Did Our Singapore Bands Cover Bob Dylan In 60s?

Bob Dylan: Yesterday and Today

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This posting 15 July 2011

A note from anonymous:

Did any Singaporean artists of the 60s and 70s cover Dylan songs at the time? Either in English or any other language? I'm collecting covers of Dylan in languages other than English, and Asian-language ones are hard to find. Love your blog. What a lively and attractive scene you had back then and very well detailed by your good self - July 13, 2011, 11:04 PM.

My reply:

Hi, anon,

To specifically target particular groups or singers who play or sing Dylan can be daunting, so do give me a bit of time as it may take a while. Thanks for visiting and the lovely pat on the back. Andy.

Reply From Vernon Cornelius:

Hi Andy,

I don't think anyone here covered Dylan in 60s and 70s. I know bands like The Quests (1966-67) performed Don't think twice it's alright, recorded, All my Sorrows, traditional by BD as All My Trials. Myself from 1969, singing All Along The Watchtower, Lay Lady Lay and much more!

In the 70s Fried Ice, Pests Infested, Stray dogs, Heritage, Mogan etc. performed BD, but I'm quite sure none ever recorded such material. In 1989 I recorded Mr Bojangles but not a BD song. 

In Chinese (Mandarin) there is great probability only the simple, Blowing in the Wind was recorded. Maybe too by Foo Soo Yin. The structure of Dylan English and music craft would've made it impossible to cover such songs unless lyrics were changed to flow better.

Bob Dylan. Lay Lady Lay: Video from Post Productions. October 2008.

I became heavily BD from 1969 and played him on Rediffusion 69-75, and from 1989 with my band Overheads performed numerous BD songs. After my Rediffusion stint I became a musicologist, and in 1972 to 1973 gave lengthy serious talks at the National Library on the History and Development of modern pop music.

Regret I didn't give you much, but this confirms much of what you already know. Sending you warmest wishes.

Vernon.

Thanks to Vernon for the answer. 

Images from Google.

National Day Parade 2018: JULAI TAN Violinist Performs Part 1

Mr Julai Tan during his years as a recording artiste on 60's and 70's vinyl.

It's time. 

He's finally 'officially recognised' and will be put on the NDP (National Day Parade) to perform this year. That's an encore for those people who are in charge of the annual national get together on August 9. This music maker deserves it.

Mr Julai Tan who is 93 years young will be in action and the most senior musician to be on stage. He will be playing a Bach piece, Air On The G-String, accompanied on the organ by piano man Jerry Monteiro. 

He has performed with the BBC Orchestra during his youthful days for three years from 1964 to 1967. Prior to his engagement in England, he was with our own Singapore radio orchestra in the 1950's. He returned here in the late 70's.

Eight years ago in 2010, I wrote two articles about him and mentioned, "He must definitely be put on the list of prominent Singapore 60s musicians as his career spans more than 4 decades."

Mr Julai Tan (left with violin), where he appeared in a Malay movie in the 1950's. From filemklasikmalaysia.blogspot.com Thank you.

Please connect below to read:

http://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2010/03/is-this-violinist-julai-tan.html

http://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2010/03/julai-tan-or-july-tan-orchestra.html

Mr Tan was given the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 15th Composers and Authors Society of Singapore (Compass) Awards in 2010.

Congratulations Mr Tan and your wife, Madam Ng Siew Lan. We'll all be watching you on TV this National Day Parade 2018.

If you remember Mr Tan, do write in to tell us.

Bach: Air on the G String from his 3rd Orchestral Suite in D major, BWV 1068.
Video by smalin. Thank you. This video has 9.5 million views.

NB: 

Chinese Indonesian names are often misspelt. Similarly with Mr Tan's, who was promoted as JULY TAN on his vinyl.

Julai Tan with Irene Yap, pop singer @ Jazzistics Singapore, an annual get together of jazz musicians @ The Esplanade and other venues.

Images: 
Irene Yap Copyrights Reserved.
A Personal Collection and from filemklasikmalaysia.blogspot.com