Tuesday, December 03, 2013

50s, 60s, 70s Music Everywhere, But Where? Ambassadors Of Music.

Commuting by Space Craft
The cliche goes, "A thousand words are not as good as one seeing."  A young lady reporter from a popular youth magazine who met me for an interview commented on the blog and asked for more images to be posted when I write an article.  So here it is folks. Lots of pictures and not too many words. But can you guess the venue?

The week-end was spent on a flight beyond the horizon where the alien-blue spacecraft (image above) journeyed us to a place where music was present every time and everywhere.

We Soar Into Alien Skies
The poster lit-up in this community of about 5,000 people revealed an all night party with more than five music groups performing, not at the same time but within a period of 72 hours.
 
 Tis The Season To Meet Mary?
Music Connection I:
During the day there was George the  keyboardist who wooed and wowed the crowd with his versatility on the instrument. He played on Shop Street as the passers-by went on their Christmas gift hunts. Saxy reveals, jingling bells and soothing strings filled the air. And the fanfare came from George alone using his gadget. "Trumpets sound and angels sing, listen to what they say..."



You Tube Bee Gees Saturday Night Fever

Addicted To Dance
Music Connection II:
When night fell , there was this big 60s guitar group playing in the ballroom that had patrons shouting, Let's Twist Again and warming up to Saturday Night Fever. Hovering around I saw celebrities from the past under the disco-lights. Shades of Chubby Checker and John Travolta! Were they really on the floor? And Olivia Newton John?  "On the waves of the air,/ There is dancin' out there./If it's somethin' we can share,/We can steal it."

Disco Fever Givers
Music Connection III:
Meanwhile on Shop Street, when keyboardist George left to put on his suit and bow-tie to join the jazz group, the moon peeked down and witnessed that another party had gathered under the bridge. Five people were on it and dressed smartly in different uniforms, they screamed the letters Y.M.C.A. many times from the bridge singing Village People's famous hit and other 70s disco-pops.
Young  Men  Can  Activate!
Still cannot guess where we were?  As usual there are no prizes for your answers since it's all in fun and games.

You Tube The Shadows: Theme from Deer Hunter
Songs Of Silence By Soloist On Strings.
Music Connection IV:
Some guests who preferred a quieter venue went upstairs to listen to a lone guitarist's version of the haunting Cavatina, theme from the movie, Deer Hunter. I sat enhanced, watching and listening to this soloist on strings.  After a while I realised I was the only person sitting at the lounge for more than an hour enjoying the tranquil music being played. The few who came left after a while. Perhaps they preferred rap or do they understand music when they hear a piece? One man's meat...
Jeepers Creepers Take A Look At Those Peepers!
Music Connection V:
A change of scene at daybreak and sexy singer Savanna (hope I got her name right since we met in the evening) sang her hotties on Shop Street.  On the left is the bassist who also contributed many songs for the afternoon's mall scene.  His rendition of Billy Ray Cyrus'  Achy Breaky Heart drew a large crowd.
One of the best jazz bands ever.
 Above is one of the best jazz-band there is on Shop-Street.  Playing many big swing band numbers, they came on with 40s and 50s hits like Chattanooga Choo Choo and Take 5. Every member provided a solo piece and that included melodies played on the trombone, trumpets, saxophones, guitar, keyboard, bass and drums. Name the hits and they would have played them.
This gentleman sings the blues but all in Chinese. Unique indeed.

Music Connection VI:
Some patrons who were not into Western pops wandered into another lounge  where a gentleman sang the blues in Chinese. So he pleased this community with choices from Teresa Teng and other Mandarin singers from the 60s and 70s.

She's With Heels, Remember? Jokes she's 7 feet tall.

I had my date with the lady in black but only for a brief moment because she had to hurry, change her garb and charge into the discotheque to do her numbers in tight blue jeans.  Savanna was pleasant indeed to chat with.

And that sweet city woman,/She moves through the light,/Controlling my mind and my soul./When you reach out for me/Yeah, and the feelin' is bright..."

Six to eight music happenings day and night in 72 hours but all within the confines of a little planet no bigger than a small town. *Do you know where we were? Please write in.

This posting is not an advertisement but one to highlight how important musicians are as ambassadors of entertainment.  Since there are many musicians most names have not been mentioned.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

*We were on board Mariner of the Seas from The Royal Caribbean Liners fleet of mega-ships. (Answer given on Wednesday, December 4th, 2013 by Peter Chan. Thank you sir.





Images: Blogger's Collection and Kvaerner Masa-Yards.
Lyrics from song, Saturday Night Fever by Bee Gees.


16 comments:

PETER CHAN said...

U went on a boat cruise?

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Ha, ha, yes. But this one is good. Lots of music; if you love music that is.

Thanks for support Pete.

DANNY KOH said...

I can imagine the fun you had on the cruise. I was working as a Music Director on board 3 cruise ships for 6 years and I would give anything to work again on the ship.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Thanks Danny. You should come on board this one. The crowd will love you. And the music people were fabulous.

Anonymous said...

Haha, so you disappeared and immersed in the 'Sea of Music'. Hope you enjoyed the cruise with family and are recharged to carry on blogging.

KM

RICKIE CHNG said...

... your description to such an experience is indeed marvellous as it creates some kind of awareness that such good music is also performed at sea far away from the usual haunt in town...

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Thank you both for comments. Never thought there could be more than forty musicians and dancers on board a ship.
And they played mostly music from 50s to 70s. Just my good luck.

Anonymous said...

Dear Andy,

It is nice that you went on the cruise on Mariner of the Seas. Usually there are lots of music entertainment on RCL vessels.

I went on the cruise last year on the Voyager and shot the musical show and the late night dancing musical on video.

I am looking forward to my next cruise in May 2014 in the Mediterranean seas for 12 nights. Hopefully there will be music entertainment on the cruise on the Norwegian Cruise Line.

Cheers and happy blogging on music from the 60's.

J F Foo

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Thank you JF Foo for your interesting comment and visit. Yes, it is true; there are lots of music entertainment and stage shows on cruise ships but for this particular one the emphasis seems to be on 50s to 70s pop hits. From my own experience it's the best one I have been on. We love the travel without hassle and enjoyed those from Holland/American, Norwegian, Victoria Line and the local ones on Virgo. Hope to meet you one day on a cruise?

Jennifer said...

Hi Mr Lim!

Definitely glad to see more pictures on your blog! :) Pleasure to read, as always.

Jen

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Hi Jen,
Glad you're finding the blog more interesting with pictures.

Thanks for advice and visit.

STEPHEN HAN said...

Enjoying yourself with the pretty singer on a sea cruise

FABIAN FOO (CAMERA, VIDEO ENTHUSIAST) said...

Andy
If you sail out on any cruise from Southampton in the UK, you will likely get a British pop group that will entertain for one or two nights. Music of the 60s and 70s will be played.

Really enjoyed my cruise in 2016 when a Beatles tribute band entertained us.
May have to plan another trip next year hopefully.

WINSTON KOH (SINGER: FLYING PHANTOMS said...

Wow!
Young man enjoy your Sea Cruise...oo-ee, oo-ee baby!
Cheers!

KOH SUI PANG FB said...

Ooooooooh already over sea cruise ...
Heee can plan for next year n post new fresh one for us to view Andy Young
🤭🤭🤭😚😚😚😚

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

This cruise happened many years ago lady and gentlemen.
You need to read the article.
I re-posted it because it's the holiday season.
But thank you all for responding.