SINGAPORE 60's: ANDY's POP MUSIC INFLUENCE IS A PERSONAL MUSIC, MEMORY TRAIL. BLOGGER DOES NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO VIDEOS, AUDIO TRACKS AND IMAGES. THEY ARE UPLOADED FOR FUN, EDUCATIONAL, ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES AND HAVE BEEN CREDITED. BLOG IS NOT SPONSORED NOR ADVERTORIAL IN ANY WAY WHATSOEVER. INFORM BLOGGER OF COPYRIGHT ISSUES AND POST WILL BE DELETED IMMEDIATELY. DO NOT COPY THE POSTS; GET PERMISSION N CREDIT ME IF YOU DO. ANDY LIM LA (NOVEMBER, 2008) -
(新加坡六十年代安迪的流行音乐影响力), SUDI MAMPIR !
I Ask if She Knows 'Tennessee Whiskey' and This Singer Steals The Show. YouTube Video by: DØVYDAS.
Must thank the creator of the above video DOVYDAS for the elegant and stylish way it turned out. Shelby with her natural beauty and charisma coupled with Dovydas’ control of the steel guitar and his own professionalism, blew my mind away! Respect! 👏
There are 2 parts to this posting. You can just watch the video above or read about whiskey and me below. Or do both…
WHISKEY AND ME:
I've never featured liquor songs on this blog before, maybe one or two about soft drinks and about drinking during the 60s at T-Dances and nightclubs. Nothing much and none about liquor, only soft drinks since I am a teetotaler.
Imagine the shock I received when a friend took me to a wine shop at Orchard Road and I saw this bottle of Japanese whiskey costing S$21,000. Gosh! And they could go up to a million dollars or more? Per bottle! The only liquor price I know are the canned beers that cost like, what, $2.50 each?
But with AI and its vast store of information I found out more about whiskey. Interesting indeed.
(Image) They drink it in the West. Even the empty bottles can be sold at a price.
I also remember a song that was so popular those years during the mid-80s when living in a western country, I heard it daily from the Caucasian boys next to my apartment. It was George Jones, TENNESSEE WHISKEY, a pop 1981 hit. It was revived by Chris Stapleton a few years ago.
There's no list on this posting on whiskey prices or songs but the video above features the song itself. And Tennessee whiskey, I understand, costs a fraction at about $500 a bottle? Now that's a price difference.
Hope to feature soon about whiskey songs? Anyone familiar with them?
[Thanks EDDY ENG for introducing me to the whiskey world. But I won’t try it for sure. Can’t afford.]
They drink it in the East. Japanese whiskey, as mentioned, can cost a lot.
Disclaimer:
The above video belongs to DOVYDAS. If on any account it should not be featured, do inform me and I shall delete it immediately. Thank you.
Many thanks to all these petite nyonyasfor 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!
[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.]
[1] Karolina Protsenko, classically trained, is an 11 year old performing violinist, born in 2008 in Ukraine to musical parents who play the guitar and piano; they moved to the United States in 2015.
[2] Daniele Vitale Sax is an Italian saxophonist, musician, who is most popular for sharing his fabulous videos playing the saxophone on YouTube; sharing lifestyle photos and music videos on different social media platforms.
[3] "We Are the World" is a charity single recorded by the Supergroup USA for Africa in 1985. It was written by Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie and produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Omartian for an album with a similar title.
Daniele and Karolina
Sensational Saxophone and Violin Buskers
Readers Comments:
[a] "Both Daniele and Karolina play their musical instruments beautifully. I follow Karolina on YouTube regularly. She's only 14 and plays the violin so skillfully. She'll have a great future. It's a pity her country, Ukraine is being attacked and destroyed by Russia." [Jerry Saram, high school teacher]
[c] "Definitely a must listen for saxophone and violin enthusiasts. And the melody is familiar with most. Karolina is a truly beautiful and talented young lady." [Anonymous.]
[d] "Thank you for sharing Andy." [Steve Ho, busker, drummer, singer]
[e] "Beautiful and Happy!" [George Chew, lead guitarist]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVTHijw_-EU
[f] "Awesome Saxophone is also one of my favourite musical instruments cheers." [Cedric Collars, pianist: Perth, Australia]
[g] "Sorry Andy, to me the tenor sax and the high pitch violin is ?????" [Ivor Lesslar, lead guitarist]
[h] "I heard her solo violin rendition of Dancing Queen on another video and truly shed a tear. Lovely indeed; it was gentle and charming. The dancing queen has turned into a fairy queen. Thanks to all the above who wrote in." [Andy Young, author].
[i] "Hi ROSE, thanks for being the first to LIKE the post. Any comment? All comments will now be posted directly on the blog front." [Andy]
[j] "Beautiful song well played by both. In my opinion the violin has a more touching and soothing tone." [Michael Lee]
[k] "Yes, it does. I love the quiet sound of the violin, especially with this particular song. Thanks for visiting Mike." [Andy]
[l] "Nice renditions both musicians played with feelings." [Winston Koh].
[j] "Thanks my good friend. Glad you like them. Many thanks to all the above friends and readers who wrote in..." [Andy]
[k] "Really lovely, she's amazing and such gifted talented Karolina Protsenko , have seen countless people sharing her performances too, she's so ease and produce beautiful songs with her violin...lovely video of both of them Andy👍." [Freda Hanum]
[l] "Freda Hanum hi, coming from you, a musician too, the comment is a compliment! Appreciate that you agree because I have become very selective with the choices of videos put up, knowing that there are many music makers in our chat and FB group. Thanks again Freda." [Andy]
[j] "What a beautiful instrumental rendition of this charity single classic, Brother Andy. I was fortunate to have watched the co-writer of the song, and Five-time Grammy winner, Lionel Richie and he was in Singapore for an exclusive one-night only performance. He certainly set the bar high at this show and kept the audience enthralled with his energy and showmanship all night long and of course, the concert would not have been complete without this song. Cheers and blessings to all👍❤️🥰…"
[k] "Fred Ching Yes, thanks again. He was one of the singers for this MJ classic. But considering... I enjoy this instrumental version. Keeps the nostalgia burning. And the violin stream flows with the beautiful violinist on hand." [Andy]
Thanks to the following readers who like or love this posting:
Freda Hanum
Colin Colin
Stephen Han
Rose Khoo
Ann Rowena Lim
Somkid Lakhawat
Francis Anthony Rozells
Becky Hofmann
Xu Xiwen
Ser Kiong Tan.
[l] "Close your eyes and drift away. Yes music certainly sooths the savage beast. Together they blend in a piece of artwork so intense. Well done." [Cedric Collars].
Follow the comments as they increase by the day...
A few letters came through these last few days, asking why I did not pay a tribute on the passing away of Ms Tina Turner. One reason; there are too many such tributes on the blog, so I wanted to leave them out entirely, unless they are about our local Singapore singers or musicians. That too may be a problem if the information provided is unreliable.
But here goes.
I love her singing and style and first heard her way back in the mid 60's with River Deep Mountain High, and Proud Mary I think in the early 70's. She literally burned the radio [noisy, noisy], with these songs. There weren't any YouTube videos then to watch and our television station hardly screened any of these pop shows from America.
I didn't buy her vinyl records; us guys were crazy with Elvis and Ricky. Yes, and Connie Francis and Doris Day too. But she was there, at the back of my mind, a lady so full of vitality, love, sensuality and a powerful voice that she became a rock star soon enough. With Elvis as the King of Rock n Roll, she became the Queen of Rock n Roll. Like Elvis, she's a visual delight!
Tina Turner: Private Dancer. [LIVE] HDavi.
YouTubeVideo by: jpsDelarue
I first heard Tina Turner again when a university friend played it on a cassette tape. This was Canada in the mid 80's. And the song? 'What's Love Got To Do With It?' Tina was back and when YouTube came along on the internet some years later, I watched her concerts.
TT was one of the best lady African-American singers ever to hit peak performances wherever she was on stage. And the crowd? Nearly one million in one show and documented by Guinness Book. And her albums? More than 100 million copies sold! In 2018, a jukebox musical was made in her name!
Then came 24th May, 2023, Proud Mary passed away!
So Ms Turner, now that you're hitched on the river boat queen, sing your songs on the good side of the city.
God Bless You, Tina Turner! Rest In Peace. You're simply the best.
One of the best, if not the best. Geoffrey Arnold Beck is gone at 78 years young... So my tribute on this blog. And a comment from a local legend himself, acknowledging his passing:
"Oh no. Please not Jeff Beck! So sad to hear this awful news. RIP Jeff Beck. May you soar above the heavens with your awesome talents.
The definition of the ultimate guitarist's guitar player. His performance live at Ronnie Scotts... HORACE WEE."
The note below comes from blog reader Axel, to comment on*this music blog's article and video about Teresa Teng. I thought the letter would be better as an independent posting. The rendition by Mammoliti [YouTube, below] is simply beautiful. Thanks my friend for your contribution.
Axel's letter:
Hello Andy,
Found another English version of this beautiful song - the singer also sings in Chinese. I don't know if I can embed a YouTube link here - otherwise search for WJ LimaWix, as the name of the person who has uploaded the video - the video title is also listed as "The Moon Represents My Heart - Teresa Teng, 月亮代表我的心 - 邓丽君 English Cover by Elisa Mammoliti" - uploaded in August, 2020.
Also this interesting comment is included "This English cover is performed by Elisa Mammoliti in Italy on Aug 1st, 2020. Instrumental orchestration is provided by my good friend Fred Chiosa in Lagos, Nigeria. All done while we sheltered-at-home in this Covid-19 era" - truly a global cooperation...
The museum in Taipei.
I had the pleasure of meeting Teresa Teng's brother in Taipei, in 2009 - apart from eating at his restaurant, also seeing his small Teresa Teng museum, and a conversation about her life.. The song has been a favorite of mine, ever since my first trip to Asia, in 1981 - i didn't understand a word... didn't matter... the angelic voice made the connect to... well... my heart... now... my wish... would be that Andrea Bocelli makes a recording to the song...
Cheers..
Axel
*As many fans would know, TT's songs are banned in China. Are they still banned today? What happens to people who own vinyl, CDs and her recordings?
Comment anyone?
Teng Chang-fu
Teresa Teng's brother.
Images: Google.
Interesting Comments. Names Have Been Withheld:
Viewer A:
Truly a melody and a memory that transcends borders. This is a song that represents the sentiments and feelings of many generations of Chinese, mainland or overseas: and I'd say to China - lighten up!
Our hearts are always shining like the moon. Bravo to Elisa Mammoliti, you may not speak Mandarin, but you certainly speak the language of love and longing.
Viewer B:
Why the 'moon'? It is always waxing and waning, and in English [at least] Literature, it is a metaphor for inconstancy. Especially when it is the 'moon represents my heart'?
I ask out of puzzlement. Have puzzled me for some time now.
Maybe she is referring to a supermoon. We had one on 14 June, 2022. Perhaps her love was like the supermoon, so full, so bright, so perfectly round.
Viewer A:
Sigh... sometimes I think Singaporeans are so educated that we lose our sense of wonder and imagination. Can't blame some folks for calling us 'clinical'.
Viewer B:
Be serious but also not serious.
If we were dead serious, we'd be dead, literally. I take my hat off to those under oppressive regimes, who can see the irony, and therefore, the humorous side of things. Otherwise, how to survive?
Yes, inflation is an old story. It's like a toy balloon, held loosely in hand. A strong wind blows strong and the balloon flies away, usually higher and higher. Today it's worse! The balloons combine and even carry houses into the blue yonder.
I guess that's the reason why many of us have the blues. So let's hear what BB King has to say about inflation. This composition, is from the US and released in 1983.
It's worth a listen. Got the blues man! Price of chicken too will go North.
When I suggested that she let me publish her lively verses, Mrs. Chong-Lee responded positively. So to all our young once and young ones, please read the very down to earth but soul-stirring lines...
Thank you Judy.
Sharing with my close ones this poem I penned in May 2020 during the lock down. For the inspiration of fellow seniors 🙂.
Getting Old
Age they say is just a number
But the higher I go I seem dumber.
I've never been as old as I am now
To the march of time I must bow.
Simple chores no longer automatic
Auto-pilot programs gone erratic.
Things often get lost or go missing
Tasks to do need constant reminding.
Add on to these my new miseries
The sad pain of physical disabilities.
From birth to death we face life stages
Same for everyone through the ages.
With all our experience and wisdom
Age constraints restrict our freedom.
Since the past is already long gone
Please don't let it keep us forlorn.
The present is really a great gift
To live with joy as we daily drift.
The future is undecided for all
Just be very careful not to fall.
We're here on a wondrous journey
Aspiring to reach our divine destiny.
If there's still a dream or ambition
Go for it... too old for any inhibition.
For many they say life begins at 40
At 70 we could be young (once) as 30.
So cast away the cares every onus
To live these golden years is a bonus.
I want to live well laugh and love much
So my dear friends please stay in touch.
Composed by:
Judy Chong - Lee [Mrs. Jimmy PresLee]
May, 2020.
*Click comments below, please, one by Chow Wen Hing especially...
Yours too are welcome.
Jimmy PresLee is Elvis Presley Singapore Tribute Artiste. Click the connection below to read about him. Check out his costumes too:
The rain this first few days of January 2021 has become the hottest topic for discussion. Yes, and the temperature
has fallen to 22C, one of the coolest months since 1934 when it went down to
19.4C, on January 31st. And the January rain in Singapore was torrential, creating road surfaces to break forming
potholes.
So it's appropriate to check out the rain songs through the decades. And
there are plenty. So as the rain pelts outside, do check the list
below and see how many songs, with the word 'rain' that you are familiar with. It's a short list
from 6 decades because there are many such songs. I guess my
familiarity with some of the songs have placed them on this list. Whatever,
check the lyrics too.
1930's
Stormy Weather - Etta Jones - 1933 [Ha, ha]
1940's
come rain or come shine - ray charles - 1946
'The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain', says Julie Andrews. YouTube
video by Jean Belmondo. Thank you.
1950's
singing in the rain - gene kelly - 1952
just walking in the rain - johnny ray - 1952
the rain in spain - julie andrews - 1957
raining in my heart - buddy holly - 1959
come rain or shine - rain or shine - 1959
let it rain - johnny mathis - 1959
1960's
raindrops - dee clark - 1961
crying in the rain - everly brothers - 1962
rhythm of the rain - cascades - 1962
rain rain go away - bobby vinton -1962
a hard rain's a gonna fall - bob dylan -1963
walking in the rain - ronettes - 1964
what have they done to the rain - searchers - 1964
rain on the roof - lovin' spoonful - 1965
baby the rain must fall - glen yarbrough -1965
tell it to the rain - the four seasons -1966
rhapsody in the rain - lou christie - 1966
rain - the beatles - 1966
early morning rain - gordon lightfoot - 1966
summer rain - johnny rivers - 1967
i wish it would rain - the temptations 1967
don't rain on my parade - barbra striesand - 1968
rain - jose feliciano - 1968
raindrops keep falling on my head - b.j. thomas - 1969
Walking in the Rain - Ronettes. YouTube video from The Ronettes. Thank
you.
Please check out their subscriber's connection by clicking on the word
YouTube above.
1970's
kentucky rain - elvis presley - 1970
fire and rain - james taylor - 1970
who'll stop the rain - ccr -1970
let it rain - eric clapton -1970
rainy night in georgia - brook benton - 1970
rainy days and mondays - carpenters - 1971
here comes that rainy day feeling again - fortune - 1971
it never rains in southern california - albert hammond 1972
rain - uriah heep - 1972
walking in the rain with the one i love - love unlimited - 1972
the rain song - led zeppelin -1973
alabama rain - jim croce -1973
laughter in the rain - neil sedaka- 1974
i can't stand the rain - tina turner - 1974
rainy day woman - waylon jennings - 1974
buckets of rain - bob dylan - 1974
Matthew and the Mandarins - Jealous Heart, Send Me The Pillow, BLUE EYES
CRYING IN THE RAIN - Video from YouTube by Adrian Wang. Thank you.
BLUE EYES CRYING IN THE RAIN - MATTHEW N MANDARINS - 1975
lizzie and the rainman - tanya tucker - 1975
fool in the rain - led zepplin - 1979
kiss me in the rain - barbra striesand - 1979
1980's
smokey mountain rain - ronnie milsap - 1980
i love a rainy night - eddie rabbitt - 1980
southern rain - mell tilis -1980
i made it through the rain - barry mannilow - 1980
crying in the rain - whitesnake - 1982
purple rain- prince - 1984
here comes the rain again - eurhythmics - 1984
rain on the scarescrow - john mellencamp -1985
summer rain - belinda carlise - 1989.
I Love a Rainy Night - Eddie Rabbit - Thanks to msknowitall8 from
YouTube.
Comment guys... What's your favourite rain song.
Images - Google.
Song Titles Contributed by Readers and Friends - Please click the
'Comments' connection below to read them.
Here's my suggestion for this rainy month's read, a 1995 big book published in Australia.
UP TO 1.000 VIEWS
It's a totally absorbing read because the colourful layout is simply inviting and the stories and articles are written by pop music journalists for the different decades - from the 50's to the 90's, i.e. Bill Haley to The Beatles, from Bruce Springsteen to Beastie Boys right up to Billy Ray Cyrus. And scattered in between, all the gossips, personal details and music ideals about the hundreds of pop singers and musicians during those 50 years or so. About 400 photographs to browse and key biographies to absorb.
A great book for students keen on pop music culture and for seniors wanting to go into nostalgia mode [but definitely with more details than what they thought they already knew].
On page 12 of the book [image - book cover] the chapter reads, ELVIS BEGINS. But did it really start with Elvis. You got to read the 11 pages before to find out.
The book ends with U2, R.E.M. and Nirvana with a great Artistes Index beyond these chapters. There is also a top 10 hit list for all the 50 years. Name the musicians and singers and they are in the book.
Only one of hundreds of stories to read from the book...
The Paul Anka picture is for illustration only and does not appear in the book but there are others.
Did you know that Paul Anka's composition DIANA had been recorded in 320 versions, totalling more than 10 million sales. He was still a minor then. He could only take his vast wealth when he turned 21 in July 1962 - page 55/column 3.
A glance at one of the pages and
how the write-ups are formatted.
[This post is not an advertisement. I read the book and find it useful for any introductory course to rock n roll or pop music.]
Library Reference:
The Story of Rock n Roll - the year-by-year illustrated chronicle - Consultant Editor - Paul Du Noyer. [1995 - Carlton Books Ltd - UK/Australia.]
I met Steve the first time at a hotel lounge where he was singing and playing the drums. Steve has those rugged features with the typical John Mellencamp boyish cut, looking tough like a rock star in his red jeans, bracelets and dangling neck ornament.
True to his band name, Steve will definitely break hearts. Like Elvis, he addresses me as 'Sir' and 'Yes ma'am' when he answers to the pretty ladies surrounding him.
Steve's English diction and powerhouse vocals are distinctive and separate him from other local singers that I have heard. His versatility shows in his ability to sing in Cantonese too.
He is very different from many of the Singapore band boys I met. Besides, Steve writes very well and after some persuasion, he emailed me the article below.
He's just starting his musical journey and if you guys are reading this, give him that big break he needs. Check him out at the busking points specified below.
Thanks, Steve for the interview.
Singapore's New Pop Icon:
"I started very late in music and mostly jammed with friends in rented studios during my younger days. It happened in the 90s when the love for music within made me want to express myself.
It was only in mid-2013 when I joined a band called Still Alive as a vocalist. We indulged in Classic Pop Rock and sang Bad Company (Rock Steady, Wishing Well); Deep Purple (Smoke On The Water, Sail Away); Bon Jovi (You Give Love A Bad Name, Bed Of Roses). My other rock heroes areFirehouse, Skid Row, Pink Floyd and many more.
I am able to draw a Chinese crowd with rock numbers like; Beyond's (Hoi Foot Theen Hoong, Putt Zoi Yau); Sam Hui's (Tar Koong Zai, Kwai Ma Seon Seng); Alan Tam's (Pung Yau). My specialty I think. Besides singing, I play the drums.
Steve Ho's crowd in Chinatown was vibrant as the locals and tourists danced to the rhythm of the group's hot music.
UP TO 3,000 VIEWS
Gigs All Over Singapore:
We performed at various locations in Singapore for about 3 years, namely at Clementi and West Coast CCs, Azucar at Beach Road, 1° 15 in Sentosa with this same band, before branching out and forming my own band in 2016. We called ourselves, Steve and The Heartbreakers. We performed at a couple of clubs at Beach Road and Tanjong Pagar for about a year and a half. We then called it quits.
"Why quit suddenly?"
Sadly, Andy, we did not get paid!
Back To Basics:
I returned to driving a taxi for a living but soon realized that my true calling was (and still is) to sing and perform to a live audience.
After driving for some years and suffering ill from the livelihood (being a taxi driver is tough), I gave it up. It was then that I decided to try out busking in public for a means of living. I got myself a license in mid-2018 and have started the practice ever since.
I intend to sing and drum and share my music (as long as I possibly can), with anyone and everyone who loves music. When people ask me about "wearing a uniform" rule, I tell them I am a true blue Rocker and do not conform to such rules. We stick to simple Ts and jeans.
I sincerely believe that music transcends all boundaries. Music brings perfect strangers together with music as the common language, and it does not need to be understood! We just flow with it!"
video.
Busking Today:
In Chinatown, the crowd went where Steve went with his boys. The locals and the tourists enjoyed his music as the pretty young Caucasian girls from Australia, the US, the UK, and other European countries rocked to his music. The local Chinese loved his Cantonese melodies with a huge following from HongKong and mainland China.
With his musician friends, Robert Koh (image above: on guitar with Steve), the current lead guitarist with the band Blues Express, Patrick 'Tiger Baits' Koh and Peter Han (seen seated with bongo drums in the video), famed co-founder and ex-lead guitarist of the 80s superband, Tokyo Square, they have found a niche for themselves again.
No advertising stunt; the crowd at Steve Ho's road concerts are huge. Go see him and his band.
Steve and Peter Han (from Tokyo Square) below are now playing inside the air-conditioned Thrift Shop at the Salvation Army Building across from Hillview MRT @ Upper Bukit Road from 2.30 to 6/7pm on Saturdays.
Catch them live guys and give all the cash you've got.
Articles and Images are the properties of Steve Ho.
