Shades Of Kung Fu Chinatown Rock: Chinese New Year 1979: The X'periment! Living In The Past?

Ang Pow:

Well, here it is, my own copy of Chinatown Rock (images:3,4) by X'periment. It's my ang-pow (red-packet) or Chinese New Year gift for everyone. I googled for the covers but couldn't find the images. I guess this record is going into extinction, so if you have a copy, keep it. The songs are gem-stones today.

Mervyn Nonis:

It is a Singapore WEA (Warner/Elektra/Atlantic) record pressed in 1979. Eight of the songs are originals by Mervyn Nonis and the Xperiment. It is produced and engineered by Stephen Israel and Lim Gek San.

K.V. John:

Personal Manager is K.V. John, who was a great compere in the 60s and 70s with his Spot Dances and Musical Chairs. John was also a comic on stage with a very pleasant personality. Does anyone know where he is now?

Original Songs:

So for those interested, Side One has: Chinatown Rock, Here Comes That Feeling, Come And Rest On Love, Living In The Past and *Fun, Fun, Fun. Side Two carries: Different Sound, Waiting, *Hedonism Is Fun, Geraldine and Baila. (Except for the two with astericks, the rest are originals.) Some songs are on You Tube provided by MrRainbow64. THANKS VERY MUCH, SIR.

Interviews:

I am waiting to interview Mervyn Nonis. Called him some months ago but couldn't make it to meet him. If you have any idea where the other members of X'periment are please let me know. I'd be glad to make an appointment to chat and write about them. Better still, if you can, do a write-up on the Comment page. Thanks.

Greetings:

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR OF THE RABBIT EVERYONE. DON'T FORGET TO VISIT CHINATOWN! IT ROCKS!

"The X'periment, with lead vocalist Joe Chandran, performed to full houses at the Lost Horizon, Shangrila-La Hotel during the 70s. Three of their most popular original songs which were composed by members of the group were Living In The Past, Waiting and Geraldine.

I frequented the Lost Horizon with my colleagues regularly after work and hang-out there until the early hours of the morning. We will then adjourn to joints like the Tivoli Coffee House, Chatterbox at the Mandarin Hotel etc. till the first SBS Bus rolls into Orchard Road. Those were fun days when the routine was repeated almost daily. We worked hard and play hard as well ! (Mr Rainbow64)."
Above quote taken from:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d47aeaNZ08k

Cover Images/Original article: Andy Lim.

B/W Image 1: http://www.chinatownology.com/

Image 2: http://www.blogtoexpress.blogspot.com/

Lokananta Studio: Indonesia's Abbey Road: 4th Asian Games Souvenir Vinyls Feature Moluccas Songs

(Images: a 10-inch LP, one in a series of 4 distributed during the 4th Asian Games in Djakarta in 1962.)

The present South East Asian Games in Vietnam now in 2022 reminds me of this posting, which is a reprisal from 31/1/2011.

Lokananta:

While I was posting the last few articles about Jimmy Linchong and a song from the Moluccas, I remember my few pieces of 10-inch Long Play records that I have, pressed by the famous Lokananta (literal: heavenly gamelan without drums) label. 

They are precious and not easily available in the market. And as I rummaged again feverishly through my cupboard I found four. One of them (image 2) contains the song Ajo Mama (j is pronounced yerh in Indonesian).

According to a website (internet address below), the Lokananta studio (image 3) in Indonesia is as famous as the one in Abbey Road, Westminster, London. It is the first Indonesian music label, founded in Solo, Central Java. Since its inception, Lokananta has been producing and duplicating records and audio cassette tapes.

https://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Asia/Story/A1Story20121203-387259.html

When it started in 1958, the records were marketed through the RRI (Republic Ra'yat Indonesia). As the label reached its state enterprise status, the company activities included: administering, recording, broadcasting, printing and publishing. Lokananta has thousands of songs from all over Indonesia in its treasure trove and its vast collection encompasses folk, ethnic, world and pop music. So there is keroncong, Javanese gamelan, Balinese, Sundanese, Batak (North Sumatra) and other regional music.

This vast music collection includes many recordings of famous singers from Indonesia. Master tracks in the studio contain songs from legendary composers and singers like Gesang, Waljinah, Titiek Puspa, Bing Slamet, and Sam Saimun. Lokananta has more than 5,000 such track recordings of local songs. Besides songs, state speeches of the late President Sukarno are kept. 

Rasa Sayang Eh!

Aside: Controversies abound regarding the well-known song Rasasayange. According to the same web-site, this song, together with other Indonesian folk songs, can be found on a single master-track in the Lokananta studios. It is claimed by a certain country as its original folk song but is actually an original from the Moluccas.

Record Detail:

Part One - Tracks on Side One: Dari Barat Sampai Ke Timur, Ba Bendi-bendi, Seringgit Dua Kupang, Ajo Mama, Side Two: Potong Bebek Angsa, Sarinande, Lenggang-Lengang Kangkung, Kaparinjo. Orkes Lokanada, pimpinan B. Y. Supardi.

The original and detailed version can be found in the website below: http://www.reviewing-blogs.blogspot.com/2010/05/lokananta-indonesian-abbey-road.html 

Record Cover image: Andy Lim Collection.

Comments and articles are welcome regarding this topic. Thank You.

(Because of copyright, I have deleted the two photographs showing the recording studios and replaced them with the image of my own personal copy of the album I discussed. You can see the studio images on JGP 4838 Flickr.)

This Linchong EP Needs Interpretation: Anyone?

The only EP (Blue Star NE 1014) that I possess of Jimmy Linchong because it was offered to me at a discount and because I remember watching him on television and admired his looks.

The National Museum screened his movie, The Singing Thief in June, 2009 where he acted with Lily Ho (sexy, screen siren of the sixties). But the above song selection is not from the movie.

If Chun See or anyone else can help to translate the cover title and 6 song titles into English, I'd be grateful.

Image: Andy Lim Collection.

Lam Chun See Remembers Teresa And Jimmy

                                      

UP TO 3,000 VIEWS,

     13 COMMENTS     

THANK YOU, LAM CHUN SEE: 

Read his comments under Jimmy Linchong's posting. Ayo Mama or Ai Qing Nali Lai is by Teresa Teng [image above n below]. She learnt this song together with Rasa Sayang when she stayed in Indonesia. Rasa Sayang and Ayo Mama originated from the Maluku Islands (Spice Islands) of Indonesia.

Doesn't matter if you can't read Chinese. Enjoy song BELOW:

印度尼西亚民歌

小河弯弯 流水不断来
河里的水草
跟着漂过来
流水长在 长流那天外
问一声河里水草哪里来

哎哟 妈妈
莫非也像我的恋爱
哎哟 妈妈
可是来的这样奇怪
哎哟 妈妈
怎么你不讲个明白
谁知道我的爱情哪里来

小河弯弯 春风吹过来
河边的花香
跟着飘过来
遍地花开 芬芳到心怀
问一声春天从哪里来

哎哟 妈妈
你可不能不理不睬
哎哟 妈妈
我的寂寞情意难挨
哎哟 妈妈
给我怎么样的安排
你可叫我怎样的安排
谁知道我的爱情哪里来

Ayo Mama: Indonesian lyrics (literal translation):

Ayam hitam telurnya putih (Black chicken too has white eggs)
Mencari makan di pinggir kali (Searching for food by the lakeside)
Sinyo hitam giginya putih (Dark-skinned bride has white teeth)
Kalau ketawa manis sekali. (When she smiles, she's so sweet)

Ayo mama, jangan mama marah beta (Oh mum, don't you scold me)
Dia cuma cuma pegang beta (He's just holding her playfully)
Ayo mama, jangan mama marah beta (Oh mum, don't you scold me)
Lah orang muda punya biasa. (It's natural with the young)

Anyone willing to help with the Mandarin translation? Doesn't matter anyway. It's the beat that matters. Cha-cha-cha!!!

Taken from:
http://teresateng.multiply.com/video/item/14?&item_id=14&view:replies=reverse

In Memory Of Robert Song: Vocalist And Percussionist: The Stylers♪ Band: bogetman65

The Stylers Celebrate Chinese New Year In Style

There's a truly fabulous website on The Stylers and I am sure my namesake Andy who created it will not mind if I connect this particular posting to the site. It's a Stylers bunny year. Thanks again Andy and Randy. Without these two gentlemen we would have lost a treasure trove of Stylers goodies.

A HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=TheStylersBand#p/c/3C62E1DD3102ABD5

P. Ramlee's 'Bujang Lapok' On A Chinese Record Unique Indeed: Bau Asem, Ketiak Siapa Busok?

Chinese Pop Instrumental: A-Go-Go And Off-Beat Cha-Cha Art Sea Record: MEP 3032.

There were hundreds of instrumental groups in the 60s that catered to the Chinese pop markets in Singapore, Malaya and Hong Kong. Some of them had been featured many times on this blog.

These bands included Maurice Patton and The Melodians, Charlie and The Boys, The Travellers, The Silver Stones, the popular Stylers and more. The songs were usually covers of Western pops.

Tian Lian Band:

The genre of music was familiar too since these bands recorded 60s tunes mainly for dancing. But the name TIAN LIAN BAND (images) was a surprise - a very Chinese group indeed! Never heard or seen a record by this band. After checking some websites I found that this particular band had recorded other songs on Art Sea Record.

P. Ramlee:

But what is more surprising is the song on side two. Unless you are familiar with Malay pops, Pok Pok Bujang Lapok is a tongue-in-cheek about bachelors. It is composed by P. Ramlee and used in his movie with the same title. The other three songs include, When Will You Return (tagged as 'a Chinese song'), Young Ones (a Cantonese song) and So Lonely (a Hokkien song). A gimmick perhaps?

Swinging Skippers:

Even the group name of the dancing girls in the photographs caught my eye. They are called, The Swingin' Skippers. The girls must have been popular then to have their names displayed on the cover. Don't you find their costumes so informal and simple? That's Singapore street wear in the 60s. Not much different from today? And off-beat cha-cha definitely symbolises Chinese pops.

Bolshoi Ballet Orchestra:

P. Ramlee's music is internationally acclaimed that it has even been played by The Bolshoi Ballet Orchestra of Tashkent.

Images/Original article: Andy Lim Collection.

Mr Blue Diamond Riem de Wolff, Quests, DJ Larry Lai: 60s Music Meet In Singapore Shopping Mall

Image seated: Andy Lim (The Silver Strings), Riem de Wolff (The Blue Diamonds), Larry Lai (Rediffusion Broadcaster). Standing: Jap Chong, Vernon Cornelius (The Quests).

Vintage Brothers:

Shoppers screamed Seniors extended their arms for a handshake when pop group The Vintage Brothers appeared for lunch, at one of the shopping malls in Singapore.

Questing For Diamonds:

Fans with CDs in hand jostled their way to the front of the queue and everyone wanted to have a picture (Image 2) taken with Jap Chong and Vernon Cornelius (The Quests), Riem de Wolff (The Blue Diamonds) and Larry Lai (Rediffusion Broadcaster). One fan even brought his Blue Diamonds vinyl for Riem's autograph.

Dream On:

So for those surfers in Singapore who missed the "Dream On, You 60s Celebrities" gig, here's a picture for a keepsake. By the way, it's 2011 now, not 1965 but they had gigs in Singapore recently.

Riem De Wolff:

Seriously though, the du-wop duo from Holland, The Blue Diamonds' chart-topper Ramona is still selling internationally and Riem is up to his neck in diamonds. Twenty-five million copies sold and counting... Riem has a successful solo career now but sings with his son too. Listen to Riem, with steel and slide guitarist Sarah Jory, on the sensitive duet-written, How I Love You in his 2005 Back On Track album (Image 1 ). He had appeared in some concerts in December 2010.

Vernon Cornelius:

Vernon (Quests) is busy with his gigs and has recently appeared with Reim as a duet, singing Blue Diamonds melodies of yesteryears. Vernon is much into archival activities and has a large collection of past goodies, much from Singapore. Vernon fronted the Quests from the 60s -70s and recorded with EMI.

Jap Chong:

Jap (Quests) is taking it easy and still plays when there are re-Quests for him to appear. This gentleman looks very young for his age. He's used to the rhythm of local pop stardom. Jap Chong played rhythm guitar with the Quests from the 60s - 70s and recorded with EMI.

Larry Lai:

Larry co-ordinates the masses and is still the maestro, using his baton more as a magic-wand to make celebrities appear and disappear. The usual, "I-know-that-voice" phenomena still persists when he's around. Strangers pass him by and call his name when they hear him talking.

Larry was the most popular DJ and one of the top broadcasters in Singapore from the 60s - 90s at cable Rediffusion and the Singapore Broadcasting Company. He has since retired. There are about 9 postings about this gentleman on the blog (click Larry Lai below).

Andy Young:

Me? I write this blog and time and again sing with the Silver Strings. I'm just hoping that one of these days someone will offer to book this blog. Meantime I'll keep on writing and appreciate friends and music people who contribute their stories. If you have one to tell, let me know.

Image 1: http://www.bluediamonds.nl/

Image 2: Andy Lim Collection.

Sing60s Blog Visitors For 9th January, 2011

A big thank you to StatCounter.com for providing statistics from November, 2008. Note the time posted: 1.11 on 1.11 - January, '11

樱花 Sakura n The Quests: R n R Yodelling Guy

Read comments on this Sakura recording (You Tube: by EHT123) in the previous posting below:

One Of The World's Greatest EP Album Covers Features 60s Sakura Singing John Lee Hooker

On November 29th 2007, an EP featuring Sakura's (Ying Hua) Puppet On A String (image 1) was posted, not too negatively, on a Website about The World's Greatest LP Album Covers, 45's too (image 2). Well, it's the honest truth:

"What could be better than a Singapore singer covering western pop songs in broken English with a fuzz-guitar backing. Here for your enjoyment is Sakura’s four- track 1967 EP featuring 'Puppet On A String' plus six superb tracks from her album 'Sakura Goes Boom Boom'.

Sandie Shaw notoriously disowned the ’60s Eurovision novelty song 'Puppet On A String' but Sakura Teng has made it her own, and even poses as puppets (and puppeteer!) on the sleeve. And what the hell is she wearing? Presumably silver tights and baby doll dresses were all the rage in Singapore in ‘67. Chinese singers famously have trouble singing western lyrics so you have to admire Sakura who not only impersonates Elvis on 'Rock ‘n’ Roll Yodelling Guy' but also (you guessed it) yodels. Is there anything this woman can’t do!

But save room for her take of the John Lee Hooker classic from her album 'Sakura Goes Boom Boom' which has to be heard to be believed, and the fuzz guitar-driven cover of Connie Francis’ 'Stupid Cupid'. Sakura is backed by a band called The Quests who were seemingly the in-house band at EMI-Columbia, Singapore and also back other singers, including Rita Chao.

Note: the back of the album bears the advertising legend: ‘Sakura also goes bazazz with Max Factor."

Article by: David Noades (Thank You, David)

So my dear readers, what do you think of David Noades' comment? Are we a novelty?
From: http://lpcoverlover.com/2007/11/29/china-dolls/

(REMEMBERING ELVIS PRESLEY: 76 YEARS YOUNG TODAY: 8TH FEBRUARY, 2011).

Bach Creates, Diamond Sings Jonathan L. Seagull

SONGS I LOVE:

Neil Leslie Diamond

Born: January 24, 1941 

Age: 77

The album with Skybird, Lonely Looking Sky, Odyssey is sung by Neil Diamond. from JONATHAN LIVINGSTONE SEAGULL. 

The Album: 

In 1973 Neil Diamond composed, wrote and recorded on Columbia the soundtrack to the movie, Jonathan Livingston Seagull (image 2). It is from a book by Richard Bach (image 1) and I honestly cannot remember how many times I played the songs from the album. Commercially, the music was more successful than the movie. It was Diamond's first album after an earlier hit, Hot August Night, released in 1972.

The Album Cover

Album Review:

I would like to quote a review by Shawn M. Haney that I edited. It sums up the album adequately. He commented that in the recording Neil Diamond put himself into the shoes of Jonathan Livingston Seagull, writing and singing music, compelling and rich in texture and melody to fit the portrait perfectly for the movie.

"Be

As a page, that aches for words

Which speaks on a theme that's timeless

While the Sun God will make for your day

Sing

As a song in search of a voice that is silent

And the one God will make for your way..."

Orchestra:

Recorded in 1973 for CBS under the pop/rock style genre, Diamond had much help from those around him to make the album a reality. Tom Catalano must be commended for the production and musical direction, Lee Holdridge for conducting and splendid, string arrangements, Armin Steiner for sound engineering and the hundred-plus musicians who rallied to record the soundtrack for overall performance.

The Singer

Singer/Songs:

Though Diamond only sings on a few tracks, he does it so with much grace, smooth flair and enchantment. "Romantic, fresh and lively, this album fits the piece of the puzzle the motion picture needed so perfectly." Tracks include 1. Prologue 2. Be 3. Flight of the Gull 4. Dear Father 5. Sky Bird 6. Lonely Looking Sky 7. Be* 8. Lonely Looking Sky* 9. Dear Father* 10. Anthem 11. Be 12. Skybird 13. Dear Father 14. Be (*These three songs appear as "The Odyssey".)

Movie Comment :

"I saw the movie when it came out, not a human being in it, as I recall. Fascinating, with the wonderful soundtrack composed and largely performed by Diamond with full rich sound, his arrangement is pure pleasure and his voice thundering during the score. This is music to listen to anytime, to sing with, to love. Own it forever." Submitted by a reviewer (Connecticut, U.S.A.)

Book Comment:

Jonathan the seagull learns to fly beyond his highest expectations when he left his friends and becomes an outcast. As a non-conformist, he enjoys his freedom with other gulls that believe as he does. The theme, to listen to our hearts even when it goes the unaccepted ways, is clear. The book was a best seller in the 70s and remains popular today. The author, Richard Bach, is a descendant of composer Johan Sebastian Bach.

The Book Cover

Quotes/Personal:

1. "Keep working on love."

2. "The gull sees farthest who flies highest."

3. "If our friendship depends on things like space and time, then when we finally overcome space and time, we've destroyed our own brotherhood..."

Best is to read the book. Won't take 20 minutes, unless you're not much into self-improvement books. I am not but I enjoy this one. The book is 40 years old, and last count sold more than 40 million copies. My!

Original article/Image/Album Info from CD: Andy Lim Collection.

Choice of quotations is my own.

Article extracts: http://www.cduniverse.com/

Copyright: Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Images: Google.

Auld Lang Syne: Robert Burns, In The Midnight Hour

Aside:

Today is a special New Year's Day (1.1.11). It's lst January, 2011. You won't get this combination again for another 100 years.

Auld Lang Syne/Origin:

Yes, he did. Robert Burns (image) Scottish poet, wrote Auld Lang Syne in 1788, the song that you sing at a party, as the clock strikes the midnight chimes to usher a new year.

The tune is a traditional Emglish folk song called the Roud, taken from the data base of a librarian called Steve Roud who compiled the list only recently in 1993.

Meaning:

The words of the song, literally translated from old Scottish dialect, means Old Long Ago and is about love and friendship in times past. There are many other arrangements and interpretations of this folk song and Beethoven has one gem of a version.

Singapore tries very hard to have 'original' songs. Perhaps one of our composer could think of a version for this island. Wouldn't work would it? And in what language?

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011!
OR 2016.

Lyrics:

Should auld acquaintance be forgot

And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot

And auld lang syne.

Chorus:

For auld lang syne my dear

For auld lang syne

We'll take a cup o' kindness yet

For auld lang syne.

An original article
You Tube Auld Lang Syne: Mariah Carey by The Christmas Lyrics.

Information from Wikipedia and other Websites.