Aku Dia Dan Lagu: Lagu2 Nostalgia Lirik Yusnor Ef

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Image/Original article: Andy Lim Collection.

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

Sarbat Stall, Taj Cinema At Geylang Serai: Part II

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

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

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

Geylang Waktu Petang (Literal translation in blue)

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

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

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

Semuanya ada terdapat di sana: They are all there.

Begitu banyak orang jualan: So many people selling their wares

Sehingga sesak sampai ke jalan: Overcrowding on the roads

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

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

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

Di dekat Panggung Taj: Near the Taj Cinema

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

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

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

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

Sungguh lah puas mata memandang: Satisfy their eyes

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

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

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

Image: Mr. Johar Amir, You Tube.

When Noodle Man Uses Bamboo Percussion Part 1

A little deviation from the norm:

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

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

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

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

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

The Sandpipers Sing Chotto Matte, Misty Roses

THE SANDPIPERS:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chotto Matte Kudasai, Excuse Me While I Cry...

SONGS I LOVE:
An English song by The Sandpipers but with a Japanese title is Chotto Matte Kudasai. In Japanese (ちょっと待ってください) it means, 'please wait a second' or 'please wait a moment.' although 'Shosho omachi kudasai' is more polite.

The simplicity and sentiment of the lyrics, possibly conjuring an image of a beautiful girl or young man (depending on the singer), make it so popular that it has been recorded in other languages. Singapore, Malaya, other Asian 60s music artistes like Frankie Cheah and Frances Yip have recorded it.

Martin Denny has quite a sugary version vocalised by an Asian lady. In the new century a Filipino group called Joey de Leon and The Sex Bombs has another. It is a lounge favourite with both pianists and night clubbers, a karaoke 'must sing' and can be heard in any building that plays elevator music.

A hit with elementary keyboard enthusiasts, Chotto Matte music notes are found within the pages of numerous books teaching children songs. Like Que Sera Sera and Annie Laurie, the melody is loved by many young 'uns. Three cheers for evergreens.

"Chotto matte kudasai
Please excuse me while I cry
Seems sayonara means goodbye
But no one ever told me why
Sakura was in the spring
When our hearts found songs to sing
But Sakura has gone away
And so has our love, so they say
Chotto matte kudasai
Please excuse me while I cry
Without your love I would die
Please don’t leave me kudasai... Quote"
Image/Original article: Andy Lim

Singapore Street-Hawker Calls And Elvis' 'Crawfish'

Singapore street hawkers or vendors in the 60s have been highlighted as being unique and special. Many stories have been written about them and one author, Chan Kwee Sung in his book, One More Story To Tell, highlights the street laksa (page: 44) sold in the Katong area in the East Coast and the hot porridge (page: 49) in downtown Chinatown. These memories are etched forever in the minds of those who have lived the period and seen the food-sellers .

I remember my own encounter with these street hawkers along Geylang Road in Singapore where they advertise their food using their own unique/special hawker calls to draw out customers from their homes.

.

The meat-bun man will shout his, "Char siew pau..." as he pushes his cart filled with hot, steaming buns in containers balanced over a charcoal fire. Then there's the chicken porridge man selling his, "Kaiiiii choke."

.

The won-ton noodle hawker's assistant who strikes a small bamboo piece with a stick, using a rhythmic beat to announce his delicious meal for 30 cents a bowl. "Tock, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tick, tick, tock..." I even recall the Indian rojak (spicy salad) who shouts his ware along the pavements of Geylang with, "Rojak, rojak..." Street sounds we call them. Or food sounds?

The food hawkers mentioned by our local writers are not uncommon in other parts of the world (images). There are street hawkers everywhere and Singapore is no different. In fact the opening scene of the Elvis Presley movie, King Creole (Paramount: 1958) depicts street hawkers selling their wares in downtown New Orleans in the 50s. (please watch video above). After the film title, Elvis duets with singer Kitty White to sing Crawfish.

Elvis describes the catch:

"I went to the bayou late last night

There wasn't no moon but the stars were bright

Put a big long hook on a big long pole

And I pulled Mr Crawfish outta his hole

The street call:

Crawfish, craw-aw-aw-feeesh!

See I got 'em see the size

Stripped and clean before your eyes

Sweet meat look good

Fresh and ready to cook...

Craaawfeeesh!

The sales pitch:

Now you take Mr Crawfish in your hand

He's gonna look good in your frying pan

If you fry him crisp and you boil him right

He'll be sweeter than sugar with every bite

Crawfish..... crawfish...

(Song credited to: Fred Wise/Ben Wiseman)

Whether it's food culture or otherwise, the world has been connected a long time ago. Like the funeral bands in New Orleans and our own Singapore funeral marching bands - the similarities are astounding.

.

Perhaps there is one difference between Singapore's street vendors and those from the West; they are more imaginative and sing their wares.

.
Can you remember other popular 60s songs with food as a theme?

Images: 1. Paramount Studios/Elvis Presley Estate. 2. National Heritage Board Singapore.

Original article: Andy Lim.

Book Quote: One More Story To Tell - Memories of Singapore - 1930s to 1980s (Chan Kwee Sung: Landmark Books, 2005).

.

(This posting is for Derek Tait who's just joined as a Follower. Thanks Derek. Welcome home!)

SINGAPORE HAWKERS' FOOD

New Orleans Jazz Bands And Chinese Funeral Bands

As a child I remember street music in Singapore which comes from Chinese funeral processions. These funeral bands play melodies from both Chinese and English pops. One particular pop song that I can still recall, Today, (You're) Not Coming Home (Jin Tian Bu Hui Jia 今天不回家), has been played so many times at Chinese funeral street marches that it's been accepted as the unofficial theme song for the occasion (Image 2: a band at Kim Yam Road taken in 1970 in Singapore).

Books from the US that discuss the history of jazz music claim that jazz bands began from dance bands or social orchestras. These were African American bands that played on the streets in New Orleans, U.S.A. officiating at funeral processions. They play solemn music on the way to the burial yard and hot jazz on the way back (Image 1: a New Orleans jazz funeral).

It is common knowledge in the 60s that some Singapore band boys who play in the night-clubs freelance and work as funeral musicians in the day. Again the parallel; New Orleans dance orchestras do not confine themselves to playing in the ballrooms but played at funerals. Nothing to be ashamed of because it's honest living.These funeral bands could comprise from eight members onwards and the instruments included trumpets, trombones, snare drums and cymbals.

The Chinese funeral bands have the same number of people with similar instruments. During a bigger and longer procession at a Chinese funeral (indicating the wealth of the deceased), more instruments could be used, like the larger bass drums and a tuba. When questioned why music is played during such a tear-jerking occasion, the band members explain that the noise drives evil spirits away. Comment?

Original article: Andy Lim

Image 2: National Heritage Board, Singapore.
Image 1: http://www.allaboutjazz.com
(GARY MOORE PASSED ON 6TH FEBRUARY, 2011. GARY GUITAR GREAT.)

Lam Chun See Remembers Teresa And Jimmy

THANK YOU CHUN SEE: Read his comments under Jimmy Linchong's posting. Ayo Mama or Ai Qing Nali Lai is by Teresa Teng. She learnt this song together with Rasa Sayang when she stayed in Indonesia. Rasa Sayang and Ayo Mama originated from the Maluku Islands (Spice Islands) of Indonesia.

Doesn't matter if you can't read Chinese. Enjoy song on the Right Bar >>>>>

印度尼西亚民歌

小河弯弯 流水不断来
河里的水草
跟着漂过来
流水长在 长流那天外
问一声河里水草哪里来

哎哟 妈妈
莫非也像我的恋爱
哎哟 妈妈
可是来的这样奇怪
哎哟 妈妈
怎么你不讲个明白
谁知道我的爱情哪里来

小河弯弯 春风吹过来
河边的花香
跟着飘过来
遍地花开 芬芳到心怀
问一声春天从哪里来

哎哟 妈妈
你可不能不理不睬
哎哟 妈妈
我的寂寞情意难挨
哎哟 妈妈
给我怎么样的安排
你可叫我怎样的安排
谁知道我的爱情哪里来

Ayo Mama: Indonesian lyrics (literal translation):

Ayam hitam telurnya putih (Black chicken too has white eggs)
Mencari makan di pinggir kali (Searching for food by the lakeside)
Sinyo hitam giginya putih (Dark-skinned bride has white teeth)
Kalau ketawa manis sekali. (When she smiles, she's so sweet)

Ayo mama, jangan mama marah beta (Oh mum, don't you scold me)
Dia cuma cuma pegang beta (He's just holding her playfully)
Ayo mama, jangan mama marah beta (Oh mum, don't you scold me)
Lah orang muda punya biasa. (It's natural with the young)

Anyone willing to help with the Mandarin translation? Doesn't matter anyway. It's the beat that matters. Cha-cha-cha!!!

Taken from:
http://teresateng.multiply.com/video/item/14?&item_id=14&view:replies=reverse

Medical Doctor Lee YS, Pop Singer From Penang

DR LEE Y. S. HAILS FROM PENANG, MALAYSIA:

Dr Lee Yan San commented about his friend Russ Hamilton - 60s UK pop singer who made it big with, We Will Make Love - when he visited this blog and saw the postings. I replied to thank him and we kept in touch via email. When I requested for Yan San's home recordings, he was kind enough to send me two CDs: (1) Russ Hamilton songs and (2), his own (above image) entitled, For Baby. Below are extracts of his note, sent on March 22nd, 2010. Dr. Lee explains why and how he made the compilation:

A Serious President?

"I also include the 'commercially' made CD for you since your interest in songs seems to be rather similar to mine. I made the CD (after my term as President of our Malaysian Medical Association) to give to friends since those who do not know me well thought me to be a very serious person (which I need to be when carrying out my duties), so I thought I would give them a taste of my lighter and fun side.

Roland Workstation Mixer:

My daughter is very musical and helps me with the backing vocals and the strings which I have to record over 3-4 tracks with my Roland workstation mixer to make it sound like an orchestral backing. My lead guitarist and good friend, Frank Rozells, who is presently working in New Dehli came to visit me recently and we had a jam session in my house. I enclose our latest effort for you.
Violin and Guitar Sounds:

As usual my daughter puts in her violin music to enrich the sound. I also enclose a duet I did with my friend, so that you can hear him perform too. He is very good and also an excellent guitarist. He is doing very well in India but used to play in hotels in Penang, Malaysia."

The Vocalists and Instrumentalists:

The instrumental group that helped Dr. Lee (vocals/harmonica) with his home jam sessions are: Frankie Rozel (lead guitar/harmony), Dr. Lee Hai Leong (bass guitar), Suedy Suwendy (harmony), Lee Hai Lin (violin/vocals), Clifford Cheam (rhythm guitar), John Lim (steel guitar), Michael Kay (keyboard), Lee Hai Choo (keyboard), Wayne, Noel and Rachel (music mixers).

CD Statistics and Songs Recorded:

The CD was recorded between 1985 - 1997 and re-compiled in May 1999. Songs are: Lonely Christmas, Leavin's Not The Only Way To Go, Sadie, The Cleaning Lady, I'll Never Find Another You, Nowhere Man, It's Alright, Filks On The Road, I Did What I Did For Maria, Rhythm Of The Rain, Exclusively Yours, Paloma Blanca, Mr Tambourine Man, Lodi, No Secrets, Standing At The End Of The Line, Mission Bell, Lay Back In The Arms Of Someone, For Baby And I'm Sorry.

Trivia:

Any Singapore medical doctors who are 60s pop singers too?

I know one Member of Parliament who has an active guitar group. Do you know who this person is?

You can read more about Lee Yan San if you click his name below:

Jose Mari Chan's Big Hit: "Beautiful Girl" (Pt II)

SONGS I LOVE:

I only heard Jose Mari Chan with Beautiful Girl in the early 90s. This carrier single from his album Constant Change sold very well and became a regional hit especially in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.

250,00 Copies:

But not many people know it's written by a Filipino. It exceeded 10 times 'Platinum' status, more than 250,000 copies, so the Philippines music industry had to come up with the 'Diamond' Record Award for JMC.

Lea Salonga:

Beautiful Girl was even covered by Asian stars like Aaron Kwok, Paula Tsui, Sally Yee, Sandy Lam, Kamahl, Tomomi Akimoto and Yasuo T while other JMC romantic favourites by country mate diva, Lea Salonga (Miss Saigon.)

Christmas In Our Hearts:

Again and again his songs have rebounded as hits for other artistes. So when I asked some Filipino musicians working in Singapore about Jose Mari Chan, they exclaimed, "Christmas In Our Hearts!" because it is the industry's biggest selling Christmas album in history. Blessed with a great voice, good looks, a talented mind and rapturous fans, it looks as if JMC has got them all.

(A recent email from MusicMeister LL about JMC woke me up as I realised that he is one Filipino pop singer that I had to include in my list of music influences.

Beautiful Girl by Jose Mari Chan

Beautiful girl, wherever you are/I knew when I saw you, you had opened the door/I knew that I'd love again after a long, long while/I'd love again.

You said "hello" and I turned to go/But something in your eyes left my heart beating so/I just knew that I'd love again after a long, long while/I'd love again.

Chorus: It was destiny's game/For when love finally came on/I rushed in line only to find/That you were gone.

Wherever you are, I fear that I might/Have lost you forever like a song in the night/Now that I've loved again after a long, long while/I've loved again.

Beautiful girl, I'll search on for you/'Til all of your loveliness in my arms come true/You've made me love again after a long, long while/In love again/And I'm glad that it's you/Hmm, beautiful girl.

Image: http://girl-xinhonline.blogspot.com/

Information: Wikipedia, other Websites.

Original article: Andy Lim

Jose Mari Chan: 60s Music Man, Filipino Singer, Composer, Business Man, Philanthropist (Pt I)

In 1974 he was honoured with one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) titles from the Philippines. It was a Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Philippines Association Recording Industry and The Metro Pop Foundation. And it's not Freddie Aguilar.

Jose Mari Chan can be categorised as a mid-60s music man. He came into show biz in 1966 when he hosted and sang on a TV show called, 9 Teeners.

His first single Afterglow was released in 1967 and his first LP (long play vinyl) album Deep in My Heart was issued in 1969. In 1973 he represented the Philippines in the World Popular Song Festival in Tokyo with his song Can We Just Stop and Talk A While.

From 1970 to 1975, he composed more than 20 theme songs for movies and some earned him nominations at the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Award. He wrote commercial jingles and the well known ones were the Philippine Air Lines Love At Thirty Thousand Feet and the Alaska Milk jingle. He was also at his peak with a series of TV network specials spotlighting his lyrics and music.

Just as popular in the US, and with his degree in Economics, he moved to America and concentrated on his own business and remained there for 11 years. When he came back to the Philippines in 1986, he recorded Tell Me Your Name. This 60s musician had connected himself to the younger generation.

In 1989 he recorded, Constant Change and it was named Album of the Year by the Awit Awards (Philippines), equivalent to the American Grammy Awards. Chan is an international star and has appeared in the big cities in the US including Vegas and Carnegie Hall. He won the hearts and ears of UK and European fans and most of Asia.

Followers have found this philanthropist's love songs refreshing, captivating, heart-warming and lyrical. A Love To Last A Lifetime, Can We Stop To Talk Awhile, Afraid For Love To Fade, Deep In My Heart, Is She Thinking About Me and the 2005 South East Asian Games theme song are just some of the many compositions he penned.

I am thinking about Aguilar (Anak) and Chan... Two totally different personalities but both touched the hearts of people around the world with their hauntingly beautiful songs.

To read about Freddie Aguilar, click Labels below.

Information: Wikipedia, http://www.josemarichan.net/

Hindi Song: Dil Mein Chupake Pyar Ka - Aan

SONGS I LOVE:

Another 50s Hindi song that kept playing in my head was from the musical, Aan (or Pride - image). I had tried for some time to check out the song from movie websites and from friends but to no avail.

.

So a visit yesterday, with my Music Meister friend, to a neighbourhood coffee shop at Serangoon proved fruitful when his Indian friend wrote out the full song title in romanised Hindi. That did the trick and I heard it again for the first time after many years. *Mohammed Rafi's: Dil Mein Chupake Pyar Ka came alive on You Tube.

.

In those early years of Hindi movies in Singapore the re-runs were either at the Garrick Cinema in Geylang Serai or the Queen's Cinema in Geylang Road. Aan or Savage Princess was called a 'swashbuckling, romantic film', that became a block-buster. The unique English title was used to draw US audiences who were always keen about the 'mysterious' East.

.

The movie was produced in 1952 and was the first Indian film in 'Technicolor'. It was directed by the legendary Mehboob Khan and starred Dilip Kumar and Premnath (big stars they were). Music was by Naushad.

.

Again it was my Malay neighbour who persuaded me to see the film after drumming the song into me for days. To appease him, we queued patiently for tickets at the Garrick and managed to get the 50-cent seats. We were 6 rows away from the screen, had to lean back and look upwards for the duration of the movie. I couldn't remember the plot, I could this particular song.

.

I came out of the cinema with a stiff neck. Hamid laughed when I complained but I must thank him for the humbling experience and beautiful song. In Singapore, the interest and love for Bollywood movies never waned. Even today Singaporeans of all races watch them on television, DVDs and in the cinemas to 'escape the harsh realities of everyday life.' Similarly 50s and 60s Indian pop evergreens are still in demand in the music shops.

.

*Mohd. Rafi was an Indian playback singer (doing voice-overs for movie stars) for four decades. Versatile and talented, he could sing in English, Persian and 10 Indian languages. Rafi had been honoured many times by the Indian government, Bollywood and other movie industries for his capability and music contribution.

.

(Apparently Tamil movies are just as popular in the 60s as it is today, especially in Singapore because Tamil is one of the four official languages. In fact, for non Singapore readers, this island has both a TV channel and radio station that broadcast only in Tamil. The songs are popular too.)

.

Thanks to yuanyuanyuanyin for You Tube videos and comments.

Image/Movie information: Wikipedia and Websites.
Original article: Andy Lim.

.

For: Music Meister, Eusoof Angullia, Salma, Ahyar Jammari, Azizah and Abdul Hamid (wherever he is.)

Anyone with an extra copy of the vinyl?

Alan Lyford Makes Music In Perth, Australia

I have a couple of 45 singles (image) by Alan Lyford and the Thunderbirds. Both vinyls have been recorded by Philips Singapore in the 60s. The first vinyl (338704PF) has this young boy singing, No One To Care (own composition) and What Now My Love, the very well-known ballad by Decaud, Sigman and Delanoe. In the second vinyl (ME-0161-AF), Lyford sings his own Love Me and Chains by Goffin and King.

In my search to do a write-up of Lyford, a friend connected me to a night-spot website called, The Ellington Jazz Club. This popular club which features live music is situated at Beaufort Street, Perth, Australia. There is a blues band playing there called Bloozology with the most experienced musicians from the city in its line-up.

Formed in 2007 this band has vocalist and bass player Alan Lyford in the team. It is the same Lyford who has recorded for Phillips and according to the website, he has for some years accompanied and sung with many Perth and inter-state artistes in Australia. Lyford was also lead singer with the fusion band, *Manteca, in the late 70s and early 80s, when they were recorded for national broadcast by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

Lyford's music career in Australia is definitely impressive with his sterling track record. He has played with super stars like America, the Doobie Brothers and Simply Red, supported Suzie Quatro, Lou Rawls,Tom Jones, Roberta Flack and toured with Ian Moss from Cold Chisel. He is currently recording an album of his original compositions.

According to another website, when he left Singapore during the earlier years, Lyford joined a band called, The Revue. It was a 5 piece band formed in 1967 and he was bass guitarist and singer from 1969-1971. In the same year (1971), he joined The Mark IV also playing bass. This band, formed in 1966 was previously called The Zebeks and started life in 1964.

*The Albums:

The debut album by West Australia’s Manteca was recorded in 1979 by the Perth Radio Station 720 6WF. The group fuses a mix of jazz, funk and rock together to form their sound. Half the album's style is funky rock featuring Alan Lyford’s vocals, which is "kind of sound like mid 70′s average white band, Tower of Power etc." The other half is instrumental jazz and funk. This particular album has a very funky version of Herbie Hancock's classic, Watermelon Man.

The group has another album in 1981, a Fusion LP produced by ABC Records. Its a mixed bag with some instrumental fusion style tracks and some with vocal cuts. The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter is the best track with a mellow, laid back, Brazilian flavored groove.

Sad isn't it to have a talented artiste like Alan Lyford leaving Singapore shores? Perhaps we should invite him to play at the Esplanade? If you have some more information about Mr Lyford do write in.

Thanks to LL.

Image/Edited article: Andy Lim.

Information:
http://www.ellingtonjazz.com.au/index.php/schedule/month/05/show/689
http://streetrockrecords.wordpress.com/category/australian-jazzfunk/

'Dil Deke Dekho' - Pop Hindustani Song - 1959

SONGS I LOVE:

Dil Deke Dekho is a Hindi movie (1959) shown at the Garrick Theatre in Geylang Serai, Singapore about 50 years ago. I vaguely remember the movie but is familiar with the song and listened to it for days afterwards at a Malay neighbour's home. (It is common knowledge that Indian pop songs influenced the Malay pop yeh-yeh wave of music in the 60s.) And You Tube is a blessing because when I found the song and played it again and again, my wife asked me if I had a new indian girlfriend!

The music is composed by Usha Khanna in this her first film and the cast includes Shammi Kapoor and Asha Parekh. These were big names in the 60s and the movie was Nasir Hussain's second film as director and gave star Shammi Kapoor a new image as a comedic, dancing hero. Husain and Kapoor reteamed here. Asha Parekh, a former child actress, made her film debut as a heroine.

It was also the debut film of comedian Rajendranath, brother of Premnath (another 60s Hindi movie screen hero). When the film became a hit at the box office so did the songs. Husain, Kapoor and Parekh would reteam again as his leading lady in five other films.

4 edited comments from You Tube:

1. This film was the first for Usha Khanna. She copied some songs from English and did a tremendous job by giving us these memorable melodies. This song is copied from a song with the lines, "Sugar in the morning, sugar in the evening, sugar at suppertime... (Sugartime - Johnny Cash and also McGuire Sisters Hit in 1958).

2. Dil Deke Dekho means, "Try and give away your heart." He sings, "Try giving your heart, oh the heart snatchers, learn how to give as well... /Ask the mouth how enjoyable it is to burn slowly in love's fire./May you learn to enjoy love's heat as well.../Understand the lover's language,/If there's no love, there's no life/ May you learn how to sing this song as well..."

3. I don't like the acting but the music keeps rock & rolling. The main stuff!

4. Many of these old Hindi film song are naive and a bit silly. But they are full of light humour and innocent charm that you simply don't find anywhere else now.

Anyone seen this movie? And the song? It's still spinning in my head. Lovely!

(I have been trying to get a Tamil speaking friend to review some of the older Tamil movie classics and songs that were shown in Singapore but to no avail. Anyone know about Tamil movies or music?)

Info Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dil_Deke_Dekho

You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tLsLXVqBQA

(9) From Dr. Lee, Penang With Russ Hamilton - The Malaysian, UK, Sing60s Music Connection

A note about Russ Hamilton from Dr. Lee Yan San, Medical Practitioner, Penang, Malaysia.

Dr. Lee said...
"Thanks for your nice tribute to Russ Hamilton. Russ is an exceptionally great and friendly gentleman. I am so glad to have met him (image: Russ Hamilton, sister, Dr Lee, family) and done a long interview with him for our Malaysian radio station few years back. We became close friends.

I was so sad when his twin sister contacted me to let me know that Russ had passed away. He once told me that We Will Make Love was his most successful song and of the songs he wrote, he loved Little One most... a lullaby he wrote for his niece in Canada. He said he wrote and sang Reprieve of Tom Dooley after meeting his friend Lonni Donegan at the studio when he was recording the hit Tom Dooley.

He had also given me his unreleased songs which are now a real treasure to me. I have collected all his released songs and made into a CD to keep. I contributed to his biography at Wikipedia some time ago."

March 3, 2010 4:14 PM

Thank you, Dr. Lee for writing. I must say that Russ Hamilton and his songs will always be with us as we remember 60s music. He's one of the greatest singers really. It would be wonderful to have a copy of his CD with the unreleased songs as a souvenir.

Regards,

Andy Lim

(You can access Dr. Lee's blog by clicking on his name above.)

A note about RUSS HAMILTON IN PASSING - From The Original Chevelles, The Echoes, UK.

This comment about RUSS HAMILTON appeared on my posting which I missed reading:

Anonymous said...
"Just a note about Russ Hamilton aka Ronald Hulme, he was a good friend to myself and my band, he helped us get into the business, we were supposed to see Russ last year in November but his nephew called us in October and told us about his passing, he was a great friend, a mentor and an all around nice guy. He is truly missed but never forgotten, whenever we perform we always do Rainbow and dedicate it to Russ."

Sincerely,

The Original Chevelles, The Echoes. Saturday, May 09, 2009
British 60s Pop Influence With Russ Hamilton
, (Original Posting)

Thank you for writing. I must apologise for not reading nor replying your note when you sent it.

Regards,

Andy

March 3rd, 2010.

(5) Indian Connection In Washington DC, USA

(DJ Carlito from Richmond, Virginia, USA has been supporting this blog for a long time).

This posting is not an advertisement but to show what others are doing to promote music for a more creative and peaceful world.

DATE: Saturday March 27th, 2010 TIME: 9:30PM - 2:00AM VENUE: Heritage Lounge, DuPont Circle, 1337 Connecticut Ave, Washington, DC 20036.
OK, so if you're in the Washington DC area in March, go to his show huh! Good luck, DJ Carlito.

(I understand that there are many Tamil speakers in Jersey, USA. Is this true? I am interested because Tamil is one of the four official languages in Singapore. Anyone familiar with 60s Tamil songs?
Information: http://turquoisekid.blogspot.com/

(4) >B< French Connexion - Je T'aime Tant

Some of their more familiar and internationally well-known songs include: (1) Le Diable En Personne (Shakin' All Over) (2) Golden Earrings (3) Original Twist Guitar (4) Shazam. (5) Walk Don't Run (6) No Man's Land (7) The Mexican (8) Mustang (9) Lover's Guitar (Je T'aime Tant) (10) Hully Bach (11) *Marche Des Aigles (Under The Double Eagle) (12) Moulin Rouge (13) Caravan (14) Summertime (15) Original Twist Guitar (16) Mustang (17) Golden Earrings (18) Do You Wanna Dance? (19) Reflexion (20) Peggy Sue and of course (21) *Loop De Loop.

The video features Hully Guitars (sidebar). It was also released on vinyl in 1963 as Hully Bach, with a classical music introduction in the style of Bach. Written by famous American guitarist and singer Mickey Baker who lived in Paris since 1960. A really hot number!

The US and UK influence is strong. This group has a following in Singapore too, especially amongst the 60s band groups. Good sound, fantastic selection, French connection. Do you have any of the EPs?
Image: YouTube *On image.
Information: Articles from Les Fantomes Websites.

>A< Les Fantomes - Loop De Loop - Ooh La La

There were many guitar and vocal groups all over Europe in the 60s like The Jumping Jewels and The Blue Diamonds that Singaporeans are familiar with but one prominent group that made a name for themselves, especially in France, was The Phantoms.

Les Fantomes was one of the leading French rock n roll instrumental groups then. Most of their songs stayed in the typical European mid-tempo Shadows vein. The band was formed by Thomas 'Dean' Noton (lead), Dany Maranne (bass), Jacky Pasut (rhythm) and Charles Benaroch (drums), in the summer of 1961. Jean-Claude Champon aka Claude Channes replaced Pasut in 1962. The group played mainly guitar instrumentals and became known because of the influence by American and British bands like The Ventures and Hank Marvin (Shadows).

From 1961 until 1964 they released eight EP’s, five singles and two full albums. To date their most famous track remains Loop de Loop (image) from their sixth EP recorded in 1963. From 1962 to 1964 they were considered was one of the best instrumental ensembles in France. Later members included Roger David, Bernard Ferraro, Michel Gaucher.

Image: YouTube *On image.

Information: Articles from Les Fantomes Websites.

Singapore Connection: Phonographs, Records, Music From David Row Teachers Est (Part I)

++++++++++++The image attracts and there are some phonograph enthusiasts in Singapore who collect these players, which can still produce music recorded near the beginning of the 20th Century.

David Row from Teachers' Estate near Upper Thomson Road, Singapore has a collection that will astound you. From his Edison phonograph since the beginning of the last century to his beautiful AMI Continental 2 Jukebox playing 60s music 45 rpm singles, Row has them all. When blogger visited him a few weeks ago, the former listened intently to music played on various phonograph machines owned by Row.

He is also a collector of LPs, EPs and 78s. He has shelves full of vinyls that he has kept for more than 50 years. Name the song or record and he would probably have a copy.

Row has given talks at Community Clubs and other venues. He has appeared a few times in the daily papers where he explained the importance of passing time positively. "Hobbies," he said, "are important, especially at our age."

More about this remarkable gentleman in future postings.

Image: EARLY EDISON SUITCASE HOME PHONOGRAPH, 1899

Original article: Andy Lim Collection.