100 Country Stars n Legends For Easy Ridin'

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.

And this ain't no old dusty document! It's 4 years young and published by Dalmatian Press (Dalmatian Publishing Group, Atlanta, Georgia 30329), Copyright 2007. And I'm still browsing through.

*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.

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!

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

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

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

Radio TV Singapura Family Album: Thanks Horace!

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

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.

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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?

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Images/original articles: Andy Lim Collection.

West Point: Memories Of A Teenager In The 50s

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.
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West Point Gardens - Nostalgia of a Teenager in the 1950s
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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.
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Image: Google
Original article: Gloria Yap.

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

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.

When Music n Broadcast Professionals Meet

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

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

*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

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

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

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.

When Seniors Meet In Camaraderie And In Music

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

Sensual n Lethal: Mini Skirts n Knee Length Boots

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) 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

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

(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

Bottled Drinks Cool Heat Generated By 60s Music

"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

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.