Succulent Sweet Singapore Sixties Songs: Part IV

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Did Our Singapore Bands Cover Bob Dylan In 60s?

A note from anonymous:

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

(July 13, 2011 11:04 PM).

My reply:

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

Reply From Vernon Cornelius:

Hi Andy,

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

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

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

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

Vernon.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Original article/record collection: Andy Lim.

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

It's The Singer Not The Song: Vernon At Large

40 years on and the man is still attracting crowds. Whether he's in panic purple glitter, a resplendent white suit or a snake skin jacket (images), Vernon Cornelius still holds court with his singing, jovial banter and stage presence.

Formerly fronting The Quests he's keeping his fans happy today with his rendition of pop 60s songs. I have acquired some photographs of his gigs since 2004 when he performed with the Abadi Sousman Band from Indonesia. In January 2005, he backed Riem de Wolff (Mr. Blue Diamond) at the Assisi Home Charity Concert at Victoria Theatre.

In the same year, he appeared in a concert in aid of the Aceh tsunami victims and at the Orchard Hotel Ballroom. In 2007 Vernon sang at Zouk for the Singapore Heritage Festival Concert. He has also appeared at 'St Mary's Kampong Nite' at the Church of St Mary of the Angels in August 2008 and the 'Eurasiana' Show at the Esplanade Concert Hall in June 2009 with the 50 piece Singapore Pop Orchestra led by Maestro Iskandar Ismail.

Sing on young one.. sing on!

*The Singer Not The Song: Rolling Stones

Everywhere you want I always go /I always give in because babe you know /You just say so cause you give me that /Feeling inside that I know must be right /It's the singer not the song /It's the singer not the song /It's the singer not the song... (M. Jagger/K. Richards: 1965 UK)

Images: from Vernon Cornelius.

Original Article: Andy Lim.

The Quests 'Return Of Spring' by MrRainbow64

Mr Blue Diamond Riem de Wolff, Quests, DJ Larry Lai: 60s Music Meet In Singapore Shopping Mall

Image seated: Andy Lim (The Silver Strings), Riem de Wolff (The Blue Diamonds), Larry Lai (Rediffusion Broadcaster). Standing: Jap Chong, Vernon Cornelius (The Quests).

Vintage Brothers:

Shoppers screamed, Seniors extended their arms for a handshake when pop group The Vintage Brothers appeared for lunch, at one of the shopping malls in Singapore.

Questing For Diamonds:

Fans with CDs in hand jostled their way to the front of the queue and everyone wanted to have a picture (Image 2) taken with Jap Chong and Vernon Cornelius (The Quests), Riem de Wolff (The Blue Diamonds) and Larry Lai (Rediffusion Broadcaster). One fan even brought his Blue Diamonds vinyls for Riem's autograph.

Dream On:

So for those surfers in Singapore who missed the, "Dream On, You 60s Celebrities" gig, here's a picture for keep sake. By the way it's 2011 now, not 1965 but they had gigs in Singapore recently.

Riem De Wolff:

Seriously though, the du-wop duo from Holland, The Blue Diamonds' chart topper Ramona is still selling internationally and Riem is up to his neck in diamonds. Twenty-five million copies sold and counting... Riem has a successful solo career now but sings with his son too. Listen to Riem, with steel and slide guitarist Sarah Jory, on the sensitive duet-written, How I Love You in his 2005 Back On Track album (Image 1 ). He had appeared in some concerts in December 2010.

Vernon Cornelius:

Vernon (Quests) is busy with his gigs and has recently appeared with Reim as a duet, singing Blue Diamonds melodies of yesteryears. Vernon is much into archival activities and has a large collection of past goodies, much from Singapore. Vernon fronted the Quests from the 60s -70s and recorded with EMI.

Jap Chong:

Jap (Quests) is taking it easy and still plays when there are reQuests for him to appear. This gentleman looks very young for his age. He's used to the rhythm of local pop stardom. Jap Chong played rhythm guitar with the Quests from the 60s - 70s and recorded with EMI.

Larry Lai:

Larry co-ordinates the masses and is still the maestro, using his baton more as a magic-wand to make celebrities appear and disappear. The usual, "I-know-that-voice" phenomena still persists when he's around. Strangers pass him by and call his name when they hear him talking.

Larry was the most popular DJ and one of the top broadcasters in Singapore from the 60s - 90s at cable Rediffusion and the Singapore Broadcasting Company. He has since retired. There are about 9 postings about this gentleman on the blog (click Larry Lai below).

Image 1: http://www.bluediamonds.nl/

Image 2: Andy Lim Collection.

Keith Locke And The All Stars: Newcastle upon Tyne 1967. What Happened After He Left Singapore?

Discuss Newcastle upon Tyne and Hank Marvin, Bruce Welch, The Animals, Sting and even Jimmy Hendrix come to mind. And don't forget Bryan Ferry and Dire Straits in later years. The news item below appeared in THE EVENING CHRONICLE and published, possibly, in 1967. (Copied from a newspaper image):

INVASION OF TALENT HITS THE NORTH

"A Jamaican blues singer who has topped record charts in the Far East three times, has moved to Newcastle to join a leading local beat group.

Together they hope to explore on the North East with their version of soul music which they are busy rehearsing for the first booking at the end of this month. Kingston-born Keith Locke, now living at Graingerville North, Newcastle, decided to come to Tyneside because, ' the teenagers here are ready for this kind of music'

A few months ago he met Burt Lowes, manager of The Jazz Board (image) beat group. The group and Keith were impressed with each other and decided to team up under the name of Keith Loke and the All Stars.

The reaction of Tyneside teenagers to this combination will be vital, for Keith gave up considerable success in the Far East to come to Britain. He embarked on his singing career at the age of 10, and after winning talent contests gained experience by doing cabaret work in Jamaica before joinging the RAF in 1957.

His next big step was a singing tour of Singapore in 1959 when he formed a trio with two other West Indians. They took part in their own radio series, but Keith eventually merged with four Singapore boys to form his own group, The Quests.

'I was impressed at the style and line up of the Jazz Board which is suited to my style of music and I think that this area, with its growing club life, is ready for a new sound. We plan to sing and for a huge and audience and not just blast away. We are rehearsing non stop and will launch a fan club soon.'

'The lads hope to develop a different kind of music to explode on the North East and really put it back on the musical map. People are tired of listening to just a 'Big Noise' and are demanding something better', explained Mr. Lowes."

Is this the answer to: 'What happened to Keith Locke after he left Singapore?'

Information: http://www.readysteadygone.co.uk/jazzboard/

From a blog called 'Rog's Blog' by Roger Smith.

Lonely Street, You Talk Too Much: Locke/Quests

Okay, so here he is. The guy who needs no introduction to our local music fans is one of the more successful singers in the 60s. He came from across the sea and together with the already famous Quests, unfurled music so potent that many youngsters today still think that they are the only pop band in Singapore.

Backing Mr. Dynamite, and with about 10 songs on his own list, The Quests say adios to Keith Locke with this particular recording. If you look at the image carefully you will notice a caricature of him in the background, with the special 'K' long-sleeved T- Shirt, boarding the plane and waving his last farewell. I just managed to get this vinyl during the week-end, recorded on 12/04/1966.

So for those who do not possess this pressing, simply titled, Keith Locke And The Quests, on Columbia/EMI: DO 4664, SOME SLEEVES SPEAK reveal: "This is Keith Locke's final record and his farewell tribute to the hundreds of fans that his voice brought him, during his singing career in Singapore.

Keith, originator of the Push Push beat and the dance of the same name, recorded this final single shortly before he left the Quests, homeward bound.
In the same tradition as his other records, You Talk Too Much (Jones, Hall) and Lonely Street (Sowder, Hearn, Belew, Stevenson) present Keith Locke as a highly competent singer. It is, in fact, his best record, with the warmth, emotion and feel for a song tht put him at the top with his first disc, You Lied.

The Quests provide some superb backing on this record, with snatches of fine guitar-playing. Keith adds everything else.

It may be goodbye from Keith but it's the only way he felt he could adequately express it... through a record.

And this is what his fans will remember him for. It's thank you to Keith for so many wonder songs, and as he would have said it himself, "Be nice, baby!"

Image: Universal Music Singapore. Andy Lim Collection.

*My way of presenting original sleeve-liners, so check out other liners by clicking "Labels" below:

How Our Local 60s Music Is Sold Overseas - "Wild Rockers That Would Never Make It"

HOW SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIAN 60s MUSIC ARE SOLD OVERSEAS. PLEASE READ THE BLURB BELOW, QUOTED IN FULL:

Various Artists – 'Chinese Rocks' LP only:

"Like the old saying 'digging a hole to China' insatiable record collectors go through stages, digging deeper & deeper to find the next unknown treasure. Collectors of garage/trash 50′s & 60′s oddities have grown in recent years like a wild fungus & many vinyl mysteries have been solved only to open new ones.

Looking to the East we have indeed literally dug a hole to a 60s Singapore & Malaysian weirdsville, represented here by a family style nightmare of rickshaw crashing left of center, wild rockers that would never make it onto even a collector's compilation of this sort.

Everything from wild surf to Trashmen styled thud to almost Shaggs ineptitude/beauty to garage pounders & even a retarded psychedelic comedy track. Put this record on and drown in the delightful soy sauce vinyl insanity that is Chinese Rocks!

Tracks: The Stylers – Hey! Hey! Hey!, The Siglaps – Hey Girl, The Quests – Ding Dong Twist, Johnny Tan – Shakin’ All Over, Bakar Hamid & The Hawks – Div-Kav-Tetap Ku Kenang, The Thunderbirds – Call My Name, Shao Fong Fong – I Love A Go Go.

The Hi-Fi Twins & The Kings – Papa Oom Mow Mow, Blue Lake Combo – Bombora, The Steps – Steps Theme, S. Suri & Les Sea King – Svasana Ala, The Fabulous Falcons – Midnight Express, The Saints – ???, The Hi Fi Twins & The Kings – Lies, Helen Velv & The Silverstones – Hot Pants, The Quests – Pop Inn Theme."

The above image and promotional document is not edited and comes from:

http://www.dionysusrecords.com/home/?p=1124

Girls In The Garage? How Others View Our 60s Asian Lady Singers. Stereo-Typed Again?

Way back in 1999 on 13th February, an album of Singapore 60s English and Chinese pop songs were released. Many enthusiasts would have realised this but just in case... On this 13 track CD, we have an interesting selection that includes:

.

1 Penny Lim & The Silverstones - Kung See, Kung See, Let's Be Happy 2 Rita Chao & The Quests - Hanky Panky 3 Lara & The Trailers - Sugar Town 4 Nancy Sit - Love Potion #9. 5 Rita Chao - Yummy, Yummy, Yummy *6 [unknown] - If You Ever Go 7 Naomi & The Boys - As Tears Go By 8 Naomi & The Boys - I'd Like to Know 9 Rita Chao & The Quests - How to Catch a Girl 10 Nancy Sit - Hanky Panky 11 Sakura & The Quests - My Boy Lollipop 12 Nancy Sit - Come Back When You Grow Up 13 Nancy Sit - Fever.

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*The Silver Strings & Shirley Nair. (check Comment by Steve Farram).

WHAT OTHERS SAY:

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Below is an article posted by Mack Hagood on February 22, 2004 09:24 pm by The Far Eastern Audio Review:

.

"As Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation heads for the video stores and awards shows, some are having second thoughts about the film. Kiku Day's scathing indictment in the U.K.'s Guardian and other late reviews have held up the film's jokes about Japanese food, stature and English pronounciation as examples of anti-Asian racism.

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Coppola, who lived in Japan for a time, is probably taken aback that a film she intended as "a love letter to Tokyo" has been interpreted as racist. The key to the controversy is in the film's title: Lost in Translation is about the alienation, wonder and--yes--humor to be found at the limits of people's understanding of one another.

.

The problem is, like her two protagonists, the director doesn't push those limits hard enough and little beside the wacky and exotic make it through the filter of her Western gaze. This isn't racism (it lacks the intent and cruelty that word implies), but it is a missed opportunity to see the Japanese on their own terms.

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Which brings me to The Girls in the Garage Vol. 9: Oriental Special. Again, the (somewhat unfortunate) title tells us a lot: This installment of the 60's girl rock series brings us wacky finds from the flea markets of Singapore.

,

Compiler "Bradley Ghoulstein" is knocked out by the hilarity of what gets lost in the Chinese translation of Western pop, so the filter we get here is in the playlist, which is comprised almost entirely of familiar American songs. The goal here is a cool, funny addition to garage collections and on that level it works well.

,

Rita Chao and the Quests' version of "Hanky Panky" (one of two versions on the CD) is brilliant. Greasy-dirty guitar tone, funky drumming and Rita's charming vocal delivery--complete with "R" and "L" mixing and implied lesbianism when she doesn't change the gender of "her baby" in the lyrics--all conspire to create the perfect party single.

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Nancy Sinatra's "Sugar Town" sounds great in Chinese by Lara and the Trailers; "Love Potion #9" fairs a little poorer in the shaky hands of Nancy Sit and her band. Yes, that's right... Nancy Sit, a Nancy Sinatra knock-off responsible, by the way, for the oh-my-god-it's-so-bad-turn-it-off-now second version of "Hanky Panky" on the disc. Cross-cultural weirdness abounds on this record and it's damn fun.

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Racist? I can't see how. Reductionist? That's a different story. Mr. Ghoulstein's liner notes seem to be made up of whatever he could glean from the album covers. Intrigued by their beautiful version of "As Tears Go By," I checked the notes for information on Naomi and the Boys and learned they were "Malaysian (Indonesian?)" with vocals "sung in almost perfect English... damn."
.

A quarter of the tunes here belong to Nancy Sit, not because she's good, but because she's funny. But by far the best song is an original, Penny Lim and the Silverstone's "Kung See, Kung See, Let's Be Happy." The liner notes call it an "undescribably baffling masterpiece of New Year's (Chinese of course) bubblegum." I can't improve on that description. It's Chinese 60's pop on its own terms - incredibly weird and enjoyable. It opens Oriental Special and the rest of the CD pales in comparison.

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Lost in Translation and The Girls in the Garage Vol. 9 both view Asians through the filter of Western culture and divide them into two groups: hipsters who get it "right" and (much preferred!) amusing folks who don't. In either case, the Westerner is really looking at himself--whether it's the flattery of good imitation or a funhouse mirror.

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I don't condemn us for being this way--all cultures are self-obsessed, after all. But when we stick only to the safe confines of the Tokyo five-star hotel and the goofy Singaporean cover versions of our own songs, we miss out on true Asian originals and the chance to push beyond the limits that separate all of us different styles of human."

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Reference: http://www.fareastaudio.com/archives/04/02/the_girls_in_the_garage_vol_9_oriental_special_by_various.php

Image/article by: Mack Hagood who is currently completing his MA thesis in Folklore and Ethnomusicology at Indiana University. He is creator and editor of the Far Eastern Audio Review. From: Folklore of East Asia Folklore Forum 38.1 (2008).

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Listen to the songs on You Tube. Do you have comments to make or do you have a copy of the CD and Bradley Ghoulstein's liner notes? Would be an interesting read.

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Read Andy's take on:
'Sayonara' 60s Music: American/Japanese Influence, Marlon Brando, James Mitchener, Irving Berlin, Miyoshi Umeki, Tracy Huang (Friday, 3rd July, 2009)

Friday, April 24, 2009
(3) Born Free HK Invasion Pop Song/Pop Movie

(2) Naomi Boys Quests Beat Rolling Stones '66

****************************************In April 1966 while Singapore was busy with its first ever Grand Prix at Thomson Road, Keith Locke and the Quests (Columbia/EMI) reached the 5th spot on Singapore's Top Tunes with Push, Push, one above My Love by Petula Clark on Pye Records, 19th Nervous Breakdown by The Rolling Stones on Decca and Svensk-A-Flicka by Johnny Lion on Philips.

But on Malaya's Top Pops Locke & Quests were at number 2 and the number 1 spot in Malaya was Naomi singing I Know with her Boys on Philips. At number 3 was As Tears Go By by the Rolling Stones. Apparently I Know had sold copies far beyond the dreams of 60s music record producers.

First Singapore Grand Prix and first at the top of Asia's hit parade. Happening in 1966! And it had been happening all the time. Comment anyone?

Image/original article: Andy Lim Collection.

Sugar Sugar - The Quests Version - Singapore

From the Archives: A note from Unc Dicko today. I have asked to write about Sam Toh as guest blogger. I hope he responds positively. His note appears at the end of this posting.

One of Singapore's most distinctive bands in the 60s recorded Sugar Sugar in 1969 when the song was at the top of the pops.

The Quests with its new line-up of members, are, Reggie Verghese, Sam Toh, Wee Guan, Jap Chong and Peter Richards.

They pressed an EMI/Columbia EP ECHK 647 that included, Sugar, Sugar and He Ain't Heavy... on side one and Baby Make It Soon and Holiday on side two.

As with most bands then, they took advantage of the popularity of these songs and covered them. With their own distinctive sound and composition the Quests added more hits to their already large stable of goodies.

Image/Original article: Andy Lim Collection.