Performed by Mus Mulyadi and Tuti Tri Sedya.

There is a documentary called FOODAGE soon to be shown on the Octo Channel (108). Check it out on opening night at 10pm, 4th August. Some of our well-known bloggers will be featured.
1. Lyrics: http://lirik.kapanlagi.com/artis/mus_mulyadi/gado-gado_jakarta
2. Gado gado from: http://www.ivandc.com/gado-gado-from-indonesia/
Image: Google Images.
(Dedicated to soh kiat, her staff and all bloggers involved in the documentary FOODAGE)

A Different Kind Of Addiction Amongst Band Boys

2011-07-19T13:40:00.017+08:00

(Image: Japanese ladies and men doing the twist in Toray Tetrex material. An advertisement from The Straits Times: 12th January, 1966 p 4.)

In the mid 60s there was a different kind of addiction amongst the band boys in Singapore. The addiction had nothing to do with drugs, cigarettes, alcohol or pretty ladies. What was it then? Whenever a pop group had a new contract at a certain nightclub or when they were soon to appear in an exclusive year-end pop show, the boys would get together and telephone their favourite tailor shop, either at Sam's in Tanjong Katong or Danny's at East Coast Road, made an appointment and hurried to their destination. (There were other places of course but these two tailors were the most popular.)

And the addiction? The boys would get new outfits done but using only a certain Japanese material that was at the top of the hit parade. The fabric, as I knew it, was made of polyester. One could jive in it, twist in it, shimmy in it and yet put it on again days afterwards without having to iron the outfit. Magic material it was and as the advertisement said, the "knife-sharp creases" stayed. It was popular with the boys because it was wrinkle free. And you know how destructive young band boys could be with their shiny suits after a hard day's night!

According to the above advertisement, "a suit or slack made of Toray Tetrex just won't wrinkle. Short of swimming across the Straits you can be as active as you like in TT and end up looking impeccably neat. Drive all day, dance all night. squirm, bend, stretch, play... your suit will look as fresh, as fashionable as the day you put it on. Wash and wear too, and as comfortable as a cool shower. Is it any wonder most fine tailors recommend..."

But there was a problem with this material. Singapore's hot weather literally made the band boys sweat in their TT slacks and jackets. I remember a phrase I used very often when we performed on stage, "I am raining inside!" We were thoroughly soaked under our clothes. And the song, Just Walkin' In The Rain would have been an appropriate song.

Comment anyone? Is this material out of fashion? I spoke to a well-known tailor in North Bridge Road and he told me that this fabric is hardly used now. Is this true fashion buffs?

"A white sports coat and a pink carnation, I'm all alone in romance..." Anyone remember songs with outfits as themes? Blue Suede Shoes (Elvis Preskey), Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini (Bryan Highland), These Boots Are Made For Walking (Nancy Sinatra), and Forever In Blue Jeans (Neil Diamond).
(This article is not meant to advertise nor degrade Toray Tetrex.)

Original article: Andy Lim.

Did Our Singapore Bands Cover Bob Dylan In 60s?

2011-07-15T08:18:00.009+08:00

A note from anonymous:

Did any Singaporean artists of the 60s and 70s cover Dylan songs at the time? Either in English or any other language? I'm collecting covers of Dylan in languages other than English, and Asian-language ones are hard to find. Love your blog. What a lively & attractive scene you had back then, & very well detailed by your good self.

(July 13, 2011 11:04 PM).

My reply:

Hi anon,
To specifically target particular groups or singers who play or sing Dylan can be daunting, so do give me a bit of time as it may take a while. Thanks for visiting and the lovely pat on the back. Andy.

Reply From Vernon Cornelius:

Hi Andy,

I don't think anyone here covered Dylan in 60s & 70s. I know bands like 'The Quests' (1966-67) performed Don't think twice it's alright, recorded, All my Sorrows (traditional by BD as All My Trials), myself from 1969, singing All Along The Watchtower, Lay Lady Lay (and much more!).

In the 70s 'Fried Ice', 'Pests Infested', 'Straydogs', 'Heritage', 'Mogan' etc. performed BD, but I'm quite sure 'none' ever recorded such material. 1989 I recorded Mr Bojangles but not a BD song. In Chinese (Mandarin) there is great probability only the simple, Blowing in the Wind was recorded. Maybe too by Foo Soo Yin. The structure of Dylan English and music craft would've made it impossible to cover such songs, unless lyrics were changed to flow better.

I became heavily BD from '69 and played him heavily on Rediffusion 69-75, and from '89 with my band 'Overheads' performed numerous BD songs. After my Rediffusion stint I became a musicologist, and in 1972/73 gave lengthy serious talks at National Library on the History & Development of modern pop music.

Regret I didn't give you much, but this confirms much of what you already know. Sending you warmest wishes,

Vernon.

(Thanks to Vernon for the answer. Comment anyone? Know of our local bands covering BD?)Images: (1) Bob Dylan, (2) The Quests.

National Day Celebration: 'Singapop' 20 August, 2011 Promontory at Marina Bay with Vernon, Sakura Teng, Ling Xiao, Rahimah Rahim, Tokyo Square, etc.

Peranakans In Katong Charmed By Hawaiian Guitar

2011-07-10T14:28:00.016+08:00

When I wrote to Cynthia, asking to reproduce her article and a photograph to highlight her story, she generously replied:

Hi Andy,

Kudos for your website on bands in Singapore in the 60s. Please find here a photo of Mickey Oliveiro and his band (he is at the centre). Note the original Hawaiian ukelele which was given by his widow to my sister.
Best regards,
Cynthia.

(10.7.2011)

Hi Cynthia,

Thank you for the photograph and write-up about Mr. Oliveiro. I wish more people like you would share their pictures and memories for everyone to appreciate.

Regards,
Andy.

Cynthia Wee-Hoefer reminisced on growing up in the peranakan heartland in Katong (on the eastern coast of Singapore) during the 50s and 60s. Her charming, vivid description about the area and the activities and colourful neighbours struck a note in me. What interested me most was her story about one particular family, "whose life we witnessed by looking over the common wall into their verandah and living room." To her the Oliveiros were "outstanding" and inspirational, especially one member:

"Mickey Oliveiro was the leading Hawaiian guitar-player of the 50s and 60s. He was part of a band of part-time musicians who played in cabarets and clubs like the one in Seaview Hotel on weekends and festivities. And that meant rehearsals on Sundays with his buddies. So my young life was filled with the tunes of Blue Hawaii and other hip-swaying melodies.

Meanwhile, our family gramophone belted out Bill Haley, Elvis, Chuck Berry, The Shadows and so on. By the time I reached the awakening of my own hit parade of the Beatles and Stones, I found the melodious pull and twang of the electric Hawaiian guitar to be punishing.

Mickey collapsed from a heart attack and took away the sound with him completely before I came to hear the familiar strains once again when I befriended a Peranakan girl living in Queenstown whose father loved his Hawaiian guitar."

(The above extract was taken from The Peranakan Association Singapore Website.)To read the full article please click the link below:

http://peranakan.org.sg/culture/culture-heritage/growing-up-in-katong/

Image: from Cynthia Wee-Hoefer.

Do you still remember Mickey Oliveiro? Please write in if you do?

Rich History Of Pop Music Built On Classic Songs

2011-07-06T07:42:00.019+08:00

"The first record I bought for myself was Fats Domino's Blueberry Hill. By this time I was responsible enough to operate Dad's phonograph, and I played the shiny black 78-rpm until I memorised every nuance..."

In his Preface to the book, *'1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die' Tony Visconti, record producer and musician recalled his days as a child in the 40s when he listened to brittle shellac discs that could "smash to small pieces."

He continued to explain how he started the addictive hobby of record collecting and "made me who I am and what I do today." Visconti had since written books about music and worked with notable artistes like The Moody Blues, David Bowie and other pop singers.

Together with Visconti was Robert Dimery the general editor who summarised that the songs in the book had, "changed the world (so) find out why; then listen to them." According to Dimery "the volume has been a highly collaborative effort" and "uncovers fascinating stories about extraordinary songs and performers."

Covering recordings of songs from Enrico Caruso's O Solo Mio in 1916 to Gorillaz' Stylo in 2010, the heavy, thick but comprehensive 998-page book is worth its weight in gold. I read why fans cried when Johnny Ray sang, Cry (1951), which singer inspired Bobby Darin to cover Mack The Knife (1959) and which one of the Rolling Stones made Paint It Black (1966) a more succinct and successful excursion into psychedelia. These were stellar tales of songs, successes, survivals and sorrows.

Then there were the recordings from the 70s, the 80s, the 90s up to the year 2010. Enough reviewed. It's an encyclopedic volume of knowledge, worthy of shelf space in your home - if you're a pop song enthusiast - otherwise just borrow it from our National Library. Worth the 6 weeks I kept the book. Comment anyone?
Reference is: 781.640266 ONE - [ART].

Image: Google Images.
Original article: Andy Lim.
This posting is not an advertisement.

Mary Ho: Grandma Diva Rocks And Plays Santana

2011-07-04T11:18:00.016+08:00

She is one of the most celebrated grandmothers in Singapore so when I wrote to her asking how she manages to play the solid guitar at such a tender age she wrote this personal note. With her permission, here is glamorous Mary Ho (75), guitar hobbyist and grandmother of seven:

Hi Andy,

I love the sound of the guitar and started to play at 60+. I stayed home most of the time because I didn't like to leave my then very young grandchildren alone with the domestic helper. I strummed and sang to entertain myself. Nobody in particular encouraged me, just my passion which fueled my love to play on, again and again. To me it is a lifetime of enjoyment.

I bought a book for beginners and started to strum and sing at home and also checked with the CDs available for the melody. After a few years of strumming I started to go solo and play lead guitar. I couldn't find an instructor to teach me to play Samba Pati then and it was difficult for me without a music background. I couldn't read notes and tabs but I have a fairly good ear . Then one of my friends introduced me to Spencer.

He was reluctant to teach me at first but somehow I felt very strongly that I could play the melody. Then after a month or so, he was convinced that I could. It was all hard work after that... lots of practice for many hours every day till my fingers bled and had to be bandaged.

I usually play the acoustic guitar to strum and the electric guitar for lead. After a few years, I went on to learn to play the organ up to Step 7, i.e. to read notes and tabs. After that, I proceeded to learn the drums for a couple of months. I gave up because my grandson also wanted to play the drums and my drum teacher had only one slot left. So I gave up my lesson slot for my grandson.

I can also play the harmonica. I have so many hobbies and interests like mahjong, dancing, acting and traveling. Because of my love for these activities, I'm always very busy. Right now I can play only a few songs. I used to play and sing a lot of my favourite songs.I can't really remember all of them as I've explained earlier, I have other interests that I rotate around my schedule.

One thing about instruments, if you dont play and practise regularly, you cannot perform. There's no short cut. I've been singing since young... there were so many popular songs in the old days. My family loves music. My dad played beautiful violin, my mum loved singing Chinese operas, my children play classical piano and my grand children play guitar, piano, violin and the drums. They also love dancing, but we are all not professionals - we do all these just for fun, as a hobby.

I didn't form a band as I'm not a professional and not a full time musician. However, I do have professional musician friends who can jam with me when I ask them. They're really good and can guide me all the way. Depending on the songs I play, I usually jam with a drummer, bass guitarist, keyboardist, and sometimes rhythm guitarist altogether.

We usually jam at my place or in a studio for 2 hours. We're not always together as my musician friends are working. They are very obliging and will make time for me. I have four videos on youtube and have hundreds of friends and fans. They also send me their videos and because of that, I know now about Eric Clapton, BB King and many other legendary performers. Before that I only knew of Santana...LOL!!

Here are some of my favourite guitarists, just to name a few : Carlos Santana, BB King, Peter Green and Gary Moore. When Gary Moore passed away, I cried because I love his music so much. My passion for music has motivated me to record some of my favourite songs. Please visit my website to listen to them. Now, with modern equipments and high-tech facilities, the music sounds so much better.

I wish to name a few songs that I love: Blue moon, I cant begin to tell you, Inamorata, Its a sin to tell a lie, If I give my heart to you, Sway, Five minutes more, With a song in my heart. Sleepy lagoon, Stardust, Only you, The great pretender, Spanish eyes, Crazy, I walk alone, I'm in the mood for love, Mack the knife, Love letters in the sand, He'll have to go, Silver threads and golden needles, I wonder who's kissing her now, Changing partners, Cest si bon. Sentimental journey.
My collection of guitars stands at ten.

Regards,
Mary

Images: (1) With Carlos Santana (2) Her Gibson, Les Paul solid guitar.
Check her out: http://www.grandmamaryrocks.com/
(The above letter has been edited and Mary Ho has agreed to its content.)

Singapore 60s Vinyl Covers Are Works Of Art: Pt 1

2011-06-23T16:54:00.021+08:00

The 3 vinyl cover images above are taken from my record collection of Singapore, Malaysia and SE Asian 60s and 70s pop music stars and they fill my drawers to the brim. What amazes me is the illustrative work done by some of our graphic designers who had taken time and trouble to draw these pieces of art.

The images shown are only samplings of the hundreds of local record covers that have hand-drawn portraits. Frankie Cheah, The Quests and Sugiman Jahuri are some of the musicians who have credibility in the 60s to attract record buyers with their own rendition of imported western music.

The first vinyl cover shows Johore (Malaysia) teacher Cheah's hit single Woman In My Life (image 1: S-CHK 1074), with Denver on the flip. Produced and marketed by EMI/Columbia, the music was arranged and produced by Reggie Verghese/Kassim Masdor.

The photography and illustrations were by Freddy Ang. The white bold lettering with light green background announces the stylishly drawn image of the singer and guitar who appear in black and white.

As hippie music invaded SE Asia, a new release in March 1968 by EMI had The Quests instrumentalizing 4 Asian songs (image 2: ECHK 587) with new psychedelic sounds*. The cover shows the usual flower-power design significant during that period of pop music.

Psychedelia was rearing its head, and as the EP sleeve shows, only the ladies in Singapore could have long hair, not the guys. This time 4 colours were used, a dull greyish blue and black contrasting the yellow flowers and white faces. The illustrator of this intricately designed cover was not named. Pity. The songs in the Quests EP are The Indian Maid, Return Of Spring, Sayonara and Why Go To The Temple.

In 1968 when the man from Bukom Island (Singapore) took second prize in the Radio Television Singapore Talentime, he recorded four sentimental songs. Sugiman Jahuri became an overnight sensation and a sketch of the man appears on the cover of EMI record (image 3: ECHK 593).

The detailed yet simply crafted portrait of Sugiman with his suede-coloured spring jacket, purple batik top, white pants and loose belt echo his easy going singing style and fashion of the day. Again the original illustrator is unknown but the design and photography was by Unigraphic Studios. Songs on EP: Look At You, It's Not For Me To Say, You Make My Life Worthwhile, Born Free.

So, even before the advent of Lucas Films and Walt Disney Films in Singapore today, we had our stable of talented illustrators who have done justice with their creativity.

Images from iPhone4: EMI Records (SE Asia Limited).

Original article/record collection: Andy Lim.

*Thanks to Jap Chong, well-known music personality and Quests rhythm guitarist, who personally explained to me the use of the fuzz-box on this recording.

First 1910 Pop Band In Singapore @ Raffles Hotel?

2011-06-20T10:53:00.024+08:00

During a recent relaxing cruise around the region I stumbled upon another coffee-table book in the ship's library. It was a large collection of Singapore 500 Early Postcards. What attracted me to this book (Cover: image 1) were the never-before-seen pictures of very old Singapore.

I feasted my hungry eyes on scenes of opium smokers in the 1930s languishing in their own private lounges, rice-cake hawkers under shady trees selling their ware to labourers, rickshaws beside vintage cars on the streets of Orchard Road and the Victoria Memorial Hall in its orginal, colonial splendour. 500 of the best snaps!

*Private collector and author of the book, deltiologist Professor Cheah Jin Seng donated his local postcards to the Singapore Philatelic Museum in 2007. He estimated that between the late 1890 and 1940, two hundred thousand postcards were published. Another researcher Chris Mortimer estimated that half a million postcards were sent from the Straits Settlement during the postcard boom around the 1900.

Again, what has all this to do with music? As I flip through the pages of time, what interested me most was one picture, a photograph of 'the first ballroom in the East' at the Raffles Hotel (image 2) dated 1910. Imagine a big band playing in Singapore exactly 100 years ago? I have enlarged the image and highlighted the band (image 3) performing on the raised platform in front of the ballroom. The 10 musicians can be clearly seen with the grand piano, guitar, drumset , double bass and other instruments (?).

What music could the band have been playing then as the couples, possibly only caucasians, ballroomed their way across the polished wooden floor? What dance steps were popular so early in the 20th Century? Is the date correct? 1910?

Anyone familiar with this period of popular music, both Western and Eastern? A check with Wikipedia revealed songs that I have never heard of. They include, Ma Blushin' Rosie, Strike Up The Band, Tell Me Pretty Maiden, Violets and many more.

I am interested in this period of music in Singapore. If you can contribute some, please write in.
*http://www.imagesofasia.com/biography/html/singapore/Singapore_Postcards.php

Original article: Andy Lim.
Images 1,2: Singapore 500 Early Postcards: Cheah Jin Seng 296 pages. Published 2006. lst edition. ISBN: 9789814155984.

Image 3: for clarity, is my own enlargement of image 2.

Webber/Rice: 'Any Dream Will Do' Is 1968 Song

2011-06-17T08:49:00.038+08:00

SONGS I LOVE:
The Music Of Andrew Lloyd Webber production that is coming to Singapore showcases his internationally acclaimed compositions, especially one from Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat. It is called Any Dream Will Do, composed together with Tim Rice. I saw the musical at the Kallang Theatre when the *RUG performed here some years ago but didn't realise that the song was written in 1968.

It is a full 2 hour musical today but was originally a fifteen minute performance at Collete Court School in London in the late 60s. The song was first recorded on vinyl by Joe Cuddy (image) and it became a number one hit in Ireland in 1974. (I haven't heard of Joe Cuddy before listening to this particular song. Have you?)

Any Dream has been sung by Donny Osmond, Andy Gibb and others but associated with **Jason Donovan after it was released as a single in 1991. The singer played Joseph in the West End stage production at London Palladium. This beautiful and haunting song was on the UK singles chart for only two weeks. It's strange that a song of this quality and stature lasted for such a short time.

It is also true that the version by Donovan is not listed under 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die, edited by Robert Dimery. Do you like this song? Tell us.
A temporary sample of the You Tube Recording is on the right side-bar.
Information:Wikipedia.

*Really Useful Group.
** The two Jasons: Jason Donovan is an Australian singer born in 1968, while Donovan Philip Leitch is a Scottish singer born in 1946 with 60s hits, Atlanta, Jennifer Juniper, Mellow Yellow, etc.
Image 2: http://www.45cat.com/

Image 1: http://www.irish-showband.com/
Original article: Andy Lim.

Julian Lennon Collecting John Lennon And Beatles

2011-06-14T09:31:00.022+08:00

"When I started collecting I only had a couple of items, including the two guitars Dad had given me... (n)early everything now I own I had to buy at auctions... (u)nfortunately I haven't always managed to get what I've bid on at auction (Foreward: page 9)."

Julian Lennon's statement about collecting his father's and the other Beatles' memorabilia is stark and truthful because he has been collecting their memorabilia for about 20 years. And what a collection he has. From John Lennon picture postcards, personal family photographs, ticket stubs, rare Beatles records to glittering guitars, framed Gold Discs with record-sale citations, phonograph players, a unique motor-cycle and psychedelic car, Lennon junior has them all.

It is a 2010 coffee-table book published by Goodman Books. Working with well-known music author Brian Southall, Lennon gives an insight into his collection and explains what they mean to him and his family. Titled, Beatles Memorabilia: The Julian Lennon Collection, it is an interesting and beautiful read if you are an ardent fan and wish to pursue the items in images. Or in kind if you can manage.

Information and Cover: Beatles Memorabilia The Julian Lennon Collection. Design and text copyright 2010 Carlton Books Limited.
Original article: Andy Lim.

This posting is not an advertisement. Blogger has read the book and it is available at our National Library, Singapore.

Ref: 782.421660922 SOU-[ART]

1957 Singapore: Rock n Roll Might Encourage Riots

2011-06-10T11:01:00.017+08:00

Topic: That Singapore Youth Is Not Given Enough Independence.

Even in the late 50s, Singapore students argued about "not getting enough independence" from their parents. A friendly debate amongst three mission schools, St Andrew's, St Margaret's and St Hilda's resulted in a battle of words with rock and roll music as target.

One speaker suggested that rock and roll was the result of parents trying to control their children excessively. Another member of the team agreed that the music was "healthy fun" but pessimistic parents thought it was an "inclination to riot."

An opposing member of the debating team argued that if independence meant rioting on the streets after viewing a rock and roll movie, then she would have, "none of it." And as the dance became a hot issue another debater suggested that rock and roll meant the independence of youth. To show his support, a classmate of mine from St. Andrew's, Wong Peng Koon shouted, "Long live rock and roll!" He was a school debater and is now a prominent lawyer.

But the debate was brought back into focus when a speaker quietly suggested that independence carried responsibilities such as "obeying the law." So who says youths in the 50s are quiet and reserved? Not true. We've had our say. And rock n roll is here to stay. And who won the debate? Ah, you must read it from The Straits Times.

Were you in this debate? Tell us.
Information from: The Straits Times Singapore (page: 3, 27/07/1957) and original article has been edited by Andy Lim.

Image: from Google Images

What Terrible Twins? Larry Lai And Tan Swee Leong

2011-06-07T11:49:00.020+08:00

Singapore had its first independent cable station in the 60s called Rediffusion. Back then the term DJ or Disc Jockey was practically unheard of in conservative Singapore. I still remember using the term, Announcer during the 50s when listening to such programmes on the radio.

To be a DJ in the 60s was the ultimate. It is a profession that promises fame and fortune. Larry Lai and Tan Swee Leong were two of the most prominent personalities at Rediffusion. With their faultless and fluent British accent on air and sometimes cheeky capers, Larry and Swee Leong became household names. "Like Kleenex!" Larry remarked.

So here they are again, the Terrible Twins. But how terrible can they be? Both were just carrying out their duties. Larry Lai (left, in case you still don't know and haven't been reading this blog too carefully) was up the ladder of shelved Long Playing records, searching for vinyls to spin for his new show Disc Jockey Parade which aired in September, 1960. Slim and trim, he was still a teenager then, at 19 years young.

Tan Swee Leong (right) was at the Rediffusion studio recording his Jazz Beat programme which aired on Tuesdays at 9.45pm. "Latest" photograph could denote they were new on the broadcast scene and still learning the ropes? Both were clean-cut and widely admired by our Singapore ladies.

The two images are from the weekly 'Rediffusion Times', a magazine in English, Chinese and Malay, produced by the first ever cable company in Singapore. I could not connect the site to this blog. Sorry, perhaps they are restrictive with copyrights too. If there is any objection regarding this posting please inform and it shall be deleted. Andy Lim.

To read more about Larry Lai and Tan Swee Leong click topic under Labels below:

Harry Chapin: Spend More Time With The Kids

2011-06-05T12:33:00.012+08:00

SONGS I LOVE:

It hasn't been easy and it won't be easy. Being a good dad or grandad but I know I try. American singer/songwriter Chapin tells it all. Is it his one-hit wonder? Doesn't matter. It's a song that explains the situation many parents are in today. But it was written in 1974. Yes, nothing much has changed.

Thanks to Chun See who reminded me of this song.

'Cat's In The Cradle' by: Harry and Sandy Chapin

(Copyright reserved)

My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talkin' 'fore I knew it, and as he grew
He'd say "I'm gonna be like you dad...
Repeat:

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home dad?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then
You know...

My son turned ten just the other day
He said, "Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on let's play
Can you teach me to throw", I said, "Not today
I got a lot to do", he said, "That's OK"
And he walked away but his smile never dimmed
And said...

Well, he came home from college just the other day
So much like a man I just had to say
"Son, I'm proud of you, can you sit for a while?"
He shook his head and said with a smile
"What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys
See you later...

I've long since retired, my son's moved away
I called him up just the other day
I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind"
He said, "I'd love to, Dad, if I can find the time
You see my new job's a hassle and kids have the flu...
Image: Google images.

Check out Chun See's blog: http://goodmorningyesterday.blogspot.com/

Middlesex U Student, Film Maker And Swallows Fan

2011-05-29T16:41:00.019+08:00

(M. Erwin, left image, contacted me about a year ago for a video interview on 60s music and its influence in South East Asia).

M. Erwin: Realisateur, HD Videographer. Location: Paris, Île-de-France. Nationality: Singaporean. Languages spoken: English, German, French, Mandarin, Hokkien, Indonesian & Malay. Education: Middlesex University, SAE Institute Munich/Singapore Major: BA Film Making.

Biography:

Erwin was born in Singapore of a Baweanese (Boyanese) father of dutch ancestry from the island of Bawean in the Dutch East Indies and a Bugis/Javanese mother. After 4 years with Singapore Press Holdings, he enrolled at SAE Institute in Munich and completed an honours degree in Film Making, accredited by Middllesex University U.K.

After graduating, Erwin returned to Singapore and worked as an assistant researcher at A*Star's I²R after which he freelanced as a videographer, catering to private functions and concerts. He now works as a despatch videographer for TV broadcasters, covering various news conferences across the EU.

In Paris, he runs an office at the edge of 16e Arrondissement de Paris (District 16) due to its close proximity to all major French TV broadcasters. He has since completed the research phases for 3 indie films and is currently juggling work; to make it realise by 2012.

(Erwin's write-up on The Swallows in the next posting below).

Erwin's Blog: http://www.blogger.com/profile/16386753260803316043

'The Swallows' Blog From France By M. Erwin

2011-05-29T16:29:00.010+08:00

Here it is at last, a blog about The Swallows, Singapore's top Pop Yeh Yeh band from the 60s. It comes all the way from France, written and compiled by good friend M. Erwin.

Thank you Erwin. I hope fans of The Swallows will check out your blog here:

http://kassimslamattheswallows.blogspot.com/

Images: from M. Erwin's blog.

Middle Of The Road Group Told To Get A Haircut! A Ban On Long Hair in Singapore 70s

2011-05-27T09:27:00.018+08:00

The controversial mid-60s hippie generation had some impact on our own local music scene and brought some changes to the industry. In the early 70s when Singapore bands were exploring the idea of leaving the country to perform in other parts of the world, a group from Scotland arrived on our sunny island.

They were told immediately by the Singapore authorities that unless they conformed to certain regulations they had to make a U-turn and leave the country. And what did they have to do? Pop group Middle Of The Road quietly trimmed their mane before performing in the Hyatt at Orchard Road.

It happened in February, 1972 when three laddies had their hair professionally shorn by the fourth lassie in the quartet, singer Sally Carr. Ironically Ms Carr was a hairdresser turned vocalist and helped them with their locks. The other members were drummer Ken Andrews, guitarist Ian McCredie and bassist brother Eric McCredie. The group became a worldwide phenomenon with their million sellers: Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep, Tweedle Dee And Tweedle Dum, Soley Soley and Sacremento (A Wonderful Town).

Guess the folks back home in Glasgow forgot to tell Ken, Ian and Eric about the long-hair ban in Singapore. "Where's your mama gone?"

Earlier in January 1972, Australian pop singer Ricky May experienced the same dilemma. He had just arrived from Brussels but had his contract cancelled. He was only allowed to sing if he had his 'short back and side.' His was a two-week stint at the Supper Club in Singapore.

Do you know of other groups or singers who had to do their shave and a haircut before being allowed to perform here in Singapore?

NB: There was a Singapore government ban on long hair in the 70s. Check out the article under 'Labels' below.
Information about Middle of the Road: Wikipedia.

Information about their Singapore visit: National Heritage Board.

Image: Google.

Original article: Andy Lim.

Groovematics: Singapore Private Clubs Play 60s

2011-05-23T13:23:00.017+08:00

The natural talent, versatility and repertoire of Philippino musicians are legendary. These melody makers perform in many private clubs and nightspots all over Singapore. Our local islanders who love pops, throng these places to listen to singers like Laila, Vanessa and one man band Ging (lst image) over a glass of beer.

Handsome Ging is so deft on his guit strings that those who are familiar with his playing compare him to Carlos Santana. His rendition of Black Magic Woman, Oye Como Va and other Santana hits kept us enraptured the whole evening. The girls sing anything from the 50s and they sound as great as they look! Their version of Freddie Aguilar's Anak will pull the heartstrings.

Requests for particular songs from patrons were swift as drink-hostesses carried slips of paper to the two ladies on stage. The Groovematics kept the young crowd entertained. Image 2 shows promoter and Silver Strings bass guitarist, Audie Ng with his group. And where is this band playing? Cannot tell lah! But definitely not far from the Esplanade.

Images/Article: Andy Lim.

Singapore's Latin Duo: Ally And Bobo At The Expo

2011-05-21T14:05:00.016+08:00

Well here they are ladies and gentlemen, two of the best Singapore strollers I have seen since my days in Paris, France. Elder brother Ally (right image) and Bobo (who plays lead and rhythm with The Silver Strings) are seen here at the Singapore Exposition hallways performing Latin hits from the 60s with only an acoustic guitar each. They were performing, Fly Me To The Moon and Quizas, Quizas, Quizas.

The amateur recordings on 1st May 2011 were done impromptu and under extraordinary circumstances. But the music and vocals are excellent, definitely professional. Los Bobos, as they are called, played for two hours each day during lunch. Pity you missed them because they are a fantastic duo, playing a great number of current music too. The Los Bobos are not buskers but stroll at nightspots around Singapore entertaining moonlight revellers.

Original article: Andy Lim.
Image: from You Tube by nateynoo.

You can listen to them at the right Side-Bar >>>>>

'Kopi Susu' With 'La Colegiala' Sandra Reemer

2011-05-14T22:42:00.036+08:00

She is of Dutch, Chinese and Javanese extraction and born in Bandung, Indonesia on Oct 17, 1950. Barbara Alexandra (Xandra) Reemer loved to sing as a child but it was only after the family moved to the Netherlands (Holland) in 1958 that she started to participate in singing competitions.

Her chance came when young Sandra (X became S) appeared on the famous Katholieke RadioOmroep (KRO) show in April 1962. Her performance was quickly noticed by well-known bandleader and talent scout Frans Kerkhof who took her to Philips Records for an audition.

By the middle of 1962, the twelve year old Sandra shot to stardom with her Dutch version of Al Di La. She also became popular with her extensive repertoire which included Indonesian Malay songs. When she recorded some of these folksy favorites, listeners took an immediate liking as they became very popular.

Sandra has made herself known more as a songstress from the Netherlands than one from Indonesia, having represented the country three times at the internationally famous Eurovision Song Contest. The years were 1974, 1976 and 1979 and she sang, When It Comes To Love (in Dutch), The Party's Over and Colorado respectively during the shows.

Her hit songs that had spread far and wide in Singapore, Malaya and the Far East included songs in Dutch and Indonesian. Some of the Indonesian Malay titles are: Kopi Susu (Coffee And Milk), Nona Nona Djaman Sekarang (Today's Modern Ladies), Kapal Ladju (Speed, Boat!), Indonesia and Singapura.

As the years rolled along, successful Sandra stood tall and was soon in the same league with countrymen and stalwarts Anneke Gronloh, The Blue Diamonds, Johnny Lion and The Jumping Jewels. The Indo/Dutch invasion of Singapore had begun. Listen to her sing 'La Colegiala' on You-Tube. The word means 'schoolgirl' in Spanish. Hot, Hot, >>

The maturity, style and sophistication are evident in Reemer's voice. The La Colegiala has gone a long way since Kopi Susu. This 'nona' is truly 'zaman sekarang.'

(Check Wikipedia in Dutch: Reemer's biography after the 70s.)
Images: Universal Music, Singapore/Google images.
Information: Wikipedia and Questing Bandstand.

Edited by: Andy Lim.

Steven Tyler: Sing With Me, Sing For The Laughter

2011-05-12T08:51:00.005+08:00

"Every time I look in the mirror
All these lines on my face getting clearer
The past is gone
It goes by, like dusk to dawn
Isn't that the way
Everybody's got their dues in life to pay

Yeah, I know nobody knows
where it comes and where it goes
I know it's everybody's sin
You got to lose to know how to win

Half my life
is in books' written pages
Lived and learned from fools and
from sages
You know it's true
All the things come back to you
Sing with me, sing for the year
Sing for the laughter, sing for the tears..."
(Dream On by Steven Tyler/Aerosmith)

I grew up listening to Dean Martin, Johnny Ray and Cliff Richard. The King was always standing by. But middle of the road stuff like Beautiful Sunday, Killing Me Softly and Mother And Child Reunion were also my cuppa in the mid 70s (having listened to them on New Zealand radio day and night in 1973).

But I began to appreciate Badfinger's Come And Get It and Steven Tyler's Dream On after having been introduced to them by younger college mates who were around me in the 70s. The grounding of course came much earlier from Deep Purple, with their heavy guitar drawl that was metal.

These songs gave me that extra edge for what I term kick music, songs with that extra under the jaw punch. But Tyler's composition was one that I kept in the back drawers of my mind. I never appreciated the screaming man and his harmonica although I like the song.

Now that I see him week after week on American Idol, I thought I'd open the drawer again and take out the crumpled paper that had part of the lyrics of Dream On. And when I read the words again, they made a lot of sense. "The past is gone, it goes by like dusk to dawn" but "sing with me, sing for the year, Sing for the laughter, sing for the tears." Thank you Steven Tyler and house mates.

Image: Google images.
Original article: Andy Lim.

SRS Naidu: Compere, Mimic, Ventriloquist (Part II)

2011-05-10T10:40:00.025+08:00

2nd and concluding article about SRS Naidu:

Entitled, Meet Malaysia's Most Wanted Compere, the short introduction in the souvenir programme highlighted the difficulties the organisers experienced when they tried to get the services of Naidu for the dinner and dance they were organising because he was "the most sought-after compere" in Singapore.

It also explained that "SRS, as he is popularly known to many of us, is one of the very few in Singapore or even in the East who can compere or tackle any social or sports event. He is always at his best."

"Last year (possibly 1964) he was invited to a Grand Ball at Tapah, Perak to compere the visit of H.H. The Sultan of Perak. He had also compered the world famous Don Yada and His Latin Follies Show, the Johnny Nakamura Show, the recent Miss Singapore contest, a Hindi pop show featuring 60s Bollywood Legend MGR and hundreds of others in his fifteen years as Master of Ceremonies."

In his working life, SRS was popular with the nurses in Singapore hospitals when he was attached to the Singapore General Hospital." When he left GH he secured a "good post" in the Car Parks Divison of the Ministry of National Development.

The article again emphasised his ability at "big fun fairs (where) he plays a leading role" because, as an "organiser of socials and sports, (he) is known to many. A natural baritone, with an American accent, we are proud that he accepted our invitation and we know that you are going to enjoy his wit."

I had occasions to meet this man on stage when he formally introduced singers who were about to perform. He was good. So why was he called The Birdman? Because SRS was a ventriloquist who could mimic bird calls. It was the 60s remember?
Image from Squidoo: Bluebird Bag by maggieO2.

SRS Naidu: Victoria School Birdman MC (Part I)

2011-05-10T08:20:00.021+08:00

Cult hero and action star of 50s Hollywood movies, Burt Lancaster played the title role as The Birdman Of Alcatraz. It was a hit, drawing thousands to watch the film on the big screen.

Similarly Singapore had birdmen who also drew the crowds, but to the dance floors. In fact, two popular comperes on the 60s social dinner and dance circuits had near similar names with similar titles. One was Mr. S. Ragavan Naidu and the other S. R. S. Naidu, The Birdmen Of Singapore. Below is an article about S. R. S., taken from the website of Victoria Secondary School, Singapore.

"Old Victorians who have made their names as radio/tv comperes and DJs include the legendary Tan Swee Leong and the late S. R. S. Naidu, popularly known as the Birdman of Singapore. Both were listed in the Who's Who in Singapore and Malaysia, a publication on prominent personalities. Singaporeans of the older generation would remember with fondness the great voice and witty presentation of Swee Leong first on Rediffusion and later with Radio TV Singapore.

Naidu was omnipresent as a compere at beauty pageants and high profile functions. He was one of those instrumental in organising the VS School Carnival in 1968 which was adjudged as one of the best and most popular carnivals hosted by a school then. He also compered the talentime contest which was a great success. It was no doubt boosted by the presence of the Birdman himself (Edited by blogger and written by: 1960s VIC)."

Why was he known as the birdman? The next posting on SRS will provide the answer.

Information from: http://blog.ova.org.sg/2009/05/satay-night-reflections/

Singapore Band In London Had Three Names?

2011-05-09T00:30:00.016+08:00

ANSWER TO QUIZ TIME:

This group went to England in 1962 and were paid for their services when they played in a West End nightspot in London accompanied by their manager Tom Gan. Leading the group was 19 year old guitarist George Teo, cousin to brothers Andrew (18) and John (19) Gwee. Andrew played bass guitar while John the drums.

The two brothers were from the Singapore Junior Trade School and had gone to London to study music. Known as The Hilltoppers, the four became popular when they were runners-up in The Blue Diamonds Show Case in the 60s. They had played at parties and functions but when they acquired the engagement in the West End, they called themselves Singapore Islanders.

(Hardly anyone attempted the Quiz. Only current DJ Mr William Xavier got the answer correct. Apparently the group was also called The Etceteras. A phone conversation with pop music culturalist, Singapore 60s image collector Dennis Tan, confirmed the information.)

Besides recording the single in 1964 on Oriole (image) with Now I Know and Little Lady, Dennis also revealed that the group recorded another earlier single, Bengawan Solo with an original song on the flip, Where Is My Love. So the quest ends here; it's the same band but with three names: The Hilltoppers when they were in Singapore, as Singapore Islanders when they performed in England and became The Etceteras as recording artistes. If there are corrections to be made regarding information please let us know.

Thanks to LL for the connection, Mr X, Dennis and blog follower 'Jimmy', who recently provided the same answer! Four lunches for all. Anytime.

Images from: You Tube by 'my7inch'

The Stereos: 'I Really Love You' - A One Hit Wonder

2011-05-03T17:34:00.014+08:00

From Steubenville, Ohio is an RnB or Doo-Wop group you might have missed in the late 50s and early 60s. A few sites on the Net introduced members Bruce Robinson on lead vocals, Nathaniel Hicks (first tenor), Sam Profit (second tenor), George Otis (baritone) and Ronnie Collins (bass).

They were known as The Buckeyes in 1955 and recorded two songs on Deluxe Records in 1957, Since I Fell For You with Be Only You and Dottie Baby with Begging You Please. Both records did not make the charts. Have you heard these songs?

In 1959 they added Leroy Swearingen (first tenor) and released their first record as The Stereos, A Love For Only You and Sweetpea's In Love on Gibraltar Records, but again failed the charts. Before Swearingen left the group, he wrote, I Really Love You and was then replaced by Nathaniel Hicks.

On September 25, 1961 I Really Love You on Cub Records made its Billboard Hot 100 debut and peaked to number 29 remaining on the Hot 100 for 9 weeks. A couple of weeks later on October 16, 1961 it became a number 15 hit record on Billboard's RnB chart.

They continued releasing singles on various labels through 1968 but none of the songs made it. The group is known as a one-hit wonder and their only record remains on many oldies radio station play list today. (Edited.)

The Stereos are not The Platters but the song's pretty cute. Catch it on the right-bar.

Information: http://joetroiano.wordpress.com/2011/04/21/the-stereos-i-really-love-you/

(For LL who introduced me to plenty.)

Stylers Band 1971 Casino Song In Fujian Dialect

2011-05-01T21:02:00.037+08:00

Two casinos have been built in the southern part of Singapore and they have been in the news these past months. One monolith stands tall bestriding the entrance of Marina Bay and the other is situated at Sentosa Island.

It is appropriate now to revive a rib-tickling, made-in-Singapore song about a gambling man who tries his hands at the gaming table. And the band responsible for this rollicking deal? The Stylers! The versatility of this home grown garage group is legendary. They recorded the humorous piece called, Our Casino Song in 1971. It is sung in Hokkien by Stylers' lead guitarist John Teo (image: centre man).

Hokkien or Fujian is a Chinese dialect which originated in the Fujian Province of China. This dialect is understood by many people living in the South East Asian region. Although it is not as widely spoken as Cantonese, the dialect can also be heard in the West. But whether it's in Hokkien or English, the lyrics run along a similar theme; that if you go to the casino be prepared to lose all your money.

However, if the listener still needs to understand the lyrics, here's the literal translation in English. Meantime, just enjoy the beat and the music. Does the tune sound familiar?

Our Casino Song

(Chorus repeated after each verse) Aiyoh, my money is gone, is gone, aiyoh...

Translation:

I played gin rummy /Loved the indulgence /Never thought that my wallet /Would 'follow them' /I haven't got a cent 'by my side.' /Went to Toa Payoh, Lorong 3 /(A place in Singapore) /Gambled everything away /Including my ring and wages /With nothing left to my name /But it's useless to regret /Gamblers get muddled /And become promiscuous /Abandoning their wives /Advice to others not to/Make the same mistake/Gamblers have no future.

Image 1 from: Antelope Record CTEP 1041 - The Stylers 8 Hits For Your Party Non-Stop Dancing.

Image/Original Article: Andy Lim.

Our Casino Song: You Tube Video on Right Bar by MrRainbow64.

Thanks to Randy Lee (image: far right) and Alvin Tan for translation.

2011-05-01T10:50:00.001+08:00

Click 'First Of May' below for write-up.

Marvin Gaye: You Have Issues Compose The Blues

2011-04-22T17:16:00.013+08:00

If you love mellow funk this is it. Marvin Gaye's Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler), a 1971 composition, pulls the heartstrings because this song is a poignant plea for attention to the problems faced by America's urban areas, as well as a call for help.

The lyrics vividly depict life in the bleak ghettos of inner-city America and how such an existence makes them question the people who are in charge. Their predicament was real.

I wonder if the complainin' and grievances of Singaporeans can be effectively transcribed into a song. Maybe a local composer from our sunny island can compose a song too, entitled: Many Doin' Nothin' But Just Complainin'.

Meantime an edited version of the Marvin Gaye and James Nyx hit, Inner City Blues:
Rockets, moon shots
Spend it on the have nots
Money, we make it
Fore we see it you take it
Oh, make you wanna holler
The way they do my life
This ain't livin', This ain't livin'
Inflation no chance
To increase finance
Bills pile up sky high
Send that boy off to die
Hang ups, let downs
Bad breaks, set backs
Natural fact is
I can't pay my tax
Mother, mother
Everybody thinks we're wrong
Who are they to judge us
Simply cause we wear our hair long
(This song is the 3rd and final single from Gaye's album, What's Goin On)

Don't Criticise What You Can't Understand: Dylan

2011-04-21T09:25:00.013+08:00

Bob Dylan was in Singapore recently. A truly great 60s artiste with an independent mind, some of his songs are interesting reads. So looking from a different perspective and unless you are familiar with this particular song, please READ the extract of, The Times They Are A Changin' (January, 1964, Columbia Records) below. Apologies to Bob Dylan. Bracketed remarks are mine:

Bob Dylan:
"Come gather 'round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone.
Then you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'
(Orchard Road floods?)

Come writers and critics
Who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide
The chance won't come again
And don't speak too soon
For the wheel's still in spin
And there's no tellin' who
That it's namin'.
For the loser now
Will be later to win
For the times they are a-changin'
(New roulette wheel at Casino?)

Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don't stand in the doorway
Don't block up the hall
There's a (contest) outside ragin'
It'll soon (clear) your windows
And (strengthen) your walls
For the times they are a-changin'
(Perhaps a tsunami?)

Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don't criticize
What you can't understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is
Rapidly agein'
For the times they are a-changin'
(Seniors Realisation Week?)

The line it is drawn
The slow one now
Will later be fast
As the present now
Will later be past
The order is
Rapidly fadin'.
For the times they are a-changin'..."
(Formula One Night Race?)
Just wondering. If there's a need for change, is it for the better? That's important.
Image: From 'Google Images'

SINGAPORE GENERAL ELECTIONS 2011

Lyrics For Thought Before Singapore Polling Day

2011-04-20T18:42:00.011+08:00

ANY POLITICAL MEANING TO PAUL SIMON'S SONG?

An extract and interpretation:

Paul Simon seeks to convey a message of how ignorance taints the minds of so many people. "Silence" refers to submission. He reveals how people so foolishly follow rulers without actually knowing a ruler's true intentions and background. "People hearing without listening" reveals a people's willingness to take heed to the commands spoken by a leader without fully realizing the consequences of this obedience.

Simon, or whomever is having this dream, tries to warn these conformists in the lines that read "'Fools' said I, "You do not know/ Silence like a cancer grows/ Hear my words that I might teach you,/ Take my arms that I might reach you."" But his warning is swallowed in the abyss of submission: "But my words like silent raindrops fell,/And echoed/In the wells of silence."

This song may refer to a particular nation or people, but most likely it refers to people in general who submit themselves too freely. The song continues to describe the people's capitulation in several lines, most notably in the words, "And the people bowed and prayed/To the neon god they made."

The song's meaning is for the listener to decide and there are many different ideas; however, I personally have always believed that it pertains to a people's readiness to support a leader without fully realizing the possible outcomes.

I am aware Paul Simon in an NPR interview, has admitted there was no profoundly deep meaning to the lyrics when he wrote them. He said he was possibly expressing teenage angst and frustration as to how they are largely ignored by society.

Click below to read the whole article:

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_meaning_of_the_lyrics_Sound_of_Silence

'Play It Cool' Movie (1962) Banned In Our Cinemas

2011-04-16T10:59:00.023+08:00

According to a 1962 Singapore newspaper that covered local and overseas entertainment the rock n roll movie, Play It Cool (image) was banned because of its "undesirable song and dance sequence."

Such movies drew crowds because fans were able to watch their pop stars on the 'silver screen'. Computers and You Tube were not available then and movies like, Sing Boy Sing, Rock Around The Clock, Jamboree, Calypso Heat Wave and a host of others kept the cinemas flooded with the best Western pop artistes singing their latest.

Play It Cool had Billy Fury as the main attraction, so could he be the reason why the movie was banned in Singapore? Billy Fury, like many pop singers in the 60s, had a starring role and was known for his sensuality when performing.

Here's a bit of history from a website. His biography discussed his first self-penned 1959 hit, Maybe Tomorrow, which made him an overnight sensation both as a singer and an actor on radio and TV.

His second song, Margo just managed the pop chart while two other singles failed. It was due to "bad press which he was receiving," because of "his wild and overtly sexual stage acts." Elvis Presley experienced similar circumstances didn't he?

According to Fury, "All I did was to squirm about a bit and they banned me for that." But Play It Cool, a box office hit, was made in 1962 and the EP soundtrack were 45 weeks on the Charts. He had also toned down his act since 1959. Were there other reasons for the ban? Could it be the lyrics in the songs the artistes performed? What was the "undesirable song" and "dance sequence"? We will never know.

Anyone seen this movie? Perhaps someone can shed some light as to why it was banned? But then it was a long time ago. And censorship was strict.

Billy Fury Website: http://www.nic.fi/~nallew/pages/bio.html Original article: Andy Lim

The Singapore General Election 2011: Vote Wisely, Vote With Care On Election Day: 1955 Advice

2011-04-14T10:38:00.037+08:00

SONGS I LOVE:

(This posting is not a propaganda to vote for any party.)

Radio broadcast coming from Malaya was nothing special and many Singaporeans listen to the news and entertainment provided. So when the Malayan elections were about to be held on July 27th in 1955, announcements were common. It wasn't the election that attracted me but the song, composed by a humorous, radio personality called Zainal Alam.

He had a successful career in broadcasting in Malaya and to improve himself took up a Government Management Program in the USA. According to a website, "his course-mate friend was John F. Kennedy" who later became the President.

Besides Malay, Zainal speaks the local languages and dialects. He peppers his songs using colloquial catch phrases that everybody understands. One of these songs I love was Vote, Vote, Vote. I searched in vain but could not find the English version of this very popular song. It was an attractive jingle and played like a commercial day and night before election time, encouraging the populace to vote wisely. Perhaps someone in Singapore could compose an election song with just as serious a message but palatable for local consumption?

Below is part of the English version which I could remember. The Malay version is on the right side-bar. And the message is clear. Whether it's the American citizen choosing Barack Obama for his second presidential term or our Singaporean selecting a candidate for Parliament, remember to: "Vote wisely, vote with care because once you vote there is no 'lagi sa-kali' (one more time)." Anyone has the full English version?

The Voting Song (English version: Zainal Alam)

Vote vote vote

Everybody vote

Remember 27th is the day (change to: the 7th of May)

Don't forget

That you must not delay

Vote wisely vote with care

Everybody vote

When you vote You must vote wisely

What people say

You 'jangan peduli' (don't bother)

Use your head

Think very carefully

Because once you vote

There is no 'lagi sa-kali' (one more time)

Image: http://shawbrother.multiply.com/journal/item/1

SINGAPORE GENERAL ELECTIONS: 2011

What Singapore Band Played In London In 1962 ?

2011-04-10T22:47:00.016+08:00

QUIZ TIME:

What was the name of the first 60s group that left Singapore to play in the West? Was it the October Cherries? Could it be The Neu Faces? Some of our local bands went as far as Hong Kong, Sabah, Sarawak and Malaysia but these chaps went to England, U.K.

This group went in 1962 and played professionally in a West End nighspot in London (image) accompanied by their manager Tom Gan. Leading the group was 19 year old guitarist George Teo, cousin to brothers Andrew (18) and John (19) Gwee. Andrew played bass guitar while John the drums.

Questions:

1. What did they call themselves in London?

2. What was the original name of this group?

3. Name the Singapore singing competition they participated in.

(A lunch for the first person who gives the correct answer. Better still, $50.00 to Tsunami Relief Fund as suggested by Mr William X.)

When Pippi Longstocking Meets Che Guevara, Pele

2011-04-09T10:41:00.028+08:00

Remember The 60s Patricia Masso (Editor). A Book Review:

The lady's skirt became shorter and the man's hair grew longer. One became the 'mini' and the other 'hippie.'

The 60s was a brave new world as astronauts Armstrong and Aldrin walked the moon . The Pill gave men and women a chance to experiment and help "usher in a new era of sexual freedom (p 29)" while Big Mac "rocked the hamburger world" to cater to "American overindulgence (p 51)."

And in an era of the VW Beetle, Jaguar E, Andy Warhol, Op Art and Rosemary's Baby, 60s music fans will be delighted when the book discusses: Woodstock, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, Hair, The Musical and West Side Story. Smaller than an iPad but larger than a pocket book, this cute coffee table reader boasts 175 pages of 60s "objects and moments of a swinging era."

The glossy coloured images and visually beautiful black and white photographs have been attuned to tell 60s short stories in 6 exciting chapters. Lots of fun reading that includes: Che Guevara, Mary Quant, Brigitte Bardot, Mars Bar, Wet Look Coat, the Lava Lamp and the bane of Singapore authorities - Chewing Gum! The book is in three languages, English, French and Dutch.

"The Age of Aquarius was memorable and momentous... we were... growing up... testing... hoping ... our actions would change the world (Introduction)." It's new in the market, printed in 2010 by Tectum Publishers. If you want to know the 60s in a nutshell, here's the book you can read in a day. The photographs take a longer time.

And the downside to this book? It's a glimpse into the past, so expect less than a 100 words for each item discussed.

Available at our Singapore National Library: NLB 306.09046

Original article: Andy Lim. (This posting is not an advertisement.)

Rudyn Impian Bateks Kugiran Garage Pop 60an

2011-04-03T23:24:00.044+08:00

Pop songs with car themes were blazing the Top Hit Charts in the US in the 60s especially with the Beach Boys Fun, Fun, Fun. Similarly our local pop stars did the same. Malay singer Rudyn *al-haj (image 3) is associated with his well-known hit Naik Kreta Ku (Drive With Me) or literally translated, 'Hop Into My Car.' He made this particular recording with Cosdel (CEP 3009 - image 4) and backed by his own group The Bateks (as in kain batek or sarong material).

After some changes within the group and because of unavoidable circumstances they joined forces with another called D'Impians (dreamers) and formed The Impian Bateks (Indonesian spelling: batik - image 2). This group was just as popular outside the Malay community playing western music.

Having an academic degree was rare in the 60s but Rudyn was one of those who had a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Temple University in the U.S. Rudyn whose full name was Khairudin Haji Hashim, besides singing Pop-yeh-yeh music with his group, also served as a Planning Officer for Sabah Film Production. In November, 2007 Rudyn passed away in his hometown at Johore Bahru, Malaysia. He was 61 years young.

Music and lyrics for Naik Kreta Ku was by Rudyn himself while the other three, Selendang Hitam (The Black Veil), Terima-lah Lagu Ku (Please Accept My Song) and Berjumpa (Meeting) were originals by The Impian Bateks. Did Rudyn cut another record with a group called The Falcons singing Naik Kereta Baru (Hope In My New Car) , Bukan Salah Ku (Not My Fault), Pengembara (Wanderer/Vagabond) and Selamat Hari Raya (celebration after fasting month)?

The Impian Bateks were as popular under their own banner with previous recordings (Cosdel CEP 3005) like: Gadis Sekolah (School Girl), Wanita (Woman), Siapa Juwita (Who's That Girl) and Mengapah (Why). Another recording with Panda (YHEP 111) had Dari Ku Untok Mu (From Me To You), Guru Baru (New Teacher), Sekolah Ku (My School) and Oh Posmen (Oh Postman).

Song themes were typical teenage angst and school girl crushes. Pen-pals were also actively pursued by our youngsters and a record cover (image 1) that looks like an addressed envelope with stamps could sell. "Ku rindu pada mu, Ku ingin bertemu selalu... (I am lovesick and wish to meet you often...)"

Both Rudyn and TIB were a force to reckon with in the Pop-yeh-yeh 60s era. They stood among the top Malay artistes then and their wide popularity spread across Singapore, Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei. If you are familiar with them, please contribute more information.

SOME SLEEVES SPEAK (MALAY):

"Rudyn al-haj ada-lah sa-orang penyanyi berbakat dewasa ini, yang munchul di-tengah kemainan lagu2 pop yang pesat. Dengan kugiran Impian Bateks Rudyn al-haj menyanyi dengan gaya dan suara yang tersendiri. Rudyn berjaya menawan hati peminat pop dengan bentok lagu yang tersendiri.

Rudyn al-haj ada-lah bekas ahli kugiran yang kini sudah tiada lagi, tetapi Rudyn berjaya dalam usaha-nya merakamkan empat buah lagu2 pop pujaan ramai." Sharikat Cosdel Singapura. (Record back sleeve cover). Kalau kenal kugiran ini, harap beri maklumat.

*Term used for a muslim who has made a pilgrimage to Mecca.

Information/Images: radiodiffusion.wordpress.com

Image: FORD 1907 Model R/Universal Cars Ltd, Singapore

Translated information about Rudyn: Malay Wikipedia.

Article: compiled by Andy Lim.

Singapore 60 Men Fashion On Vinyl Covers (Part II)

2011-04-02T09:24:00.025+08:00

Now the boys. Just as fashionable as the ladies, they dress as well for that stage performance and look set with their tops, bell-bottoms or drain-pipes. Each gentleman cuts a dashing figure with his outfit.

Handsome and clean cut Randy Lee (left image), rhythm guitarist with The Stylers, is preparing for an evening bash with his boys in a dark grey 70s cut suit. He looks exceptionally confident in the simple yet stylish outfit. Tie and shoes to match. She's A Yum Yum, I Get So Excited, Mississippi Line and Love Grows (Where Rosemary Goes) are the four songs featured on this particular EP (Panda Brand: HREP 7003).

Chinese singer Chai Chen hangs his white jacket and flirts by the beach in white long sleeves and a maroon four-button vest and dark pants. Brown suedes complete the look. All he needs is to don the jacket and he'll be ready to croon Sayonara with his accompanying band The Travellers. Together with three Chinese songs, his recording under Jubilee (JE 5044) sold many copies.

With a short crop, Chinese singer and go-getter Peter Shu beats the lot in his eye-catching, always attractive red, black and white combination. The informal black vest with white trims and double whammy belts around his waist complete the picture. The stream-line white boots, accentuate his bell-bots. There's A Kind Of Hush, Love You Love You, Black Is Black and Proud Mary (InterWorld Record: WAA 1504) are the songs available.

Images: From record covers already acknowledged. Article: Andy Lim.

April Fool's Day: Check Songs With 'Fool' Theme

2011-04-01T08:50:00.015+08:00

New song by Elvis Presley called 'April Fool's Dinner'? Or is it a dinner for Elvis tonite?

Click 'Calendar Songs' under 'Labels' below and check out songs with similar themes.

Marty Robbin's 'April Fool's Day' >>>>>

Local Pop 60s, 70s Songs: Personal Choice (Part I)

2011-03-30T09:32:00.026+08:00

I am trying to ease the trauma and tragedy of these past weeks and the postings I had of the Japanese tsunami, the radioactive leak and the passing away of a great, pop 60s keyboardist friend... So, change of subject.

LOCAL SONGS I LOVE:

Friends have asked me my list of favourite songs by Singapore 60s artistes. They noticed that all the songs I love are not Singapore ones. It is a long list but I thought about it and decided that the eleven songs below could be my choice. Some of the hits are covers of US and British ones sung by our artistes while others are originals by Singaporeans Robert Suriya, Henry Chua, Matthew Tan, Shirley Nair, Harvey Fitzgerald and others.

I have included The Blue Diamonds' Ramona under local as Ruud and Riem de Wolffe are so familiar in our music scene. In fact I like them better than The Everlys. Rudy has passed on but Riem is somewhat Singaporean. The songs are not in any particular order. And remember, we were young then, in our 20s?

1. Shanty - The Quests

2. Ramona - The Blue Diamonds

3. Singapore Cowboy - Matthew & The Mandarins

4. It's All Over - Naomi & The Boys

5. My Lonely Heart - The Thunderbirds

6. Happy, Happy, Birthday Baby (Chinese) - Rita Chao

7. Mr. Twister - The Crescendos

8. I Believe - The Tidbits

9. Do It Right - Benny & The Trailer

10. You're The Boy - Shirley Nair & Silver Strings

11. Sausalito - Western Union Band

And the song that transports me back to the 60s? Most of them. Do you have a local 60s or 70s favourite?

Image: The LIFE Records Ltd, Nathan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Andy Lim Collection.

Goodbye James, You Tried Your Best. We Love You.

2011-03-28T18:28:00.021+08:00

JAMES CHOA: KEYBOARDIST WITH 'THE FLAMINGOS' AND SINGER WITH 'THE GAY LADS', HAS PASSED AWAY. MAY HE REST IN PEACE.

Singapore Pop 60s Fashion On Vinyl Covers (Part I)

2011-03-26T10:45:00.045+08:00

SINGAPORE FASHION AMONG CHINESE POP 60s ARTISTES:

Ladies fashion in the 60s seems to focus on colours and tones but less on accessories. Dresses are elegant and evening gowns are usually full-skirted. For casual wear, the ladies have British fashion guru Mary Quant's mini-skirt for leggy jaunts. And the word 'mini' comes from the iconic 60s Cooper mini-car.

Compared with their sisters in the West, our local Chinese pop singers dress conservatively when appearing on the covers of the vinyls they publicise. Sakura, Frances Yip, Mona Fong and Carrie Ku Mei (images) look resplendent with their pleasing, eye-catching and fashionable dress sense.

The light purplish dress with fluffy puffed sleeves that Sakura wears, is either for a concert or nightclub act. Note her bee-hive hairdo. Is she over-dressed? Not really. Carrie Koo Mei and Mona Fong are also ready for a formal evening concert in a darker purple cheongsam with psychedelic prints (?) to woo audiences with their stage presence and songs. I love their simple but charmingly styled hair and stilettos.

A very young Frances Yip appears set for a stroll in the park with her short, captivating sun-hewed print mini. Perhaps she's ready to sing a twist or shake 60s hit during a tea-dance. Or is she?

I am no expert, so do write in if you are familiar with Singapore 60s dress code and comment on the fashion sense then.

For those interested in the Chinese record covers above: Image 1: Sakura COLUMBIA/EMI ECHK. 614. Image 2: Frances Yip LIFE RECORDS/EP 2092. Image 3: Carrie Koo Mei and Mona Fong PATHE/EMI: 7EPA-206.

Images/original article: Andy Lim.

Elizabeth Taylor: Sixties Silver Screen Siren

2011-03-24T20:08:00.042+08:00

Remembering LIZ TAYLOR with a song. She had passed on at 79 years young. I was thinking of the movie Giant (1956) and the theme song by Dimitri Tiomkin that I remember so well and could sing as a youth. Fans gathered like bees at the Capitol Cinema when this honey of a film came. Tickets were sold out days ahead.
Nearly everyone who saw the blockbuster loved and learnt the Tiomkin hit which boomed out on the giant speakers at the theatre. It was also popular with Radio Singapore requesters and caused a stir. But this was the 50s lah, not 60s.

By chance, while watching television this evening, Elton John appeared on the little screen and dedicated, Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me to the beautiful and sensual star of the silver screen. But my choice remains. So Liz Taylor, one of the giants of the 60s screen, this song's for you:

Just like a sleeping giant/Sprawling in the sun /In one great hand the Rio Grande/In the other Galveston/Where oil wells laugh at angels/Buzzards wheel above/This then is Texas/Lone Star State of Texas/This is the giant/Land I love..."/Just like the silver dollar/Falling from above/This then is Texas/Lone Star of Texas /This is the giant/Land I love.../Austin to Houston/The Alamo, El Paso/Crystal City, Waco/Giant, giant, giant...

(Music/Lyrics: Dimitri Tiomkin/Paul Francis Webster/1956)

Images: By courtesy of (1) Flickr and Raffles Hotel, Singapore. (2) Google/'Giant' with James Dean.

Elizabeth Taylor was in Singapore in 1957 with husband, then Mike Todd (of Todd AO lenses fame), and had a gown designed for her by Doris Geddes. She was here again in the 90s when Michael Jackson had a concert at the National Stadium. There are many websites about Liz Taylor.

The Sandpipers Sing Chotto Matte, Misty Roses

2011-03-20T12:58:00.018+08:00

THE SANDPIPERS:

Stephen Thomas Erlewine, when writing about The Sandpipers, wrote that they were a male vocal trio that recorded easy listening pop hits in the mid 60s and was "distinguished by its light, breezy harmonies, which floated over delicate, breezy string arrangements, as well as the occasional appearance of a wordless female backing vocalist who drifted in and out of the music."

Sandpipers did not manage to have a long, sustained career but had one Top Ten hit with Guantanamera in 1966 (numerous Asian versions: check 'Guantanamera' under Labels below). There were other songs like Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls, Misty Roses, Today, Chotto Matte Kudasai and covers. The group was originally known as the Four Seasons and the trio were part of the Californian Mitchell Boys Choir before they formed their own group. Famous trumpeter Herb Alpert (remember him with his Tijuana Brass), who ran his own A&M record label was impressed when he heard them and signed them to a record contract.

An added female vocalist, Pamela Ramcier, "was one of the most distinctive elements of the group's music" and with her mod outfit of mini-skirts and a-go-go boots "made her more noticeable than the actual Sandpipers."

In 1970, Come Saturday Morning became a hit when it was part of the soundtrack for the movie, The Sterile Cuckoo. The Sandpipers continued to record into the '70s but after five years without any chart success, they disbanded in the mid-'70s. (Please read the next posting below.)

Image: The Sandpipers - Jim Brady, Mike Piano, Richard Shoff.

More about Sandpipers: http://new.music.yahoo.com/sandpipers/biography/