Mokhtar Hassan - Percussionist Perfectionist

When original Silver Strings drummer Danny Boy was unable to perform with the band for the Esplanade Concert 2010, Audie Ng (band leader) requested the presence of Neu Faces drummer Mokhtar Hassan (image) to hit the skins that evening.

Without much ado Mokhtar joined us, but only temporarily, to be the latest line-up of the Silver Strings. Mokhtar presently plays with the Neu Faces and was with them even before their first European tour in 1984. The group had toured Europe and covered Finland, Switzerland, Austria and Germany then.

A professional all the way, Mokhtar approached me with his metronome when I told him he was playing too fast while accompanying me with Paul Anka's Diana.

"Let's use this," he said, showing me the gadget, "and get the song properly performed on stage." We got it right the second time.

Mochtar drums with accuracy and panache, peaking his best when he accompanied me hitting, Mean Woman Blues and Singing The Blues. Like his drums, he is tough, solid and perfect. Thanks Mokhtar.

Image/Original article: Andy Lim.

The Silver Strings Entertain At Jamiyah Home

NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATION AT JAMIYAH HOME FOR AGED:

Andy (image: 1) fronted the Silver Strings to entertain the folks at the Jamiyah Home For The Aged - Darul Takrim (images 2, 3, 4) at No 1 Tampines Avenue 3, Singapore, on 7th August, 2010. In the evening, the group appeared at the Esplanade for a second show, entertaining National Day revellers and tourists who flock the Marina Bay area to have a good time.

Also performing that afternoon were Henry Suriya, Max Surin and Ramon Rahmat with Jerry Fernandez as compere. The ladies and men at the home enjoyed themselves by singing and dancing with wild enjoyment. Most let their hair down - if they had any left - while the rest enjoyed the music with quiet ease.

While Henry sang his classic, Love Is A Golden Ring, Maxie sang, Within You Remain (Wo Ai Nee), the big Tokyo Square hit and Ramon (from The Blackjacks) gave his rendition of Sway with much verve and vitality. The evening ended with Burung Kakak Tuah (Anneke Gronloh) and My Way (Paul Anka), sung by all the musicians and Organising Committee. On the whole, it was a riotous affair.

More about Max Surin and Ramon Rahmat soon.

Image: from Website.

Original article: Andy Lim

Brian Richmond With SS Supporter Backstage

Backstage with Brian Richmond, MC for the 'Journey Through Local Music Concert' and DJ for Media Corps GOLD 90.5FM. With him is KM, a good friend and fan of Andy with Silver Strings group.

A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ATTENDED THE CONCERT. THE ENCORE FROM THE 60s MUSIC FANS WAS STUPENDOUS!

Song Programme - Silver Strings Concert 2010

As requested by Steven Farram, (Comment: Aug 10, 2010 7:40 am) the programme of songs on the 7th August, 2010 held at the Esplanade, Singapore.

The Silver Strings (Instrumental):

1. FBI

2. Kontiki

Andy (Vocals):

1. Diana

2. Outsider

3. Fireball XL5

4. Singin' The Blues

5. Red River Rock

6. Mean Woman Blues

Mokhtar (Vocals/Drummer):

1. Wonderful World

Bobo (Vocals/Lead/Rhythm Guitar):

1. Can't Help Falling In Love (Raggae)

Henry Suriya (Vocals):

1. Happy Happy Birthday Baby

2. Love Is A Golden Ring

3. Great Pretender

Finale (Vocals/The Silver Strings):

1. Hey Jude

Image: http://www.sophistgames.com/home/?currentPage=3

The Silver Strings, Mysterians Play 60s Songs

Silver Strings accompanying Henry Suriya: Outdoor Theatre Esplanade: 7 Aug 2010

Image above: Mysterians entertaining the crowd on the same evening.
Image: Lim Kuan Min Collection.

How Our Local 60s Music Is Sold Overseas - "Wild Rockers That Would Never Make It"

HOW SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIAN 60s MUSIC ARE SOLD OVERSEAS. PLEASE READ THE BLURB BELOW, QUOTED IN FULL:
Various Artists – 'Chinese Rocks' LP only:

"Like the old saying 'digging a hole to China' insatiable record collectors go through stages, digging deeper & deeper to find the next unknown treasure. Collectors of garage/trash 50′s & 60′s oddities have grown in recent years like a wild fungus & many vinyl mysteries have been solved only to open new ones.

Looking to the East we have indeed literally dug a hole to a 60s Singapore & Malaysian weirdsville, represented here by a family style nightmare of rickshaw crashing left of center, wild rockers that would never make it onto even a collector's compilation of this sort.

Everything from wild surf to Trashmen styled thud to almost Shaggs ineptitude/beauty to garage pounders & even a retarded psychedelic comedy track. Put this record on and drown in the delightful soy sauce vinyl insanity that is Chinese Rocks!

Tracks: The Stylers – Hey! Hey! Hey!, The Siglaps – Hey Girl, The Quests – Ding Dong Twist, Johnny Tan – Shakin’ All Over, Bakar Hamid & The Hawks – Div-Kav-Tetap Ku Kenang, The Thunderbirds – Call My Name, Shao Fong Fong – I Love A Go Go.

The Hi-Fi Twins & The Kings – Papa Oom Mow Mow, Blue Lake Combo – Bombora, The Steps – Steps Theme, S. Suri & Les Sea King – Svasana Ala, The Fabulous Falcons – Midnight Express, The Saints – ???, The Hi Fi Twins & The Kings – Lies, Helen Velv & The Silverstones – Hot Pants, The Quests – Pop Inn Theme."

The above image and promotional document is not edited and comes from:

http://www.dionysusrecords.com/home/?p=1124

A Happy 45th National Day To All Singaporeans

Wishing all Singaporean surfers at home and abroad a Happy 45th National Day, 2010. May you enjoy yourselves with more 60s music.

My thanks also to all the people who have made this blog what it is today.