H.T. Long: Elvis Tribute Artiste From Malaysia

Paul Dowling from Worldwide Elvis USA calls him, "The man with the golden voice of Elvis". One Walter Pacheco, president of the official Elvis Fan Club in Canada said that HT Long's singing voice is so versatile that he can handle the songs from all three Presley era (50s - 70s) and does an excellent job that not many are able to.

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Ray Cordeiro MBE, well-known radio DJ in Hong Kong told his audience on air that HT Long's singing voice is unbelievably similar and definitely the best he has heard. Besides Hong Kong, Long has sung all over in home town Malaysia including Sabah and Sarawak. He is also internationally known and jets to Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, Australia and even the UK and US to bring Presley "live".

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It has been ages since the discipline master at Klang High School reprimanded Long for keeping curry-puff hair and Presley side-burns. Now the Klang Elvis has made many Malaysians proud and because of his association with the King, dating back to the early 60s, he has even met Presley's legendary manager, Colonel Tom Parker, being a special guest to Memphis in 1984.

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Long was also the founding president of the Elvis Fan Club of Malaysia (1968), the first to be registered and recognised by Graceland Elvis Presley Enterprise at Memphis, USA.

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And how did it all start for HT Long? At 9 years he heard Elvis Presley sing in the movie, GI Blues at the Cathay Cinema in Klang, Johore (Malaysia). The King left a deep impression with Long. The rest is history.

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Listen to him at the side-bar. Does he sing like the King?

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Above image: HT Long with Gurmit Singh in Singapore, 2008.

Information/Image: http://htlongelvis.weebly.com/index.html

Calling 'The Woodlanders' - You've Got Mail

TWO PEOPLE WHO WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH 'THE WOODLANDERS':

Letter #1:

Hi Andy,

It reminds me of my younger days when I was about 12 years or so. Used to follow my dad who managed this band called The Woodlanders. They played regularly at the Anzuk Club in Admiralty (Sembawang).

PS: Aloysius Soh played for The Woodlanders periodically in the 70s. I am his nephew - Michael.
January 3, 2010 12:25 PM

Letter #2 and 3:

penesmallbrook said...
I lived on the Naval Base from 1968 until 1971 and my father (Arthur Smallbrook) was friends with Bobby Tan in The Woodlanders. He worked in my father's department on the Naval Base before moving to Singapore Glass and often used to come to our house.

They were a great band, we used to love going to dances where they played. Would love to know what he is doing now... retired I guess.
May 29, 2010 10:45 PM

penesmallbrook said...
I lived on the Naval Base in Singapore from 1968 to 1971 and The Woodlanders often played at dances at the CPOs mess. Bobby Tan the lead singer used to work in the same department as my father (Arthur Smallbrook) and often came to our house.

They were a great group, we loved the music at that time. Wasn't Barry Walker one of the Walker Brothers... Do a search on YouTube and you will be able to hear some of their music. Would love to know where and what Bobby is doing now... retired I guess. If you are in touch with him, say, 'Hello' from Penny Smallbrook.
May 29, 2010 10:49 PM

(If anyone out there is familiar with this group please write in. Thanks, Andy.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:RAF_Sembawang_entrance.jpeg

From Tuesday, December 29, 2009 Posting:
(1) British/American Servicemen Music Influence In 60s Music Scene At Military Base

(B) The Professionals: Stylers' Story Continues

When the Stylers began their musical journey they played for home parties around the Geylang and East Coast areas. While the stars were just glimmering for the group at the beginning, they showered their brilliance when The Stylers took second place in the finals of The Shadows Competition at the Sky Cinema at Great World (1962) where they had participated. The Stompers were first and The Trekkers third.

But they didn't care because the publicity they received from the show opened doors for them. So with a resounding, "Let's Go!" and John Teo leading the pack, Randy Lee providing the rhythm, Frankie Abdullah pounding the bass and Osman commanding the drums, they never anticipated, that for the next 15 years or more they would be one of the top instrumental groups in the country in terms of record sales and financial gains.

The team's line-up changed and group dynamics improved when former Flamingos and Checkmates veteran Robert Song (vocalist/percussionist) joined them. Then Douglas Tan (bassist) and Alvin Wong (drummer) joined the S-Team too.

As they turned professionals and record sales soared, their income individually, reached 4 figures a month and as businessman Randy puts it, "It was the 60s and more than the amount we were getting in the administrative services we were working for!"

Randy gave up his post even when he was about to be promoted and his boss encouraged him to quit his position when he heard the amount Randy was earning.

And as their journey continued, their musical experience included stints where they performed with the prestigious Radio Television Singapore (RTS) Orchestra.

The group had worked together with home-screen celebrities like, Winston Filmer (bass), John Lee (tenor sax), Renaldo Lachica (alto sax), Olimpio on trumpet (deceased), David Chen (trombone) and Bonny de Souza (piano) who was not from RTS.

Information/Images: Randy Lee Original article: Andy Lim

'Banana Boat Song' Calypso Music 60s (Pt I)

SONGS I LOVE:

UP TO 2,000 VIEWS

(While searching for songs to entertain my grandson, I remember The Banana Boat Song with its sunny island rhythm, bongo backing and repetitive lyrics. Up till today his, "Day-o, day-o," has kept many neighbours wide awake.)

In the 50s and 60s when calypso music (from Trinidad) made its debut in Singapore and when Harry Belafonte (image below) became a household name with his signature song, nearly every Singaporean went crazy with this Jamaican folk.

Just as busy and in the limelight today Harry Belafonte is a thinker, a civil rights activist, a political and humanitarian activist and chairs many seminars dealing with racial prejudice.

Although its origin is not completely known, it is calypso and usually sung by Jamaican banana field workers who work on plantations and banana dock workers who load the fruit on the boats. They improvise the lyrics from time to time but the most common reference is "daylight come and we wan' go home".

Explanation:

1) Come Mr Tally Man, tally me banana/Daylight come and we wanna go home = when daylight comes and the shift is over, they want their work to be counted (tally) so that they can go home.

2) Six foot, seven foot, eight-foot bunch = the length of banana combs.

3) Hide the deadly black tarantula = these spiders are found on the bananas.

For younger listeners, the song was used in the comedy film, Beetlejuice where during the dinner scene, the possessed guests sang and danced,

*The Banana Boat Song.

Day-o, day-ay-ay-o/Daylight come and me wan' go home/Day-o, day-ay-ay-o/Daylight come and me wan' go home

Work all night on a drink of rum/Daylight come and me wan' go home/Stack banana till de morning come/Daylight come and me wan' go home/Come, Mister tally man, tally me banana/Daylight come and me wan' go home/Come, Mister tally man, tally me banana/Daylight come and me wan' go home

Lift six foot, seven foot, eight foot bunch/Daylight come and me wan' go home/Six foot, seven foot, eight foot bunch/Daylight come and me wan' go home/Day, me say day-ay-ay-o/Daylight come and me wan' go home/Day, me say day, me say day, me say day/Daylight come and me wan' go home

Beautiful bunch of ripe banana/Daylight come and me wan' go home/Hide the deadly black taransla/Daylight come and me wan' go home/Lift six foot, seven foot, eight foot bunch/Daylight come and me wan' go home

The black taransla = tarantula. These spiders are found in between the 6,7, or 8 bunches.

Six foot, seven foot, eight foot bunch/Daylight come and me wan' go ho
me/Day, me say day-ay-ay-o/Daylight come and me wan' go home/Day, me say day, me say day, me say day/Daylight come and me wan' go home/Come, Mister tally man, tally me banana/Daylight come and me wan' go home

Come, Mister tally man, tally me banana/Daylight come and me wan' go home/Day-o, day-ay-ay-oDaylight come and me wan' go home/Day, me say day, me say day, me say day....ay-ay-o/Daylight come and me wan' go home...

No underlying meaning. The slow version lulls my second grandchild to sleep. A beautiful song indeed. But maybe it's not a song for children? "Work all night on a drink of rum..." But the version by Wiggles group from Australia dismisses it all.

More than 6 foot, 7 foot or 8 foot. They are bunches of bananas, rhyming beautifully with the song. Below pix shows DICK YIP, our ukulele champion singing the same song beside his own bunch in his own garden. Cheers.

Image: From Andy Lim's Kitchen.

*http://www.digihitch.com/road-culture/music-lyrics/419

**http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqFSXcrPdyw

Gramophone Man David Row - Collection (Pt II)

AMi Continental 2 Jukebox (1962)

As my friend Billy and I approach the entrance of David Row's cute and neat cottage (a converted terrace house) at Teachers' Estate, we notice on the left wall of the living room, shelvings up to the ceiling. They are filled with variations in model, size and colour of vintage gramophones and what looked like old but larger sized 78rpm records.

On the floor, to complement his array on the shelves, stands a large Victoria Cabinet Gramophone. As we sit on the lounge chairs on the right wing of the living room and sip our tea, David, who has retired since 1988 explains that when he started his collection that year he had about 20 gramophones; today he has more than 100.

 "And that's not all," he remarks with glee, "I have more than 2,000 records that includes a wax cylinder recording of Stanley Kirby's Tipperary (1914), and a copy of Meet Me Tonight In Dreamland."

It is a larger and thicker than usual Pathe record that can only be played from the centre outwards on the rare Pathe gramophone. And as David explains, he demonstrates, "Only two people in Singapore have this machine, which has the stylus moving from the inner grooves of the record to the outer grooves. Watch!"

The collection of 78rpm records also includes, Momo Latiff's, Bunga Sakura and Zainal Alam's Rose Rose I Love You. There's also Bonnie Lou's, Seven Lonely Days, Danny Thomas', Aint We Got Fun, Guy Mitchell's, My Truly, Truly Fair, Gene Kelly's Singing In The Rain and Dean Martin's That's Amore. And these titles are a mere fraction of what's in his cabinet.

A Record Collection

As we view his gramophone collection in greater detail, David explains that while others buy originals and pay a fortune, he usually gets his from Sungei Road and antique dealers and restores them in his workshop behind the house. Taking us to the kitchen, David shows us a large colourful jukebox standing beside the refrigerator.

Victoria Cabinet Gramophone.

"And this..." he says proudly, "is a fully restored AMi Continental 2 Jukebox made in 1962. I bought it from a friend for about $2,000 in 1989." And as I hummed Elvis Presley's Mean Woman Blues in my head, remembering the juke box in the coffee house fight scene in Loving You, David's Continental roars, "I got a woman mean as she can be..." The jukebox is playing the 45 RCA single. At nearly half a century old, it is still rockin' and rollin' without a flaw.

"Your wife cannot be that mean," I remark, "allowing you to put your collection around the house." David agrees and chips in, "Because everything works in this place." Then he leads us to his workroom next to the jukebox.

From the ceiling to the floor, his little workshop has nearly four walls of tools, gadgets and spare parts. It was mind-boggling to see the amount of tiny screws, nuts and bolts that he has, all contained and organised in boxes and shelved so neatly in his room. You must visit this place to believe how this man's mind works.

I thanked David as my friend and I made our way to the front porch. I realised that I should spend more time with an interesting hobby like his...

"You know... I help at the hospice too..." volunteered David, "and that's another way of using your hands."

"Would you like to discuss it?" I asked.

"Another time, Andy. Not today."

Image from Google.

Gesang Martohartono - Riwayat Mu Ini, Sedari Dulu Jadi, Perhatian Insani...

GESANG MARTOHARTONO (image) has passed on at 92. One of the more familiar Indonesian composers, the song Bengawan Solo (inspired by the River Solo in Java) was penned by this gentleman in the 1940s.

It has been sung by numerous artistes and these include, Rebecca Pan, SK Poon, Waljinah, Toshi Matsuda, Frances Yip, Anneke Gronloh, Sam Saimun, Sajekti and many others. English versions are by Hong Kong pop star Mona Fong and The Sundowners, a Singapore vocal group from the 60s, sing it in their own easy style. Instrumental ones are too many to mention. One of the better interpretations of the melody comes from The Stylers. And it's hot. (Check side-bar) >>>>>

The song's bigger than the composer. It has brought Gesang lots of royalties and for a song that was composed on a bamboo flute in keroncong style, it has been translated into a dozen languages. In 2009 Gesang said, "Unfortunately (the river) is not as beautiful as before..."

"Air mengalir sampai jauh/Akhirnya ke laut..." May you rest in peace pak!

Image: bocahiseng.blogspot.com/2010/05/gesang-mening...

Original article: Andy Lim.

Information: Internet.

Marie Tang Talks About Talentime, Larry Lai, Stylers, Charlie Lazaroo, The Man From UNCLE

Before the Final 1 from Media Corp in Singapore 2013 there was Marie Tang, talentime participant who talks about Uncle Larry, Uncle Charlie and 'The Man from Uncle'. She is the daughter of the late Wilma Tang, who used to sing at the Ocean Park Hotel open-air nightclub near St Patrick's School at the East Coast.

  UP TO 1,100 VIEWS 

    N 30 COMMENTS    

Hi Andy,

Wow! This is really a surprise! The one and only EP I cut was with The Stylers [actually Commancheros], and I have some very fond memories of the many practice sessions we had during those days for my record, which also contains the song from The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Uncle Solo! Oh my goodness! I was only 15 years old then...

You have a very interesting blog and it will surely bring back many wonderful memories and smiles for many of us who contributed to the music scene during the 60s. Your **posting of my mum... I've just sent it to her through MSN and she too was mesmerised and surprised.

1969 Talentime... Host, Larry Lai - addressed him as Uncle Larry then - best host in Singapore, compared to some of the existing ones. Uncle Charlie (Charles Lazaroo) was such a wonderful and helpful musician.

During those days they had prizes for the top 8 contestants. I was 7th and I think I won myself a watch with changeable straps... ha, ha, ha... the simple life. I also competed in a few more talentime contests organised by Cathay Cinema in conjunction with the movie The Oscar and took first prize with my song, Fireball XL5.

Hey, I got myself an Oscar trophy, which is still in my home. And in the same year I took another first prize for a talentime organised by Boys Town but can't remember the song I sang. My singing talent was definitely my mum's genes but there were other priorities for me and I did not pursue a singing career.

Thank you once again Andy, for bringing back such good old memories.

Cheers,
Marie Tang.

21st May, 2010.

Thank you so much Marie for sharing. Really appreciate!

Marie Tang sings UNCLE SOLO and 

FIREBALL XL5 and BURONG KAKAK TUA

**Saturday, December 27, 2008:

Ocean Park Hotel Singapore With Wilma Tang

Image:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3093/2543814906_17ac440dc9.jpg

Images and Video from GOOGLE and YOUTUBE. Thank you 'Blast From The Past'.

Media Corp Final 1, Singapore Idol Or Talentime

Eunice Sim: Singapore Idol 1969.

UP TO 3,900 VIEWS. 14 COMMENTS

Singapore had its share of talent competitions in the 1960s way before  American Idol, Media Corp's Final 1 and its local version Singapore Idol were launched in the 2000s. 1969 would be a perfect example where 10 contestants, each with either a song to sing or play, participated in the finals of Radio Television Singapore (RTS) contest.

Those days it was called, 'Talentime' (term was later inspired by the quick-witted with, "I got talent but no time...") and with the versatility of Singapore's top professional musicians like Ahmad Jaafar and Charlie Lazaroo leading the RTS Orchestra and backing the contestants, the eager beavers were in safe hands within the confines of the air-conditioned media building at Caldecott Hill.

The list of the evening's line-up from the CD list shows, M. Almen: Fly Me To The Moon, M. Ismail: One Day Soon, Marie Tang: When China Boy Meets China Girl. Patrick Rudge: On The Beach. Eunice Sim: Cry Me A River.

Vinyl Record Cover for 1969 Talentime

Dusky La Gooma sang: Getting To Know You, Ainah Ahmad: The Look Of Love, Aziz Talib: The Way It Used To Be, Loretta Mendoza: I Wish You Love, E.C. Tan: Night And Day. Christina Tan was the only finalist playing classical piano with: lst Movement Sonata in D. Wonder why?

Marie Tang later recorded Fireball XL5, Dusky La Gooma appeared with a face painted black and E.C. Tan, an old pal, is also called Easy Tan because of his relaxed and lazy singing style.

**One RTS talentime winner who made the grade was Eunice Sim (image) and like other winners, received a recording contract with RTS Enterprise Private Production Singapore. The above image shows her EP vinyl with covers, Alfie, Hello Dolly, Windows Of The World and Something On My Mind. On the Talentime CD recording of Julie London's, Cry Me A River she sounds as heart rendering as the original.

Lena Lim, a Chinese Talentime winner from RTS.

**A Note from Marie Tang:

Hi Andy,
1969 Talentime winner, Eunice Sim and 1968 winner, The TidBits. Many mistook me for one of the TidBits, but I'm not. I sang solo in 1968 To Sir With Love and 1969, When China Boy Meets China Girl. The recording contract went to The TidBits.
Thanks for bringing back the good old memories !
Regards
Marie.

20th May, 2010; Updated: April, 2013; Original article: Andy Lim.

Kartina Dahari: Mellifluous, Lyrical, Magical...

(1) A name that many 60s music followers still remember is Kartina Dahari. One such follower of this Malay artiste is Roem Ahmad who is a known blogger calling himself 'aermataemas' (golden teardrops).

Roem explains that his love for kroncong music developed when he grew up in Johore Bahru, Malaysia, in the 60s and early 70s. He was listening to music and watching musicals on Radio And TV Singapore where he appreciated the great singers in that era like Kartina Dahari, Ismail Haron, Ahmad Jais and other well-known ones.

Because of his love for Dahari's songs there are several YouTube videos on the 'lukisanperasaan' channel where enthusiasts will find uploaded kroncongs of Dahari. Roem does it as a hobby and finds it a pleasant occupation during his long winter nights while he was living in Switzerland.

He feels he needs to keep alive the great artistry of Kartina Dahari. Another video outlet is 'miocanzoni' where there are some other interesting music and songs including a few asli ones. (Comment from this blog: October 17, 2009 2:49 PM).

According to Roem Ahmad, Kartina Dahari is "a singer of the highest calibre" but her recording career was rather short-lived. Under the shortened name TINA she recorded songs from 1966 to 1976, among them 4 EPs, 2 LPs in English and 3 LPs in Malay of mostly kroncong songs.

The songs featured on Roem's You Tube videos are between 35 to 40 years old as they were recorded between 1968 to 1976 but, according to him they are still fresh and contemporary. Musical arrangements for these vinyls are by Ahmad Wan Yet, Kassim Masdor, Ahmad Jaafar, S. Atan and Reggie Verghese. Sound quality is excellent.

Kartina Dahari's mellifluous voice and superb vocal delivery is second to none. Young singers today can learn from the way she delivers her carefully selected songs and her wonderful crystal clear phrasing that has the right emotion for each song.

(2) Another enthusiast who calls himself 'Salvatore Dali' finds that Kartina Dahari's rendition of Sayang di Sayang is his favourite. Although P. Ramlee's Bunga Melor has been covered by many artistes, he knows of no better version than the one by Dahari which is effortless, restrained and lyrical.

The highly popular and now traditional Di Tanjong Katong (about this island's famous beach) loved by both young and old is also sung by Ms Dahari. Followers do not know the singer although they know the song that is emblematic of Singapore.

Well, all of Tina's friends and fans out there. Still remember her? What about her English songs? Doesn't she still capture your heart with her beauty and voice? Tell us.

Image: Roem Ahmad's blog.

Blog 1: http://lacrimadoro-airmataemas.blogspot.com/

Blog 2: http://malaysiafinance.blogspot.com/ 

Latest News:
Kartina Dahari passed away on 30th April, 2014.  The concert at the Esplanade in August, 2013 was her last stage appearance.  Condolence to the family and may she rest in peace.

Dr. Goh Keng Swee: 1918 - 2010. The Complete Man And His Love For Music - 91 Years Young

Dr. Goh Keng Swee passed away on Friday, 14th May, 2010:

"'With very innovative ideas. I mean, could you imagine a Scottish Bagpipe Band in Singapore - with all Singapore girls?' President SR Nathan (Chapter 9, page: 171)." When so much has been written about him, how does one pay tribute to one of the main pillars of modern Singapore? And how does one pay tribute to a great man on an insignificant Singapore 60s music blog? I shall try.

Dr. Goh Keng Swee has passed on at 91 years young. When I was reading the book about him (image) by daughter-in-law Tan Siok Sun, I found insights on his love for both popular and classical music. Chapters 2 and 9 are entitled: 'Love in a Time of War' (halcyon days) and 'The Complete Man' (let music be the food of love).

Ballroom Dancing.

"When he was not in school attending lectures and tutorials, or writing essays, he was out attending social functions or visiting the cinema with his male and female friends. He even took an interest in ballroom dancing, spending quite a bit of time patronising the dance halls at the New World and Great World cabarets with his favourite partners. Still GKS (Dr. Goh) was not as light of foot on the dance floor... (page: 35)." I am certain he enjoyed 40, 50s and 60s dance music and the big band sound because that's what they played at these cabarets.

Dr. Goh grew up in a musical environment and as his elder sister Ida Goh (my former school principal) played the piano, he had tried to play the accordion. "Though he enjoyed popular music of his time, his interest in classical music endured throughout his life... (page: 178)." And when he travelled on official business to cities renowned for their great orchestras, Dr. Goh would "invariably ask to attend a concert" as he, "enjoyed these diverting interludes very much. (page: 178)."

2. The Singapore Symphony Orchestra makes its debut performance in January 1979.

In fact, Dr. Goh encouraged the establishment of a small symphony orchestra, "not merely to entertain converted music lovers but to educate Singaporeans in good musical taste..." a special effort to be "directed towards more promising materials such as school children... ( page: 179)." And as Dr. Goh envisaged, The Singapore Symphonia Orchestra Company was formed in 1978 and its first concert was on January 24th, 1979 at the Singapore Conference Hall (image 2).

There was also the Music and Drama Company which he initiated at the Singapore Armed Forces and the setting up of a theatre for Cantonese Opera at his Kreta Ayer constituency in 1969 (page: 177). They were blueprints in his mind but he made them a reality. And, as he said himself, he wasn't a dreamer but a visionary.

Well, I stayed on the music theme and had quotes about a fabulous founding father. I try... Comments?

3. Dr. Goh with Singapore's first PM Lee Kuan Yew and Mrs. Lee.

 Images: 1. Book cover from amazon.com
             2. http://pianofortephilia.blogspot.sg
             3. kentridgecommon.com

Extracts from: "Goh Keng Swee - A Portrait" by Tan Siok Sun. Editions Didier Millet/SNP Security Printing Pte Ltd (2007). This quotations from this posting is only a fraction of the book about the brilliant architect of Singapore's economy. One truly honourable man.

Original article: Andy Lim.

Falcons: Road Shows And Recordings (Part VI)

Article is written in good faith and part of Joseph Chin's articles on The Fabulous Falcons:

"In 1965, we toured with Rocky Teoh, the Elvis Presley of Malaysia in our road shows within Malaysia and for one road show in Singapore. In this one show in Singapore we performed alongside some of the leading bands from Singapore like The Quests . It was during this show that an untoward incident happened and the Singapore audience, being territorial, booed us throughout our whole performance. This didn’t go down well with our own Malaysian fans. Later the action of the Singaporean audience will backfire.

Later, The Quests from Singapore had a show with some other Singaporean artistes in St John’s Hall in Ipoh. Of course the Malaysian fans had not forgotten the ugly incident when Rocky Teoh and The Fabulous Falcons performed in Singapore a few months back. Halfway through the performance of The Quests, the crowd got really rowdy and uncontrollable and starting booing and taunting the band.

As a consequence, the show had to be called off and they had to be escorted back to their hotels. This was an incident I would rather forget, but somehow the story of this one incident, will be the one thing everyone wants to hear when I mention about the band much later on in my life.

Somewhere in mid-1965, we did a recording in Kinetex Studio in Singapore. It was my first recording with the band although for the rest of them, it was their second recording (the first one being Midnight Express). We spent several days in Singapore where we befriended Vernon Cornelius of The Checkmates, a Singapore band. We recorded 4 songs on two singles. Mayflower and Hotspot on one record and Lonely Star and Misty Breeze (image) on the other.

We were disappointed that we were not allowed to use our own amplifiers as it was a requirement of the studio that we use theirs. As a result we actually didn’t get the sound we wanted. That was a big let down for us. This was something that we were sore about but had to contend with.

Though we were disappointed that offers from renowned recording labels never came our way, and record sales for our singles were not up to expectations, we were still proud of the fact that we were recording artistes, at a tender age of seventeen. On hindsight now, I guess it was down to poor or non-existent advertising on the part of our band as we were inexperienced and lacked managerial expertise. (Joseph Chin)"

Click: Fabulous Falcons to read the series on this blog. For his full memoirs read Joseph Chin's Travelling Foodie and The Falcons blog:

http://thefabulousfalcons.blogspot.com/

Lena Horne: Love Me Or Leave Me, Stormy Weather. The Lady Has Left...

Lena Horne (1917 - 2010). One of the musical greats from the 30s she was into broadway, traditional pop and jazz all the way. Performed in more than 20 movies like Stormy Weather (1943) and MGM musicals like Meet Me In Las Vegas (1956) with leggy Cyd Charrisse and top stars Sinatra, Davis Jr. Remembered this movie at the Cathay, Singapore.

Also known later for her guest appearances on television with *Dean Martin, Judy Garland, Andy Williams, Flip Wilson, the Muppet Show and Sesame Street. Except for the Judy Garland show, the rest have been screened on Singapore TV.

With about 30 albums to her name and more than 20 awards including a total of 8 Grammy nominees and wins, she is still the ultimate in popular music and ranks #62 on the Greatest 100 Women in Rock N Roll list. She was 92 years young.

"When you went away, the blues walked in and met me, If he stays away, ol' rockin' chair will get me, All I do is pray, the Lord above will let me walk in the sun once more..." (Stormy Weather/ 1933, Harold Arlen/Ted Koehler).

Thanks to: Larry Lai/Irene Hoe for warning bells.

Interested? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lena_Horne

Dean Martin: http://ilovedinomartin.blogspot.com/

*Lena Horne: Rememberin' Miss Lena Horne with our Dino

Larry Lai King Of Singapore 60s Airwaves (Pt I)

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"Larry Lai was a household name in many homes with Rediffusion of the 60s in Singapore. Djs' were the celebrities playing the music we like. Many teens spent countless hours listening to songs requested through Larry Lai. 

As he would say many years later in Andy's blog that he would find stacks of song request slips attached to the windshield wiper of his car from fans every morning. 

My personal word to Larry is "how can we forget you fulfilling a sentimental song request from the Valentino Bros to the Valentino Sisters, both of Tiong Bahru, for "TELL LAURA I LOVE HER and TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY BABY."
For the Larry Lai Story, see Andy's Blog 

(From Henri Gann)."

****************************

The original 2010 article:

When I first met Larry Lai in the mid 60s, it was amidst the hustle and bustle of a busy stage at St. John's Ambulance Brigade Headquarters in Beach Road. He was the Master of Ceremonies (MC) or compere for the dinner and dance that evening as he made a formal introduction to announce my performance.

After nearly 45 years, I met this kindly gentleman again, but this time around it was amidst the solitude of a neat and air-conditioned coffee house in a vintage suburb at Serangoon Gardens in Singapore. Larry was busy with his lap top as he coaxed it to play Frankie Cheah's Woman In My Life, Sugiman Jahuri's Misty and a number by Peggy Tan I couldn't remember. "That's a brand new lappy I just got free," he remarked. As we sat in a corner and before our conversation even started, a lady at the next table called across.

"Hah," she said, "I can recognise that voice anywhere! You are Larry Lai aren't you, from Rediffusion?" It was more an announcement rather than a question. Because he is such a gentleman, Larry continued his conversation with her a while. At the end of the chat, she proudly claimed that she was still an ardent fan despite the years that had gone by. I looked at him and said quietly, "Wow. That's how powerful you are!"

So as Larry sipped his thick *kopi susu and I my **teh-tarek, he decided to tell me, after much persuasion, his long and interesting love affair with Rediffusion. As he was about to recall the year he left Outram Secondary School, I suggested lunch first...

(Many of you, in Singapore and abroad, know Larry Lai. Perhaps you'd like to tell your story too about this very pleasant gentleman.)

*For the uninitiated: *coffee/milk **frothy English tea/milk.

Thanks to Larry Lai for the drinks, meals and interview.

Image: © 2010 Larry Lai Collection. All rights reserved.

Orginal article: Andy Lim.

Naomi And Robert Suriya Originals - Long Play

When Naomi and The Boys did an LP collection of their favourites, they called it: The Best of Naomi. Done at Decca MacDonald House, Singapore. Good selection, with clarity and an interpretive sensitivity that only Naomi could carry.

The back sleeve extols the group with a short write-up (edited). "Talent is a very desirable quality and no artiste can hope to get anywhere without possessing a bare minimum. But to get right up to the top, you need individuality - a distinctive sound and style which enables the listener to identify you at once.

On this Decca LP album Naomi and The Boys present 14 great examples of talent, individuality and unique artistry. Each one is an outstanding performance. Naomi sings with her usual sincerity backed by her inimitable Boys. Splendid entertainment."

The line up includes Robert Suriya on lead guitar/glockenspiel, Peter Thomas on bass/rhythm, Moses Tay on organ/piano, with Alphonso Soosay on drums/percussion. According to Henry Suriya, brother to Naomi and Robert, only Tay reads music, so he documents the arrangements for the group.

                           Making Believe by Naomi and the Boys - video by cuckoo bird.

Of the 14 songs, 8 are originals by Suriya, Till The End Of Our Time, I Love You, I Know, I Won't Miss You, The Time Has Come, Get You Outa My Mind, If You Change Your Mind and It's All Over.

The rest of the songs are interpretations of Paul Simon's Sound Of Silence, The Everly's So Sad, Frazier's There Goes My Everything, the well-known Schertzinger/Mercer song, I Remember You, Otis/Benton/Hendricks, Looking Back and the song that made this group famous, Happy, Happy Birthday Baby by Sylvia/Lopez.

Good friend Henry Suriya let me have his only copy of this album. Old St. Andrew's School boys...

His take on the album soon!

Image/Original article: Andy Lim Collection.Monday, February 01, 2010

'Unforgettable': Cheryl's Tribute To Her Dad Moses Tay, Bassist For 'Naomi And The Boys'

Western Union Band With Chris Vadham: Paper Roses, Paper Dreams... Yesterday's Sorrows

Chatting with Audie Ng who managed WUB in the 70's:

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The Western Union Band (WUB) needs no introduction. Like some of the top guitar groups in Singapore 60's, they have made a mark on our local music scene, especially with their 70's recordings.

Everyone loves Sausalito (1972), the song synonymous with the group but compositions like Yesterday's Sorrows, I've Got Love, Driving Me Crazy and the uniquely enchanting, Paper Roses, Paper Dreams are only some of the original songs composed by singer/songwriter and anchorman *Chris (Kris) Vadham and his brother Moses.

These originals stood out among the covers they record. According to the 1978 recording sleeve  We've Got Love, the line-up was Vadham on lead vocals and guitars, Danny Lim on guitars, flute and backing vocals, Abel Gan on keyboard and backing vocals, Peter Mangkok, bass and Daniel Wee with drums and percussion. This group had recorded for Libra in the early 70s and EMI in the late 70s with changes in the group.

The band started in 1971 and parted company around 1980. WUB were a hit when they played at the Orchard Road circuit in Singapore, comfortable at the Jane Fonda-movie inspired night spot called, Barbarella.

                               Sausalito - Chris Vadham by Mr Rainbow

Then there was this Katong bar in the east coast where they played quite regularly. It was called Moonshine.  The area was a hotspot for the gatherings of Katongites who frequented the cinemas and bowling alleys.  At the Hong Kong Hilton patrons told them that they were comparable to the best bands in the region when they played at the hotel's club called The Den.

Western Union Band were formidable as a group and had cut 4 singles and 4 LPs inclusive of the ones mentioned and Chris Vadham, who had since passed on in London, was a truly respected musician in this region.

Four LP's could be a recording record in the 70's because if they didn't sell, contracts would have been torn after only one LP. And there were quite a number of  Singapore artistes who never recorded again afterwards beyond one LP.

"But my paper roses don't let me down..."

*Chris and Moses Vadham have successfully recorded in Malay in the 80s. The album Mimpiku Retak Seribu, under the Philips label, is an example.

Information: Audie Ng (Leader/Bassist: The Silver Strings)

Image: Ebay.
Original article: Andy Lim.

First 1st Of May - Puppy Inspired Song, Not Labour

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SONGS I LOVE:

The most appropriate song to feature today is one of Bee Gees' greatest hits, First of May, (lead vocals by Barry Gibb). No, it's not a protest song nor one about Labor Day but with its symbolic and poetry like lyrics, Barry Gibb wrote it for his dog's birthday.

This 1969 doggie inspired melody was a minor hit but was noticed after it featured in the soundtrack of a British film about puppy love called, Melody (1971). It was released in the Far East at the same time, and that included Singapore.

It has a place in the annals of American pop and been covered by Matt Monroe, Jose Feliciano and Sarah Brightman. Strange, I always thought the song was more about growing up: 

When I was small and Christmas trees were tall
Don't ask me why but time has passed us by
Now we are tall and Christmas trees are small
But you and I, our love will never die
The day I kissed your cheek and you were mine.

                First of May - Bee Gees You Tube Video by: Chris Cruz

Singer Lulu - To Sir With Love, Scottish pop singer - was married to Maurice Gibb from 1969 to 1973, his first wife. Maurice has since passed away in January, 2003.

For the younger readers, don't confuse the Bee Gees' version of First Of May with another that has the same title. It's by Jonathan Coulton. Personally, it could have been a nice song but being old school the F word has no place in any music piece, even if the word is relevant in its context. So excuse me.

When Christmas Trees were small; Gibb brothers with their F hole guitar and where it all started.

The Bee Gees: Barry, Robin, Maurice were supposed to perform at the National Theatre on 1st April 1972. They were staying at the Hyatt Hotel in Singapore. But a new ban on males with long hair, "the Bee Gees, Kitaro and Led Zeppelin were all forced to cancel their gigs in Singapore because they refused to accomodate the policy - Long Hair In Singapore: Wikipedia."

Now how far was this true with the Bee Gees? Did they perform or didn't?

Image: Google and other sources.

Original article: Andy Lim

Hahahahaha!!!

Poster is gift from Freda Hanum. 

Thanks so much Freda. 

May 1st, 2024.