Friday, April 17, 2009

Crooners Influencing The 60s: Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Andy Williams.

To Croon: Singing a song in a soft low voice. Dean Martin is a crooner.

All of them sing but most of the following superstars are known better as crooners. Dean Martin (image), Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, Tony Bennett, Al Martino, Andy Williams, Jack Jones, Jerry Vale, Robert Goulet, Vic Damone, Engelbert Humperdinck, Nat King Cole, Bobby Darin, Mel Torme, Eddie Fisher, Perry Como come under a category called, "vocals: for easy listening pleasure."

For seniors both in Singapore and across the world, the above singers are as familiar as the songs they sing and the list would include, 'That's Amore', 'Lady Is A Tramp', 'Moon River', 'Stardust', 'Release Me', 'Mona Lisa', 'Mack The Knife', 'Oh My Papa' and so on.

The scene is familiar. Dimmed lights in the evening after dinner and the record is placed on the turntable and the crooner begins his song, "When the moon hits your eyes/Like a big pizza pie/That's amore..." And Dean Martin's magic spreads round the living or dining room with soothing, sentimental easy vocals and dream music.
Dean Martin: That's Amore
YouTube Video by: NM Catalogue

In the 60s, the scene is different. Singaporeans would dance to these songs on the usually crowded night clubs across the island. More so, they would be romancing their partner on the dance floor. The Singlish (Singapore English) term is 'part-tor'.

The Dean Martin Show, on Singapore TV for some years, proved very popular. His slapstick clips with Jerry Lewis were the talk of the town, as our audience lapped up the humour from the wisecracks on small screen. US comedy in the living room was a novelty in Singapore then.

Some of them have appeared personally in Singapore and performed here. These would have included Tony Bennet and Engelbert Humperdinck. 


Images: Google.
Pretend: Nat King Cole 
YouTube Video from: Mir11Mir

6 comments:

dino martin peters said...

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ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Hi Dino Martin Peters,
Thanks for writing. Dino is THE best, better than Sinatra and the rest of the pack.

I have just surfed your blog too and it punches a great wallop. Will surf it from now on.

Who is Lake Winnipeg because I was at UW for 3 years. Will write to her soon.

Keep on contributing if you can on this blog.

Cheers,
Andy

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

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Just click his name on the first letter above and check it out. Cool!
Andy Young

dino martin peters said...

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So lookin' forward to gettin' to knows 'nother Dinoholic Dinodude!!!!! btw, don't know who
Lake Winnipeg is....did she comment on the Dinoblog and I missed it?

Roger said...

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dino martin peters said...

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