Singapore Haze: Amazed! Dazed Neighbours Still Fazed About Haze

This posting was written in 2015 and reposted in 2016 and 2019. 

Just a reminder to readers to be wary and wear a mask 

if the haze comes on again! We hope it won't!

Today 12 September 2019 the haze 

has come home again. 

Haphazard, hazardous and horrible!

Will it ever end?

It's 2023 August!

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THE HAZE IN SINGAPORE: CAUSE AND GLOBAL CONSEQUENCE

Is It Clear?

Fourteen million plus hits on Google when you type, "Haze in Singapore." 

Call it what you may, haze or smoke which has been polluting this region for weeks now is not created by Mother Nature but by Man himself.  One thing is clear; our air is so foul and "poisonin' my oxygen" that it is frustrating everyone in the area.  Worse, it is making every creature, great and small, sick.

Every day fires are destroying the beautiful forests of Indonesia's South Sumatra, Riau and Kalimantan and simultaneously endangering the health of its own people and surrounding neighbours and little red dot, Singapore [written in 2015].

I'm a hungry planet

I had the bluest seas

Oh the people kept 
Choppin' down

All my finest trees (1).

The lyrics above were written by The Byrds way back in 1970 and described a situation that is still persisting today. Hungry Planet is one of many songs that deals with an on-going ecological disaster and the problem will never be resolved unless a certain country follows its own laws which forbid the use of fire to clear land.

Or Still Unclear?

Another thing is clear; we can't do anything because Singapore is like a David standing in front of a cigarette smoking Goliath. We have to inhale what Goliath exhales, and the *problem has persisted from as far back as 1972, more than 40 years since. 

The country in question has promised it will enforce its laws but nothing's been done so far [written in 2015]. A pop group from 1970, The Moody Blues, reminds us of the foulness in the air in a composition called, How Is It:

How is it we are here on this path we walk
In this world of pointless fear filled with empty talk
Descend from the ape as scientist-priest all think
Will they save us in the end, we're trembling on the brink (2).

Responsible Lyricists:

Like The Byrds and The Moody Blues, many famous pop composers and lyricists get serious and write about how Man has savaged and ravaged Mother Earth. So while some readers  think that the West are only writing frivolous rock and roll music these same pop stars are doing the world a favour by warning how our selfish attitude towards the environment is destroying and killing it:

Now the sun has come to earth
Shrouded in a mushroom cloud of death
Death comes in a blinding flash
Of hellish heat and leaves a smear of ash
And the sun has come to earth (3).

Only last night (5th October 2015), I saw our local news headlines on television feature young children in hospitals with asthma and with some seniors suffering from a skin ailment agitated by the haze. The Byrds lamented in the same song that this condition is:

Diggin' into my skin

Taking more out of my good earth

Than they'll ever put back in

I"m a hungry planet... (4)

Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, the established folk rock super group from the 70's stated that Clear Blue Skies were not much to ask for. They were here before creatures roamed the earth. Question is, "Will they be here when we're gone?" (5)

Optimism:

According to an **article, two-thirds of the fires in Indonesia occur on peat wetlands. It is not widely known that Indonesia has the largest tropical peat wetlands in the world but these places are definitely rich in biological diversity. Imagine the devastation going on at the moment with the fires in full force and its outcome afterwards.

Oil wasted on the ocean and upon our seas
Fish full of mercury
Ah oh mercy, mercy me
Ah things ain't what they used to be, no no
Radiation under ground and in the sky
Animals and birds who live nearby are dying
Oh mercy, mercy me. (6)

How long more do we have to take the haze and the continuing saga of earth's destruction? I remain optimistic so let's leave the last words to Tommy James and the Shondells:

Maybe tomorrow

When he looks down

On every green field, ooh ooh

And every town

All of his children

And every nation

They'll be peace and good brotherhood (7).

FOOTNOTES

Other Earth Songs:

Mother Nature's Son - The Beatles

After The Gold Rush - Neil Young 
Where Do The Children Play - Cat Stevens 

Big  Yellow Taxi - Joni Mitchell 
Don't Go Near the Water - The Beach Boys
Hole In The Sky - Black Sabbath

The Trees - Rush 

Calypso John Denver
Nobody's Fault - Aerosmith

Earth Anthem - The Turtles
Every Day Every Day Celebrate - John Denver
Sweet Baby James -James Taylor

Traffic Jam - James Taylor

Goodbye To A River - Don Henley

The Eagle and The Hawk - John Denver
Down By The River - Albert Hammond

Quoted Songs Are:

(1) Hungry Planet - The Byrds 

(2) How Is It? - Moody Blues

(3) The Sun Is Burning - Simon and Garfunkel

(4) Hungry Planet - The Byrds 

(5) Clear Blue Skies - Crosby Stills Nash and Young

(6) Oh Mercy, Mercy Me - Marvin Gaye

(7) Crystal Blue Persuasion- Tommy James and The Shondells

*Straits Times Press report and image: 13/10/1972.

**Straits Times Press: S. Jayakumar and Tommy Koh; The haze, international law and global cooperation - 6/10/2015 - Pg A20 Opinion.

**Straits Times Press: Bustar Maitar; Instead of pointing fingers, start restoring peatlands - 7/10/2015 - PgA21 Opinion.

You Tube Video: Crystal Blue Persuasion- Tommy James and The Shondells

Images, Chart and gif: Google.
http://weather.asiaone.com.sg/weather-airdetails.php?d=&m=pre&area=

SAVE THE EARTH CAMPAIGN

SLIP NOTE: 11th October, 2015.

Exhilarating news piece that Indonesia is finally getting help from some countries to help douse out the fire and according to The President Mr Jokowi, it must be effective two weeks from today.  Hopefully, we get fresh air again and also save "all creatures great and small", which include the orang utans too. 

TODAY 26TH AUGUST, 2016. HAZE STILL HERE.

Disclaimer: 

There is absolutely no intention to criticise or point a finger at any country regarding the haze situation. This article has been written in 2015 and in the daily newspapers these days, reports of another haze occurrence is possible [3.6.2023].

Worshipping Butt Royalty: Singapore Weather Forecast: 2022: Hot, Hot With Royal Teens

https://www.zastavki.com/eng/Girls/Beautyful_Girls/wallpaper-143543-31.htm

SONGS I LOVE: 

This post has been revived from 18th July, 2010.

In 12 years, the shorts are shorter still and the climate definitely hotter.

So hotter shorts or hotter climate?

Read the Comments to understand why this post has been revived. My theory about 'the other side of midnight' always works.

It's the song not the picture above that I am trying to project but, as the mind works, the focus is on the image. 😃 So don't blame me!

The Royal Teens: Short Shorts (HD Quality) 

YouTube Video by: Ben Bop 1965

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Weather forecast in the 60's. Hot, hot, hot! Who would have thought that The Royal Teens' song from 1957/8 would be taken so seriously today? Walk the streets in Singapore and we see our ladies in exquisite sensuality with their shortest of shorts. 

And in today's world nobody would stop them from slipping into something so much shorter, sexier and naughtier! Ladies and gentlemen, presenting the mini-shorts (image 1).

Pop Short Shorts:

The New Jersey rock and roll group, comprising 8 band members and 3 vocalists, made headlines with their ditty about the controversial and sexy shorts way back in 1957 after they had recorded the song, Short Shorts. It went to number 3 in the US and was a big hit in Singapore too. And the lyrics, in case you are not familiar, go like this: (Wolf whistle followed by: "Man, dig that crazy chick...")

Who wears short shorts/We wear short shorts/They're such short shorts/We like short shorts. And it goes on and on and on.

About Video:

Carmine D'Amico (guitar), age 12-13 playing with the Royal Teens on American Bandstand. Bob Gaudio (piano), Tommy Austin (drums). No bass. Joey Francovilla later became vocalist,with Frank Coppola (tenor sax) .Leo Rogers (manager). The rest don't seem to be around?

Hot Pants in the 1970's

On Japanese TV:

According to Wikipedia, it's still being played in Japan for the opening tune of the Tamori Club on TV Asahi Corporation. The song has also been mentioned many times on The Simpsons and Homer the Heretic.

And by the way, any difference between short shorts and hot pants (image right)?

I have a suggestion. Wear them longer. More decent.

Image 1: microkitten.com

Image 2: http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu

www.microkitten.com/

Information: Wikipedia

You Tube from carminedamicoguitar.

Happy Deepavali दीपावली की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं 2021 With Music To All Hindu Friends

 

A Happy Deepavali 2021 To 

All Hindu Readers & Friends

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'Calcutta' by the Four Preps.

YouTube Video by SVansay.

A German pop song made popular by American band leader Lawrence Welk in 1961, it has been covered by so many artistes because of its cute lyrics and up-beat rhythm. The 4 Preps version on YouTube, with beautiful Indian ladies galore, is winning so many hearts again today. Thanks to S. VANSAY. 

The instrumental versions are by Lawrence Welk, Ventures, Les Baxter and Petula Clark sings it in French. The song charted #1 at the US Pop Hits.

These are songs that came to be before Cliff Richard and the Shadows emerged from Britain, about a time when we, in Singapore, had the Flamingos, the 3 Bambinos and before the Crescendos even cut their first vinyl. 

Cheers to 50's music...

Images: YouTube by S. Vansay.

Andy 60s Music - A Happy New Year 2021 To All. 'Years May Come' Herman's Hermits

Years May Come, Years May Go - Herman's Hermits.  YouTube sunryse111. Thank you. A better one than 2020, hopefully. 

This video was sent by a good friend from up north.

Like Freda, from the state capital, long time friend Hock comes from Malaysia too, further north in Taiping. 

Contributed by Ooi Chong Hock.

Thanks Hock. 

Cheers to Taiping/Malaysia.

Aubrey Miles From The Bambinos RIP

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Condolences to the family of the late Mr Aubrey Miles

Aubrey Miles from the vocal trio, The 3 Bambinos, has passed away on 30th April 2017, according to the Straits Times obituary announcement. He was not only a school teacher, Mr Miles was also a well-known singer and entertainer on Singapore radio and television.

Together with good friend Malcolm Hyder and Thomas Paul, The Bambinos were a very entertaining act when they performed on stage in the late 50's and on the b/w TV screen in the mid 60's. 

There had been changes with the third member, so there were M. A. Gani and Herbert Chan to replace when Thomas Paul was absent.

But they were always The 3 Bambinos and had appeared way before TV came to Singapore i.e. on Radio Singapore, and was a well-known vocal group that sang jazz standards and 50's hits at dinner and dance parties and other social functions in Singapore. They made the most number of appearances in the original, Rolling Good Times. Yes, four times !

Aubrey Miles, May Your Soul Rest In Peace. 

The 3 Bambinos with Aubrey Miles (centre), Malcolm Hyder and Herbert Chan.

Image from Straits Times Press.
(This posting was slotted later after the newspaper obituary.)

Mr Aubrey Miles by Michael Bangar:

Just to mention that I was a student of his, in Secondary One to be exact. The year was 1962 and I was in Tanjong Katong Technical Secondary School. He was my teacher for two subjects, English and English Literature. I was also a member of the school National Cadet Corps that year and he was our National Cadet Corps Master. I moved on to St Patrick's School.

On the subject of The Bambinos. Their first line up was himself, Mr Malcolm Hyder and one Mr Thomas Paul. From time to time when one of them could not make it to a gig they took on stand-ins. 

NB
05/05/2017:

Just A Thought:

It is a sad thing indeed. Aubrey Miles was a pop music celebrity during the mid 50's up to the 60's but his name was not mentioned in the newspapers these last few days. If a news piece about him has appeared then I missed it.

Sungei Road Flea Mart Singapore Walk Right Back

It's been one year now since Sungei Road Flea Market closed. That was July 2017. People from all over the world, especially record (vinyl) lovers, come to the area to buy Singles, EP's, LP's, CD's, antique stuff, old books, photographs and other odds and ends to take home as souvenirs. Prized stuff to many but rubbish to others, this place is no more (3rd July 2018).

I want you to tell me, Why you walked out on me, I'm so lonesome every day...

**********
Last Year's News:

Sungei Road or Thieves Market will soon be gone, literally taken off the streets and its area transformed for urban rejuvenation. People from all over the world have visited this place since the 1930's to buy nostalgia. One is VINYL. There were many such makeshift stalls in this central area in Singapore selling records, but today you need to hunt the two or three makeshifts that might have them.

By the middle of this year, Robinson Petang will be no more. Like so many of the 60's international and local pop musicians who are gone, Sungei Road will pass away in mid-2017. Extensions are unlikely so it's R.I.P. to Singapore's only Flea Market (15 February 2017).

Walk Right Back With The Everlys - 20 Golden Hits

The article below was written in 2013.

SONGS I LOVE:

In the early 60's, they transformed the bluegrass sound of their Kentucky (USA) boyhood into a richly harmonised form of rock n roll and this close harmony vocal influenced many singers from the West.  Similarly, in the East, Indonesian/Dutch duos like The Blue Diamonds, Singapore's Cyclones and Malaysia's Mike and Herb followed their unique style.

The above vinyl record is one of those rare finds I walked away with for only $2.00.  On the internet, it's about $20.00 or so and that's without shipping cost.  Not a collectable but with twenty songs in the pocket and all genuine recordings by the Everly Brothers.  What more could I ask for? 


Sungei Road Yesterday. Called Robinson Petang.

It's a 1975 mint conditioned Warner Brothers recording distributed by WEA Records Ltd.  I love the artwork by Mick Brownfield on the cover and overall album sleeve design by Graves Aslett Associates. 

Some tracks are re-recorded versions of their Cadence hits, the result of a nostalgic recording session held in Nashville, Tennessee in 1962.  If you're an Everly Brothers fan there's even a Chart Position for US/UK/Year for the 20 songs.  

The Blues Diamonds inspirationally Everlys.

I bought this particular record two years ago when #Sungei Road was still wide enough to accommodate the sellers and make-shift stalls in the area but now with the building of the MRT, the place has shrunk to nearly half its size.  Or even less than that? 

The Brothers inspired a generation of musicians from the Beatles to Simon and Garfunkel.  Dressed in snazzy outfits and sporting pompadours, they offered instant appeal to teenagers who easily identified with their songs about dating parents and high school. 

Everly Brothers - 'Walk Right Back'. Thank you.


In 1960, Phil and Don Everly sold eight million copies of their worldwide hit Cathy's Clown.  Between 1957 and 1965 they notched-up a collective total of over 35 million singles and albums.  Many of their biggest hits were penned by Boudleaux Bryant and wife Felice. 

For this particular album, the tracks were cut in Nashville under Chet Atkins who had worked with Elvis Presley.  They include most of their hits with others like Love Hurts, Love Is Strange, How Can I Meet Her, Temptation, Don't Blame Me, So Sad, No One Can Make My Sunshine Smile, The Ferris Wheel, The Price of Love and Muskrat.  On July 14th 1973, they announced their last concert appearance together each preferring to follow a solo career.

Phil Everly, half of Grammy-winning duo The Everly Brothers, passed away in January 2014, aged 74.

I want you to know that/ Since you walked out on me/ Nothing seems to be the same way... 

#In case you're a tourist who's never been to Singapore, Sungei Road used to be called Thieves' Market or Robinson Petang (evening Robinson's Department Store). Not any more but lots of second-hand goods and if you're lucky you can find some vinyl records.

Images: Google.

Novena Church Services Records: 'The Primitives' Good Friday Easter Sunday

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The old Novena Church
My Good Friday and Easter Sunday Posting
3-5 April 2015

Part 1           

A group was formed and a recording made:

Redemptorist Brother Casimir Godebye (1922-2006), whose artistic talents contributed to the work of attracting many to the faith in Singapore, arrived in Singapore in July 1956 from Australia. He studied art and music before joining the Redemptorists in 1940. 

In the 1960's Brother Casimir took over the Novena church choir and started a youth group called *The Primitives. They gathered each Saturday evening to clean the church after the last Novena session and had fellowship and sing-along sessions. He used to say that music is needed to attract and hold the young people to religion.

In the mid-1970's he left the world of bands, choir and pop music, lived as a hermit in a retreat in India where he learned Christian meditation. He conducted classes when he came back to Singapore.  He passed on since at 84 years.

Extended Play Record Cover of The Primitives

                         
Some Sleeves Speak:

Glad that I found a vinyl copy of the youth group recording entitled, Sing-A-Long With The Primitives.  It is the only one by this choir if I am right, and it is a rare recording on the small Extended Play (EP). I was on my usual shopping around in a little town in Singapore.

The short literature on the back cover reads, "Our Folk Group is known as The Primitives, and we have come together, not with the intention of singing for fame, but simply to project the image of Christ.  This image is very much part of our work and prayers which we offer together.

In this album, we have chosen four numbers, one of which Cumbaya is our most loved song because there is always someone somewhere, pleading searching, praying. 'Come by here, my Lord come by here.'  We hope that after hearing our record you also, walk a little closer with Christ."

Record Information:

Side One: Rock My Soul In The Bosom of Abraham and Cumbaya

Side Two: When the Heavens Begin to Rock and Confidence.

The Primitives with altogether 60 teenagers (part of the choir at the redemptorist group) took three weeks of hard work to build a giant 50-foot by 20-foot Nativity Scene on 23 December 1968, to help project the real message of Christmas.

Hey, if you are in the picture above, part of the helpers or if you know anyone of them, please write in.

The church is now closed for a $45 million upgrade.

Information: A Catholic News Article: 2006 (Edited).

An SG50 Memory Trail Posting.


Images: Private Collection and from Mr Francis Oei.
This posting is original. 

Part 2
NEWS FLASH

16 September 2017.

The new Novena Church @ 300 Thomson Road, Singapore, 307653.
Novena Church at Thomson Road will re-open on 29 September 2017 @ 6.30 pm. after a 3-year renovation. 

2nd Recording found:

After two and a half years and putting up this post again Mr. Francis Oei wrote to me (16.09.2017) on Facebook, and sent me the covers of his second vinyl. Thank you, Mr. Oei.

Mr. Francis Oei on Facebook.

He wrote:
"Hi, Andy, where you got this record... done way back in late 60's. I am in the recording with my wife Doreen before we got married... we did a second EP with Havana Gila... etc... awesome... thanks for sharing. 

The second EP is The Glory Road. We were the original Primitives with Brother Casimir... great memories."

So there you are my dear readers. I shall try to interview Mr. Oei and try to get a history of these two recordings. 

Back Sleeve Print:

Songs: Side One: Christ My Friend, Let's Pray. Side Two: What Now My Love, 
The Glory Road.

"This is our second release and we hope that our music and songs will again bring to you the joy and happiness that was ours when we recorded it for you. Together with the Folk Singers we introduce The Primitives' band known as The Associates whose main aim, like ours is to bring souls a little closer to Christ, and we pray that one day you will work with us, ON THE GLORY ROAD."

Chinatown My Chinatown: Plenty Around The World

This Post Is Dedicated To Bob Moroz (Manitoba, Canada) and Mrs. R. Kelland (Christchurch, NZ):

                        Chinatown, my Chinatown by Chet Atkins. Video from

Pop Song On Chinatown:

*Chinatown, my Chinatown,/When the lights are low,/Hearts that know no other land,/Drifting to and fro. The lines come from a pop song written by William Jerome and Jean Schwartz in 1910.  They incorporated Chinese musical forms into Western music for the melody.

The song has been recorded by numerous artists and is considered to be a jazz standard (like, Fly Me To The Moon, Lady Is A Tramp, Summertime and others).  Now why would two composers from the west write a song about Chinatown all so long ago? 

A flower festival in Frisco's Chinatown. Image from guidosdaddy.com

A Chinatown In Every City:

I didn't believe it when I learnt as a youth that there's a Chinatown in nearly every city in the world.  Impossible I told my parents. But it's true.  There are hundreds of Chinatowns all over and this would include cities in Asia, the Americas, Africa, Australasia and Europe.


Music Sheet Cover. A 1910 song.

So a phone call from a Caucasian friend in Winterpeg told me, "How can it not be true? There are nearly 1.4 billion Chinese people in the world today."

"Yes, too many around huh!" I told him but it was taken in good fun cause Bob was one of the friendliest white-boy to approach me on my first day at school. We are still in touch after nearly 40 years.


Chinatown in Winnipeg (or Winterpeg), Canada.

Tong Yan Gaai:

You can't miss these Chinatowns since the area would probably be cordoned off within its signature pagoda-styled frontage.  Tried to go to as many Chinatowns as possible within my lifetime but have not succeeded. Here are some cities visited during those youthful years: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Winnipeg, Vancouver, Toronto, London (Soho), Paris,  Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Cairns, Brisbane, Christchurch(?) and the ones in S.E. Asia. These places  are usually referred to in Cantonese as Tong Yan Gaai, or Chinese People's Street.



Miss Chinatown Philippines Beauty Pageant.

Just around the corner from Singapore and what my folks used to talk about, is Glodok in Djakarta, the Indonesian version of Chinatown which dates back to 1740. Just wondering if it's still there since I haven't been for a visit after 1990.



Chinatown Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Sixteen Singapore Dollars For Won-Ton Noodles:

You'd surely long to consume some Asian food during your travels away from Singapore so a Chinatown visit is a must unless you're gourmet-happy with fries and beef-burger everyday. Came a time in London I was running around Gerrard Street like a drug addict looking for a won-ton-noodle fix.


Chinese Restaurant at Gerrard Street, London.

"Two pounds, minimum charge!" the Chinese waiter said fiercely when I went into this corner restaurant. In the early 1980s, one pound was about eight Singapore dollars (if the mind serves correct) but I paid.  To curb the craving.
Sixteen Sing Dollars for a bowl!
When I lived in Christchurch NZ in the 70s my landlady warned me about eating the won-ton, "sold in a certain restaurant in Chinatown," and what she said could be, "cat's meat." For the few weeks I was attached there I didn't eat at the restaurant.

Miss Chinatowns:

The cheongsam charm has been around for a long time. Some Chinatowns hold annual Miss Chinatown beauty pageants.  There is always a Miss Chinatown San Francisco, Miss Chinatown Hawaii, Miss Chinatown Scholarship Pageant or like what they hold in the U.S.A., Miss Chinatown Houston or Miss Chinatown Atlanta and even Mr n Miss Chinatown Philippines.

Miss Chinatown USA Pageant.

So enjoy the Mills Brothers' song my friends cause the composition is a far cry from the way we were stereo-typed when Fu Manchu, Charlie Chan and Kato (Green Hornet) were around. All in good fun maybe? Dreamy, dreamy Chinatown, Almond eyes of brown,/Hearts are light and lights are bright,/In dreamy Chinatown.,/Wing Wong...



Hollywood stereo-types from the past?

Two other songs from the west about China: Singapore's Maria Tang sings When China Boy Meets China Girl and Dean Martin's, Slow Boat To China. Check them out under Labels below.

Marie Tang and Dino deliver songs with China theme.

This post was written well before my present computer headache.

                               
*There are instances when the West cannot differentiate the Chinese from the Japanese (can we?) and the result is a music sheet with unique graphics and lyrics of a song which may prove offensive to some. But then, that's another story and another posting.

All Google images including those of Chinatowns in San Francisco, Winnipeg, Djakarta, London.

Now here's Singapore's...

And of course, Singapore's Chinatown; 

always lighted up, always busy but always safe...

**********

SINGAPORE LATEST RELATED NEWS!

1) ROLLING STONES LIVE TELECAST AT MARINA BAY SANDS IN MARCH.

2) OUR CHINATOWN HAS AN AIR-CONDITIONED FOOD STREET JUST OPENED THIS WEEK IN FEBRUARY 2014.