Tribute To Billy Yap: Sings Like Perry Como & Tony Bennett

Good friend, Billy Yap passed away on the 31st December 2018.

Below is a tribute and a poem by Lim Kuan Min, former school principal. 

Billy was a lover of jazz standards and sings them just as well.

Billy Yap: Singapore's Answer To Tony Bennett
Written on September 9th in 2013

A few years ago I went with a friend to a recording studio where he recorded some popular standards like Strangers in the Night, Too Young, It's Impossible to name a few (check below image for list).  

There was no trial run before his recording, no notes he found too high and no mistakes made in his lyrics. His rendition of the songs he selected was perfectly pitched, clearly defined and peppered with the touch and feel of a professional.

Billy Yap who is 82 this year (2013), sings like Tony Bennett with a voice so smooth ladies swoon when he sings at house parties, wedding dinners, and karaoke sessions.  To me, Billy Yap is Singapore's, Tony Bennett. 

"I need no big band accompaniment," he says proudly, "Just give me a good pianist who can feel my song. The other alternative is a quality, karaoke backing..."

Perry Como And I Love You So 

A retired teacher, table-tennis super league player and great-grandfather Billy says he practices during Karaoke sessions with friends and family. He has been singing for the past 70s years and his musical ability stems from his mother who used to play the piano and sing after the family dinner. 

Billy sings everywhere; in the house, in the car and during our kopi sessions at Thompson Plaza. He tells me he even sings in the bathroom and before he goes to bed. During a group journey overseas, Billy sang using the microphone on the tourist bus. It was a trip heading to Beijing, China.  Most of the tourists in the bus loved Chinese pops so when he sang, I left my heart in San Francisco, I thought he would be in deep trouble. Instead, the 35-strong group cheered and asked for more.  

When I asked Billy what he thought of today's pop scene he remarked, "Singers do not sing the evergreens like they should be sung.  Nowadays current singers interpret the composition in their own way and it becomes a totally new song. It's a personal opinion." Well, Billy, I have heard his duets with some of today's pop stars.  They sound great actually.

He attended the Andy and Silver Strings Concert at the Esplanade in 2009 with Kuan Min. It would have been a privilege to invite him on stage but Billy was most comfortable with karaoke or just a piano to accompany him.

He only printed about 10 copies of his CDs that come with the package. He has given them away except the one for himself. We cannot afford Tony Bennett to sing at our home parties but Billy is available if you need someone to croon evergreens. No charge actually. Just drive him to the venue and back. He would love to sing for you.

"Strangers in the night, Exchanging trousers, Love at first sight, What are the chances?" One of Billy's jokes!

BILLY
(written when Billy was ill in hospital)

by: Lim Kuan Min

Not a cheery morn for me,

When I learned
Billy again warded.
Now in mid 80s
Lost his usual vigour
And humour,
A hand in perpetual tremor.
Can't recognise me
Oftentimes when I call.
Our friendship
Born in the '70s
When I was 20s
And Billy 30s
A decade plus separating.
Both Aries we click
Like an older bruh to me, he is.
A charmer with dimpled smile
That must have won the hearts
Of fair ladies aplenty with his wit
Humour, gentlemanliness.
Always a kind soul
With a generous spirit,
But an easy target for cheats,
He sees only goodness in people

Billy Yap with Lim Kuan Min and Stephen Han in front at the Esplanade Concert in 2009

Together with SS Andy
We travelled and bonded
Through Land of Smiles
Land of Dragons.
Once, he zoomed in from Melbourne,
Met us at Changi,
Without skipping a beat,
Off we winged to Beijing.
Wife lost thru illness,
Fire ravaged his home,
Billy survives loneliness
Material loss stoically

With warmth of family, friends, laughter.
Sings like Perry Como

Even recorded an album*,
A treasured gift in my possession.
Time flies, our friendship lasts
Into our twilight moment,
Meeting, bantering, reminiscing
Of times spent in bygone days
About people, places, happenings.
Moved into a 3-roomer
His pure white Samoyed by his side,

Billy often seen at Bishan Park strolling.

Health failing, more and more

In solitude, he seeks solace.
Meetings less frequent
As aging cruelly saps his vigour
And Vitality.
Billy,
With heavy heart I pray that Heaven is kind
Whatever your illness.
Hopefully, waiting the day of your Homecoming.
🙏

Images: Google and Andy Lim Collection.

Pay $200 To Watch Tom Jones Live In Singapore?

Disclaimer:

The experience written is a personal one of a friend who attended the show and is not sponsored by any commercial enterprise, advertising company, event or media agency. The above picture is used for this posting only. Any objection, do

write in on Comment page for immediate deletion.

Below is a direct SMS transcript and fillers from good friend LK Min. He took the time to message me immediately after the show about the Tom Jones Show in Singapore on 31st March, 2016.

Thanks Min for your contribution and glad you enjoyed the performance.

I received the ticket image on Thursday evening before midnight and three minutes later good friend Min came bursting through my What'sApp screaming, "Just came home after watching TJ." 

He continued, "He is still very good at his age. Solid two hours with no intermission."

When I asked him if he loved the performance his reply was, "Thoroughly enjoyed the evening. Worth the ticket!" It was a premier ticket and Min paid more than $200 for a seat. And with a friend to accompany him that was an exorbitant $400 for the performance.

"Wow that's expensive," I replied. "I can just watch him on You Tube and big screen at home for free."

I wanted photos and his reply came, "My friend took one or two shots," adding, "if Jones comes around again next year, still worth to catch him."  Min then asked if I fancied Jones and explained that he would have taken more pictures if he had not forgotten to bring his hand-phone.

I replied, "I prefer Engelbert Humperdinck. Jones' wild animal ways are more for the ladies."

"Did our Singapore ladies throw panties?" I added in jest, knowing very well this act of innocence would never happen in Singapore, not even in 2016.

"No, he was gentlemanly and even sang *one or two songs in tribute to Elvis. He sang a couple of gospels too. Came across as rather saintly... big contrast to his younger days of wildness and sexiness."

I wanted a description of the audience and band in the 5,050 seat theatre at the Star Performing Arts Centre.  His reply came fast and explained that he was seated,  "Six or seven away from the front. It was quite near the stage for that price. Jones sang the favourites like, Sex Bomb, Green Green Grass of Home, Never Fall In Love Again, Kiss, Delilah, It's Not Unusual and others."

According to Min, there were, "No dancing girls nor chorus. Just him alone belting out all the songs for two hours. He must have taken some fantastic Ginseng if not Viagra!"

The band section composed of, "Trombone, organ, a couple of solid guitars, a tuba and the usual drums. The hall was almost filled."

I told him Mr Jones failed Singapore fans the last time he was here. He had an unlucky bout of laryngitis before his appearance. According to a friend who attended the show, Jones sang only one song on stage and disappeared afterwards without any apology. 

                               *Tom Jones sings, Elvis Presley Blues.

S$212 for 2 hours of Tom Jones. That's $212  divided by 120 minutes. At S$1.76 per minute that's a reasoanble deal to watch a man who came from the 1960's in a time machine, all the way from Wales.

It's not unusual to be loved by anyone
It's not unusual to have fun with anyone...

1) Would you pay S$200? 
2) Do listen to the video above and if you have an opinion of Elvis Presley Blues, please write in.

                                  Tom Jones with Elvis Presley.
Extra Notes:
Tom Jones was knighted by QEII in 2006 and received numerous other awards for his music achievements. In February 2015, he received an invitation to perform at the 25th Anniversary of MusiCares Person Of The Year tribute honouring Bob Dylan, alongside Bruce Springsteen, Jeff Beck, Jack White, Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson and others. 

Sir Tom is a living legend, one of few musical artistes whose profession began at the dawn of pop music and who continues to record and perform to this day.

*Time (The Revelator) is an album by Gillian Welch written together with David Rawlings and recorded in Nashville, Tennessee. Elvis Presley Blues sung by Tom Jones is one of the tracks in this music album. The song is also included in his own album Long Lost Suitcase with 12 others of his own.

             The Star Performing Arts Theatre @ Vista Green Singapore

Concert Information: LK Min.
TJ Information: Star Theatre Website
Images: A Private Collection; arch daily; Google.
Video: You Tube from Tom Jones VEVO; Mars Attack: Mr Frollo.

Tom Jones in Mars Attack: It's Not Unusual

Tony Still Has That Old Black Magic! Part Two Bennett Singapore 2013 Show Review

Tony Bennett had passed away in New York, on 21st July 2023. 

RIP Mr. Bennett. He was in Singapore about 10 years ago today. He's really got rhythm! [22.07.23]

Without fanfare, Tony Bennett came on stage and stood with his jazz quartet rather than in front of them. He had been introduced by his daughter Antonia who had kick-started the evening with her lot of songs that included Embraceable You and five other tunes.

Image: RunningIntoTheSun

Under the quietly dimmed, blue lights Bennett wooed his audience with his raspy voice and friendly disposition. There were no pyrotechnics, flashing lights, huge screen backdrops or half-dressed sizzling ladies dancing around a wrecking ball.

Bennett gave his all that night. Although I cannot recall some of his songs at the concert I remember most of them, Watch What Happens, They All Laughed, Maybe This Time,  Just In Time, One For My Baby, and my own jazz anthem, I Got Rhythm.

His banter on stage was lively and connected lyrics from "old songs" (his description) like, Who cares  to current situations:

Let it rain and thunder,
Let a million firms go under.
I am not concerned with
Stocks and bonds that I've been burned with!*

Without much ado and hardly a sip of  water he continued with, Boulevard of Broken Dreams, For Once In My Life, That Old Black Magic and The Good Life for good friend Lady Gaga.

It was loud and clear when Bennett introduced his band, "drummer Harold Jones was Count Basie's best" and double-bass player is "Marshall Wood" but because my wife and I sat some distance behind we couldn't hear the names of the pianist and guitarist.

Checking the websites I found out that they could be Lee Musiker and Gray Sargent respectively but I am not sure.  As a quartet these gentlemen were incomparable and when each gave his solo performance or accompanying Bennett singly they were masters with their artistry and skill. 

Images taken at Star Performing Arts Centre Singapore, 11th September, 2013.

He embraced the audience with his classics while they clapped the evening on. The Way You Look Tonight, The Shadow Of Your Smile and his signature tune, the magnum opus by Cory and Cross from 1953,  I Left My Heart In San Francisco seemed like new compositions when the maestro interpreted these evergreens.

He did a special duet with Antonia who came back on stage as both sang, Old Friends.  In between melodies Bennett said that once he received a letter from Switzerland where the writer thanked him for resurrecting a song. He was surprised when the signature was Charlie Chaplin's who composed,  Smile.  Following the theme he sang, When You're Smiling.

Near the end of the concert Bennett remarked,  "We travel all over... but we're so impressed with Singapore. Usually we can't wait to go to the next town after a show but here... we wish we could stay for a week." 

Bennett's grand finale came as a surprise when he sang, Fly Me To The Moon without the microphone but although we were three quarters hall away we could hear him bright and without strain. Talk of voice power and his age. Are you listening Stan Lee?

The fantastically enthusiastic crowd wanted more and the band waited in anticipation but he left the stage to a standing ovation. 

That old black magic has me in it's spell
That old black magic that you weave so well
I hear your name and I'm aflame...**

Read Part 1 below. Click connection:

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2013/09/singapores-tony-bennett-crooner-billy.html

Images from: Running Into The Sun feature Antonia and Tony Bennett @ Star Performing Arts Theatre on 11.09.2013. Copyrights Reserved.

*Song: Who Cares? by George Gershwin, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, written for 1931 musical Of  Thee I Sing.

**Song: That Old Black Magic. Music written by Harold Arlen, lyrics by Johnny Mercer.

Original Review by Andy Lim.

Tony Bennett Sings A Medley of Songs. 

YouTube Video: TODAYonline: 

Star Theatre, Singapore,

September 11th, 2013.

Tony Sings: "I Left My Heart In Singapura." Part One Bennett Live In Singapore

Tony Bennett had passed away in New York, on 21st July 2023. 

RIP Mr. Bennett. He's really got rhythm.

Eighty seven years young Tony Bennett and his daughter Antonia sings in Singapore.  It's a rare treat especially for those who love top tunes from the 40s and 50s.  Bennett is still a name to be reckoned with since he keeps himself current by singing duet with today's stars like Carrie Underwood, Norah Jones, Lady Gaga and even the late Amy Winehouse.

 

Theatre @ One North seats 5,000 plus.

There are others like Josh Groban, Michael Buble, Faith Hill and Queen Latifah where he shares his microphone. Songs like I Left My Heart in San Francisco,  Lady Is A Tramp, Blue Velvet, Sunny Side of the Street and Stranger in Paradise will sound fresh like the breeze from the Star Performing Arts Centre where Bennett will be singing.

Read Part Two about Tony Bennett. Click below:

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2013/09/singapores-tony-bennett-crooner-billy.html

The Star Performing Arts Centre is less than a year old.

Bennett's songs remind me of young Singapore where spaces and places were more serene and subdued, when movies were either in black or white and people go to the National Theatre or a Badminton Hall (image below) to watch pop shows.  The melodies also bring back memories of Singapore's youth who impersonated stars like Elvis Presley, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. 

A Straits Times advertisement promoting Title Holders' Show.

Some won titles as Singapore's Elvis, Singapore's Pat Boone or Singapore's Cliff Richard.  There were so many of them as the 1960's Straits Times advertisement shows.  But as far as I can remember there was no Singapore's Tony Bennett. Which brings me to the topic below:

Billy Yap: Singapore's Answer To Tony Bennett:

A few years ago I went with a friend to a recording studio where he recorded some popular standards like Strangers in the Night, Too Young, It's Impossible to name a few (check below image for list). 

There were no trial runs before his recording, no notes he found too high and no mistakes made in his lyrics. His rendition of the songs he selected was perfectly pitched, clearly defined and peppered with the touch and feel of a professional.

Billy Yap who is 82 this year, sings like Tony Bennett with a voice so smooth ladies swoon when he sings at house parties, wedding dinners and karaoke sessions.  To me Billy Yap is Singapore's Tony Bennett.

"I need no big band accompaniment," he says proudly, "Just give me a good pianist who can feel my song. The other alternative is a quality, karaoke backing..."

A retired teacher, table-tennis super league player and great-grand father Billy says he practises during Karaoke sessions with friends and family. He has been singing for the past 70s years and his musical ability stems from his mother who used to play the piano and sing after the family dinner.

Billy sings everywhere; in the house, in the car and during our kopi sessions at Thompson Plaza. He tells me he even sings in the bathroom and before he goes to bed. During a group travel overseas, Billy sang using the microphone in the tourist bus. It was a trip heading to Beijing, China.  Most of the tourists in the bus loved Chinese pops so when he sang, I left my heart in San Francisco, I thought he would be in deep trouble. Instead the 35 strong group cheered and asked for more.  

When I asked Billy what he thought of today's pop scene he remarked, "Singers do not sing the evergreens like they should be sung.  Nowadays current singers interpret the composition in their own way and it becomes a totally new song. It's a personal opinion." Well Billy, I have heard his duets with some of today's pop stars.  They sound great actually.

Billy only printed about 10 copies of his CDs that come with the package. He has given them away except the one for himself. We cannot afford Tony Bennett to sing at our home parties but Billy is available if you need someone to croon evergreens. No charge actually. Just drive him to the venue and back. He would love to sing for you.

"Strangers in the night, Exchanging trousers, Love at first sight, What are the chances?" One of Billy's jokes!

Image: Google and Andy Lim Collection.

Crooners Influencing The 60s: Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Andy Williams.

To Croon: Singing a song in a soft low voice. Dean Martin is a crooner.

All of them sing but most of the following superstars are known better as crooners. Dean Martin (image), Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, Tony Bennett, Al Martino, Andy Williams, Jack Jones, Jerry Vale, Robert Goulet, Vic Damone, Engelbert Humperdinck, Nat King Cole, Bobby Darin, Mel Torme, Eddie Fisher, Perry Como come under a category called, "vocals: for easy listening pleasure."

For seniors both in Singapore and across the world, the above singers are as familiar as the songs they sing and the list would include, 'That's Amore', 'Lady Is A Tramp', 'Moon River', 'Stardust', 'Release Me', 'Mona Lisa', 'Mack The Knife', 'Oh My Papa' and so on.

The scene is familiar. Dimmed lights in the evening after dinner and the record is placed on the turntable and the crooner begins his song, "When the moon hits your eyes/Like a big pizza pie/That's amore..." And Dean Martin's magic spreads round the living or dining room with soothing, sentimental easy vocals and dream music.

Dean Martin: That's Amore

YouTube Video by: NM Catalogue

In the 60s, the scene is different. Singaporeans would dance to these songs on the usually crowded night clubs across the island. More so, they would be romancing their partner on the dance floor. The Singlish (Singapore English) term is 'part-tor'.

The Dean Martin Show, on Singapore TV for some years, proved very popular. His slapstick clips with Jerry Lewis were the talk of the town, as our audience lapped up the humour from the wisecracks on small screen. US comedy in the living room was a novelty in Singapore then.

Some of them have appeared personally in Singapore and performed here. These would have included Tony Bennet and Engelbert Humperdinck. 

Images: Google.

Pretend: Nat King Cole 

YouTube Video from: Mir11Mir