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 !
The Truth About Creatures In The Night Another Travel Tale: I travelled alone to Niagara Falls and was on the Canadian side. Heard so much about it. One of the greatest tourist attractions in the world. It was my first visit at late morning. I had the usual tourist treats, and even in the 80's, it wasn't cheap. I couldn't remember how I got there but it was a hotel not too far from the Falls. Got on a boat, Maid Of The Mist tourand watched Niagara Falls up close, pouring its heart out for everyone. But the view from the boat? All we saw was water.
Well, it's water, water everywhere And not a drop to drink So tell me now Oh what else can a poor fella do But sit right down and...* It was like walking in heavy rain. But they gave me this plastic raincoat with a hood. Blue, I remember was the colour. Or was it yellow? Then we got into the lower part of the falls (image above), got into a boat and got wet, just so we could see Niagara above us.
It was supposed to be exciting going on this boat ride. But it wasn't. And the camera got wet (we didn't have iPhones then). And it couldn't function properly.
The mist could be seen behind me. It was cold and wet even with raincoats. I was in that area for hours, supposedly to enjoy its unique environment and listen to the ever-roaring waters. It was special. Because the last time I saw a waterfall was at Kota Tinggi. Cannot compare. Like looking at an *attap house in Malaysia at one end and the Burj Khalifa in Dubai at the other. Had lunch alone, then tea, cakes and a simple burger for dinner. Then it got dark. A mist fast shrouding the area. I wasn't aware of the time. As the weather was cold, I felt my heart being squeezed tight by some unseen hand... Breathless, choking. I was in pretty bad shape, bitter cold and fearful. I looked around me. Most folks had left, with only a few young couples idling around. The presence of the frightful heavy mist encompassing the already dark woods was eerie.
In the boat under the waterfall. Tourists were soaked. I was drenched. Don't ever get lost in the evening, in the open, in Canada. You freeze to death. And this wasn't Winnipeg. It was Ontario. Just as gripping. Worse, I had read about a native Indian story, the Maid of the Mist legend where a young woman, in suicidal bereavement, got into a canoe and entered the waters above the falls. I realised that it was only about 5 pm but it was totally dark and I knew I was lost in unknown territory. I walked and walked and walked, quite far now from where the Falls were. Then I realised I was walking round in circles beside a high wire fencing.
The cold was getting through my Nike track shoes, my blue jeans and even my leather jacket. I had no muffler, no thick gloves and my skinny self could not take the icy pangs of the blowing wind. Mind you this wasn't even Winter.
This was it I told myself. Here lie I, waiting to die. I reached the road after walking up a gradual incline, and looked around, praying for someone to help me. Nothing... but only the mist and I could hardly see three feet in front of me. I trudged on and was walking for about ten minutes with really weary legs when I heard the sound of a car behind me.
'Lady in Red' Chris de Burgh.
YouTube Video by: Os. Bend.
I turned around and, although dazzled by the lights, I felt the bumper nearly touching my legs, I saw this beautiful sight; a lady inside wound down her window. She was pretty. And de Burgh's music coming from her car radio: And when you turned to me and smiled It took my breath away And I have never had such a feeling Such a feeling of complete and utter love As I do tonight I honestly could not remember what happened after that. From the moment I stepped into the lady's car, up to the time I spoke to the concierge, what happened in between was a blank.
The biggest surprise I got, was when I spoke to the concierge to tell my tale. "Oh, there are haunted houses and roads near Niagara," he mentioned nonchalantly. "Oh," he added lamely, "you'll never get lost in the woods at Niagara. There's always a lady dressed in red, in a red car, ready to pick people who are lost." When I asked him for the time, he replied, "It's two in the morning, sir." "What?" Even till today, I am confused.
*WATER, WATER From the film "The Tommy Steele Story" - 1957 by Lionel Bart / Michael Pratt / Tommy Steele
THE LADY IN RED (You Tube Video) Into The Light Album - June 1986 British-Irish singer-songwriter Chris de Burgh Images:
Google ones are for illustrative purpose only. A personal collection taken at Niagara Falls shows two pictures of myself in the boat. This story is absolutely true. I was lost at Niagara Falls, walked in the cold in heavy mist and was sent to my hotel by this mysterious lady who neither spoke nor smiled at me. What happened in between remained a mystery. Not a spook; definitely a guardian angel.
Thanks Andy ! You really freaked me out and kept me up all night when I was at the Fairmont in Vancouver. Here's why... [Click 'Comments' below to read why blog contributor Henri Gann was scared.]
My memory of the 60's does not bring back the frightening fun of Halloween because not many locals knew about it like they do today. It was confined amongst the Caucasian households while many Chinese homes followed the religious 7th Moon or Hungry Ghosts Festival where spooks and demons were the order of the season. And this year it's this month of August from the 3rd...
Again, my tale is not of haunted hospitals at Changi, the lady ghost at Bishan's MRT nor the kampong spirit at Bidadari that we read about in the newspapers but a psychological trauma I experienced as a child that even troubles me to this day (or night). As a young boy, I had always been petrified and disturbed by an old folktale about skin coloured bats hanging upside-down from tree branches.
The Kalong Wheh-Wheh (above) is supposed to be a giant bat with a horrendous female face and large breasts. Don't think of glamorous superhero Bat Girl here. Think more bat-like Pontianaks!
Devil woman you're evil like the dark coral reef
Like the winds that bring high tides, you bring sorrow and grief. (1)
These creatures hook themselves on wayside tree branches that grow along Singapore's old roads and dusty lorongs (lanes) in the 60s. But here's something else. They only appear at twilight, symbolically a time and condition of decline.
So as darkness falls in Singapore these giant bats fill the evening sky and swarm onto large trees. Loud cries of "Wheh! Wheh! Wheh!" fill the air as they seek the comfort of the high shady greens.
"Be careful," my mother used to warn me, "the creatures spy on young children who are still not home for dinner when the clock strikes six. Be out there and you're in trouble!"
How they victimize their human prey is still a mystery to me. Mum never went beyond her horror story and left the rest to my imagination.
She did, however, explain that these giant human-like bats originated from Indonesia. Bat is kalong in the Indonesian language.
Apparently, they are also known as *Hantu Tetek (ghosts with breasts: image 2) in local Malay slang. She uses them to suffocate her victims while others claim they are behind her. Others insist she is a Balinese witch.
"She doesn't suck your blood," mum emphasised, "but wrap you up close to her soft body and fly you away..." By this time my whole being slumped in fear and my heart thumped with cemetery-like precision.
"OK mum, I won't be late for dinner."
She smiled.
Wonder if these creatures are still around today in our modern metropolis. The strange repeated occurrence of trees that fall during rainstorms in the evenings... Hmm!
It doesn't matter whether it's a Chinese ghost, English ghost or Malay ghost. They are ghosts! So be careful.
If you have Hantu Halloween Horrors, Hantu or Hungry Ghosts stories to contribute, please do.
She's just a devil woman With evil on her mind Beware the devil woman She's gonna get you from behind. (2) Careful of Hungry Ghosts everywhere. Don't play, play! Better pray, pray!
In South East Asian countries like Singapore and Malaysia, the 7th Month Festival is when the Hungry Ghosts wander the streets.
Lyrics
1. Devil Woman: by Johnny Lion. 2. Devil Woman: by Cliff Richard.
Images: Google. http://draculavanhelsing.blogspot.sg An original article.
Johnny Lion and The Jumping Jewels with Devil Woman. video by Donald Duck. Images: Google You Tube Videos: by Donald Duck and Peter Tan.
Getai Show @ Bukit Batok Getai Seven Month Hungry Ghost Prayer
HAPPY HALLOWEEN TO ALL! PONTIANAK MUSIC IS COMING TOO!
UP TO 1,700 VIEWS
Since Halloween is the theme tonight, songs from the fearful 50s, the scary 60s and screaming 70s are listed below. The words in the titles matter, so here they are, taken from the dusty, underground vaults of yore. They all spell blood, gore and grime. They may not be traditional, scary songs, but they can loosely fit into the Halloween theme by title, by music or by lyrics. So if you're lookin' for trouble, you came to the right place.
"I see the bad moon risin'/I see trouble on the way/I see earthquakes and lightnin'/I see bad times today/I hear the hurricanes ablowin'/I know the end is comin' soon/I hear the rivers overflowin'/I hear the voice of rage and ruin... (Bad Moon Risin' by: John Fogerty.)"
Bad Blood - 1975 - Neil Sedaka.
Bad Moon Rising - 1969 - Creedence Clearwater Revival
Black Magic Woman - 1968 - Fleetwood Mac/ Santana
Dark Lady - 1974 - Cher
Daughter Of Darkness - 1970 - Tom Jones
Devil Gate Drive - 1974 - Suzi Quatro
Devil In Disguise - 1963 - Elvis Presley
Devil Or Angel - 1960 - Bobby Vee
Devil With A Blue Dress On - 1966 - Mitch Ryder/Detroit Wheels
Devil Woman - 1962 - Marty Robbins
Devil Woman - 1976 - Cliff Richard
Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead - 1967 - Fifth Estate
Evil Hearted You - 1965 – The Yardbirds
Evil Ways - 1970 - Santana
Evil Woman - 1976 - Electric Light Orchestra
Frightened City - 1961 - Shadows
Little Devil - 1961 - Neil Sedaka
Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding - 1973 - Elton John
Ghost Riders In The Sky – 1979 - Johnny Cash
Love Potion Number Nine - 1965 - The Searchers
Poison Ivy - 1959 - The Coasters
Spooky -1968 - Classic Four
Superstition - 1973 - Stevie Wonder
That Old Black Magic - 1958 - Louis Prima and Keely Smith
Voodoo Chile - 1970 - Jimi Hendrix Experience
Witch Doctor - 1958 - David Seville
Witchcraft - 1963 - Elvis Presley/Frank Sinatra
Witchy Woman - 1972 - Eagles
Sympathy For The Devil - 1968 - Rolling Stones
Halloween Theme - 1978 - John Carpenter
Season Of The Witch - 1966 - Donovan
Evil On Your Mind - 1966 - Jan Howard
Race With The Devil - 1968 - Gene Vincent
Devil In A Sleeping Bag - 1973 - Willie Nelson
'Frightened City' by The Shadows.
YouTube video from: ingoleg oleg
Please add to the list and contribute.
It's only fun and games but if you find this posting too stressful, just listen to Beautiful Girl below in the next post.
Black bats, black cats or fiery pumpkins, the image below, taken from a souvenir magazine, shows The Vampires. Whether they were part of a Halloween group to scare others was questionable but from the vinyl recorded and publicity given, the girls were very popular and had appeared in a number of variety shows and private functions in the sexy sixties in Singapore. The description and position of each member in the magazine image is clear. From Dinner and Dance Magazine - 2nd October 1965, standing (left to right): Connie Fong is 18 and is a student at the Nanyang Academy of Arts. She plays the rhythm guitar and decided to opt for music some six months ago. Rebecca Fong (with moon-glasses) is 18 and the lead guitarist and leader of the group. She is a student of the Sacred Heart School and took up music a year ago. Front row (left to right): shows Gladys Ang, 17 years and is a student of Geylang Methodist School. She studied music nine months ago. Cynthia Fong is in the center and attends Fairfield Methodist School. She took up the drums a year ago. Montaz Akib is the 2nd lead guitarist, is 16 and student of Geylang Methodist School. She went for a music course year ago. They had all gone for a TV audition and were accepted to appear on the small screen, so be on the lookout for this sensational teenage group. They are under the able hands of *Harry Martinez, Singapore's well-known music tutor." The top image shows a Philips (438302 QE) recording of the same group. It features the same members (I think?) accompanying a vocalist called Dorothy. They pressed four Chinese (Mandarin) songs. These girls are unique within the Singapore 60s music circuit because I cannot think of another all-girl guitar group that plays Chinese music. Can you? The band is known as Du Le Di in Chinese and the four songs translated into English are: Love Is Like A Balloon, Singing A Never Ending Song For You, Ah Lah Nah (Alanah) and Lian Hen (another Chinese name?) *(Harry Martinez lived at Siglap on the East Coast and was a popular music tutor in the 60s who talent scouted his own students and grouped them into successful pop bands. The Silver Strings was such a group.) Were you one of the band members? Is this the same group that was with Satellite Records? Do write in to tell us. Connect below to read the other posting about The Vampires: http://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2010/10/vampires-in-singapore-at-cavanagh.html Image/Original article: Andy Lim Collection.
The Vampires all-girls from Singapore could have been influenced by the US female vocal groups that flourished in the late 50s and 60s. One such group and one of the first female R&B vocal groups to have nationwide success were The Chantels (left image: http://www.thechantels.com/ ).
These ladies were also considered by many to have been the best female group of all time because their choir-like sound and close-knit harmony brought a new dimension to rock n roll and rhythm n blues songs. They played instruments too.
Their 1958 hit Maybe was considered the standard by which other girl group songs were judged. Lead singer Arlene Smith was one of the very first female rock performers to write her own material. They are still performing today.
The Crystals vocal team was Phil Spector other big girl-group mainstay of the early 60s, cranking out classics such as Uptown, Then He Kissed Me, Da Doo Ron Ron, and He's A Rebel. Some of these songs have been covered by our Singapore bands.
Then came the Marvelettes and they got Motown their first number one hit, and in the process established the girl group as an undeniable hit-making genre of its own with songs such as Please Mister Postman. They set precedence for the other Motown greats like The Supremes.
There was The Ronettes, the girl group that best defined the Phil Spector Wall of Sound with their classic hits Be My Baby, Baby, I Love You, and Walking In The Rain.
The Shirelles too, the girl-group pioneers who scored some of the genre's earliest and iggest hits with Soldier Boy, Dedicated To The One I Love, Mama Said, and Will You Love Me Tomorrow and Everybody Loves A Lover.
Remember, Where Did Our Love Go (1964), Baby Love (1964), I Hear A Symphony (1965) , and Stop! In The Name Of Love (1965)? Originally a quartet, the Supremes (right image) were formed in 1959 under a different name.
"These girls gave Motown a successful base from which to build their label. The Supremes defined the girl-group aesthetic that projected an air of romantic grace and personal style essential to the genre. They helped establish a beachhead for American music at the height of the British Invasion (About.com)."
But how many all-girl groups did we have? The Vampires played their guitars and were an instrumental group backing a singer. Other Singapore all-girl teams, The Tidbits, Friday Girls and Girvin Sisters were vocals groups. I wonder if our local experts and gurus can provide an answer?
The above edited article is only a morsel of what readers can expect from the Website itself. So check out below for more reading:
Video by The GETTHOSUPERSTAR 2009 The ladies in the image were once a group that played Chinese (Mandarin) songs. They were called, The Vampires (吸血鬼) but they were not characters from the commercially successful Twilight series of the four vampire-themed fantasy romance novels by American author Stephenie Meyer.
In fact, these sweetheart Vampires from Singapore came at a different period and time. They haunted the dance halls, theatres and clubs in the 60s. This all-girl guitar group featured on the EP cover had only five members but added another, a vocalist called Du Di Na.
According to the sleeve cover, she joined the group two years prior to the release of this vinyl. Apparently the instrumental group itself had won many fans among Singapore youths and Du Di Na was added to front the original band.
From A blog called Mod-ified Music, one of the songs featured on the Satellite brand record was Han Yu Qu (Chilling Rain Song). It was a popular Chinese song instrumentalised by this group. The Vampires could have been just as successful in the mid-60s but without Bella Swan from Twilight fame.
Wearing dark jackets, short, tight skirts and white boots, the girls looked smart and neat, posing in front of heritage protected Cavanagh Bridge. Behind them is the Victoria Memorial Hall with its imposing clock-tower.
There were not many all-girl guitar groups in Singapore were there? Are you familiar with this group and do you know who they are? Connect below to read the other posting about The Vampires: http://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2010/10/blog-post.html
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THE LADY IN RED (You Tube Video)
HAPPY HALLOWEEN TO ALL! PONTIANAK MUSIC IS COMING TOO!
The top image shows a Philips (438302 QE) recording of the same group. It features the same members (I think?) accompanying a vocalist called Dorothy. They pressed four Chinese (Mandarin) songs. These girls are unique within the Singapore 60s music circuit because I cannot think of another all-girl guitar group that plays Chinese music. Can you?
The Vampires all-girls from Singapore could have been influenced by the US female vocal groups that flourished in the late 50s and 60s. One such group and one of the first female R&B vocal groups to have nationwide success were The Chantels (left image: http://www.thechantels.com/ ).
Their 1958 hit Maybe was considered the standard by which other girl group songs were judged. Lead singer Arlene Smith was one of the very first female rock performers to write her own material. They are still performing today.
Wearing dark jackets, short, tight skirts and white boots, the girls looked smart and neat, posing in front of heritage protected Cavanagh Bridge. Behind them is the Victoria Memorial Hall with its imposing clock-tower.
