Quantcast
Channel: .
Viewing all 1110 articles
Browse latest View live
↧

Movie Memory Trail: Make-Shift Cinema At The CC Part One

July 19, 2013, 8:37 pm
$
0
0
With so many blogs and web-sites on the internet, movie-going topics are commonly discussed as senior Singaporeans tell their tales about this particular social happening.  I am no different. From about the 50s when I first started going to the cinemas I would visit the Capitol, Odeon or Cathay in town. 

Sometimes it would be the Rex near Serangoon Road, the Pavilion at Orchard Road or the Alhambra at Beach Road.   (Except for the Capitol - or what's left of it - and Rex, the rest have disappeared under urban renewal projects.)

Open Air Cinema Somapah Road from everythingeast.sg
Open-Air and Drive-Ins:

If I had missed any of the screenings in town,  I would either go to the Queen's Cinema in Geylang or the Roxy in suburban Katong in the east to watch the shows. Otherwise it's the Odeon Katong just a stone's throw away.  I had moved to Siglap in the 60s and the Katong area in Singapore included Mountbatten Road, East Coast Road and Siglap.

Make-Shift:

But I remember a movie experience I had that was different. I can never forget the film too.  It was called Jumping Jacks (1952) with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, which I saw in an open field.  An old projector was whirring away in the night sky screening this hilarious comedy with about 30 people watching the film at a Community Centre (now called Community Club) along Sims Avenue.  This CC was situated near Lorong 27 in the Geylang area.

A Sophisticated Make-Shift Cinema.
No, it wasn't one of those open-air cinemas where we had to pay 20 cents for admission, nor was it like the Drive-In Theatre at old Jurong where we sat in our cars. This make-shift cinema was in a basketball court.

Flapping In The Wind
Flapping Screen and Natural Air Conditioning:

Whenever the wind blew the screen (a large white sheet of cloth between two basketball poles) Dino and Jerry blew with it, contorting the black and white images on the sheet.  We didn't complain. The show was free.

The make-shift cinema was not as sophisticated as the one shown in the second image above, but it was fun and we really enjoyed the experience. Besides, it was natural air-conditioning as the breeze rustled the leaves around during the cool evening.  There were no chairs to sit on and no walls to surround the area. We stood for more than an hour. Don't forget there were reel changes which took a while.
Iconic Jailhouse Scene.

Another movie I saw at the same venue was Jailhouse Rock (1957) famous for its iconic dance scene where Elvis Presley performed the rock song with prisoners dressed in Zebra-Ts. 

*Warden threw a party in the county-jail
The prison band was there and they began to wail
The band was jumpin'and the joint began to swing
You shoulda heard those knocked out jailbirds sing...

The viewers were singing, jumping, rollicking to the beat and enjoying the Elvis night.  Strange, it doesn't happen today does it, not at the movies.  Unless it's a live rock concert. I guess people were less inhibited then?  Or were we more simple-minded?

We all hoped for one thing, that it didn't pour. If it had we would all run for cover! No Fort Canning nor Marina Bay Sands venues but we had fun as friends and neighbours gathered around a community centre for rock n roll revelations.

*Jailhouse Rock was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.
Images: Google.

↧
Search

Barry Walker Says Local 60s Bands Of Exceptional Standard Part Two

July 26, 2013, 7:25 pm
$
0
0
1. RnB with The Figures and vocalist Barry Walker.
Here's Part Two of soldier boy and band boy Barry Walker's Singapore memories when he was here in the 60s and his involvement with local musicians, faces and places.

Dear Andy,

There used to be a brilliant little record shop in Koek Road near the Orchard Road market where we could obtain almost anything pop, rock, blues or middle-of-the -road. The Beatles and The Bee Gees were probably the most popular at the time.


2. Cliff Richard @ a record shop Singapore 60s.
All the bands in Singapore were very friendly; some evenings when we had finished playing we would inevitably end up where another band was playing and finally jam with them, which was fantastic.  If we were playing late other singers/ and musicians would jam with us.  

The music played was very diverse; The Straydogs– Rhythm & Blues; The Trailers– Cliff & The Shadows; of course The Quests who were very original at the time; The Dukes–  almost all of the current hit parade favourites, as did The Shades of Blue. Heatherand The Thunderbirdsplayed originals and songs of the day, The X-Periment and Fried Ice were also great and us, The Figures / The In-Sect who played a lot of blues and soul music.
3. Fu Manchu? No, they are Pietro and The Warlocks
When all was finished we would head for an old converted house called The Fireplace.   From memory I think it was a private club of some sort where a couple of Danish hippies,so the story goes, painted the whole house in the most amazing colours and together with the lighting really made it look fantastic! I dread to think what might have been going on in there but what a place. The music played was also brilliant and certainly went with the ambience.

 
One other place to frequent was The Pub in the basement of the Hotel Malaysia at Tanglin Circus. It was probably the original IN place. I recall a guy with a bald head and really long pony tail who dressed in old Chinese style although he was European.  They were called Pietro and The Warlocks; towards the end of their last set he would swing his ponytail round like an aeroplane propeller - quite a showman he was.
4. Barry meets popular lead guitarist Derek Fitzgerald from Thunderbirds recently.
The standard of musicianship among the local bands was exceptional and when I think back, some of the instruments and amplification were not good but could the local guys play and get good sounds from them.

Horace Wee
The top musicians of the day as I recall was a guitarist named Horace Wee (left) and a bass player named Winston Filmer.  They and the band they were in were always on local television backing someone or other. Derek Fitzgerald of TheThunderbirds (above with Barry Walker) was a very good guitarist as was the guy from Fried Ice whose name I cannot remember.
Sugiman Jahuri

There was also a programme called Talentime.  Who can forget Johnny Tan or Sugiman Johari (right) the Johnny Mathis of Singapore.  Also there was Jenakarama where all the top Singaporean talent got to appear, a little like England’s Top of the Pops but the artistes chose what they performed or sang.

The local music paper of the day was Radio Weeklywhich always had one or two interviews with local bands and singers.

In early 1970 I returned to London where I finished my army career returning to Singapore six months later. I was amazed at the changes in around six months.

The T-Set the band I was with played at The Pub on a six months contract which included occasionally playing in other areas of the hotel, sometimes the roof garden or the ball room depending on what was happening. Does anyone remember the residency of Maurice Woodruf the world famous star reading man who apparently could tell your fortune?  One evening he was on stage and had a heart attack and died. Very unfortunate...

5. It Figures; Barry Walker's @ microphone.
By this time, most of the local bands had added brass to their line-ups and were playing Chicago, Earth Wind and Fire and Blood Sweat and Tears material beside a lot of Motown stuff. They were brilliant at it. One band that played in the Pub was Faith whom I thought were exceptional although I don’t know where they were from, possibly Australia ?

6. The T-Sets from England @ The Pub Penthouse Disco, Hotel Malaysia.
There was also  a local band playing at the Roof Top of the Oberoi Imperial Hotel called Log Stock and Barrel who were really good Nik Mohamed (ex Siglap 5 and The Dukes ) was their bass player and a guy by the name of 'Kupeh' was their drummer but also played really good guitar and was a very good vocalist. The whole band were really good.
Barry still remembers how great The Blackjacks are other bands were.
Does anybody remember any of the following bands ? The New Faces, Family Robinson, The Pakaloloes, The Blackjacks, The Bee-Jays, The Tribes, The Weather and Thunderstorm, Unlimited Stock who I believe became Frustration 5 to name but a few.

Images numbered 1, 4, 5, 6 are from Barry Walker (Copyrights Reserved).
↧
↧

48th National Day 2013 Special Music Posting: Radio Singapore Orchestra 1945 - 1991

August 2, 2013, 7:18 pm
$
0
0
A HAPPY 48th NATIONAL DAY  EVERYONE AND SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDIL FITRI TO ALL MUSLIMS!
 
This posting is specially designed to showcase and honour members of our radio and television orchestra, the music-makers who accompanied the choirs, the classical soloists and vocalists.  The group started as a Radio Orchestra became the Radio Television Singapore (RTS) Orchestra and bloomed into the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) Orchestra. The article and photographs are provided by Mun Chor Seng who is a guest writer. Thank you Mun.

After the National Day Parade, the Radio Orchestra took part in the multi-cultural variety show at the City Hall Steps in 1963.
The Radio Orchestra, at it was known then, was formed in 1945.  The string section that predominantly made up the orchestra was filled by expatriate musicians.  In 1959, the Malayanairs was born but it produced music that went out of vogue. 
Inche Yusof Ishak, the Yang di-Pertuan of Singapore together with Mr. S. Rajarathnam (Minister of Culture) and Mr. John Duclos (Director of Broadcasting) met Mr. Gus Steyn and Radio Singapore Orchestra members  in the Radio Auditorium.
More musicians playing woodwind and brass instruments were added to provide a more versatile combination under the leader of the orchestra Mr. Dick Abel.  They provided recorded popular and classical music for transmission to all the section of Radio Singapore.  Some of the programmes featured then were:

a) Tiga Sekawan, and
 
b)Rayuan Sukma, included mainly Malay and popular instrumental numbers for 15 to 30 minutes programmes for all the radio networks.  Three to six musicians were involved for the above programmes.
 
c) Latin Six, a programme that was mainly music from Latin America.
 
d) Music Viva,  a classical programme mainly involved with Chamber Music, for violin, cello and piano.  During that time I heard over the English Network the complete work of Beethoven's Trio in B-Flat Major, "Archduke" Op. 97.  Such programmes were mainly broadcast over the weekend in the late evening.
 
e) The Malaynairs, with augmentees where local Malay and Mandarin and Indian singers were involved in the 30 minutes programme recorded for the respective sections.
 
The Malayanairs, as the new orchestra was known, started with only 9 musicians.  It had to be augmented when the need arose to serve the four different radio networks which closed down at 11 pm nightly.
Launching of the Suara Singapura service of Radio Singapore by Inche Yusof Ishak, the Yang de-Pertuan of Singapore with the finale item of the programme on stage.
 On 1 July 1960, commercial advertising was introduced on radio.  There was a higher demand for the radio orchestra for sponsored programmes which brought in extra revenue and audience participation.  The radio orchestra was then lead by Mr. Gus Steyn who was performing in the Broadcasting House in Caldecott Hill as well as outside venues such as the Cultural Centre, Victoria Theatre, Singapore Badminton Hall and City Hall Steps etc.
 
In 1963 with the introduction of television, the same orchestra was known as the Radio and Television Singapore (RTS) Orchestra.  The musicians then were Mr. Gus Steyn (piano), Mr. Ahmad Jaafar (Saxophone), Mr. Valentine Otega (Baritone), Mr. Reynaldo Lanchica (1st Alto), Mr. Olimpio Galaura (Trumpet), Mr. Lano (Trombone), Mr. Winston Filmer (Double Bass) and Mr. Rofino Solinao (Drum).  In order to cope with the normal output for radio, it also had to bear the additional responsibility to provide additional music backing for the major live television shows.
A sponsored radio programme held at the Singapore Badminton Hall.
 On 19 Jan 1965, Gus Steyn gave his farewell performance as leader of the RTS Orchestra at a Chinese Variety show in Victoria Theatre.  At the end of the show, he was garlanded by members of the audience and gave a short speech.  Mr. Loo Koon Fun from the Chinese Programme Section presented a memento to Mr. Gus Steyn on behalf of the management of Radio Singapore.
 
In 1965, Mr. Ahmad Jaafar was the Deputy Director of Radio Orchestra.  He took over as leader in 1966 and as conductor of the orchestra from 1967 - 1982.  During that period, he established himself as a fine music arranger and composer for theme music for radio and TV productions.
 
When the station was converted into Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) in February 1980, the total number of musicians was increased to 31.  With those numbers, they could be divided to form two or three groups of smaller orchestras to meet the needs of the rapid bookings of the radio and television services of SBC.  Should the need arise, these musicians could be pooled together to perform as a concert orchestra.

Gus Steyn (left) with fellow musicians taken in Radio Auditorium of Broadcasting House.
 In 1980, SBC played host to the visiting Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) Orchestra which performed successfully in Singapore.  In April 1981, the RTS Orchsestra paid a reciprocal performance in Angkasapuri in Kuala Lumpur under the title of "Puspasara" featuring the full RTS Orchestra in Concert. 
 
According to the Puspasara programme, which was distributed to the audiences then, there were 31 musicians featured.  It was divided into 4 different sections, strings, brass, woodwinds and rhythm & percussion. 
 
                Chinese TV Variety Programme featuring Miss S.K. Poon at the new TV Singapura Studio.
 
The SBC Orchestra then featured the following musicians: Strings: (1st Violins) - Wong Eit Sun, Braulio Bacsafra Jr, Chow Kum Leng & Quek Peng Hoon, (2nd Violin) Adams Lin Jui Fang, Yeo Teow Meng, Leslie Lim Wave Houng & Tan Kok Hwa, (Viola) - Julai Tan & Ng Boon Eng, (Cello) - Tham Chaik Kong & Patricia Wei. Brass: (1st Trumpet) - Jimmy Fong Pak Lee, (2nd Trumpet) Olimpio Galaura, (3rd Trumpet) Lit Woon Cheong, (1st Trombone) - David Chen Chao Hor, (2nd Trombone) - Tonni Wei Shi Ren, (3rd Trombone) - Louis Castillo.


RTM/SBC joined production of TV variety programme which took place at Angkasapuri, KL, Malaysia.
Woodwinds: (1st Alto) Reynaldo Lachica, (2nd Alto) Celso Lachica, (1st Tenor) - John Lee Boon Eng, (2nd Tenor) -  Leonard St John Fernandez, (Baritone) - Valetine Ortega. Piano & Synthesizer -  (Organ) - Terrence Cyril de Souza.  (Guitar) - Danny Lim Ai Koon, (Drums) - Louis Soliano, Piano & Synthesizer -  Charles Godfrey Lazaroo, (Bass Guitar) -  Winston Malvern Filmer, (Percussion) - Tan Chin Boo. 
 
(Leader and Conductor) -  Ahmad Jaafar and (Deputy Leader) - Rufino Varella Soliano. The stage production was by Mr. Vernon Palmer and the stage management by Mr. Steven Lee with Miss Mini Fok Wei Ya as the compere. Orchestrations by: Ahmad Jaafar, Iskandar Ismail, Charles Lazaroo, John Lee and Sam Gan.

National competition  - Asia Broadcasting Union (ABU) Popular Song Contest at Studio 5, TV Singapore.
 Mr. Ahmad Jaafar was honoured with the Pingat Pentadbiran Awan (The Public Administration Medal) award in 1969 and the Cultural Medallion in 1981 for his contribution to music to Singapore.  He retired in 1982 and passed away in 2009.
 
Rufino Soliano took over the leadership of the orchestra from 1983 till he retired in 1994.
 
In Jan 1987, Christopher Dainel, a graduate of Boston's Berklee College of Music was appointed as the new Director of the Orchestra.  By the early 1990s, the Radio Singapore Orchestra was disbanded.

If members of the Orchestra and their families are reading this article please write in. Let us know!
 
Images and article by Mun Chor Seng: Copyrights Reserved.
↧

Memory Trail: Matt Tan Of 'Fried Ice' Writes From Canada Part One

August 8, 2013, 4:25 pm
$
0
0
A National Day exclusive: Matt Tan still remembers Singapore's pop scene as he writes from Canada about his blues and rock band.

Below are comments from him about my postings on this blog.  Together with Ray Anthony and Gerry Bheem, bassist Matt (who also named the band) was a founder member of  Fried Ice from 1969 to 1973. He emigrated to the UK and later Canada with his parents.

I thought it best if the messages are left unedited to show his sincerity and enthusiasm but more so his tenacity and willingness to relate his story. "Much thanks to you rekindling the flame that have long since been smothered," he wrote.

Thank you Matt for bringing back those memories and contributing photographs. Appreciate.
Sincerely,
Andy.
Matt Tan who lives in Canada was Fried Ice Bassist - 1969-1973.
Comments by Matt Tan on blog postings 5th August, 2013:

3.20am: Bands that were swinging the 40s and 50s

old post 2009 , sorry i did not see this earlier.
i too am curious to see where horace wee is. i was working with him as session-musician and assistant to his brimstone-records studio , before we both left the country (horace i think to australia, and i to canada).
Matt with Horace - a cigarette break
i had just quit my band fried ice , a trio sponsored by 10th story who supplied us with marshall amps and free practice place. mike, the owner even had roadies for us wherever we played (spore american school, naval bases in changi, tengah,sembawang ). i still have some photos of us playing at the wisma indonesia for our tea-dances and one where we played sembawang.

Fried Ice @ Barbarella Orchard Road.
i don't have my solo gigs (topicana lounge, rediffusion show and national theatre with vernon cornelius emcee). nor the new projects with the guitarist of the quest reggie verghese (by then an EMI studio producer), the super rock jam (jumping jack flash) where i was invited to play bass and sing too. long time ago, all. but i do have some photos of me from the barberella all stars show with fried ice and the great soul band who was the resident band then.

lovely to see all these happy days reminscent of my younger days as part of spore's music scene (60-70). good job !!!

p.s. if you leave me your email, we can get in touch.
cheers.

3.38am Singapore Government Bans Long Hair

yes, it was a sad day for us groups , me included as i was with my group Fried Ice, the rock trio. we had our tea-dance at the Wisma Indonesia closed down to do this.

but looking back at it, it was not 100% uncalled-for. it was not the govt's fault, really. it was the ppl who had no place in our tea-dances (at that time our peers Straydog and Pest Infested.. ya, really their names of the groups lol.. had their own tea-dances at Golden Venus, the place where we Fried Ice first made our debut, thanks to dennis and co of Straydogs. we were neighbours in katong).

the incident that started all this was some people got high and assault a girl in the loo of one of these tea-dances. so we all suffered due to that incident.

but our fans with the british naval base and spore american schools did not go without us, as our shows continued there.

Rolling Stones, Linda Scott, Jimmy Page
i remember too, how my colleague horace wee had to wear a wig for the tv spura, lol.
but when we jammed at his studio, he had hair longer than carlos santana, lol.

back to cliff. the stones with brian jones, manfred man with paul jones, cliff , linda scott, etc did play at the badminton stadium, way before this ban of long hair.

i was among the audience. imagine seeing the original lineup of stones mick, bill, BRIAN JONES, charlie and keith.


Jeff Beck
so did the hollies and yardbirds ( jimmy page , relf, dreja and samwell-smith) at the national theatre. jeff beck cancelled coming as he was afraid of flying. shame because we would have had seen the only show of jeff and jimmy together .

still, i met jeff in London, in the early 70s and we spoke by the curb of westbourne terrace, where he parked his red corvette to speak to me. that made up for it.

write me we can continue this nostalgia. give me your email.

3.51
you forgot us, lol... Fried Ice.

we were introduced at the godlen venus show by my neighbours (the Straydogs) and we along with Pest Infested were regulars at Mike's 10th Story .

Fried Ice was also part of Barberella Super Show emceed by Rediffusion 's (ex Quest) Vernon Cornelius, where we played alongside The Pitiful Souls.

Years later after i returned from UK, the lead guitarist of Pitiful Souls was planning a trio with me, .. but unfortunately, it, along with another trio of me and Reggie, and also me and Horace, did not materialize due to personal reasons.

I did stay in touch with other bands though, eg. Renaissance (not the UK band but the one from Australia, playing music of BST, CHicago,etc).

I have some photos of Fried Ice but unfortunately no music .

Perharps if you trace my ex-colleague Ray and Jerry, the original trio ray and i formed (the name by the way was my idea, and so was the trio, after we failed to find suitable singer, ray suggested i do the vocal and bass.. a la Jack Bruce. and the rest is history).

give me shout, we talk more.
leave me an email .

tan

Many more letters from Canada by Matt soon.

Random Comments by Matt Tan 5th August 2013.
Matt's Images are Copyrights Reserved.
Others from Google.
↧

Candy Crush: Pop Words In Songs And Games

August 13, 2013, 11:29 pm
$
0
0
 Frankie Valli and The Four Season - Candy Girl. Video by SilentBob88
 
After all the National Day postings and memory trails, I thought it would be a relief for both the reader and myself if I blogged about something different.  And what may that something be?  Well it's a phenomenon that's creating a buzz in a technological age when people spend so much time with their tablets, mobile phones and PCs.  It's a game and is currently making tons of money for its company.

Yes, it's true. Nobody talks about Angry Birds anymore. Earning US$650,000 daily from gamers this colourful and new attraction even functions if your battery power's gone kaput. I tried it only some days ago and am so glued to the game. I was shocked when I found out that the game ends at the 600th Level.  And I am only on the 25th :-).  Like candy (slang for drug in the US) it is also very addictive. Sweet, delicious and tasty too every time you score a hit.
Candy Crush Copyrights Reserved Screen Shot
Sigh! Crushed by candies.  Love it or love it not, Candy Crush is here to stay.  What attracted me, besides all the novelties in the game, is its name. Candy is a reasonably high-frequency word especially in American English where it actually means a sweet. Crush? Well, wait a bit and let me explain.

Interestingly, the words are found in song titles but not necessarily from the 60s. The list  below reveals some of the titles with the word candy. Candy Man, Candy Kisses...  It's not complete.  There are more and it's only for the reader to find out the other ones. Here goes:

Candy Crush Copyrights Reserved Screen Shot
Candy Song List:

For Both Lists: Same Title, Different Song.

Big Rock Candy Mountain - Pete Seeger
Candy - Cameo / Ray Charles / Big Maybelle /Astors / Dinah Shore /Four Freshmen / Jo Stafford / Johnny Mercer / Lennon Sisters / Manhattan Transfer / Nat "King" Cole / Sammy Kaye n Orchestra / Solomon Burke / Byrds / Jackson Browne/Brady Bunch. 

Candy And A Currant Bun - Pink Floyd
Candy And Cake - Evelyn Knight
Candy And Roses - Sue Thompson
Candy Bars For Elvis - Barry Tiffin 
Candy By The Pound - Elton John
Candy Cain - Steve Miller.

Candy Everybody Wants - 10,000 Maniacs
Candy Girl - 4 Seasons
Candy Kisses - Tony Bennett / Lori Morgan / Roy Rogers
The Candy Man - Roy Orbison / Mickey Gilley / Mary Jane Girls /Donovan
Candy Man's Gone - Bruce Cockburn
 
Candy Perfume Girl - Madonna
Candy Says - Velvet Underground 
Candy's Room - Bruce Springsteen
Candy Store Rock - Led Zeppelin
Candy Man - Grateful Dead / Siouxsie n The Banshees
Candy Kisses - Neil Sedaka.

                                Teenage Crush ~ Tommy Sands 1956 - by MrRJDB1969

Likewise crush, with its myriads of meaning is another pop word used in lyrics and titles. But strangely enough I have difficulty in rooting them out from the Internet especially 60s songs with this word.  I tried but there aren't many of them around although there are song titles on current pop charts that use the word. Perhaps crush is high-frequency today?
 
The wordhas about nearly 17 different meanings and layers of distinction but the only song I can remember is Teenage Crush by Tommy Sands with his emphasis and rolling r so grinding it remains in the noggin forever. Crrrrush! Just listen to him on You Tube.

I've got only three titles from the 60s but plenty today. If you can help, please.

Crush Song List:

I've Got A Crush On You - Lee Wiley, Sarah Vaughan, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, Nat Adderley, Anna Maria Alberghetti, Cleo Laine, Linda Ronstadt, Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand, Carly Simon, Rod Stewart and Diana Ross

Schoolboy Crush - Cliff Richard.
Crush - Grace Jones.

Beyond 60s Music:

Crazy Kinda Crush On You - Nick Jonas.
Crush, Crush, Crush - Paramore.
Crush - Fugitive.
Crush - David Archuleta.
Orangecrush - REM.
Crush - Pendulum.
Death Crush - Mayhem.

Happy checking.

(This article is just a happy in-between; in between interesting postings about the blues in Singapore 60s. Watch out for them.)

Images from Google.
↧
↧

Atwell Jansen Leaves A Memory Trail And Heritage

August 16, 2013, 8:09 pm
$
0
0

Atwell Jansen, from Singapore band Heritage (originally formed in 1973) had passed on.  A Facebook posting notes: “Today is a dark day... Heritage’s leader, Atwell Jansen passed away, after an unfortunate accident. Rest in peace, rock the heavens. We love you, always.”

62-year-old Jansen went biking and suffered a fall on 6th August, 2013. He joined Heritage in 1974 with brother Ashley, sang and played flute, harp, violin and other instruments. The group became a legend with their professionalism in the music industry, consistency and recordings.

Saw Heritage perform in the 90s at a secondary school assembly. Both teachers and teenage kids were mesmerised with their music and Bohemian outfit. A different band altogether, and playing from the heart.

Image: Google.
↧

Golly! Whacked By A Brolly! Allan With His Story

August 17, 2013, 8:53 am
$
0
0
Self defence with an umbrella. Daily Mirror (9.1.1902).
The previous post about make-shift cinemas brought some interesting responses from readers. While most letters were short but very sweet here's one from Allan Thompson, a regular contributor, who writes about his encounter with the lady and her brolly.
 
By a strange co-incidence Dino's lovely song from the 50s above is a favourite of mine. "With her umbrella in her hand she's never shy, And that's the reason why..." Thanks Allan and to all the rest who wrote in.

             Dean Martin: The Lady with the Big Umbrella from 46NathanDrake


 Dear Andy,
 
I liked your piece on make-shift cinemas and I've already mentioned two such cinemas in previous articles: the one at RAF Kuching and the other in Changi Village.  I did not visit the one in the village, but my friend, Joe Hutchinson, went there with some of his friends.  He told me that he wondered why most people were carrying umbrellas until he realised there was no roof and he was soaked when the rain came down during the show. 
 
There was also an occasional film show on the basketball court outside the Malcolm Club at RAF Changi where films were projected on to a large temporary screen. 

I also recall this court being used for a concert by the Band of the Far East Air Force who included a number called the "1812 Twist". This was a speeded up version of the "1812 Overture" but instead of the sound of cannons being fired at the climax, recorded machine-gun fire was used. Very effective.

Carry an umbrella, just in case it rains!

I believe I also mentioned the seats in the Capitol cinema which slid forward when you leaned back in them because they ran on ball-bearing rails or something similar.  Very innovative but quite alarming the first time you experienced it.

Theme Song Was Popular in the 60s.

I once took a young lady to the Capitol cinema to see The Legion's Last Patrol (the title theme from this film was very popular in the early 1960s). She had brought her umbrella with her too, coincidentally, but it was not because the Capitol lacked a roof, as I found out to my cost.  When the film was under way, I slipped my arm around her shoulder and she whacked me on the shins with her brolly.  So unexpected and painful-lah!
An umbrella as a weapon too?

The Capitol was a favourite cinema of mine and I recall one Saturday when I had arranged to meet my Stangee Place girlfriend and her two younger sisters there.  I went to the cash desk and asked for three full price tickets plus one Forces concession for myself.  The girl behind the desk told me that officers were not entitled to concessionary tickets and I would have to pay full price. 

Indignant at being mistaken for an officer, I showed her my ID card to prove that I was non-commissioned, which caused much mirth to my young lady's sisters who were amused by my inverted snobbery.  

More cinematic memories to follow from Allan Thompson.
 
Ken Thorne & His Orchestra - Theme from 'The Legion's Last Patrol' by Mr Purser.
 
Images from Google and Videos from You Tube.
http://www.bartitsu.org/index.php/2009/06/self-defence-with-an-umbrella-daily-mirror-jan-9-1902/

↧

Music Hot Enough To Fry Ice: Matt Tan: Part Two

August 21, 2013, 7:16 pm
$
0
0
In Part One Matt Tan teased the readers with his wit and humour about his music buddies, the blues scene and the band he was with in the late 60s and early 70s.

This Episode Two shows how a young man wanted to follow his heart and pursue his dream.  He wasn't doing the usual-middle-of-the-road stuff  but something different since, "neither of us wanted to be Cliff Richard and The Shadows anymore" and that his "music was hot enough to fry ice," he announced:

Youthful Matt in the 70s.
"What happened along the way to Fried Ice?  Here's a history walk along the journey of my music road, if I can try to recall.

My first public performance was at St Patrick's School talent- time.  Johnny Choo won the senior's talent competition doing a Ricky Nelson song.  I asked Johnny to back me up on guitar for my own effort of another Ricky Nelson song, I think he sang Travelling Man, and I sang You Are The Only One.  I took 2nd prize for the Junior 's Talent Competition.

Ray Anthony and his band were playing Shadows and took part in the Rediffusion talent competition doing tunes from the instrumental group.  My elder brother was a classmate of Ray and his instrumental group, and he asked them to back me up for my entry. I played Cliff Richard, all the way right up to their greasy hair and brown corduroy jacket , even the stance... I got it all down to a pat.  I sang Please Don't Tease.  I didn't win anything this time.

I got into a group with a Eurasian fella , a guitarist named Dennis who lived just a block next to my parents' house. I played Mick Jagger and sang Stones , Buddy Holly and Searchers tunes at at few functions. and lost interest playing the maracas. and dancing like Mick Jagger.  I think this was the group we named The System. I decided to learn to play guitar.

* Somewhere in between Cliff Richard, Ricky Nelson and The Searchers, was a few months
of me and my brother number two doing Everly Brothers tunes, with his other classmate accompanying us on guitar. I don't think we did much with this trio, as my brother got interested in Elvis and prefered to dance at private parties imitating The Pelvis. He got the attention of more girls than singing in the trio, so our career died still-birth.

I got my first taste of folk with Bob Dylan, Donovan, The Seekers, etc. and started to write my own folk tunes. By this time, I had learned to play the guitar,  a guitar that my dad bought for my eldest brother, which he threw aside due to frustration of not being able to finger the chords.  I wrote several tunes, for which I sang for the audition with Philips recording executive, Mr. L H King  and I got his permission to find a group so I could do an EP of those tunes.
 
It never came to light, as although I found a group i.e. Fried Ice.  By this time, I discovered the Armed Forces BBC radio show called Top of the Pops and went on to prefer playing Blues (John Mayall, Peter Green Fleetwood Mac)  and eventually, that which we played as Fried Ice.

A very young Fried Ice at Ulu Pandan.
*Just before forming Fried Ice, I played with several off-beat musicians in an effort to convert them to playing Jimi Hendrix and Cream music but no luck. They wanted me to "syncopate and turn down the amp", and I wanted them to let their hair down and boogie.  Um, no chance.

Then I met Dennis Lim of Straydogs, and told him I wanted to form my own band. He told me to let him know when I do indeed have a band, so we could have our debut at the Straydogs own tea-dance at Golden Venus.  Dennis waited so long for my group, that I am sure he never thought I was going to ever get one started.  Then my brother (the same Elvis the Pelvis) came home from school to tell me that his ex-classmate  Ray has come back from UK and is looking to form a group.

We met at Ray's dad's place and jammed. We found out to our surprise that neither of us wanted to be Cliff Richard and The Shadows anymore.  We played some Cream and Hendrix, with me on bass and Ray on lead, and me on vocals.  Ray then said we should start a group. I said we should audition a bass guitarist and a drummer, as I feel more comfortable  still doing standup vocals. We auditioned , I think a couple of people, and during one of these sessions, I showed the bass guitarist how to play like Jace Bruce and Noel Redding. 

In frustration, we did not find anyone suitable . Ray then said to me that since I am already having to show  the bassist how to play, and that I was already able to sing and play the tunes, why don't we just have me on bass and vocals, and just grabbed any drummer that comes along so we don't have to keep this thing in limbo. 

Yes, we were both eager to get the group to play at Dennis Lim's Straydogs tea-dance.  We found a drummer, I think from Ray's nightclub gig, and viola, the first Fried Ice was born.  Although we were happy that Fried Ice was making an impact, and got 10 Storey interested in representing us to get us gigs,  the owner of !0th Storey told us that he knew a much better drummer who would open up our sound that was lacking in the drum section. 

This was where Gerard Bheem came in. The moment we jammed at 10th Storey, we knew the first drummer was out.  I don't know who was the one to fired him, but I think this was where I told Ray he is the spokesman of the group so he must be the one to fire the drummer

And the rest, as they say, is history... and everyone knows what happened when the power trio of Ray , Gerard and Matt came on to play.  It was hot enough to fry ice!

The above is a personal recollection by co-founder of Fried Ice , bass and vocals, Matt JSL Tan as sent to Andy Lim for his blog. Montreal Time 9:32 pm Aug 8 , 2013."

Article and photographs are the property of Matthew JSL Tan and are copyright reserved.

Images: Matt Tan.
↧
Search

Movie Memory "Orh Eee Orh" Audience Reaction Part Two

August 27, 2013, 6:39 pm
$
0
0

The Tarzan Call from Johnny Weismuller - video by soldierwhy.

Tarzan and His Family.
This posting is a continuation of  *Movie Memory Trail: Make-Shift Cinemas At The CC Part 1

Tony Curtis and Piper Laurie
Movie matinee idol.
Cheering for the hero:

Audiences were different then. In Jumping Jacks, (*Part One of above article) when Martin and Lewis landed safely on the ground after a hilarious air-borne-and-parachute scene, everyone on the basketball court clapped loudly.
 
Similarly in other movies, like in the Tarzan (Johnny Weismuller) series, the ape-man (as he was known) would utter a deafening signature call before a rescue (video above). So when he rescued Jane from a ferocious animal the audience would react instantly with a deafening cheer.  Tarzan's chimp would do a similar routine on screen.

When Prince Julna (Tony Curtis) in The Prince Who Was A Thief escaped from the wicked assassin's sharp and silvery scimitar, movie patrons brightened up. Some members in the audience  even whistled while others heaved a sigh of relief!  The experience was fun but more importantly it was interactive.

Rescuing Jane from danger and possible death!
Today it's a different ball-game altogether. If there's action or hilarity on the screen nobody flinches, not for a second. Imagine raising your fist for 007 Daniel Craig in Skyfall as he fought his villain on the speeding train. The audience to-day would probably think you are crazy.

At home it's worse, especially when the Acer Tablet is perched on the chest and you are viewing the movie horizontally 5 inches away from the screen. One private audience member and not a sound.
These movies just go on without end.

Matinees and Serials:

Matinees were movies screened on Sunday mornings at eleven. Movies like Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers made in the mid-30s were science fiction serials and shown in 13 parts.

Can you imagine watching a movie without an end because the movie-goer had to come back every Sunday to watch the next episode? Like watching TV at the cinema.

Of course each serial would end at the most exciting part. The film-buff just had to come back the following week to find out what happened to Flash Gordon or Buck Rogers! There's a term for movies like these, cliff-hangers.

I used to watch them week after week, sometimes even crying when my folks would not provide me with coins to see them.  It cost fifty cents for each show, cheap today but a lot for a schoolboy like me in the 50s.

BTW, Orh Eee Orh is my song connection for this posting :-)

Flash Gordon killed Ming the Merciless, or did he? Check next week!
Images: Google.
↧
↧

Majorie Chiew STAR News Writes From Malaysia

September 1, 2013, 7:17 pm
$
0
0
Majorie Chiew from Star Newspaper in Malaysia contacted me for an email interview regarding this blog. She's in charge of  the column on seniors. I agreed since good friend Roger , who recommended me, had an article written for this newspaper.

Here is the partial write-up. To read the full interview please click the connection at the end of this posting. It was published on the 21st of August, 2013. Thank you Majorie and Star News for helping to spread my stories:

Fresh take on golden oldies
ONE need not take an energy drink to gyrate one's hips like Elvis Presley. The mind is an incredible playground. Take it from John Lennon: Imagine!  In jest, Andy Lim, an Elvis fan, gave Elvis’ song, All Shook Up, recorded in 1957, a new interpretation.

As a youth, he would have interpreted the lyrics differently. Now, as a senior, he thought it would be fun to give the lyrics new meaning. For him, watching “the King” on YouTube these days can elicit “a different feel to the lyrics!”

“We love the way he (Elvis) interprets his rock ’n’ roll songs. His natural rhythm and the way he bounces them make us eager beavers to listen to him repeatedly,” writes Lim, a Singaporean, in his blog.


Fun-filled years
Lim grew up in an environment rich with music. His music preference was influenced by various sources.  “They came from the radio at home and the vinyl records I bought. There were also home sing-a-longs with my neighbours,” says Lim in an e-mail interview.

Well, he could hum, sing and store songs in his head, so to speak. He took delight in songs heard at Chinese wayang, Malay bangsawan or those frequently played by the British military bands. “I guess the melodies, rhythms and lyrics were simple and related to that era,” he says.

Lim’s blog is so engaging and interesting, even for someone (like yours truly) who is not into music. These days, Lim “jams and goes for rehearsals before a performance”. Karaoke is not for him – “it’s too stiff and controlled for my liking”.

Music connection
“Blogging is a way to keep my motor running. It also allows me to read and write about the local music scene of yesteryear,” he says. He used to post short items a few times a week but nowadays, he blogs weekly but writes longer pieces. Other than the music scene, he also recaptures the night-clubbing and food scene of those days. Whatever Lim blogs about has, “a music connection”. 

He says, "I have guest bloggers from Britain and Australia (surfers I met on my blog) who write about their past experiences in Singapore, for example the Royal Air Force (RAF).  I also have readers who contribute concert programmes from 60s Singapore and many, many personal photographs. They are very kind and generous people..." Blogging has enabled him to meet old and new friends who are pop music lovers.

“I also help youths who are interested in local music from the past,” says Lim, who deems that “writing about our own heritage (pop music scene) is important for our future generation. Without the past, there is no present.”



The full interview:


http://www.thestar.com.my/Lifestyle/Features/2013/08/21/Fresh-take-on-golden-oldies.aspx

Images from STAR Newspaper, Malaysia.
↧

Tribute To Tina: Singing A 60s Sensation's Songs

September 2, 2013, 9:50 pm
$
0
0
Although the lady herself did not appear on stage till the end of the performance, the tribute concert on a warm August night had stalwarts on the Esplanade Concert Hall sing the songs made famous by Singapore 60s keroncong diva.

Esplanade Concert Hall with Video Interplay
Organised by the Esplanade and Associate Producer Norhayati Yusoff, in conjunction with this year's Pesta Raya - the Malay Festival of Arts,Sayang di Sayang proved to be one of the most enjoyable musical evenings I have experienced with a programme well detailed and a concert sensitively organised for singing sensation Kartina Dahari.

Orkestra Melayu Singapura with Amri Amin conducting.
I took the opportunity of taking my 7 year old piano-student grandson because I thought it best if I exposed him, while still at his age, to the rich multi-cultural heritage that we have in Singapore.  He was fascinated by the Wayang Kulit and other shows at the Esplanade's periphery but more so by the Singapore Malay Orchestra at the concert.  It was a little dark from the circle seats but little Joshua managed to count the number of musicians with their instruments in the various sections of the 42-strong group.  The orchestra was lead by Amri Amin, music director since 2009.  His flair in music arrangement, together with the experienced singers on board, helped retain the original flavour of most of Kartina's songs.
TV 60s personality - Mr M. Ismail - remember him?
For me it was like watching a 60s Pesta Ria TV show all over again, with veterans Julie Sudiro, M. Ismail and composer  Kassim Masdor at the piano. (With his dark felt hat and sunglasses he resembled John Lee Hooker without a guitar.) English pop hits punctuated the concert of mostly Malay tunes once sung by Kartina.  With the other *younger and talented singers they provided an unforgettable evening of love and entertainment. 
The stars of the show with Kartina Dahari third from left.
It was interesting to see good friend Yusnor Ef and DJ Brian Richmond discussing Kartina on the back-drop video screen in between songs but the grand finale was the best (image) when the theme song, Sayang di-Sayang played to an appreciative and hand-clapping audience where Kartina tearfully thanked musicians, singers and audience for their support in making the tribute show a success.
 
It was a fascinating music and cultural experience which took me back to Kampong Wak Tanjong and Kampong Melaka days in the 1960s.  Thank you Esplanade.
 
The above posting is a personal one.
 
*I am not familiar with the younger singers. Do excuse me.
 
Photos: Courtesy of The Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay.
↧

Classroom Memories: For Teachers' Day And Queenstown Festival

September 5, 2013, 7:08 am
$
0
0
This special posting, to celebrate both Teachers' Day and the Queenstown Festival, is written by a dedicated education officer who lives in Queenstown. Ms C.Y. Lin taught English in a secondary school and used popular songs to teach the language to Chinese school students.  Here is her story:
 
"In the mid  '70s I moved to the periphery of Queenstown and taught in a neighbourhood co-ed bi-lingual secondary school where many pupils came from the heart of  the township - Prince Philip Avenue, Margaret Drive, Tanglin Halt, Stirling Road.  It was  already tough teaching English Language to the English stream kids - more so to the Chinese stream and preparing  them for the 'O' level examination.
                
ABBA I have a dream
One way was through songs - pop songs.  My love for Abba came in handy. Though the principal at that time was a no-nonsense and frowned on new-fangled acts, I played Money, Money to illustrate at  an assembly talk.  I Have A Dream was used to teach English tenses.
                       
Parents of those days and from such a heartland were too busy making a livelihood to keep their children indoors after school.  A number of those kids of different races found themselves in my home for extra 'lessons' - of fun and games--all speaking in English.  There were also sessions of tennis with the boys at the then Civil Service Club at Portsdown Road. 

Queenstown image from National Heritage Board.
Some were given treats at the MacDonalds at the Japanese Garden - Queensway - the road not the shopping centre.  Class camps at PA holiday chalets run single-handedly saw to more singing of others like Boney M - Hooray It's A Holiday; Brown Girl In the Ring...  No written consent nor indemnity forms from the parents were necessary for their kids to attend.  Such trusting folks."
 
Original article by Ms CY LIN.
Images: Google.
_________________________________________________________________

I thought of another song for teachers' day. Though it is not an appropriate one like Teacher's Pet or To Sir With Love, this particular one has all the ingredients or vocabulary to pass.  Or could it? The phrases and words are all appropriate, don't you think? Take a look:

a lot to learn
don't think I'm trying not to learn
the perfect spot to learn
Teach me

A, B, C
X, Y, Z
solve the mystery
Teach me

The sky's a blackboard
If a shooting star goes by
I'll use that star to write

Should the teacher stand
Graduation's almost here
Teach me.

                            Nat King Cole - Teach Me Tonight - Video by Johnny Brown.

Happy Teachers' Day!
↧

Tony Sings: "I Left My Heart In Singapura." Part One

September 8, 2013, 6:27 pm
$
0
0
Eighty seven years young Tony Bennett and his daughter Antonia sings in Singapore.  It's a rare treat especially for those who love top tunes from the 40s and 50s.  Bennett is still a name to be reckoned with since he keeps himself current by singing duet with today's stars like Carrie Underwood, Norah Jones, Lady Gaga and even the late Amy Winehouse.
 
Theatre @ One North seats 5,000 plus.
There are others like Josh Groban, Michael Buble, Faith Hill and Queen Latifah where he shares his microphone. Songs like I Left My Heart in San Francisco, Lady Is A Tramp, Blue Velvet, Sunny Side of the Street and Stranger in Paradise will sound fresh like the breeze from the Star Performing Arts Centre where Bennett will be singing.

The Star Performing Arts Centre is less than a year old.
Bennett's songs remind me of young Singapore where spaces and places were more serene and subdued, when movies were either in black or white and people go to the National Theatre or a Badminton Hall (image below) to watch pop shows.  The melodies also bring back memories of Singapore's youth who impersonated stars like Elvis Presley, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. 
A Straits Times advertisement promoting Title Holders' Show.
Some won titles as Singapore's Elvis, Singapore's Pat Boone or Singapore's Cliff Richard. There were so many of them as the 1960's Straits Times advertisement shows.  But as far as I can remember there was no Singapore's Tony Bennett. Which brings me to the topic below:


Billy Yap: Singapore's Answer To Tony Bennett:
A few years ago I went with a friend to a recording studio where he recorded some popular standards like Strangers in the Night, Too Young, It's Impossible to name a few (check below image for list). 

There were no trial runs before his recording, no notes he found too high and no mistakes made in his lyrics. His rendition of the songs he selected was perfectly pitched, clearly defined and peppered with the touch and feel of a professional.

Billy Yap who is 82 this year, sings like Tony Bennett with a voice so smooth ladies swoon when he sings at house parties, wedding dinners and karaoke sessions.  To me Billy Yap is Singapore's Tony Bennett.

"I need no big band accompaniment," he says proudly, "Just give me a good pianist who can feel my song. The other alternative is a quality, karaoke backing..."

A retired teacher, table-tennis super league player and great-grand father Billy says he practises during Karaoke sessions with friends and family. He has been singing for the past 70s years and his musical ability stems from his mother who used to play the piano and sing after the family dinner.

Billy sings everywhere; in the house, in the car and during our kopi sessions at Thompson Plaza. He tells me he even sings in the bathroom and before he goes to bed. During a group travel overseas, Billy sang using the microphone in the tourist bus. It was a trip heading to Beijing, China.  Most of the tourists in the bus loved Chinese pops so when he sang, I left my heart in San Francisco, I thought he would be in deep trouble. Instead the 35 strong group cheered and asked for more.  
When I asked Billy what he thought of today's pop scene he remarked, "Singers do not sing the evergreens like they should be sung.  Nowadays current singers interpret the composition in their own way and it becomes a totally new song. It's a personal opinion." Well Billy, I have heard his duets with some of today's pop stars.  They sound great actually.

Billy only printed about 10 copies of his CDs that come with the package. He has given them away except the one for himself. We cannot afford Tony Bennett to sing at our home parties but Billy is available if you need someone to croon evergreens. No charge actually. Just drive him to the venue and back. He would love to sing for you.

"Strangers in the night, Exchanging trousers, Love at first sight, What are the chances?" One of Billy's jokes!

Image: Google and Andy Lim Collection.
↧
↧

Tony Still Has That Old Black Magic! Part Two

September 12, 2013, 3:13 pm
$
0
0








Without fanfare, Tony Bennett came on stage and stood with his jazz quartet rather than in front of them. He had been introduced by his daughter Antonia who had kick-started the evening with her lot of songs that included Embraceable You and five others.

Under the quietly dimmed, blue lights Bennett wooed his audience with his raspy voice and friendly disposition. There were no pyrotechnics, flashing lights, huge screen backdrops or half-dressed sizzling ladies dancing around a wrecking ball.

Bennett gave his all that night. Although I cannot recall some of his songs at the concert I remember most of them.  Watch What Happens, They All Laughed, Maybe This Time , Just In Time and my own jazz anthem, I Got Rhythm. Then came, Boulevard of Broken Dreams, The Good Life, For Once In My Life and That Old Black Magic.

It was clear that when Bennett introduced his band, "drummer Harold Jones was Count Basie's best" and double-bass player is "Marshall Wood" but because my wife and I sat some distance behind we couldn't hear the name of the pianist and guitarist. Checking the websites I found out that they could be Lee Musiker and Gray Sargent respectively but I am not sure.  As a quartet these gentlemen were incomparable and when each gave his solo performance or accompanying Bennett singly they were masters with their artistry and skill. 
He embraced the audience with his classics while they clapped the evening on. He sang,  The Way You Look Tonight, The Shadow Of Your Smile and his signature tune, the magnum opus by Cory and Cross from 1953,  I Left My Heart In San Francisco.

In between melodies Bennett said that once he received a letter from Switzerland where the writer thanked him for resurrecting a song. He was surprised when the signature was Charles Chaplin's who composed,  Smile.  Following a similar theme he sang, When You're Smiling.
Near the end of the concert Bennett bantered,  "We travel all over... but we're so impressed with Singapore. Usually we can't wait to go to the next town after a show but here... we wish we could stay for a week." 

Bennett's grand finale came as a surprise when he sang Fly Me To The Moon without the microphone but although we were way back when we heard him loud and clear. Talk of power and his age. 

The fantastically enthusiastic crowd wanted more and the band waited in anticipation but he left the stage to a standing ovation. 

That old black magic has me in it's spell
That old black magic that you weave so well
I hear your name and I'm aflame...*

Images from: Running Into The Sun feature Antonia and Tony Bennett @ Star Performing Arts Theatre on 11.09.2013. Copyrights Reserved.

*Song: That Old Black Magic. Music written by Harold Arlen, lyrics by Johnny Mercer.

Original Review by Andy Lim.
↧

Matt Tan: "RnR Is About The Feel, The Soul, Like When James Brown Yells Out" Part Three

September 17, 2013, 9:32 am
$
0
0
Matt Tan speaks his mind again about our local music scene in the 60s and about Beck, Brown, Davis, Hendrix, Redding and others. This posting is his third:

"Yes, many people remember Fried Ice after i left, because the local fans never got to see the original Fried Ice. no one wanted to let us play... we were too loud for them, or we didn't play Sam and Dave, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett...
 
Or we did not play off-beat music...  not that we could not play them... we did not want to play them, because what's the point?  There were already enough people playng that music. But no one , except for the kids in the Naval Base and American Schools, were hungry for what was going on across the pond in the UK with Hendrix, Taste, Cream, Jethro Tull, etc..

The foreign kids loved us. We couldn't believe it, especially in one of the gigs (ie. the one of us on stage, the one with Ahmad the roadie, standing in front of the amplifier). that night, i still remember. after i think we gave the group Concrete Parachute,  a five piece band of chinese boys. (they were the neighbours of my girl friend). they came up to ask if they could play during our break. we said yes for sure.
 
And they were very good, very polished. or perharps too polished. but they were a very good band. all with good syncopation and timing, etc... but it wasn't rock and roll...  rock n roll wasn't just about syncopation and timing like off beat or pop.  It was about the feel, the soul, much like when Otis Redding screams, or James Brown yells out.  It had to have that... and many groups, although they were or could have been technically better than Fried Ice,  They did not have that "feel", that spontaneity.
 
It was what made Miles Davis so great that he became God of Jazz... or Jeff Beck that he is still today , the man to make a guitar talk. Better than Jimi Hendrix... in my honest opinion, .. Jeff was better than Jimi. Even Jimi said in his interviews. But of course, Jeff  Beck being the gentleman he is... and always was... ( i know, because i met the man and spoke to him)..
 
Jeff would never admit that if Hendrix were alive, Jeff would not be number one. I don't believe that, because Hendrix was raw blues like Buddy Guy and Jeff, Jeff Beck was like Miles Davis on the guitar. He never hang on to one style... he plays whatever he wants... Indian music, opera, Irish music, fusion, Bulgarian choir, etc.. anything is possible with the fingers of Jeff Beck.

I did not hear that with Hendrix.. (sorry, to disappoint Hendrix believers).  Jeff Beck was a spaceman , and Hendrix was a bluesman."

So what do you think surfers? Do you agree with what Matt says?  Give us a write!
↧
Search

Mid Autumn Festival: In The Mood For Moon Songs

September 25, 2013, 3:13 am
$
0
0
 
Teresa Teng The Moon Represents My Heart.  Video by: Sumana JA Bounchan

I call them moon songs. Personally, the two best moon songs ever, one above and the other by Mister Sinatra, Fly Me To The Moon.  If you have some in mind, and there are hundreds or thousands of them, whether in English, Chinese, Malay, Tamil or other languages please contribute. My best wishes to all. Watch that moon tonight!

With English Lyrics:

Bad Moon Rising
Bad Side of The Moon Blue Moon
Blue Moon of Kentucky
By The Light of The Silvery Moon

Carolina Moon 
Dark Side of The Moon
Everyone's Gone To The Moon
Heading for the Moon
It's Only a  Paper Moon

Magic is the Moonlight
Moon at the Window
Moonglow
Moonlight Bay
Moonlight and Roses
Moon River

Moon Above Malaya                                            
Moonshadow
Mr Moonlight
Song about the Moon
Yellow Moon

And of course, Moonlight Sonata!

Nothing specific here about traditions or beliefs but more about evergreens and pops with that lunar word.

Ah-wooooo!

Images: Google.
↧

Song: Nona Zaman Sekarang:The Modern Miss

October 2, 2013, 7:17 pm
$
0
0

    You Tube video by rynamyra: Gus Steyn Nona Zaman Sekarang  (Yusoff B.)

SONGS I LOVE:

I was lucky enough to have parents who thrived on English, Mandarin, Indonesian, Dutch pop songs and folk music.  As a teen I enjoyed the songs they played on the radio and gramophone records.  Some of them are still popular today and it's going back to the 50s with a You Tube video above that features Gus Steyn and his RTM Orchestra.

One of the finest band leaders Steyn was well-known in this part of the world.  The melody is an up-tempo piece and interpreted vividly with strings, brass and all. Personally it's the best version  I've heard for a long time. Delightful indeed to have rynamyra loading it. Thank you. (Videos will be deleted when the next posting appears).

There's another version below by Sandra Reemer, recorded probably in the 60s when folk songs had revivals and became popular again with new rendition of Kopi Susu, Nina Bobo and Bengawan Solo by pretty singers like Anneke Gronloh and Reemer.

These hits topped the music charts in our region and possibly in Europe too as many people of Dutch origin in RRI (Republic Ra'ayat Indonesia) migrated to Holland and the West during the Soekarno regime in the 60s.  
The form fitting modern sarong kebaya.
But this song is different.  Nona Zaman Sekarang or Modern Day Women was composed by our own Singaporean Yusoff B. in the late 1940s.  Some of his other songs include: Semarak Hati, Suka Sama Suka and Wanita dan Teruna. He was one of superstar P. Ramlee's music mentor when he first joined Malay Film Productions.   Ramlee's early songwriting was influenced by Yusuf B's music arrangement  and style.  Ironically, Yusuff B would borrow ideas from the late Ramlee when composing his own songs.

Singers who performed it initially was A. Rahman, R. Azmi, Julia and a host of Indonesian and Malay singers. Sandra, a Dutch singer of Indonesian origin, took the opportunity and made it a big hit.  Apparently her version is still the most popular.

The word Nona means a young lady, like Miss in English. The song is about how bold young ladies are compared to those who lived in earlier times - no one can interfere nor prohibit their dress code.  These ladies with their short, transparent clothes and painted red cheeks have triggered much controversy and have either confused the male species with their attitude or aroused their sensuality, possibly the latter.
 
                         You Tube Video - Nona Zaman Sekarang - uploaded by Zul Aziz.


 
Lyrics by Yusof B.                                               Literal Translation
Nona-nona jaman sekarang                                  Ladies of today's generation
tak boleh ditegur,                                                  Don't comment
tak boleh dilarang                                                Nor forbid them.
bajunya pendek,                                                   Their blouses are short
bertambahlah jarang                                             And more transparent
itu menjadi hati gembira                                      To make hearts flutter
                                                                              (Make hearts happy).
First Verse:
nona jangan bikin keliru                                       Ladies don't confuse us
tidakla kenal cina melayu                                     Unrecognizable if chinese or malay 
pipinya merah pula disapu                                    Cheeks are red and painted too
sekarang sudah jadi tak tentu                                Causing much bewilderment.

Second Verse:
dalam dunia banyak musuhan                             In this world of aggression
yang non dibuat perkara yang sopan                   Ladies, be more careful
dalam dunia banyak penggoda                            Or be teased, bothered
banyak yang jadi rusak binasa                            And fall into disrepute.

The mysterious East?

Written more than half a century ago, the lyrics painted an Asian society so different from today with strict moral values that many listeners, especially women, would question now.

A kebaya is a traditional blouse-dress combination worn by women in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Burma, Singapore, southern Thailand and some parts of Cambodia. It is sometimes made from sheer material and usually worn with a sarong or batik kain panjang, or other traditional woven garment such as ikat, songket with a colorful motif.

Images from flickr.com

Videos from You Tube.

http://www.youtube.com/user/pandanwangie?feature=watch
↧
↧

Singer Songwriter Robert Suriya: "To Be A Woman"

October 7, 2013, 11:46 pm
$
0
0
1.  Robert Suriya 2013.
I wrote to Robert Suriya on his Facebook asking if he could do a blog posting on his single ToBe A Woman and Walk Back To Me and to provide some information on this particular vinyl.

Being the nice person that he is he replied that he's been trying to have someone send him these songs as he has forgotten how they sound like. Once he hears them he will be able to recollect how they came about and then asked if I have a copy of the record so he could listen to the songs.

I have a copy, heard it a few times but didn't send him the songs although I could do it via the internet.  But his reply came as Robert remembers the recording.  The following paragraph is his answer verbatim.

"Dear Andy, when I used to read in the news about young girls - running away from home - hanging around the streets till late - This was happening in the USA and its still happening now - This is when I got inspired to write To Be A Woman, about a wasted future. As for Walk Back To Me, I co-wrote with Peter Thomas - and I played the Sitar on this song. Peter played the Harmonica on To Be A Woman."

Thank you Robert.  It's a short piece but sufficient.  If you have more information about the record let it rip. It's been a while since I wrote about local 60s groups and I am doing it again because readers have been asking that I quit the memory trail for a bit as it's getting stale.

I don't have much to write about nowadays since Singapore 60s music articles are everywhere on the internet. Seek and ye shall find but whatever records I have in my vinyl collection I shall try to dish out slowly. But sorry, no music. Just sleeve-cover articles and some pictures.

The recording below is not found on any of Naomi and The Boys' CD selection.  Or am I wrong?

2.  Philips single record with illustrated front cover.

Some Sleeves Speak: (Back Cover):

"Considerable excitement and comment was generated when You've Gone was released some time ago.  the interest was understandable. For the first time ever, a critical public was listening to The Boys, making their debut single as artistes in their own right, and the overwhelming success that accompanied that single has firmly established The Boys as a pop phenomenon to be reckoned with.

The Boys with their characteristic combination of intricate harmony, falsetto, intelligent lyrics, and pulsing rhythm have introduced a refreshingly welcome element into the local pop scene.  Always ready to incorporate new ideas and sounds into their experience, The Boys have produced this remarkable follow-up, using for the first time with noticeable effect, the harmonica and sitar.

Evidently a great deal of thought have gone into the composition of the lyrics and song-writers Robert Suriya and Peter Thomas (who incidentally also vocalise on their respective compositions have succeeded in blending their music and lyrical content into pleasing wholes.

This musical experiment is a result of a more than just musical talents, and reflects on the versatility and dedication of its creators. There won't be another record to beat this one for quite some time... except their next record perhaps?  From: Philips Record 338709 PF."

Lead guitar, vocal, sitar = Robert Suriya; Rhythm guitar, vocal, harmonica = Peter Thomas; Bass guitar, organ, piano = Moses Tay; Drums, tambourine, percussion effects = Alphonso Soosay.

If you have stories to spare about our local 60s music scene do write in. 

Image 1: from Robert Suriya's Facebook and 2 from: Andy Lim Collection.
↧

Outsourcing Is An Old Practice With Vinyl Records

October 15, 2013, 8:48 pm
$
0
0
Zhou Xuan's first album Wandering Songstress天涯歌女
SOME SLEEVES SPEAK:

Continuing with the same theme, here's another revelation on Chinese record covers.  Chow Hsuan or Zhou Xuan (周璇) was one of the top seven star singers in China from the 30s to the 50s and many of her songs are still favourites and being played even today. 

I have a collection of six Zhou Xuan records. That's about sixty songs altogether and includes titles like, A Mahjong Game, Choosing A Wife, Little Bridal Chamber and the famous Wandering Songstress (天涯歌女) . 

These albums had been compiled many years after the original recordings and would not be in their respective order of production. Except for some slight scratching and hissing sound, they play well on the turn-table. But this posting is neither about her nor her songs.

This personal collection of  vinyl discs are 33rpm Long Plays but come in a 10-inch and not 12-inch format.  Talk of outsourcing, this collection has many countries to its origin.  Although Zhou Xuan was from China, the record was issued by The Gramophone Company Ltd of Hayes, Middlesex, England.  The collection was recorded in Hong Kong but produced in India (like many of Cliff Richard's records).

Her third album.
The record label reveals a media company well-known in the earlier part of the twentieth century for its pre-movie documentaries in the cinemas. Pathe (image) with its cock-crowing icon is well known by many readers of this blog - you have to be at least in your 50s to remember this one.

Now here's the surprise. The unique drawings on the record covers had been painted by two Singapore artists; the earlier ones by Ms Nah QH and the later ones by Mr Tan KC. The first image above is described on the back sleeve and shows a "reproduction of a Chinese village scene of some *thirty years ago (probably 50 years ago today).  It depicts the Wandering Songstress on her travels from village to village, inn to inn, eating-house to eating-house earning her living by song."

Back Cover of Fourth Album
I guess the art form like the brush strokes, colours and Chinese characters reveal the artistry of paintings done those years.  But honestly, I am no art critic and the illustrations are as modern today and look good enough to be hung on the wall.  But the bonus about this collection is the English translation of the Chinese titles as it helps non-Chinese readers to understand the theme of each melody (image 3).  Wish they would do that today.

So there you are, the lady's from China, her songs were recorded in Hong Kong, the cover pictures done in Singapore, the records pressed in India and the whole package controlled, produced and issued by England.  If you are complaining about outsourcing today just remember that it's been practised a long, long time ago.

(This posting is a byte size or bite size information about what little I know, not to show-off but share with some of my younger readers. If you wish to know more about the other 4 covers and songs recorded just write in.)

You can read more about Zhou Xuan by clicking her name under Labels below.

Article/Images: Original/Own collection.
↧

SILVER STRINGS NIGHT @ ORCHARD ROAD

October 21, 2013, 1:17 am
$
0
0

TONIGHT: 15th NOVEMBER @ 8PM!

We're meeting again since the Esplanade Concert in 2010. At our age we're wondering when there'll be another get together.

*Please excuse the print error: Spore (Singapore) should read: S'pore's (Singapore's). Although the titles had been won in genuine and official competitions, both Veronica and Andy have abandoned these titles many years ago but for 60s music authenticity and flavour the producer of the show included them. 

Located right in the heart of Orchard Road, the venue has been selected because of its convenient accessibility by road and train.

Image: Audie Ng. Copyright.
↧
Viewing all 1110 articles
Browse latest View live
Search