It's Not Another Elvis Posting. Martin D28 Guitar

I have been asked many times if I play the guitar. Yes, I replied, but only using the 4 basic chords on C. Well, that's not too bad, some cynics replied, better than not being able to play at all. But deep within I know I can play more chords than that.

On another occasion, someone who has been reading my blog regularly (I have some blog fans too you know) asked me if I knew anything about musical instruments. A very superficial knowledge I said. Well, this gentleman replied, you need to write some articles about the guitar at least. What's a music blog without stories about musical instruments? True!

So with a mission to accomplish, I decided to buy another guitar to learn about the guitar and with the help of an exceptionally good lead guitarist from a Singapore 60s band (don't ever sound my name, he says) I went searching for one. And that was when I rediscovered the Martin D-28, one twang twang that I had salivated over for some time.

So without anymore fanfare, here's a brief from Internet websites and my own experience about this particular guitar that Elvis Presley fans will be definitely be familiar with (image 1). Or are they?

Do you own a D-28. Want to tell your story before I begin mine?
Image: From Scotty Moore's website: http://www.scottymoore.net/TributeD28.html

Copying Pop Lyrics With Pen And Paper: 50s Way

During the 50s or earlier:

FL, who comments frequently on my blog, tells of teenagers buying exercise books to copy popular lyrics. There were no computers nor lyric websites to download from. So they bought note books to copy their favourite songs.

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Remember the trademark? It had a Light House Brand and produced by a firm called Goy Liang Book-Making Company. Remember the back cover with its set of multiplication tables? I think these note books still exist today. Or do they?

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Usually the enthusiastic pop song collector would listen to a particular song from the record, radio or rediffusion and copy the lyrics onto a sheet of paper. The trick is to copy the salient words and rewrite the whole song later. Like a stenographer (what's this?), but writing in words rather than using shorthand.

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Most times enthusiasts bought exercise books with hard covers to document their precious lyrics but these books cost more than the ordinary ones which cost 20 cents a copy. I managed to find two copies from my cupboard (image 1).

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The more enthusiastic followers would cut images from newspapers and magazines and paste them on the pages of their treasure trove and showing off their collection. Those with money to spare would buy glossy black and white photographs to paste.

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Later years:

Song books were printed and sold with guitar chords. Images 2 and 3 illustrate the smaller version. You can still find them in the shops today but the thicker ones that contain 400+ songs may cost as much as S$60 each.

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There are still adults today who collect pictures, photographs and newspaper cuttings of their favourite pop bands and singers? Do you have any recollection of copying songs using scraps and pencils? Sketching pictures of your favourite stars perhaps? Tell us.

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Images/original articles: Andy Lim Collection.

West Point: Memories Of A Teenager In The 50s

I had mail recently in response to my article about West Point Gardens at Pasir Panjang, so instead of publishing it under Comment and be left unseen, I thought I'd post it for all. I must thank Ms Gloria Yap, who is in her early 70s, for taking time to pen these beautiful lines.
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West Point Gardens - Nostalgia of a Teenager in the 1950s
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Swaying coconut trees
Balmy ocean breeze
Feathered dresses
Halter-neck dresses.
A sprawling open Garden
A special, tiled dance floor
On green grass below -
Starry skies above
Mirroring the quickening heartbeat
of young love.
Dancing feet
To the beat
Of a live orchestra playing
And bodies in love, swaying.
Sweet smiles and sweet gestures
Sweet drinks and many beer glasses
Thus walking on air
Thus dancing on air
Nevertheless, romance was in the air
Oh West Point Gardens of the 50s
So etched in my heart and in my memories.
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Image: Google
Original article: Gloria Yap.

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

Dance and Pop Band Venues in the 50s:

I remember when I was in my early twenties being chauffeur driven in the night in an Opel Record (image 3) to *West Point Gardens. A good friend had suggested that we experienced the place and I agreed.

To the uninitiated West Point was a distance away from the Orchard Road belt of nightclubs, dance floors, lounges, pubs and bars. From its name description, it was also on the west end of Singapore compared to another music hot spot, the more populated east coast.

So it was the first time in my life that I went there and as we were approaching the area under cover of trees, shrubs and near darkness, I could hear faintly the music and noticed the glow of flourescent lighting.

When I came out of the car I was pleasantly surprised to see that West Point Gardens was a fairyland in the woods. And as Peter Chan explained: "One thing I cannot forget were the strings of multi-coloured lightbulbs hung across the garden." Don't forget it was the beginning of the 60s and as a young 'un everything seemed bright and beautiful to me.

West Point Gardens had been in existence since the early 50s and was patronised by the well-heeled caucasians and locals to dine and dance. The main attraction was a circular open-air area that had a bandstand, a cafe with chairs and tables at its peripheral, guarding the precious dance floor jealously, allowing only the selected to tread. During high-tide evenings I was told, betwixt the music, one could hear the lapping waves from the sea beside.

Doli Tupaz and his Hawaiian Rhythm Kings (image 2) were the resident band at the Gardens since the 50s and the 1955 photographs above show Anthony Danker, Doli Tupaz, G. Mani, Jimmy Tupaz and William Frois.

The other line-up (image 1) included Charles Danker and Horace Oliveiro. Their repertoire of popular hits from the 30s onwards took them to royalty status indeed! Samba, rhumba, mambo and grass-skirt, palm-tree swaying music filled the Pasir Panjang air. Sliding guitar, ukelele maracas combinations were the order of the day.

After the 50s and during the Singapore garage band (locally known as kampong bands)explosion, these swing bands were taken over by the more youthful guitar gangs, as they ambled in rapaciously with their portables and colourful Hofners, plugging them into their black box amplification. And as the solid bass guitar replaced the booming double-bass a new era was born; anyone could jive, twist, shake and rattle on the floor as West Point Gardens changed its tune.

*NB: According to Peter Chan, whom I consult to authenticate yesteryear locations in Singapore: "West Point is a condominium today. As one travels along old Pasir Panjang Road near the junction with Clementi Road, there is an old house which was Kwa Geok Choo's family house during pre-WWII. One door away was a police station (maybe a carpark now), then a condominium. That place was West Point Gardens.

I passed by that place very often in my father's car in the 1960s as we took the West Coast Road over a road bridge to Boon Lay before turning into Old Jurong Road. West Point had an old Peranakan type bungalow raised on legs.

There was a large garden and the beach was in front - today's longkang (exceptionally large monsoon drain) - between West Coast Highway and those old houses."

Images 1, 2: National Heritage Board Singapore Website.
Image 3: Google.
Information: (1) Peter Chan's distinctive recollection of West Point and (2) Ms E. Chua, her Opel Record and chauffeur.
Original article: Andy Lim Collection.

Early British Invasion of Singapore: RAF 50s Music

An Earlier British Invasion of Singapore:

"The Club at the air-base in 1955 to 56 was a beaut place. There were good bands that played there too, one of which I recalled had everyone lustily singing Irish protest songs... (edited)"

"Eggs and chips, export lager and Elvis on the jukebox, singing Don't Be Cruel as I lusted after Mary, a lovely Irish redhead WRAF... (edited)"

During the early years of Singapore's colonial history, before Cliff Richard and The Shadows rocked Singapore with their performances in the 60s and before UK Servicemen vocalists and bands like Philips recording artistes Bobby Lambert, Brian Neale, The Dee Tees and The Diamond Four performed at the Golden Venus and Serene House, British servicemen who were here in the 50s already had a rollicking time with big band swing music at a Club at RAF Changi.

A band like the above (image 1) had four blowing instruments, drums and tinkle board. They never needed electric plugs nor solid guitar amplifiers to make music. Like the local pop 60s band after them that played during T-dances, these amateur groups were in great demand especially during the weekends. But these chaps, who called themselves JG, appeared without bow ties, suits nor shoes as they jammed in shirts, shorts and slippers.

Image 3 shows the party goers having a great time on the floor. These young men and women made sure they enjoyed themselves at the Club, dancing perhaps to the sounds of British greats like Ted Heath, Johnny Dankworth, Humphrey Littleton and American swingers like Glen Miller, Harry James and Benny Goodman.

This particular gathering could have been a birthday party with balloons to boot and was held at a ballroom in the Club during the 1950s (image 2). So if the later imports brought RnB, then the earlier ones established swing. And no soft drinks like Green Spot, Sinalco or Mirinda Orange for them but beer, beer, beer, gushing through the bottles for a jolly good time.

"Pardon me boy, is that the Chattanooga Choo Choo, Track 29, well you can gimme a shine..."

If you are familiar with the above images, please write in.

#The Passing Away Of Edmundo Ros:
[The JG band could have played some Edmundo Ros' Latino music too, who knows. FYI this great music leader had just passed away on 21st October, 2011 at 100 years young. He was one of my favourite musicians, having listened to him nearly every day in the 50s with favourites like The Wedding Samba, Melodie d'Damour, Quizas Quizas Quizas (Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps).]

Images: from Flikr.

Original article with accumulated information from websites: Andy Lim

Monroe, Matchbox, Playboy, PonyTails: 50s Part II

*Part II:

Page references are from: Remember The 50s, Objects and Moments of a Dynamic Era, Edited by Mariel Marohn, Tectum Publishers (2011).

Several songs flooded my mind again these few days as I checked the 1953 pop charts on the internet. That year recorded many hits: Hank Williams', Your Cheating Heart, Nat King Cole's Pretend, Vic Damone's April In Portugal, Patti Page's How Much Is That Doggie In The Window? and an instrumental that lives forever, Eddie Calvert's Oh My Papa. Also Georgia Gibbs, Seven Lonely Days was like a refrain on the airwaves.

As I continued my journey through the 50s and using the book as guide, I could not remember seeing a Cadillac 59 anywhere on Singapore roads, nor a pair of Capris or a Kelly Bag but I did recall the tiny Matchbox Cars (image 3) which fascinated me as a teen (pages: 104, 88, 78, 74).

There were also hula hoops, ponytails, Tupperware, Chupa Chups and sewing machines which apparently dominated the 1950s as 'sales leapt dramatically during this decade (page: 61).' We had 6 Singer sewing machines at home as my family ran a tailoring school.

Again those years of pops kept filling my head to the brim: A Dear John Letter by Jean Shepard and Ferlin Huskey, Till I Waltz Again With You by Teresa Brewer, No Other Love by Perry Como and sexy Silvana Mangano dancing the mambo in Anna, El Baion (image 2). It was the movement and sensuality of Mangano's performance that attracted a large audience at the Rex cinema daily.

The book concluded with chapters on Hollywood churning superstars and Shaw Brothers and the Cathay Organisation in Singapore importing the movies they acted in. We were seduced by Marilyn Monroe, Marlon Brando, James Dean, Alfred Hitchcock and King Elvis (pages: 162, 166, 172, 174 and 168).

One thing was missing in Singapore even up till today. It was a scintillating magazine that shook the earth but never came to our shores. Playboy (page: 160) was launched in the same year by Hugh Hefner with the cover of Monroe (image 1).

With 175 pages of fun, reading the book could seduce you too and take you on that journey to way back when. Are you familiar with the 50s? Or maybe your parents are?

*Read Part 1 of 3: Esplanade, Sea Dragon, Songs, Singapore Part I, Friday September 30th, 2011. Click 'Books' under 'Labels' below.

Images from Google.

This posting is not a book review.

Original article by Andy Lim.

Esplanade Sea Dragon Songs Singapore 50s Part 1

Part I:

Page references are from the coffee-table book, 'Remember The 50s: Objects and Moments of a Dynamic Era' by Tectum Publishers 2010 (image 3).

Nothing jolts the memory like snapshots of old. Using the coffee-table book as a guide, the content as milestones and the photographs as lightning conductors I recreated my own teenage journey as I flipped through the pages of time and reminisced the moments, momentos and music of the 50s.

Images quickly conjured in my mind as I read the short paragraph about the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II (page: 18). In the first week of June 1953 when I was only 13, Singapore celebrated the coronation in style. I recalled how my parents booked one of Adelphi Hotel's uppermost rooms facing North Bridge Road so we could watch the coronation floats passing by below us. This event could have been the original concept for our annual Ching-gay parade.

A trip to the old Esplanade the next evening revealed the most fascinating sight that I had ever seen in the 50s. A dozen sampans at sea were carrying a beautifully illuminated sea dragon spouting neon lights (image 1) but from afar the illusion was so life-like and breath-taking. And this was a time before the advent of high technology and laser lights.

As I turned around to face inland, the crowned 20-storey Asia Insurance Building before us stood high and mighty in the night sky. It was the pride and joy for Singaporeans then as the building was the tallest on the island. Neon signs below the crown twinkled brightly announcing, Long Live The Queen (image 2).

In the same year certain songs played constantly over the radio waves. Bill Hayley's Crazy Man Crazy, Les Paul and Mary Ford's Vaya Con Dios, Perry Como's Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes, Dean Martin's That's Amore, Kay Starr's Changing Partners and Earth Kitt's C'est Si Bon were some of the more conservative ones featured on Radio Singapore.

Do you remember the 50s in Singapore? Or perhaps your parents do? Are you aware that God Save The Queen was Singapore's National Anthem in the 50s?

Check out Part II soon for references from the book about the hula hoop, pony-tail, Tupperware, Capris, Match-Box Cars, Cadillac 59, Playboy, Drive-Ins and James Dean.

Images 1 and 2 by courtesy of Susan Brooks.
Image 3: Book cover 'Remember The 50s' Editor: Mariel Marohn (Tectum Publishers 2010). NLB Singapore. Ref: 306.09045 REM.
Original article by: Andy Lim.
(This posting is not a book review.)

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.

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.

Peranakans In Katong Charmed By Hawaiian Guitar

When I wrote to Cynthia, asking to reproduce her article and a photograph to highlight her story, she generously replied:

Hi Andy,

Kudos for your website on bands in Singapore in the 60s. Please find here a photo of Mickey Oliveiro and his band (he is at the centre). Note the original Hawaiian ukelele which was given by his widow to my sister.
Best regards,
Cynthia.

(10.7.2011)

Hi Cynthia,

Thank you for the photograph and write-up about Mr. Oliveiro. I wish more people like you would share their pictures and memories for everyone to appreciate.

Regards,
Andy.

Cynthia Wee-Hoefer reminisced on growing up in the peranakan heartland in Katong (on the eastern coast of Singapore) during the 50s and 60s. Her charming, vivid description about the area and the activities and colourful neighbours struck a note in me. What interested me most was her story about one particular family, "whose life we witnessed by looking over the common wall into their verandah and living room." To her the Oliveiros were "outstanding" and inspirational, especially one member:

"Mickey Oliveiro was the leading Hawaiian guitar-player of the 50s and 60s. He was part of a band of part-time musicians who played in cabarets and clubs like the one in Seaview Hotel on weekends and festivities. And that meant rehearsals on Sundays with his buddies. So my young life was filled with the tunes of Blue Hawaii and other hip-swaying melodies.

Meanwhile, our family gramophone belted out Bill Haley, Elvis, Chuck Berry, The Shadows and so on. By the time I reached the awakening of my own hit parade of the Beatles and Stones, I found the melodious pull and twang of the electric Hawaiian guitar to be punishing.

Mickey collapsed from a heart attack and took away the sound with him completely before I came to hear the familiar strains once again when I befriended a Peranakan girl living in Queenstown whose father loved his Hawaiian guitar."

(The above extract was taken from The Peranakan Association Singapore Website.)To read the full article please click the link below:

http://peranakan.org.sg/culture/culture-heritage/growing-up-in-katong/

Image: from Cynthia Wee-Hoefer.

Do you still remember Mickey Oliveiro? Please write in if you do?

Mary Ho: Grandma Diva Rocks And Plays Santana

She is one of the most celebrated grandmothers in Singapore so when I wrote to her asking how she manages to play the solid guitar at such a tender age she wrote this personal note. With her permission, here is glamorous Mary Ho (75), guitar hobbyist and grandmother of seven:

Hi Andy,

I love the sound of the guitar and started to play at 60+. I stayed home most of the time because I didn't like to leave my then very young grandchildren alone with the domestic helper. I strummed and sang to entertain myself. Nobody in particular encouraged me, just my passion which fueled my love to play on, again and again. To me it is a lifetime of enjoyment.

I bought a book for beginners and started to strum and sing at home and also checked with the CDs available for the melody. After a few years of strumming I started to go solo and play lead guitar. I couldn't find an instructor to teach me to play Samba Pati then and it was difficult for me without a music background. I couldn't read notes and tabs but I have a fairly good ear . Then one of my friends introduced me to Spencer.

He was reluctant to teach me at first but somehow I felt very strongly that I could play the melody. Then after a month or so, he was convinced that I could. It was all hard work after that... lots of practice for many hours every day till my fingers bled and had to be bandaged.

I usually play the acoustic guitar to strum and the electric guitar for lead. After a few years, I went on to learn to play the organ up to Step 7, i.e. to read notes and tabs. After that, I proceeded to learn the drums for a couple of months. I gave up because my grandson also wanted to play the drums and my drum teacher had only one slot left. So I gave up my lesson slot for my grandson.

I can also play the harmonica. I have so many hobbies and interests like mahjong, dancing, acting and traveling. Because of my love for these activities, I'm always very busy. Right now I can play only a few songs. I used to play and sing a lot of my favourite songs.I can't really remember all of them as I've explained earlier, I have other interests that I rotate around my schedule.

One thing about instruments, if you dont play and practise regularly, you cannot perform. There's no short cut. I've been singing since young... there were so many popular songs in the old days. My family loves music. My dad played beautiful violin, my mum loved singing Chinese operas, my children play classical piano and my grand children play guitar, piano, violin and the drums. They also love dancing, but we are all not professionals - we do all these just for fun, as a hobby.

I didn't form a band as I'm not a professional and not a full time musician. However, I do have professional musician friends who can jam with me when I ask them. They're really good and can guide me all the way. Depending on the songs I play, I usually jam with a drummer, bass guitarist, keyboardist, and sometimes rhythm guitarist altogether.

We usually jam at my place or in a studio for 2 hours. We're not always together as my musician friends are working. They are very obliging and will make time for me. I have four videos on youtube and have hundreds of friends and fans. They also send me their videos and because of that, I know now about Eric Clapton, BB King and many other legendary performers. Before that I only knew of Santana...LOL!!

Here are some of my favourite guitarists, just to name a few : Carlos Santana, BB King, Peter Green and Gary Moore. When Gary Moore passed away, I cried because I love his music so much. My passion for music has motivated me to record some of my favourite songs. Please visit my website to listen to them. Now, with modern equipments and high-tech facilities, the music sounds so much better.

I wish to name a few songs that I love: Blue moon, I cant begin to tell you, Inamorata, Its a sin to tell a lie, If I give my heart to you, Sway, Five minutes more, With a song in my heart. Sleepy lagoon, Stardust, Only you, The great pretender, Spanish eyes, Crazy, I walk alone, I'm in the mood for love, Mack the knife, Love letters in the sand, He'll have to go, Silver threads and golden needles, I wonder who's kissing her now, Changing partners, Cest si bon. Sentimental journey.
My collection of guitars stands at ten.

Regards,
Mary

Images: (1) With Carlos Santana (2) Her Gibson, Les Paul solid guitar.
Check her out: http://www.grandmamaryrocks.com/
(The above letter has been edited and Mary Ho has agreed to its content.)

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.

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

Song About Singapore Covered By Top US Artistes Or "Why Our Music Appeals To Western Ears."

On A Little Street In Singapore:

It's a well-known fact. A song about Singapore has been covered by top US bands and groups. And it was covered a long time ago. On A Little Street In Singapore is a very old song by Peter Derose and William J. Hill and was popular in the 30s and 40s.
Dorsey, James, Sinatra, Miller:

It was revived in 1978 by the Manhattan Transfer and when the group was here, the song became their trademark. Besides the Manhattan Transfer, Jimmy Dorsey, Harry James, Frank Sinatra, the Ames Brothers, Bert Kamfert and Glen Miller have covered it.
Exotic East:
The lyrics are typical of songwriters from the West when they interpret the exotic East, 'We'd meet beside a lotus covered door' and 'My sails tonight are filled with perfumes of Shalimar/With temple bells that guide me to her shore...' I am wondering if the cruise ships currently plying our shores are aware of this practice.

Suzie Wong:

Would be a great idea to boost tourism but shouldn't we have church bells too? And Christmas bells? Songs about Asia by Westerners will always have this cliched viewpoint and Singapore is no different, a sunny island in the mysterious East with its slant-eyed, cheongsam chicks called Suzie Wong. By the way, have you seen 'a lotus covered door' lately?

Charlie Chan:

To be fair, On A Little Street is a great song from the 40s, with its razzmatazz and jazzy, finger snapping composition but I am not too sure about the lyrics. Seems like Charlie Chan is still lurking around in some corner with his moustache and greasy hair. And Singaporeans are still wearing coolie-hats and samfoo!!!

Bootleg CDs:

Is this the Singapore some Western listeners are interested in, when they buy bootleg CD selections lifted from 60s Asian music vinyls? No wonder our 'older' songs are still selling. All for the wrong reason. Or is it for the 'Wong' reason?

Click: Movie Theme Songs Label below to check similar article about song Sayonara. (July 3rd, 2009).

Image/Movie/Singapour: http://www.doctormacro.com/
Original Article: Andy Lim.

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.

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:

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?

Songs With Halloween Themes? Devilish Tricks

HAPPY HALLOWEEN TO ALL! PONTIANAK MUSIC IS COMING TOO!

Since Halloween is the theme tonight, songs from the fearful 50s, the scary 60s and screaming 70s are listed below. The words in the titles matter, so here they are, taken from the dusty, underground vaults of yore. They all spell blood, gore and grime. They may not be traditional, scary songs, but they can loosely fit into the Halloween theme by title, by music or by lyrics. So if you're lookin' for trouble, you came to the right place.

"I see the bad moon risin'/I see trouble on the way/I see earthquakes and lightnin'/I see bad times today/I hear the hurricanes ablowin'/I know the end is comin' soon/I hear the rivers overflowin'/I hear the voice of rage and ruin... (Bad Moon Risin' by: John Fogerty.)"

Bad Blood - 1975 - Neil Sedaka.
Bad Moon Rising - 1969 - Creedence Clearwater Revival
Black Magic Woman - 1968 - Fleetwood Mac/ Santana
Dark Lady - 1974 - Cher
Daughter Of Darkness - 1970 - Tom Jones

Devil Gate Drive - 1974 - Suzi Quatro
Devil In Disguise - 1963 - Elvis Presley
Devil Or Angel - 1960 - Bobby Vee
Devil With A Blue Dress On - 1966 - Mitch Ryder/Detroit Wheels
Devil Woman - 1962 - Marty Robbins

Devil Woman - 1976 - Cliff Richard
Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead - 1967 - Fifth Estate
Evil Hearted You - 1965 – The Yardbirds
Evil Ways - 1970 - Santana
Evil Woman - 1976 - Electric Light Orchestra

Frightened City - 1961 - Shadows
Little Devil - 1961 - Neil Sedaka
Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding - 1973 - Elton John
Ghost Riders In The Sky – 1979 - Johnny Cash
Love Potion Number Nine - 1965 - The Searchers

Poison Ivy - 1959 - The Coasters
Spooky -1968 - Classic Four
Superstition - 1973 - Stevie Wonder
That Old Black Magic - 1958 - Louis Prima and Keely Smith
Voodoo Chile - 1970 - Jimi Hendrix Experience

Witch Doctor - 1958 - David Seville
Witchcraft - 1963 - Elvis Presley/Frank Sinatra
Witchy Woman - 1972 - Eagles
Sympathy For The Devil - 1968 - Rolling Stones
Halloween Theme - 1978 - John Carpenter

Season Of The Witch - 1966 - Donovan
Evil On Your Mind - 1966 - Jan Howard
Race With The Devil - 1968 - Gene Vincent
Devil In A Sleeping Bag - 1973 - Willie Nelson

Please add to the list and contribute.

(It's only fun and games but if you find this posting too stressful, just listen to Beautiful Girl below in the next post.)

Song title info: http://www.who-sang-that-song.com/
Image borrowed from: www.wonderclipart.com/
Original article: Andy Lim.