Madu Dan Racun, Arie Wibowo, Sarong Kebaya Nyonyas: Evonne Dance Studio

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'Madu dan Racun' means 'Honey and Poison'

in Bahasa Indonesia.

Lyrics [literal translation]: 

"Honey in your right hand; poison in your left.

Don't know which one you will be giving me..."

YouTube Video:

High beginners lady dancers from:

Evonne Dance Studio

Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia.

Choreographers: 

Tan Bee Chu 

Jaynie Loy 

April 2022

Music: 

Bill & Brod 

Song:

Madu Dan Racun

Many thanks to all these petite nyonyas for the dance item. 

Nyonyas are Peranakan ladies, 

from the Straits, known for their

sarong [skirt] n kebaya [blouse] outfits.

I must first thank Evonne Dance Studio for putting up this enchanting video of the company's charming and talented dancers on YouTube. With one million views plus and a music backing by Bill and Brod with the late but well-known Arie Wibowo, [singer composer of Madu dan Rachun], this short but delightful episode with sarong-kebaya-clad nyonyas [ladies] is enthralling!

It is not surprising that with the influence of colonialism these past 80 years or so, after WW2, we have diluted some of our own South East Asian music heritage. But all is not lost. Let's hope that with the advent of a resurgence in this part of the world, we would be listening and watching more of such performances from our Asiatic shores.

So the beat goes on, our kind!

I'm sure you have some comments to make! Please do!

Check this one too:

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2023/01/angeline-wong-si-jantung-hati-my-sweet.html

Indonesian Bill and Brod Pop Group

sang the backing song, Madu dan Rachun

[Honey and Poison].

Disclaimer:

[This posting is not an advertisement but an appreciative gesture. I was mesmerised by the gracefulness of the lady dancers, the song accompaniment and decided to write about it.]

(7) Indonesian/Dutch Rock Connection - Willy & His Giants: Ajoen Ajoen.

Vlietzicht Rijswijk - 16 Aug 2013: 'The Jumping Jewels Revival Band'. The song "Ajoen Ajoen" was played as a tribute to Willy Wissink (Willy and his Giants) who died on July 9, 2013 in his home in The Hague. 

With Paul Selier on bass guitar, Peter de Vos on rhythm guitar, Pete Korving on lead guitar, and for this special occasion; Will Wissink Jr behind the drums. Thank you Hans (van Eijk) for this beautiful memory!!

Will

The late Willy Wissink [9/7/2013] started in 1959 with a group called, The Real Rhythm Rockers from The Hague in Holland. Then in early 1962, he recorded his first instrumentals for Artone Records with his new band The Giants.  Willy Wissink's rock version of the Indonesian/Dutch folk song, Ajoen, Ajoen was released and became successful in many countries. Huckleberry Beat was the vinyl's flipside. 

Japan was overwhelmed with this group and Ajoen, Ajoen sold more than 100,000 copies. Accompanying the success together were  other popular Indonesian songs that were already hits on their own, namely, *Terang Boelan and Sarina. The country had a pressing of its own to sell to the group's fans in Japan recorded by Teichiku Records in 1963 [image below].

Personally, while going through the collection of vinyl, the chance discovery showed a singles pressing of Ajoen, Ajoen (DR25163), a traditional folk song, with its flipside, Sarina (DR25177A), composed by Bill Buysman. It is produced by Life Record (4-003), with permission from the original by Artone Gramophone in Holland. Willy (solo guitar) and His Giants have also recorded covers like, Baby Love, Great Pretender, One Night and High Noon. 

Their selection is different from The Jumping Jewels and they are not as popular in Singapore, but like the Blue Diamonds and Anneke Gronloh, they have certainly made some impact with their Indo/Dutch influence. They are as active as ever and, according to the website, have been doing revivals. Indo-pop is also known as Neder-pop (Netherlands).

*The tune, Terang Boelan [the bright moonlight], is now the National Anthem of Malaysia with different lyrics.

Images from: Willy & His Giants/Ajoen Ajoen Website which is in Dutch.

Information from: Dutch Instro Rockin'/Electric Guitars by Piet Muys.

Original article: Andy Lim Collection.