Tuesday, August 11, 2009

(4) Singapore Cowboy/Cowgirls: Matthew, Mandarins/Crescendos/Naomi/Henry Suriya And The Boys/Sakura/The Dukes

Matthew and the Mandarins from Website of a private photo shot.

When our Singapore dudes and dames started singing their cowboy songs, most of the songs were imported from the Wild Wild West. They were simply covers and these included, Have I Told You Lately That I Love You (Naomi & The Boys), Silver Threads And Golden Needles (The Crescendos), Lonesome Town (Bobby Lambert & The Dukes), Love Is A Golden Ring (Henry Suriya & The Boys). Sakura Teng too recorded, I Don't Care If Tomorrow Never Comes and The Surfers with, By The Time I Get To Phoenix.

But one dude who covered many cowboy songs is Matthew Tan with his group The Mandarins. Matthew wrote two songs, Singapore Cowboy and Let's Put The Sing In Singapore. He is the only Country singer from Singapore who recorded at Nashville, Tennessee.

They used to play at the Hotel Negara, Singapore and were popular during the 80s oil boom, when many American oil riggers were stationed on the island. They were also at the Peacock Lounge, Shangrilla Hotel. Today they seem an almost forgotten local talent, except to country music fans.

Lately, they have been performing at a Singapore private club. In hand, there are two albums of popular country and western songs on the EMI Singapore label titled, Matthew and The Mandarins, I and II. Having heard them on record and having seen them perform at the hotels, there is no doubt that they are a talented country and western group.


Original article: Andy Lim

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Andy,
Matthew & The Mandarins did have a LP before EMI time whom they were recorded under LIFE label. Album Entitle Four Seasons. The line up then are Matthew Tan (Lead Vocal/Rhythm Guitar), Neal Alexander-Ex Easybeat (Lead Guitar), Richard Danker (Bass, Keyboard) and Jeffrey Goh on drum.

Regards,
Cliffsonic

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Thanks Cliffsonic. Appreciate the feedback. Great of you to contribute the information. In fact, it'll be wonderful if other surfers provide some feedback too.

I have tried looking up on the vinyls cut by Matthew & The Mandarins but could not get much information.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

There's a correction for Cliffsonic from Willie, a veteran and professional record collector who explained that Matthew & Mandarins pressed vinlys with EMI before LIFE.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

According to Willie, The Mandarins joined EMI in 1974 and then LIFE Records in 1978.