The Corona And A Rainbow In Singapore: Latest News & Symbol Of Hope

Photographs are not enhanced and taken by JL2 during a heavy drizzle.

I was driving on the usual hilly and winding lane. There was heavy drizzle and  going home with my young lady beside me. It was about six this evening (11 Feb. 2020). Ho hum.

Then the usually chatty lady shouted excitedly, "Look gramps!  A rainbow, a rainbow!"  I looked to my left. Sure enough there was this beautiful and colourful arch in the sky in front of us.

"Take a picture!" she shouted, "Quick gimme your phone!" And the bright-eyed lady was saying something like, "Oh the two ends disappear near the bungalows!"

I stopped the car in front of the rusty gate and started to wind down the window, quickly took a few pictures as the rain poured and nearly drenched her.

Raindrops on the window pane declares the rain, adding, I made the rainbow too.

"Make a wish, make a wish!" I told her and we both made our wishes very loudly. Oh how we wished! 

Secret! No telling.

When her turn came to take pictures, she wound up the window and snapped away as any expert iPhone photographer would. And she remarked, "My pictures with the raindrops on the window glass look nicer..." 

Never in my life, even at this age, have I seen a rainbow of this stature and colour. First time ever. 

And for the young lady too. 

But then she's only eleven.

Without filters and things, the pictures are not up to expectations but at least we took the shots. Any experts out there to help, just let me know?

We both thought of the song the family knew. Yes, Russ Hamilton's, Rainbow.
So folks, at this time with the corona thingy, let's all look for that beautiful bridge because it symbolizes hope.  More rainbows will come and the world will get well soon.

It's still raining heavily outside now...

Rainbow by Russ Hamilton. YouTube Video by: RockFur2. Thank you.

This posting is dedicated to:

1) the young lady who made other drivers and motor-cyclists stop to take        pictures too and

2) Dr. Lee Yan San from Penang, Malaysia who was a close friend of the late    Russ Hamilton.

Mother's Day: My Mother's Eyes 世上只有媽媽好

Songs I Love:

One of the most pleasant songs about mothers is My Mother's Eyes by Abel Baer and L. Wolfe Gilbert. It is from a film, Lucky Boy, screened in 1929. The lyrics are easy to remember with its rhyming couplet:

One bright and guiding light, 
That taught me wrong from right
I found in my mother's eyes

Those baby tales she told
That road all paved with gold
I found in my mother's eyes

Then the form changes with the chorus:

My Mother's Eyes by Russ Hamilton. YouTube Video by Li-Moh Chuah. Thank you.

Chorus:
Just like a wandering sparrow, 
One lonely soul, 
I walk the straight and narrow, 
To reach my goal.

God's gift sent from above, 
A real unselfish love, 
I found in my mother's eyes.  

Depending on who is carrying the song, the vocabulary varies a little. The present lyrics was Russ Hamilton's recording, ingrained a long time ago. There's also an introductory verse to the song, somehow not used by many singers, and it goes like this:

Back in childhood days, 
I can remember loving caresses showered on me. 
Mother's eyes would gaze at me so tender, 
What was their meaning? 
Now I can see.

Don't forget to check out the jazz clip below by Kenny Ball.  Exactly halfway through his Jazzmen take over and you won't believe it could be the same lullaby. You just wanna swing with them!

Singers and Instrumentalists who recorded, My Mother's Eyes:

The first lot includes Frankie Valli, Tom Jones, Russ Hamilton, George Jessel, Ella Fitzgerald, The Mills Brothers, Etta Jones, Tab Smith, Kenny Ball and His Jazzmen, Lonnie Johnson, Kevin Coyne, Nellie Lutcher, Sydney Devine and David Newton.

It is a simple tune and should be taught to the children. Tom Jones puts more soul in his voice and gives the song a new life. It's a personal choice. 

There's also Nancy Sinatra, Roland Stone, Christine Tyrrell, Karl Denver, Linda Hopkins, The Royal Teens and many others.

Folks, what gives. Does this one bring back memories? It was played everywhere in Singapore 60's.  Yes, but mostly the Russ Hamilton pressing. Come on give us your take on this lullaby.  Or is it a lullaby?  

This posting is for all mums. A Happy Mother's Day!

My Mother's Eyes by Kenny Ball and His Jazzmen. YouTube Video by

Images: Google. 

Penang Doc Lee Congratulates C/W Star Bobby Bare

*Postcard from Doc Lee

Medical doctor Lee Yan San, my blogger friend from Penang, Malaysia, has some good personal friends in the international pop music industry. One of them was the late Russ Hamilton -  Oh Yes, We Will Make Love - who was featured earlier on the blog.

Another good friend of Yan San is Bobby Bare, who together with Kenny Rogers and the late Cowboy Jack Clement were officially inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame during a Sunday evening on October 27, 2013 medallion ceremony in Nashville, Tennessee.

**Bare migrated to Los Angeles where he first tasted fame in 1958 when The All American Boy, a song he had co-written became a No. 2 pop hit.  Chet Atkins signed him to RCA Records in 1962, giving him a string of hits that included Detroit City, 500 Miles Away From Home, Miller's Cave, Four Strong Winds, The Streets of Baltimore and Margie's at the Lincoln Park Inn.

Bare was instrumental in establishing the Nashville careers of Waylon Jennings, Billy Joe Shaver and Shel Silverstein (edited).

                      Lee Yan San on You Tube singing Bobby Bare's The Giving Tree

In a sincere comment about Bare, Yan San concluded that,  “It is a near impossible job choosing my best Bobby Bare album as practically each album when released turned out to be my favourite after some play and I practically worn out playing most of my Bobby Bare LPs!”

Yan San and Russ Hamilton

You can read about Bobby Bare and Russ Hamilton by clicking Labels below:

*Bobby Bare inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Congratulations! Postcard designed by YS's daughter Hai Lin and sent to Bobby Bare.  

**. http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1716332/kenny-rogers-bobby-bare-jack-clement-inducted-into-country-music-hall-of-fame.jhtml

Lee YS Blog: http://lee-ys.blogspot.sg/
Images and You Tube from Lee YS.

First Liverpool Artiste With US Hit Before Beatles

The interview with Russ Hamilton by Dr Lee Yan San was in 1999:
"Russ was the first Liverpool artist to have a big hit in the US before the Beatles. His song Rainbow reached number 3 in the US chart. He also had a big hit We Will Make Love in UK and Asia and was very popular in Malaysia, Singapore and other parts of Asia.
RTM Radio 4:
He was my favourite singer especially during my high school days and I have all his records. His music is still being sought after in Malaysia. On my own initiative, I did the interview with him for RTM Radio 4's very popular regular Sunday night programme produced by a very well known D.J. Reezal who introduced me to his listeners. Russ Hamilton became a close friend of mine and had since passed on. This is a tribute to my friend." Watch the videos on right bar>

.
Article and image from: You Tube.
Original article by Lee Yan San who hails from Penang, Malaysia.
You can read about them by clicking on Labels below:

Dr Lee's Rendition of Silverstein's 'The Giving Tree'

To all the children on Children's Day:
So you think only Singapore seniors are active? Think again. My friend Dato Dr. Lee Yan San (image 2 left) who hails from Penang is not only a good medical doctor but a great singer as well.

He has a family that backs him musically during his singing stints at home, on stage and in the recording studios. He has provided me with a few CDs and I have encouraged him to put his songs on You Tube.

Recently Yan San took a popular story/song from one of Shel Silverstein's (image 3) vast collection, recorded it with his music group and posted it on You Tube. It's called, The Giving Tree (image 1) and made popular by Bobby Bare in the 60s.

It tells a touching tale of a tree so giving with a boy that not only does it provide the child with a shade but allows itself to be cut down and be made into a boat. The song ends with the tree, now a stump. And the child? You must listen to the song to appreciate what the lyrics suggest. Actually the song reminds me of Elvis Presley's, Old Shep, with a slightly different theme of course. The Giving Tree is posted on the right bar.

Shel Silverstein was an American poet, singer, songwriter, composer, screenwriter, cartoonist and author of children's books. His books have sold over 20 million copies and translated into 20 languages (Wikipedia).

On a less serious tone here's another dose from one of Silverstein's books, Falling Up. It is called, Danny O'Dare:

"He did a dance called the Funky Chicken,/ He did the Polka, he did the Twist,/ He bent himself into a pretzel like this./ He did the Dog and the Jitterbug,/ He did the Jerk and the Bunny Hug./ He did the Waltz and the Boogaloo,/ He did the Hokey Pokey too. It's easy to see... Danny O'Dare wants to dance with me." You'll be surprised to find out who Danny is!

[About image 2: Yan San also has a knack for making friends. He met We Will Make Love 60s British megastar Russ Hamilton several years ago and they became great buddies. Russ had since passed on.]

1. If you like to read more about Russ Hamilton and Yan San check him out by clicking Labels below.

2. If you like to read Silverstein's books go to the bookshops or libraries. Tons of them around. Get Falling Up and Where The Sidewalk Ends. Read them to your children or grandchildren on Children's Day.

Images: 1) from You Tube, 2) from YS Lee Collection, 3) Google Images.

SINGAPORE CHILDREN'S DAY: FRIDAY OCTOBER 7th, 2011.

George Shearing: Jazz Piano Legend: 1919-2011

SONGS I LOVE:

Gone! One of the greatest musicians, truly. I often listened to him in the 50s on the family radio and was the first time I heard Lullaby Of Birdland. The radio announcer (we call them DJs now) would always say, "Ladies and gentlemen, here's the George Shearing Quintet with, Lullaby Of Birdland." It could be from the BBC? Can't remember.

PARKER, ARMSTRONG, ELLINGTON:

It was one of the first few jazz standards I was introduced to, composed by Shearing himself in 1952. I later found out that the title referred to Charlie 'Bird' Parker, another jazz great who was together with Louis Armstrong and 'Duke' Ellington.

COLE, LEE, TORME:

Britisher Sir George Shearing, who was blind, was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II lately. He was one of the best jazz pianist and concert performer having recorded over 300 songs. Legends who had appeared and recorded with him would include Nat King Cole (image), Miss Peggy Lee and Mel Torme.

UNIQUE SHEARING SOUND:

As a teenager he received only 3 years of formal training at a school for the blind. He was a natural and his musical education came from listening to Earl Hines, Fats Waller, Art Tatum and Teddy Wilson. He developed the special 'Shearing sound' characterised by the distinctive sound of the Glen Miller big band.

SEPTEMBER IN THE RAIN:

Also recorded by Shearing, Russ Hamilton and so many others, September In The Rain (1937), is another personal favourite. His repertoire of songs would definitely have been played in the dance cabarets of the Great World, Happy (Gay) World and New World amusement parks in Singapore in the late 50s and 60s in Singapore.

Images: Google Search.

Original Article (Website/Newspaper Information): Andy Lim

Medical Doctor Lee YS, Pop Singer From Penang

UP TO 1,000 VIEWS

DR LEE Y. S. HAILS FROM PENANG, MALAYSIA:

Dr Lee Yan San commented about his friend Russ Hamilton - 60s UK pop singer who made it big with, We Will Make Love - when he visited this blog and saw the postings. I replied to thank him and we kept in touch via email. When I requested for Yan San's home recordings, he was kind enough to send me two CDs: (1) Russ Hamilton songs and (2), his own (above image) entitled, For Baby. Below are extracts of his note, sent on March 22nd, 2010. Dr. Lee explains why and how he made the compilation:

A Serious President?

"I also include the 'commercially' made CD for you since your interest in songs seems to be rather similar to mine. I made the CD (after my term as President of our Malaysian Medical Association) to give to friends since those who do not know me well thought me to be a very serious person (which I need to be when carrying out my duties), so I thought I would give them a taste of my lighter and fun side.

Roland Workstation Mixer:

My daughter is very musical and helps me with the backing vocals and the strings which I have to record over 3-4 tracks with my Roland workstation mixer to make it sound like an orchestral backing. My lead guitarist and good friend, Frank Rozells, who is presently working in New Delhi came to visit me recently and we had a jam session in my house. I enclose our latest effort for you.

Violin and Guitar Sounds:

As usual my daughter puts in her violin music to enrich the sound. I also enclose a duet I did with my friend, so that you can hear him perform too. He is very good and also an excellent guitarist. He is doing very well in India but used to play in hotels in Penang, Malaysia."

The Vocalists and Instrumentalists:

The instrumental group that helped Dr. Lee (vocals/harmonica) with his home jam sessions are: Francis Anthony Rozells (lead guitar/harmony), Dr. Lee Hai Leong (bass guitar), Suedy Suwendy (harmony), Lee Hai Lin (violin/vocals), Clifford Cheam (rhythm guitar), John Lim (steel guitar), Michael Kay (keyboard), Lee Hai Choo (keyboard), Wayne, Noel and Rachel (music mixers).

CD Statistics and Songs Recorded:

The CD was recorded between 1985 - 1997 and re-compiled in May 1999. Songs are: Lonely Christmas, Leavin's Not The Only Way To Go, Sadie, The Cleaning Lady, I'll Never Find Another You, Nowhere Man, It's Alright, Filks On The Road, I Did What I Did For Maria, Rhythm Of The Rain, Exclusively Yours, Paloma Blanca, Mr Tambourine Man, Lodi, No Secrets, Standing At The End Of The Line, Mission Bell, Lay Back In The Arms Of Someone, For Baby And I'm Sorry.

Trivia:

Any Singapore medical doctors who are 60's pop singers too?

I know one Member of Parliament who has an active guitar group. Do you know who this person is?

You can read more about Lee Yan San if you click the connections below:

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2013/11/penang-doc-lee-congratulates-country.html

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2011/10/dr-lees-version-of-silversteins-giving.html

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2010/03/from-dr-lee-malaysia-about-russ.html

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2010/03/note-about-russ-hamilton-in-passing.html

Interesting reading above. Check them out.

(9) From Dr. Lee, Penang With Russ Hamilton - The Malaysian, UK, Sing60s Music Connection

A note about Russ Hamilton from Dr. Lee Yan San, Medical Practitioner, Penang, Malaysia.

Dr. Lee said...
"Thanks for your nice tribute to Russ Hamilton. Russ is an exceptionally great and friendly gentleman. I am so glad to have met him (image: Russ Hamilton, sister, Dr Lee, family) and done a long interview with him for our Malaysian radio station few years back. We became close friends.

I was so sad when his twin sister contacted me to let me know that Russ had passed away.

He once told me that We Will Make Love was his most successful song and of the songs he wrote, he loved Little One most... a lullaby he wrote for his niece in Canada. He said he wrote and sang Reprieve of Tom Dooley after meeting his friend Lonni Donegan at the studio when he was recording the hit Tom Dooley.

He had also given me his unreleased songs which are now a real treasure to me. I have collected all his released songs and made into a CD to keep. I contributed to his biography at Wikipedia some time ago."

March 3, 2010 4:14 PM

Thank you, Dr. Lee for writing. I must say that Russ Hamilton and his songs will always be with us as we remember 60s music. He's one of the greatest singers really. It would be wonderful to have a copy of his CD with the unreleased songs as a souvenir.

Regards,

Andy Lim

(You can access Dr. Lee's blog by clicking on his name above.)

To Andy Singapore 60s Music: A Note About Russ Hamilton In Passing - From The Original Chevelles, The Echoes, UK.

This comment about Russ Hamilton appeared on my posting:

"Just a note about Russ Hamilton aka Ronald Hulme. He was a good friend to myself and my band and he helped us get into the business.

We were supposed to see Russ last year in November but his nephew called us in October and told us about his passing.

He was a great friend, a mentor and an all around nice guy. He is truly missed but never forgotten, whenever we perform we always do Rainbow and dedicate it to Russ." 

Sincerely,

The Original Chevelles, 

The Echoes. 

Saturday, May 09, 2009. 

British 60s Pop Influence With Russ Hamilton 

(Original Posting)

Thank you for writing. I must apologise for not reading nor replying to your note when you sent it. 

Regards,

Andy 

March 3rd, 2010.

British 60s Pop Influence With Russ Hamilton

R19 January 1932 - 11 October 2018.

Russ Hamilton was a superstar in Singapore 60s. His songs were so dear to the hearts of many Singaporeans that his records sold out within days.

In the UK, it was "We Will Make Love" that caught record buyers attention, whereas, in the USA, it was the flip, "Rainbow". Imagine a single reaching the top 10 in the UK while its other side made waves across the waters. "Rainbow" reached Number 4 in the US**.

He received his Golden Disc for a million copies sold, very soon after its release on Friday, October 4th, 1957. In Singapore, many of the songs he released reached the Hit Parade Charts and "WWML" stayed on for some time.

Russ Hamilton composed his own songs, and one was written for his girl. "Wedding Ring" managed the top 20 but was "insufficient to consolidate his position as a major pop star."

An album of Russ Hamilton's songs that most fans would own. He was very popular.

His fortunes with his hit songs faded after a while and were not on the airwaves in recent years. Apparently not only were the songs "unfashionable in style, but the meaning of the lyrics had suffered from the changes in word usage."

Singapore youths today may find his songs 'mushy'. Seniors though are still playing the beautiful ballads with the lilt, soft and quiet that only Russ Hamilton could deliver. All his songs are classics now, all. Some of them are, "*My Mother's Eyes," "I Had A Dream", "*Little One" and "I Still Belong To You". Russ Hamilton was backed by Johnny Gregory and His Orchestra. Golden oldies for that relaxing evening. 

(When my grandson Joshua was only 2 years old, he recognized many nursery rhymes that I used to sing before his afternoon naps. But he knows his pop songs better and learned "Little One" before others. Meaningful lyrics and soothing music make this one of the best songs for little children. Try it out because Joshua is asleep within 10 minutes.)

Dr. Lee Yan San was a close friend of Russ Hamilton, having visited his home in Penang and meeting Dr. Lee's family.

Dr. Lee Yan San, (image above) who hails from Penang and who used to write to me about his love for pop music, was a close friend of Russ Hamilton. There are other articles of them on this blog. 

* Children songs.

**Cliff Richard never achieved this kind of hit status in the United States. In 1960, he toured with The Shadows in the U.S. and were well-received; however, lackluster support and distribution from the record company proved costly, and the chance was lost.

(Extracts from 45rpm.org.uk, Wikipedia and Oriole Record cover EP - 7005 literature/image.)