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

SONGS I LOVE:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Labels below.

Image 1, 2: Andy Lim Collection.

Image 3, 4: Google.

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

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.

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

SONGS I LOVE:

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

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

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

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

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

More about her in the next posting.

*78 rpm versions should be available too. Any comment?

Images: Google images and Andy Lim Collection.

Information: Li Xiang Lan from Wikipedia. Others from record sleeve.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Harry Chapin: Spend More Time With The Kids

SONGS I LOVE:

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

Thanks to Chun See who reminded me of this song.

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

(Copyright reserved)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SONGS I LOVE:

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

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

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

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

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

The Voting Song (English version: Zainal Alam)

Vote vote vote

Everybody vote

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

Don't forget

That you must not delay

Vote wisely vote with care

Everybody vote

When you vote You must vote wisely

What people say

You 'jangan peduli' (don't bother)

Use your head

Think very carefully

Because once you vote

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

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

SINGAPORE GENERAL ELECTIONS: 2011

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

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

LOCAL SONGS I LOVE:

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

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

1. Shanty - The Quests

2. Ramona - The Blue Diamonds

3. Singapore Cowboy - Matthew & The Mandarins

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

5. My Lonely Heart - The Thunderbirds

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

7. Mr. Twister - The Crescendos

8. I Believe - The Tidbits

9. Do It Right - Benny & The Trailer

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

11. Sausalito - Western Union Band

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

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

Elizabeth Taylor: Sixties Silver Screen Siren

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Sandpipers Sing Chotto Matte, Misty Roses

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.

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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."

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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.

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

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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).

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

SINGAPORE HAWKERS' FOOD

Bach Creates, Diamond Sings Jonathan L. Seagull

The Album:

SONGS I LOVE:

In 1973 Neil Diamond composed, wrote and recorded on Columbia the soundtrack to the movie, Jonathan Livingston Seagull (image 2). It is from a book by Richard Bach (image 1) and I honestly cannot remember how many times I played the songs from the album. Commercially, the music was more successful than the movie. It was Diamond's first album after an earlier hit, Hot August Night, released in 1972.

Album Review:
I would like to quote a review by Shawn M. Haney that I edited. It sums up the album adequately. He commented that in the recording Neil Diamond put himself into the shoes of Jonathan Livingston Seagull, writing and singing music, compelling and rich in texture and melody to fit the portrait perfectly for the movie.

"Be

As a page that aches for words

Which speaks on a theme that's timeless

While the Sun God will make for your day

Sing

As a song in search of a voice that is silent

And the one God will make for your way..."

Orchestra:

Recorded in 1973 for CBS under the pop/rock style genre, Diamond had much help from those around him to make the album a reality. Tom Catalano must be commended for the production and musical direction, Lee Holdridge for conducting and splendid, string arrangements, Armin Steiner for sound engineering and the hundred-plus musicians who rallied to record the soundtrack for overall performance.

Singer/Songs:

Though Diamond only sings on a few tracks, he does it so with much grace, smooth flair and enchantment. "Romantic, fresh and lively, this album fits the piece of the puzzle the motion picture needed so perfectly." Tracks include: 1. Prologue 2. Be 3. Flight of the Gull 4. Dear Father 5. Sky Bird 6. Lonely Looking Sky 7. Be* 8. Lonely Looking Sky* 9. Dear Father* 10. Anthem 11. Be 12. Skybird 13. Dear Father 14. Be (*These three songs appear as "The Odyssey".)

Movie Comment :
"I saw the movie when it came out, not a human being in it, as I recall. Fascinating, with the wonderful soundtrack composed and largely performed by Diamond with full rich sound, his arrangement is pure pleasure and his voice thundering during the score. This is music to listen to anytime, to sing with, to love. Own it forever." Submitted by a reviewer (Connecticut, U.S.A.)

Book Comment:

Jonathan the seagull learns to fly beyond his highest expectations when he left his friends and becomes an outcast. As a non-conformist he enjoys his freedom with other gulls that believe as he does. The theme, to listen to our hearts even when it goes the unaccepted ways, is clear. The book was a best seller in the 70s and remains popular today. The author, Richard Bach, is a descendent of composer Johan Sebastian Bach.

Quotes/Personal:

1. "Keep working on love."

2. "The gull sees farthest who flies highest."

3. "If our friendship depends on things like space and time, then when we finally overcome space and time, we've destroyed our own brotherhood..."

Best is to read the book. Won't take 20 minutes, unless you're not much into self-improvement books. I am not but I enjoy this one. Book is 40 years old, and last count sold more than 40 million copies. My!

Original article/Image/Album Info from CD: Andy Lim Collection.

Choice of quotations are my own.

Article extracts: http://www.cduniverse.com/

Copyright: Sony Music Entertainment Inc.

Auld Lang Syne: Robert Burns, In The Midnight Hour

Aside:

Today is a special New Year's Day (1.1.11). It's lst January, 2011. You won't get this combination again for another 100 years.

Auld Lang Syne/Origin:

Yes, he did. Robert Burns (image) Scottish poet, wrote Auld Lang Syne in 1788, the song that you sing at a party, as the clock strikes the midnight chimes to usher a new year.

The tune is a traditional Emglish folk song called the Roud, taken from the data base of a librarian called Steve Roud who compiled the list only recently in 1993. Click You Tube on right bar as you read: >>>>>>>>>>>

Meaning:

The words of the song, literally translated from old Scottish dialect, means Old Long Ago and is about love and friendship in times past. There are many other arrangements and interpretations of this folk song and Beethoven has one gem of a version.

Singapore tries very hard to have 'original' songs. Perhaps one of our composer could think of a version for this island. Wouldn't work would it? And in what language?

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011!

Lyrics:

Should auld acquaintance be forgot

And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot

And auld lang syne.

Chorus:

For auld lang syne my dear

For auld lang syne

We'll take a cup o' kindness yet

For auld lang syne.

For other postings on Robert Burns click 'Labels' below.

Original article: Andy Lim

Information from Wikipedia and other Websites.

Image: http://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.wordpress.com/

Turn! Turn! Turn! (to Everything There Is A Season) by: 373rna1s7ar

Check the next posting below for lyrics:

Dwarfs, POWs, Gunslinger, Teacher And Panther? Songs That We Don't Sing In The 60s

Whistle While You Work:
I remember watching Disney cartoons when I was very young and loved Snow White (1937) with her seven dwarfs. One particular song, Whistle While You Work, enchanted me so much that I easily learnt the skill because I wanted to whistle the tune so badly. Music from the past has many of these whistling tunes. This posting is about some of them.
Coloney Bogey March:
Another one that became a whistling hit was the Colonel Bogey March written in 1914. Although not many people remember the title, they knew how to whistle, "that River Kwai song." The song was a powerful one because of its repetitive, simple melody and because it was from the soundtrack of the blockbuster, The Bridge On The River Kwai.

Prisoners of War:

The tune was played when the POWs marched towards the prison camp and is not to be mistaken with the orchestral counter-march composed in 1957 by Malcolm Arnold. Both marches had been recorded together by Mitch Miller and his Orchestra as March from the River Kwai - Colonel Bogey.

The Good, The Bad And The Ugly:

In 1966, Singapore film goers went wild with a spaghetti western called, The Good, The Bad And The Ugly and the main theme, composed by Ennio Morricoe, echoed for months everywhere.

Clint Eastwood:

Hugo Motenegro had a version using the Moog synthesizer that went up to number two on the Billboard Pop Single Chart in 1968. And gunslinger Clint Eastwood (image) clinched it again. It was so popular that it had been covered by our local group, The Stylers.

I Whistle A Happy Tune:

The very pretty Julie Andrews (in later years to become *Blake Edwards' wife) appeared in a movie that fascinated both young and old. The King And I (1956) showed for weeks at the Cathay Cinema in the 50s and a song that kept everyone bright and cheerful was, I Whistle A Happy Tune.

The King And I:

In the movie, it was performed on board a ship when teacher Andrews was on her way to meet Yul Brynner the King. To ease her son's fear and tension, she sang and whistled the song. It became a hit with other songs in the show.

The Pink Panther Theme:
The Henry Mancini Pink Panther Theme (1963) is an instrumental composition that whistled its way to a nomination at the Academy Award for Original Music Score in 1964. It won three awards.

Inspector Clouseau:

The movie about the pink cartoon character was animated in time to the tune. It became successful commercially and made bungling Inspector Clouseau (Peter Sellers), a character in the Pink Panther series. It was directed by special Oscar winner *Blake Edwards. *(A few days after this posting Blake Edwards passed away, with wife Julie Andrews by his side.)

Roger Whittaker:

There are many whistling tunes? Do you know one that you like? Have you heard of Roger Whittaker? He whistles most of his songs like Mexican Whistler, Pretty Bird, River Lady and classics like The Elizabethan Serenade. But that's another story...

Image:

Original article: Andy Lim.

Colonel Bogey March: Mitch Miller & His Orchestra

Don McLean's Killing Me Softly With American Pie

SONGS I LOVE?

Playing Only Half The Song:

It is so long that DJs play only one side of the eight and a half minute song. It needs no introduction because it tells the rock and roll story, so anyone familiar with early 70s music would know it. Singer songwriter Don McLean was not tongue-in-cheek when he said that he never had to work again after his hit single. His composition American Pie (1971) made money for him and it became the new anthem in the USA.

Buddy Holly n Friends:

A 'sprawling impressionistic ballad', it touched on the death of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper (P. Richardson) in a plane crash way back in 1959. McLean wrote the song in the 60s and, together with another composition, Vincent, the songs became hits.

Best Song of Century:

American Pie is in 5th position under the 365 Best Songs of the Century category. Somewhere Over The Rainbow (Judy Garland), White Christmas (Bing Crosby), This Land Is Your Land (Woody Guthrie) and Respect (Aretha Franklin) are the first four.

Killing Me ... With His Song:

He became an overnight success and American singer Lori Leiberman commented that Killing Me Softly With His Song (1971) was written due to a reaction from a Don McLean concert. She had recorded it but the Roberta Flack's (recently in Singapore) version won the Grammy.

Comment:

1. When I first heard the song I thought it would never end. El Paso (1959) by Marty Robbins was the longest song I've heard before American Pie. I don't really like AP but love the different interpretations that come with it.

2. Say whatever, the song made an impact on rock n rollers even up till today. It was even revived by Madonna. Do you think anyone would write about our singer songwriters who had passed on?

3. There is a posting on this blog about singer songwriter Sonny Bala who died in the 90s. Nobody wrote a song about him. Why aren't we honouring our own Singapore artistes?

4. Comment anyone?

Information: Wikipedia.

Papa He Loves Mama: The Original by Donald Peers - Video from: loadsamusic

SONGS I LOVE:

The original is called, Papa, He Loves Mama and it's by Donald Peers. A lovely song to play for your wedding anniversary or birthday party! Come on guys. Still love each other, don't you both? And its a beautiful song to teach your children and grandchildren. Read about this particular song and a few others in the next posting below.

Lyrics:

1.

Listen well while I tell you a story

Of a boy and girl in the Spring

As the first flower burst into glory

And I heard every bird start to sing.

Chorus:

Papa he loves mama

Mama she loves papa

Papa he loves mama

Mama she loves papa

La, la, la, la, la, la...

2.

In a church far away from the city

On a morning in May they were wed

And the bride's starry eyed looked so pretty

That the world looking on, smiled and said.

3.

Just a year from the day they were married

Came a gift from the girl to the boy

Looking proud as a queen as she carried

Such a wonderful bundle of joy.

Of Wedding Bells, House, Baby, Papa And Mama

(a): 'Mama looka Boo Boo,' they shout.

Their mother tol' them, 'Shut up your mouth,

That is your daddy.'

'Oh no. My daddy can't be ugly so!'

'Shut your mouth, go away...'

(b): Somebody bad stole de wedding bell

Somebody bad stole de wedding bell

Somebody know but nobody tell

Cause somebody bad stole the wedding bell

Who's got the ding, dong, who's got the bell...

The songs I listened to during my youth are the ones I still remember today. The tunes and lyrics spin in my head all the time and can be turned on immediately. It's like clicking on to the song-list of an mp3 player or an i-phone. The explanation follows the list below:

l. Where Will The Dimple Be? - Rosemary Clooney

2. House Of Bamboo - Earl Grant

3. Looking For Henry Lee - Jo Stafford

4. High Noon - Frankie Laine

5. Ivory Tower - Gale Storm

6. Papa Loves Mama - Donald Peers

7. Somebody Bad Stole De Wedding Bell - Georgia Gibbs

8. Mama Looka Boo Boo - Harry Belafonte

Can you still remember the songs you love?

1> Rosemary Clooney (image), who is George Clooney's aunt, used to be a pop singer in the 50s and 60s and her version of, Where Will The Dimple Be (1955) was a favourite on Radio Singapore's request programme, Calling All Hospitals where Maisie Conciecao was the DJ (we use the term, 'announcer' those days). It was the most requested song for a baby dedication. And KK (Kandang Kerbau) Hospital was the maternity hospital then.

4> Tall and lanky actor Cary Cooper, the male lead in High Noon, was one of the icons for Westerns. The movie was a hit when it was shown in Singapore, drawing crowds at the cinemas. High Noon, the song (1952), by Tex Ritter, was a request favourite and played on the air everyday. The Frankie Laine version was more popular locally.

6> When Papa Loves Mama (1960) came on the air, it became the anthem for many Singapore families and a favourite for dancing the cha-cha-cha. The original and only version I know is by Donald Peers; so in this instance it's the song, not the singer. The giggling girl accompanying Peers could be Joan Regan.

7, 8> The other novelty tunes on my list, Somebody Bad Stole De Wedding Bell (1954) and Mama Looka Boo Boo (1956) must be heard to be appreciated. With humorous lyrics and a grand calypso beat, these two classics are hardly played on the radio today. The Georgia Gibbs version of SBSTWB is unavailable on You Tube. MLBB by Belafonte is on You Tube, accompanied by Nat King Cole (side-bar). Great songs for kids too!

(c): On the baby's knuckle, on the baby's knee,

Where will the baby's dimple be?

Baby's cheek or baby's chin

Seems to me it'll be a sin

If it's always covered by the safety pin...

Shall we discuss the other songs on another posting? Are you familiar with any of these songs?

'HAWAII 5-0' The Theme Song Lives On...

SONGS I LOVE:

Yes, a re-make of Hawaii Five-0, the television series, is on our small screen now. But I remember the song better. The instrumental was an after dinner call for the family to gather in the living room.

The theme song was recorded by The Ventures in late 1968 and is popular with many of our local and SE Asian pop bands. There was always a guitar group performing the tune on stage then.

In fact, The Ventures were one of five musical acts that had been indicted into the Rock n Roll Hall Of Fame on March 10th, 2008.

The Quests from Singapore has a version of Hawaii 5-0 on its LP, The Sound Of The Quests (SREG: 9514) recorded on 9/11/1970.

With its upbeat sound and military like rhythmic precision, Hawaii 5-0 is still being played today and many brass bands include it in their repertoire.

Image: http://oldschoolmusiclover.com/

Original article: Andy Lim.