HAPPY NEW YEAR, HAPPY NEW YEAR

Happy New Year Lyrics: Sung/Composition: By ABBA. Songwriters: Anderson, Benny Goran Bror/Ulvaeus, Bjoern K.

No more champagne
And the fireworks are through
Here we are, me and you
Feeling lost and feeling blue
It's the end of the party
And the morning seems so grey
So unlike yesterday
Now's the time for us to say

 Happy new year
Happy new year
May we all have a vision now and then
Of a world where every neighbor is a friend
Happy new year
Happy new year
May we all have our hopes, our will to try
If we don't we might as well lay down and die
You and I

Sometimes I see
How the brave new world arrives
And I see how it thrives
In the ashes of our lives
Oh yes, man is a fool
And he thinks he'll be okay
Dragging on, feet of clay
Never knowing he's astray
Keeps on going anyway

Seems to me now
That the dreams we had before
Are all dead, nothing more
Than confetti on the floor
It's the end of a decade
In another ten years time
Who can say what we'll find
What lies waiting down the line
In the end of eighty-nine

A HAPPY & PEACEFUL NEW YEAR 2010 !

A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010 TO EVERYONE. LET'S HAVE MORE YEARS OF FUN AND BLOGGING SINGAPORE 60s MUSIC. CHEERS!

ABBA was a pop music group formed in Sweden in 1970, consisting of Anni-Frid Lyngstad (Frida), Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson (the B-boys) and Agnetha Fältskog (Anna). Both Anni-Frid and Benny were married.

So were Bjorn and Agnetha but both couples later divorced. They became one of the most commercially successful vocal groups in popular music, and topped the charts worldwide from 1972 to 1982.

Image: jerseyarts.wordpress.com/.../
Website: http://www.abbaworld.com/ You Tube Sidebar: Brighnights June 4th, 2006.

Singapore's 60s70s October Cherries' Website

JAY SHOTAM HAS PASSED AWAY ON 4TH OCTOBER 2019.
CLICK BELOW TO READ LATEST:

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2019/10/rip-jay-shotum-october-cherries-andy.html

Read all about their history, tours, CD releases on their own website at: http://www.octobercherries.com/

The October Cherries, a group that has existed since the mid-sixties, were a highly successful band in their country Singapore. Unfortunately, music piracy destroyed almost everything. Far Away Now is one of their hit songs that made it to number one in Malaysia.

They moved on to conquer Europe and they are still recording today. Jay Shotam (Lead singer): Far Away Now was on the first October cherries LP entitled, Meet the Cherries, a copy of which was given to Dick James, President of Dick James Music, in the UK, a big name in the music industry. He liked the band's songwriting ability.

In the early seventies when our manager Bal Shotam visited him to try and get a publishing tie-up, Dick James commented on another track on the LP called Na Na Song and said that it might be suitable for a new artist he had called Elton John. Nothing transpired. But Bal recalls another person who was with Dick and him, who heard the songs on the demo tapes.

An edited version, from YouTube: keithyoong (April 01, 2008). Check it out! Great website!

(2) Barry Walker "The Figures" - Rocket Label

The UK/US BANDS IN SINGAPORE:

THE image shows the record sleeve cover of a guitar group called The Figures that featured Barry Walker (Singapore: 1968) from the armed services in Singapore 60s and the same leading man who also fronted The In-Sect later. The Figures had local boys Albert, Patrick, Eugene, Philip and Victor accompanying Walker

This group recorded on Hi-Fi/Stereo Rocket Label (DEP - 1009) playing: Midnight Hour, Stand By Me, Love Is Blue and Peter Gunn's Theme. This mix has been covered time and again by other Singapore bands including, Heather and The Thunderbirds, The Trailers, Charlie and The Boys.

Other British and American servicemen that had appeared together as a group or multiracially with our local boys included The Dee Tees (1964), The Misfits (1964), The Harmaniacs (1965), The Easybeats (1965), The Toadstools (1965), LBJ and The Presidents (1965), The Motifs (1966), Split Image (1966), The United Noises (1967), The Summer Of Love 1967) and many more.

And one British drummer who played in Singapore 60s, gained international fame when he joined a UK group called Ian Drury and The Blockheads. Know this drummer? Have you heard of other British or American groups that played in Singapore in the 60s and 70s? Do you have a friend who is familiar with them? Do write in.

Image: P.C. Collection.

Reference: A.N. and G.C.

(1) British/American Servicemen Music Influence In 60s Music Scene At Military Base

UK/US BANDS IN SINGAPORE:

With the British military presence aplenty at the naval and air bases in Singapore until the early 70s, the import of the latest R&B, pop, rock n roll music from Britain and some from the US was common. These men in uniform had a strong cultural influence on the youths here, especially when they armed themselves with solid twanging guitars, thumping skins and clanging cymbals.

The presence of these soldiers also provided the infrastructure for a successful music industry as many local band boys and girls eagerly went on stage at tea dances and nightly gigs to strut their stuff. The dashing men in uniform also brought their imported music vinyls - singles, EPs and LPs - to lend to our local band members during their visits to the gigs and tea-dances in Singapore 60s. And so the influence and exchange began.

Despite the music being tagged as part of 'yellow culture' in later years, the government was not able to halt the increase of western pop culture while the the uniform personnel from abroad were were still around during the 60s. But when fisticuffs led to brawls and big bar fights, and when the idea that consuming illegal drugs became a day to day affair, the authorities were on the alert.

So when news of drug consumption and especially casualties amongst this popular industry in the west abound, the authorities here in Singapore acted. The denouement was in the early 70s, when they eventually withdrew their forces from Singapore.

In the above photo can you recognise Barry Walker or any other officer who was in a band?
Image: British Military Base Copyrights Reserved from P.C. Collection.

Original article: Andy Lim Collection.

Remembering Dean Martin - From Andy To DMP

FROM DMP's BLOG:

"Hey pallies well our month of Dino-remembrance started windin' down. But, still a few more Dino-days to honor our Dino and his passin' on Dino-winter-day...

Gotta 'fess up that I just had to share this trib to be able to one more time share my fav of fav Dino-seasonal clips....loves this version of the white stuff more then I can ever say. To read this in it's original format, clicks on:

http://ilovedinomartin.blogspot.com/

(On December, 25th in 1995, actor and singer Dean Martin passed on at the age of 78. Martin was born Dino Paul Crocetti in Steubenville, Ohio, in 1917. From then on it's show biz history when this great man - Elvis Presley's idol and favourite singer -flooded the 50's to the 90's with his magical, music and movie moments. Long live Dino Martin.)

You Tube: DinoLewis1945

Image: http://www.last.fm/music/Dean+Martin/+images/2734308

John Lennon: "Nowhere Boy" - New Movie

Nowhere Boy is a biopic about John Lennon's childhood and has never been told, so now Beatles fans will be able to gain insight into his fascinating life. This press release information was provided by Tom Ortenberg, Weinstein Company president of theatrical films.

"The film will examine the effects each woman and their custody fight had on the young musician." The movie will also focus on Lennon’s bond with Paul McCartney, and concludes when the Beatles leave Liverpool and proceed to Germany. The title is taken from Rubber Soul’s Nowhere Man. The film went on general release in the UK on 26 December 2009.

Information from: Rolling Stone Magazine & Wikipedia.

Image: http://dreampark9.blogspot.com/2009_11_01_archive.html

Singapore Idol 2009 And Sing60sMusic Idols

The winner will emerge and there will be one Singapore Idol 2009. Who will win? Sezairi Sezali or Sylvia Ratonel? Blogger wishes the two of them all the best.

It'll be butterflies in the stomach, lots of sandpaper in the throat and a Ferrari engine replacing the heart. The whole body quakes like jelly... That's how a singer feels just before he or she hits the spotlight on stage. But once the adrenalin goes into the bloodstream it's all touch and go.

If you have gone through this blog for the past year, you might have been reading about our 60s Singapore Idols (image). And there are so many that a year's blogging hasn't done much justice, especially when you need to mention the music influences from around the globe.

So as some of us take a break during this Christmas season, we wish the two Singapore Idol 2009 participants all the best. May the better person win! It's on at the Singapore Indoor Stadium this Sunday, 27th December 2009 at 8pm.

Image: National Heritage Board, Singapore.

Original article: Andy Lim Collection.

Mary's Boy Child Harry Belafonte 60s Christmas

SONGS I LOVE:

Mary's Boy Child is a 1956 Christmas song, written by Jester Hairston, first sung by Belafonte and covered by more than 30 singers far and wide.

Mary`s Boy Child (Harry Belafonte)

Long time ago in Bethlehem

So the Holy Bible say

Mary's boy child, Jesus Christ

Was born on Christmas day.

Hark, now hear the angels sing

A new King born today

And man will live forever more

Because of Christmas day.

While shepherds watched their flock by night

And see a bright new shining star

And hear a choir sing

The music seem to come from afar.

Now Joseph and his wife Mary

Come to Bethlehem that night

And find no place to born swee' child

Not a single room was in sight.

Hark, now hear the angels sing

A new King born today

And man will live forever more

Because of Christmas day.

By and by they find a little nook

In a stable all forlorn

And in a manger cold and dark

Mary's little boy was born.

Hark, now hear the angels sing

A new King born today

And man will live forever more

Because of Christmas day.

From: You Tube: Inky261. Thank You!

Merry Christmas To All Readers Everywhere!

The Travellers is quite a well-known garage band from Singapore. Like The Stylers and The Melodians, they accompany singers in the 60s and 70s, especially those who record for smaller companies. These labels have released covers in English, Chinese and Malay. The originals are the ones usually in Chinese and Malay. Blogger has seen recordings where The Travellers accompany a singer like Zhang Xiao Ying.

The particular record highlighted (image) is one of many vinyls cut specially for the Singapore Christmas season and produced by Sina Records (HB-244). The selection is "played by" the group and includes, Jingle Bells, Mary's Boy Child, We Wish You A Merry X'Mas, Silent Night and Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.

As blogger explained in earlier postings, these records are actually dance music and usually played during house parties for people who cannot manage live-bands. The Travellers are part of this Non-Stop Dancing Music genre. We might call it elevator music now.

Does anyone know where The Travellers are now? If you are a former member or a friend who knows where they are, do write. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year everyone!

Image/original article: Andy Lim Collection.

(2) Songs, Music & Dances In Singapore 40s Slow Fox Trot Waltz, Swinging Before The 60s

ENTERTAINMENT IN SINGAPORE BEFORE THE 60:

The crowds were there during the weekends and the tea-dances were usually filled to the brim. Weekdays would bring in a small crowd to these cabarets but the prices of tickets were not as expensive. And the imported music? Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong and Bing Crosby melodies, playing to the rhythm of rag-time, boogie-woogie, honky-tonk and of course jazz. The floor was crowded when the orchestra played the blues and dance music in slow-fox trot and waltz. The reason is obvious.

(*Beginning in the late 1920s, dancers in the US enjoyed doing an energetic dance they called the Lindy-Hop. Critics called these gyrating dancers 'jitter-bugs (image)', and in the late 30s the name was applied to the dance itself. What was now known as the Jitterbug was also called Swing, and would remain popular into the 40s.

*There were also many popular dances in the 30s, including the sophisticated Continental and Carioca, the carefree Lambeth Walk and Big Apple, and the Latin-inspired Rumba and Conga.

*In the late 30s, jazz that was written for dancing broke off into its own musical style... swing music. Performed by big bands, swing would become the most popular music style in the 40s.)

The song list played in these cabarets might include: April In Paris, The Way You Look Tonight, Goody Goody, Ebb Tide, Harbour Lights, Lullaby Of Broadway, I'm In The Mood For Love, It's Only A Paper Moon, Lady Of Spain, All Of Me, etc.

In Singapore, with some influence from HK, Shanghai and Malay culture, the cabarets would have a mix of the West and the East and the locals songs might include the ones sung by our 40s Shanghai ladies ( Zhou Xuan, Wu Yingyin, etc), peppered with the ronggeng, samba, rhumba, Latin music and old Malay songs.

Image: http://www.semaphoresa.com/

*Reference for 3 paragraphs: http://www.angelfire.com/

Original article: Andy Lim Collection

(1) Singapore Tea Dances In The Late 30's - Live Music, Entertainment And Cabaret

ENTERTAINMENT IN SINGAPORE BEFORE THE 60s:

Tea-dances didn't start in the 60s with The Trailers at the Palace Theatre in Katong, East Coast Singapore nor did it start with The Checkmates at the Golden Venus nightclub at the end of the shopping strip at Orchard Road. Tea-dances were around way before the 40s. And with a poster to prove.

The orchestra, with at least 8 musicians, used to be called "live" because they were all on stage providing the swingingest music ever. If one looks at the year, it was 1939 and way before the Japanese decided to make our beautiful country its island gateway - about 22 years before Cliff Richard and The Shadows landed in Singapore.

There is a difference though, because, at this tea dance, one had to pay for a female dance partner as patrons were not allowed to bring female companions. For S$3.00 (expensive!) a patron would get 3 tickets to dance thrice with whoever he wished. Male friends would go as a group and buy beer for the night, sitting at tables provided in the cabaret.

The 20 or more "charming dancing partners (image)" in waiting would be sitting in a row in front of the orchestra. Blogger has been told that some cheeky patrons would place the ticket stub on the low-cut dresses of these ladies. A dance usually lasted about 3 minutes ie, the duration of the music. Remarks made after the gentlemen returned to their seats? "One dollar gone!" Those who just wanted a drink,"the first class bar" mentioned in the poster provided the water-hole.

Image: National Heritage Board, Singapore.

Original Article: Andy Lim Collection.

The Late Wu Yingyin - 40s Shanghai Songstress

Another one bites the dust...

A List Of 60 Christmas Songs From The 60s

"I Saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus Underneath The Mistletoe..."

    UP TO 45,000 VIEWS.   

RECORD BREAKING POST!

60 Christmas Songs From 60's

1) Sleigh Bells (Gene Autry)

2) Jingle Bell Rock (Bobby Helms)
3) Little Saint Nick (Beach Boys)
4) Frosty The Snowman (Patsy Cline)
5) Please Come Home For Christmas (Dion)

6) The Christmas Song (Bing Crosby)
7) Santa Baby (Eartha Kitt)
8) Step Into Christmas (Elton John)
9) Winter Wonderland (Dean Martin)
10) Do You Hear What I Hear? (Carpenters)

11) Silver Bells (Elvis Presley)
12) Frosty The Snowman (Beach Boys)
13) Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (Crystals)
14) Run, Run Rudolph (Chuck Berry)
15) Oh Holy Night (Nat King Cole)

The Quests: Wishing You A Merry X'mas.

16) Merry Christmas, Baby (Otis Redding)
17) Jingle Bell Rock (Chubby Checker n Bobby Rydell)
18) Blue Christmas (Elvis Presley)
19) There’s No Place Like Home (Carpenters)
20) Sleigh Ride (Neil Diamond)

21) My Favorite Things (Supremes n Diana Ross)
22) Rudolph The Red-Nose Reindeer (Cadillacs)
23) Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree (Brenda Lee)
24) We Need A Little Christmas (Percy Faith)
25) Little Drummer Boy (Pete Seegar)

26) White Christmas (Drifters)
27) I’ll Be Home For Christmas (Fats Domino)
28) Feliz Navidad (Jose Feliciano)
29) So This Is Christmas (John Lennon)
30) Blue Christmas (Fats Domino)

31) O Little Town Of Bethlehem (Elvis Presley)

32) I Saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus (Ronettes)
33) White Christmas (Bing Crosby)

34) Silent Night, Holy Night (Jim Reeves)
35) Jingle Bell Rock (Brenda Lee)

36) Rudolph The Red-Nose Reindeer (Crystals)
37) Let It Snow, Let It Snow (Dean Martin)
38) Up On The House Top (Eddy Arnold)
39) Merry Christmas, Darling (Carpenters)
40) Frosty The Snowman (Jackson 5)

41) Comfort And Joy (Simon & Garfunkel)
42) The First Noel (Elvis Presley)
43) Frosty The Snowman (Ronettes)
44) Jingle Bell Rock (Bill Haley & Comets)
45) I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (Brenda Lee)

46) Winter Wonderland (Engelbert Humperdink)
47) What Child Is This {Greensleeves} (Moody Blues)
48) Winter Wonderland, Silver Bells... (Carpenters)
49) The Christmas Song (Natalie n Nat King Cole)
50) Here Comes Santa Claus (Elvis Presley)

51) Sleigh Ride (The Ventures)
52) I’ll Be Home For Christmas (Beach Boys)
53) Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree (Dion)
54) Twelve Days Of Christmas (Perry Como)
55) Deck The Halls (Smokey Robinson n The Miracles)

'It's the most wonderful time of the year' Johnny Mathis. 

Thank you YouTube Video by WacDanaladis.

56) Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (Beach Boys)

57) It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas (Perry Como)
58) It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year (Johnny Mathis)
59) Away In A Manger (Ed Ames)
60) The Christmas Song (Alvin n The Chipmunks)*

Images/gif - from Google.

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2024 EVERYONE.

WE MADE IT !!!

                        

  MERRY CHRISTMAS 2024. WMADE 

Keith Richards' Rockin' Rollin' 'Run Rudolf Run' Christmas Gift Idea For Yuletide Tree

The Rolling Stones' KEITH RICHARDS recording of Run Rudolph Run (Marvin Brodie, John D. Marks) - 1979 UK limited edition 7" vinyl single, also includes The Harder They Come, picture sleeve. Richards plays Chuck Berry's 1958 song and is a great fan of the African-American rock and roll icon.

Keith Richards Christmas contribution is Chuck Berry's, "Run Rudolf Run"... Richards is one of the original members of the Rolling Stones. As active as ever, he is all dressed up, looks good and the vinyl recording is a great Christmas gift idea. Can you get a copy?

Image: http://spittingoutteeth.com/
You Tube (sidebar): RocknRollShaman/December 09, 2007. Thank You!

(2) Our Father Who Art In Heaven: Esther Chan Remembering 70s Christmas In Asian Cities

Esther Chan, still as popular as ever, appeared on September 27th, 2008 in Hong Kong:

The Lord's Prayer.

Chorus: Our father, who art in heaven /Hallowed be thy name /Thy kingdom come /Thy will be done /On earth as it is in heaven (repeat)/Give us this day our daily bread

/Forgive us our trespasses /As we forgive them who trespass against us /Forgive us our trespasses /- Chorus - /Our Lord lead us not into temptation /But save us from evil /And the kingdom, the power /And the glory forever /Will be Yours - Chorus 4x -

Composition: Arnold Strals. Production: Vic Cristobel.

Images: http://macaenese5354/.blogspot.com

(1) Esther Chan With: Sister Janet Mead's: "The Lord's Prayer" (1974) Hong Kong Pop X'mas

UP TO 2,000 VIEWS

SONGS I LOVE:

The days before Christmas is the best time for blogger to present this lovely song.

The Singer: 

One of the prettiest lady singers in Hong Kong in the mid 70s is Esther Chan. She is an exceptionally talented person with tight vocals, clear diction, a powerful but yet beautiful voice that is able to interpret a music version of, The Lord's Prayer. Comparatively, she's as handsome as Zoe Saldana, the on screen persona of Neytiri in Avatar, James Cameron's latest adventure into the unknown.

Chen Yi De has been singing since the late 60s and according to a blog, she is still appearing in nightclubs in Hong Kong up to 2007. Coming from Guangdong in China, she was never interested in music as a youth but developed a love for it later in her life.

The Songs: 

In 1974 Chan published her first single EMI album. Side A has a cover of Sister Janet Mead's version of Arnold Strals, The Lord's Prayer and Side B is Leon Russell's work, This Masquerade (CHK 1512 EMI HK Ltd - 1974). With more than adequate sales of the single she subsequently released her first LP with EMI in 1975, Happy To See You Again, produced by well-known Filipino music man Victor Cristobal, who has promoted many singers in Hong Kong.

Side One: 

has The Lord's Prayer, Without You, Send A Little Love, My Way, Leave Me Alone, Ruby Red Dress, It's Kinda Like A Sad Old Movie, I Believe In Music, 

Side Two:

has: Friends, Hit The Road Jack, This Masquerade, It's Nice To Be With You,
Becoming, Let Me Try Again (try to listen to this last song).

According to a comment on the blog, Esther Chan, with George Lam, was supposed to have organised a fund raising concert on 27, September, 2007 at the Convention Center, Wah Yan College Hong Kong. It would have been her first stage appearance after 30 years.

Image: 

You Tube. Side Bar: justiniong1120, June 23rd, 2009. 

Thank you!

Information: http://macaenese5354.blogspot.com

Music Influence From India 'Awara' 1951 Movie

SONGS I LOVE:

As a young person in the 50s, blogger used to go to the Queen's Cinema (Geylang Road) or Garrick Cinema (Geylang Serai) in the eastern part of Singapore to watch Indian movies. Awaara is one of them and the theme song remains...

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Awaara means Tramp (shades of Charles Chaplin) and is a 1951 Indian film acted, directed and produced by Raj Kapoor (one of the greatest movie stars in the 50s and 60s).

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*The song Awara Hoon (I am a Tramp) sung by Mukesh with lyrics by Shailendra, became hugely popular across the Indian subcontinent, as well as in Russia, Romania, Turkey and China. The film was nominated for the Grand Prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 1953.

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*In 2005, Indiatimes Movies ranked the movie amongst the "Top 25 Must See Bollywood Films". Time Magazine listed it at number one on its list of "10 Indian Films to Treasure". It grossed over Rs. 12 million. This record was beaten the next year by Aan (another great movie that blogger has seen).

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Music from the great Indian country was a strong influence on Singapore 60s too as many Malay pop songs from Singapore and Malaya were inspired by these melodies.

Reviews on You 

Awaara Hoon Ya Gardish Mein Hoon Aasmaan Ka Tara Mukesh Awara 1951        Shankar Jaikishan Shailendra

1. "Absolutely brilliant. Shankar-Jaikishan at their best. Pity modern music is western influenced and doesn't sound at all Indian."

2. "No words for this awesome film. Old is gold."

3. "When I hear this song I cry so much. It was my mom's favorite song. She use to sing it to us in bed 30 years ago! I was 6 years old. God bless your soul mom I miss you so much."

(In posting this movie, I am also wondering how popular Tamil movies and songs are in the US and other parts of the world because the fan base for Tamil songs in Singapore is quite large since about a quarter of the population speak the language.)

*Information: Wikipedia.

Image: http://soumyadipc.blogspot.com/
You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrnwhYKm_WA

Singapore A-Go-Go With Local Artistes On CD

This CD (image) is presently being sold on the international market too. Pop songs selected from our local music scene in the 60s and 70s featuring garage, rock, soul, beat, and "strange girl grooves taken from rare Malaysian 45s" are featured on this particular compilation.

The article explains that the tunes blend American, European rock and pop sounds with "more traditional sounds of Asia and the Malaysian peninsula - many with female vocals, and catchy and groovy" tunes. The article also describes that "the percussion and organ sounds are especially fantastic, with wailing and echoing grooves galore."

The songs become more familiar as each title and artiste name is provided. They include, Each And Every Flower by Grace Lee & The Stylers, Good Luck In The New Year by Linda Yong & The Silvertones, Mimi Cat by Chew Yan & The Stylers, "Mountain Lady" by Charlie Electric Guitar Band's South Of Japan, "Spring Wind Kisses My Face" by Chen Jie And Golden Melody Band. There are 22 tracks in all.

It is interesting news as the revival of Singapore 60s music is going places. Blogger loves a copy.

Image/Information from: © 1996-2009, Dusty Groove America, Inc.