Stronger Together - National Day Parade Theme Song 2022 [Official Music Video]

Taufik Batisah

National Day Parade 2022 Theme Song - 

Stronger Together [Official Music Video]

UP TO 700 VIEWS B4 NDP

Music and Lyrics by Don Richmond

Performed by Taufik Batisah 

ft. The Island Voices

Directed by Lindsay Jialin

Produced and Arranged by

Bani Hidir and Don Richmond 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IScTJbj_6kc

Singapore Patriotic English Songs:

Count On Me Singapore

Five Stars Arising

It's The Little Things

Moments of Magic

One People, One Nation, One Singapore

Singapore Town

Singapura Sunny Island

Song For Singapore

Stand Up For Singapore

There's No Place I'd Rather Be

We Are Singapore

What Do You See?

Will You

Home...

and many more!

Blog's Special National Day Feature

Through The Years With The Silver Strings & Andy.

PICTORIAL MUSIC GALLERY:

Click connections below:

[1] Debut at Celestial Room Orchard Road 1964

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2009/05/1965-amber-mansion-celestial-room.html

[2] Xmas Showrama at National Theatre 1964

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2009/06/whole-gang-performed-within-night-at.html

[3] Opening Act for: Rolling Stones in Singapore 1965

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2018/03/rolling-stones-celebrate-chap-goh-meh.html

The Silver Strings first line-up [from left]:

Wilfred, Danny Boy, Andy, Audie, David - 1964.

[4] Reliving Singapore in the 1960s - A Newspaper Article by B. Rozario

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2015/01/reliving-singapore-in-60s-by-brigitte.html

[5] Malay Pop Yeh Yeh Group 'The Swallows' with Andy 1964

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2009/04/melayu-pop-yeh-yeh-60an-swallows-with.html

Kugiran Melayu The Swallows dengan Andy 1964

This list will continue with other SG music history

 till National Day 2022. Check it out often.

Kassim Selamat From The Swallows: Meninggal Dunia: A Tribute

The legendary Pop Yeh Yeh Malay singer Kassim Selamat, who was with a very well-known guitar group called The Swallows, passed away peacefully yesterday on May 26th 2019. He replaced the famous singer Ahmad Daud and Kassim Selamat went on to become a household name with The Swallows.

His real name was Kassim bin Rahmat.  He died peacefully at about 3.30 pm in his home in Yishun. He was 84. The songs he recorded with the group during the 60s were Nga Lompak A Go Go, Angkok Angkok Bilis and the superlative, La O Be. Some of the songs were representative of the Baweanese community and they became top-notchers in the Singapore and Malaysian Hit Parade Charts. 

Unknowingly, the group was called, King Creole, after the Elvis Presley movie, before they changed it. Mr. Kassim received a Bawean Jasawan award for his achievement and tribute to the community.

Friends and fans, far and near, send condolences to his family. 

May his soul Rest In Peace. 

Here are a few links about Inche Kassim Selamat and The Swallows:

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2009/04/melayu-pop-yeh-yeh-60an-swallows-with.html

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2012/03/swallows-la-obe-decks-wall-of-8q.html

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2010/08/carlito-meets-kassim-selamat-and-yusnor.html

Images: from Google.

Blog Hits Monthly Record High: Thank You All

Usual monthly record is 14,000 to 15,000 readers a month. This month it's 20,000+ (as of 23rd July 2016).

Popular Postings 

Statistics as on 30th July, 2016

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Thanks to readers, friends, Facebook n Twitter followers. 

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60s Halloween Hantu Heritage: Pontianak Pop Hit

Ahmad Daud - Dendang Pontianak n Swallows. 

YouTube video by VECTORP. Terima kaseh.

 UP TO 4,700 VIEWS N 85 CHATS 

I asked Singaporeans around. If you remember Halloween do you remember the Singapore and Malaysian Pontianak? We even have a pop song about this Hantu-ween creature sung by well-known singer Ahmad Daud from the 60's. Read on.

The spirit:

It is with some trepidation that I write this post. Halloween is around the corner and I wonder if it is wise to write about spiritual beings that could be hovering around us soon since the big day is on October 31st.

'Pontianak' Legend

Most followers who read literature on ghosts and spirits are well aware what Halloween is about and those who live in the Asian region would probably be familiar with a similar theme, the Chinese with their Ghost Month or Seventh Moon Festival and the Malays and Indonesians with the Pontianak legend (from 'bunting-anak' spirits of females who die in pregnancy)  and Hantu Jerangkong stories (tall and gangling ghosts).

The pontianak [boen-ting-anak (literal) give birth to child], is a female vampire ghost in Malaysian and Indonesian myth. Also called Churel among Asian Indians.

The pontianak is said to be the spirit of a woman who died during pregnancy. Some believe that pontianak in folklore could also describe the ghost as originating from a still-born child, arising from the grave.

The city of Pontianak in Indonesia is named after this wicked creature. The ghost would haunt pregnant women, wicked husbands, children and was claimed to have haunted the first sultan who once settled there. The above picture shows one walking around lately in this city.

The Music and Movie:
Since this is a music blog I thought it would be appropriate if I discuss a popular Malay song from the mid 60s. This particular pop yeah yeah composition is relevant to the theme. It is sung by **Ahmad Daud and backed by The Swallows (yes, I sang with them before Ahmad Daud did).



Ahmad Daud with The Swallows

This song comes from the Malay movie, Pusaka Pontianak (1965) directed by Ramon A. Estella and starred Ahmad Mahmud, Saadiah, Aziz Sattar, Ibrahim Pendek, Ahmad Nesfu and Salleh Kamil. These actors and the series of Pontianak movies attracted crowds to the cinemas in the 60's.

Together with Ahmad Daud who sang the lyrics, Malay comedians Ibrahim Pendek (Shorty), Aziz Sattar and Ahmad Nesfu combined talent and lip-synced their way through Dendang Pontianak (Rhythm of the Pontianak) from the EP with similar title.

It has a twist and shake beat with do-wop backing composed by Singaporean composer/musician Kassim Masdor. Apparently this particular Pontianak film did not do well at the box office but I found the lyrics funny indeed.   The song is a humorous dedication to the Pontianak and composed in its honour.  So Horror + Humour = Halloween.

EP Sleeve Cover: Ahmad Daud with Malay comedians.

Silly and childish too but I love the 60's pop appeal of the melody especially when the three actors ham it up on screen with their solid guitars and Shadows-style antics.  

Ibrahim Pendek certainly looks lost surrounded by the drums that are larger than he is.  And with Ahmad Daud doing the vocals it certainly makes the song livelier. This man can whip up any song with his rubber face, gestures and mimicry.  By the way, the introductory bars are familiar (watch You Tube above).



Twist n Shake with Pontianak during Halloween.

The Critics:
One reader Lysha Dato Haji Ali remarked on You Tube, 'To me it's a great song. Who says the Malay do not know how to have fun. In the 60's they did.  These days, geez,  everything is way too complicated.' Another viewer said, 'Ini rockability Melayu untuk Halloween,' while a third surfer yelled, 'Bloody brilliant, best rock and roll Malay song ever recorded.

And I certainly agree. Happy Hantu Halloween everyone.

Meanings of Words:

*Hantu: a Malay word that means Ghosts.
**You can read about Ahmad Daud on the Comment page.

Credit:
Image 1: Shaw Brothers Move Screen Grab.
Images 2, 3: Courtesy of M. Erwin Collection.
Image 4: Andy Lim Collection using GDC (Ghost Detection Camera).

You Tube Video: from lurfiashelas.

Swallows 'La Obe' Decks The Wall Of 8@Q

I didn't believe my eyes when I saw our 60's kugiran (guitar group - above) The Swallows at 8Q Singapore Arts Museum. What? i used to sing with them, and if I remember, only once or twice at the Victoria Theatre, Singapore. They were a great group, with members so co-operative they hit the headlines with their famous song.

I am so glad for them. The Swallows are finally recognised and accepted after 50 years? With lyrics of their composition on the walls of the Museum.

At first I thought Lat the Malaysian artist was dominating the walls of our museum at 8 Queen Street (according to the blurb, 88 steps away from Big SAM - right) but I realised it wasn't his drawings. As I walked up the stairs, on the 3rd floor landing was this giant image of a guitar man singing a song (4th image). 

The lyrics spelt:

Before I was a happy man
But now my heart is sad
Last night you threw me a smile
But why I do not know

I do not know
Why, why my dear
You have changed oh my love
Waiting for you my dear

I felt truly frustrated
I will climb up the mountain 
and come back down to be 
By your side

And I will always remember your face
And the way you move, the way you move...

I could not read the original words which were in Bawean or Boyanese Language (above) but inscribed below was: 'La Obe' by The Swallows. Imagine the surprise. And to have sung with the band once upon a time. Congratulations Swallows. The best pop yeah-yeah group ever! Comment anyone?

Image 1: Erwin Maisch Blog.

Image 2: Singapore Art Museum.

Image 2, 3/original article: Andy Lim Collection.

(This posting is dedicated to Erwin Maisch, Paris, France and Dr. Steven Farram, Darwin University, Australia.)

'The Swallows' Blog From France By M. Erwin

Here it is at last, a blog about The Swallows, Singapore's top Pop Yeh Yeh band from the 60s. It comes all the way from France, written and compiled by good friend M. Erwin.

Thank you Erwin. I hope fans of The Swallows will check out your blog here:

http://kassimslamattheswallows.blogspot.com/

Images: from M. Erwin's blog.

DJ Carlito Meets Swallows' Vocalist Kassim Selamat And Pop Yeh2 Author Yusnor Ef

IMAGE: DJ CARLITO WITH KASSIM SELAMAT (SWALLOWS VOCALIST) ON THE LEFT AND YUSNOR EF (AUTHOR OF P. RAMLEE BOOKS AND COMPOSER OF 60s POP YEH, YEH MUSIC).

(1) DJ Carlito wrote to me on Tuesday, December 8, 2009, 2:47pm:"Hello Andy, I hope you are doing well... You may recall I emailed you a while back regarding my search for licensing of old Malaysian Pop Yeh Yeh music for a small CD release here in the USA (1000 copies). Thanks to you, Mr Yusnor Ef replied to me once, but said he was busy on a TV show and never responded after that. I know he is a very busy, and well respected man, so I don't want to be a nuisance."

(2) Another note came from Carlito on Wednesday, April 7, 2010, 10:47am:"Hi Andy, Ive set the date for my trip to Singapore and KL... I'll be there hopefully in the second week of July, 2010... I hope to meet up with several people... Mr Yusnor Ef would be on the top of my list. I would also love to meet you and hear about your music research."

(3) After much hard work and his research trip to Singapore and Malaysia DJ Carlito has this to say on his blog:

"Thanks again to Cikgu Yusnor Ef and Encik Zam Zam for helping arrange this meeting with the legendary Kassim Selamat. It was great to see Encik Yusnor Ef and Zam Zam again, and really inspiring to meet yet another one of my all time favorite Pop Yeh Yeh artists - Kassim Selamat.

Actually, my friend Yuana drove Encik Yusnor Ef and Encik Kassim Selamat back home that evening, and we listened to the Swallows greatest hits CD the whole way back. I sat in the back seat next to him and he sang every song; he even elbowed me a few times in the ribs during the freak out guitar solos. This is where I got a little teary eyed, a memory that I will never forget...

I hope to go back again to spend more time with Encik Kassim Selamat (Rahmat is his real last name - Selamat is his stage name - taken from a P Ramlee film character) and with Cikgu Yusnor Ef."

(4) Andy writes:

Well DJ, although we never met during your trip to Singapore, I am glad you contacted Kassim Selamat and Yusnor Ef. I didn't help much but managed to connect you to Yusnor via e-mail. Because of your passion and interest in the subject you have achieved your goal. Congratulations!

Exploitation:

As an aside, I hope these 60s pop artistes will not be exploited for their music. According to a friend, they are our national treasure! I am also wondering why some of our Singapore music research students have never thought of writing about them? Strange indeed. Perhaps some readers out there may have an answer.

Article: Andy Lim.

Carl Hamm: "Please do not download the image from this posting."
Image/article based on: http://menarigogo.blogspot.com/

Carlito's Blog: http://turquoisekid.blogspot.com/

DJ Carlito: Location: Richmond, Virginia, United States of America.

Malay Arts Festival - May Day 2009 11am (Free)

The Malay Heritage Centre will be the venue for a Malay Arts Festival from May Day at 11am. Admission is free.

P. Ramlee's classic film, "Pendekar Bujang Lapok" will be screened too. Yusnor Ef, the expert on P. Ramlee, will be holding a talk on May Day at 11am.

The Swallows (image, vinyl cover of La-A-Obe) will not be present but another kugiran will.

Melayu Pop Yeh Yeh 60an Swallows with Andy

  UP TO 8,000 VIEWS  

28 CHATS, COMMENTS

Most Successful Malay Guitar Group:

The SWALLOWS first line-up with ANDY YOUNG (standing, 2nd left) and their manager (bow tie) at the Victoria Theatre in 1964. The Swallows is one of the first and most successful *Kugiran Melayu Pop Yeh Yeh in the 60s. It was only after the success of this group that other Malay guitar groups followed.

*Kumpulan Gitar Ranchak Melayu [Malay Group of Energetic/Active Guitars).

Similar Management:

The particular photograph above shows The Swallows first line-up in one of their very first appearances. It was taken backstage with Andy since he sang with both the group and The Velvetones who were also under similar management.

Respected Gentlemen:

Andy was supposed to have fronted them and had performed once at the Victoria Memorial Hall in Singapore. He enjoyed being with them during the show. Personally, these boys were clean cut, exceptionally well-mannered and respected gentlemen both on and off the stage. Andy remarked that they were unassuming, fantastic guitarists and incomparable! No wonder they remained at the top after all those years.

Songs In English:

They were an exceptional team and received thunderous applause when the group was announced before they performed. Andy shared his magic moment during the occasion he appeared with this group. He sang two songs in English and was pleased with the accompaniment, which according to him, was perfect and gave him much confidence since it was the first time they were together.

Songs In Bawean:

They have cut many records since and were on the scene for many years. Kassim Selamat has one of the most popular Bawean hit ever, "La Aube" (La-O-Be), a classic today. Another hit is "Nga Lompak A-Go-Go". My favourite? "Mak Itti Mai Illa." Some of their records have been found to be on sale in certain parts of Europe.

Getting In Touch:

Andy has been trying to get in touch with some band members of the group and has not been successful. If you happen to be in contact with any one of them, please write in.

Andy has since contacted 3 members of the Swallows through Erwin Maisch - October 2010.

Senandong Malam - by The Swallows - one of their instrumental hits. A fantastic group indeed. YouTube video from hassny hussin. Thank you.

Image: Andy Lim Collection (All Rights Reserved).

Edited original article.

Video - hassny hussin.

Pop Yeh Yeh 60an - Swallows Kassim Selamat

The Swallows were well known too for Malay popular music in the 60s and have recorded EPs (vinyl) since. Below is an article written in Malay from: Meet UncleJ (Oc.21, 2007). It explains the popularity of 'La Aube' a Swallows favourite from 1965 to '71. Sung by Kassim Selamat, it even featured on German radio and was in the top pop charts in the country. It is unique that a Boyanese song becomes internationally accepted.

“La Aube” dari band The Swallows ni memang antara lagu paling meletup di era pop yeh-yeh dulu – antara tahun 1965-1971. Dulu muzik dan fesyen di era pop yeh-yeh banyak dipengaruhi oleh band dari British seperti The Beatles dan band rock and roll yang lain. Sebenarnya, term “pop yeh-yeh” pun diambil dari baris lagu popular The Beatles, “She Loves You” (“She loves you, yeah-yeah-yeah”.)

Lagu “La Aube” dari The Swallows dengan vokalisnya Kassim Selamat telah dimainkan di radio Jerman dan telah memasuki top chart di radio sana. Hebat jugah lagu boyan nih, dulu lagi dah meneroka pasaran luar negara… kalah Mawi! Mungkin dialek boyan tu lebih kurang sama dengan bahasa Jerman kot…ekeke.

Google English Translation:

"La Aube" from the band The Swallows is indeed one of the most explosive songs in the yeh-yeh pop era - between 1965-1971. In the past, music and fashion in the yeh-yeh pop era was heavily influenced by British bands such as The Beatles and other rock and roll bands. Actually, the term "pop yeh-yeh" was taken from the line of The Beatles' popular song, "She Loves You" ("She loves you, yeah-yeah-yeah".)

The song "La Aube" by The Swallows with vocalist Kassim Selamat has been played on German radio and has entered the top radio charts there. This boyan song is great, I've already explored overseas markets... Mawi lost! Maybe the Boyan dialect is more or less the same as the German language...ekeke.

Information: http://unclej8.wordpress.com/2007/10/31/la-aube-pop-yeh-yeh/