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.

Kassim Masdor: Singapore's Top Malay Composer Sudah Meninggal

"Biarlah Aku Pergi"

Passed Away on: Monday Night 20th January, 2014.

Mr Kassim Masdor, born in 1938 and composer of more than 400 songs in Malay, had passed on. He had written melodies and lyrics for many artistes like Ahmad Daud, Kartina Dahari, Saloma, Ahmad Jais, Sharifah Aini and a host of others.

Some of the pop songs include: Nusa Jaya, Bersabarlah Sayang, Biarlah Aku Pergi, Cintaku Satu, Gelisah, Manis tujuh Belas, Selamat Hari Raya.  There's also a combined effort, Kisah Aku Dan Lagu, Kisah Tua dan Tijah and Kembara Rasa, done with good friend Yusnor Ef's lyrics.

He was composer and producer for EMI Records from 1968, after his stint with Shaw Brothers Studios at Jalan Ampas. Masdor left EMI in 1977 and opened his own recording company called, Senada Records.

He had been honoured with many awards both from Singapore and Malaysia. He was last seen on stage when he played at a tribute concert at the Esplanade in September, 2013. Mr. Kassim was 76.

It was the first time I had watched him perform. He was a natural on the piano with his signature hat and simple style. But he was charismatic in so many ways, polite but deep in concentration with the music accompaniment he was playing and listening intently to the band and singers with him on stage.

Rest In Peace Pak Kassim. You have contributed much to Singapore's Malay Heritage and its future.

This article is copyrighted.

Information from friends around and books: 
1) Muzik Melayu Sejak 1940an (Yusnor Ef) 2011, and 
2) Seven Magnificent Composers, a PERKAMUS Publication.

Images: Google.

Chinese Dance Photo Exhibition And Showcase

My Chap Goh May and Valentine's Day 2014 Posting:

Comment:
A rare occurrence indeed this year when February 14th, Valentine's Day, coincides with Chap Goh Mei where lovers in Singapore and elsewhere shower each other with rose petals, chocolates and perfume.  Girls don't forget to throw your tangerines (Mandarin oranges) into our rivers to allow someone special to fish it out.

 According to a news report about 240 couples are getting their marriages solemnised in Singapore on the 14th February, 2014, more than the average of 35 to 50 in a day.  Roses will cost more since there is a shortage this year. All in fun and games. Why give them when tangerines are in abundant supply :-)

 

 Introduction: 

Witness to a sophisticated Chinese Dance Photo Exhibition and Showcase at JCube, Jurong, during this Chinese New Year period resulted in my talking to Edmund Quek, a bright-eyed young dance enthusiast and member of this particular troupe.  He was one of those supervising the show who emailed me all details, quick as a wink, after I haunted him with questions that could have stumped many dance experts. The article below shows how well versed he is with the subject. 

Thanks very much Edmund for allowing us this insight about Chinese dance (article below) and the rest of the dancers and organisers for the excellent performance and photographs on display at the venue that afternoon.

(Dancers whose names and photos I read on the red-packet covers include; Li Ruimin, Serene Tan, Chia Zhi Wen, Vivien Lai and Alvan Lim.  There were more than a dozen dancers that I met that day. The dance photographer was Tan Ngiap Heng. I thank them all.)

Roses, Music and Dance = Valentine/Chap Goh May 2014.

About Music and Dance Influence from China:

1) How are the dances related to the accompanying melodies ( in terms of themes like Provinces in China, Springtime, Weddings, Young Love, etc)?

The accompanying melodies are usually closely related to the dances because each dance has a distinct character/theme and the music used also has to fall along the same lines; the music used usually reflects, complements, or accentuates the mood and/or progression of the dance.
　 

 2) Can you provide information not found on your website regarding the music and dances by the group?

There are mainly two broad categories of Chinese dance: classical and ethnic-folk. Ethnic-folk dance is further divided into 56 key minorities. Each minority is then made up of several or a host of different tribes. Out of these 56 minorities, four feature the most prominently: Dai, Uighur, Tibetan, and Mongolian. 

Traditionally, classical dances were the kind of dances which were meant to be brought before the Emperor/nobility/privileged etc. The purpose of these dances was mainly as entertainment and much emphasis was placed on the aesthetics of the dance. Common props used included fans, long sleeves, silk streamers, etc. Instruments commonly used for classical dance include standard Chinese wind and string instruments. 

For ethnic folk dances, the content tends to revolve around and reflect the specific lifestyles/practices/rituals/activities surrounding that ethnic minority. Hence, it is more communal and less elite. In terms of music, dances from one minority usually only uses music from its own minority group. The music from each minority is distinct, although sometimes not altogether different from, other minority groups. A lot of ethnic folk music also incorporates singing as it was common for the people in the tribe to sing and dance at the same time while going about their daily activities. Each ethnic minority do have their musical instrument/arrangement preference and some have instruments unique to their minority. 

In contemporary times, themes touched upon in both kind of dances are usually broader and more complex in nature, including but not limited to: people's inner emotions, desires and struggles, interpersonal relationships, social issues and phenomena, history, the natural environment, natural disasters and so on. 

 3) Does this troupe only perform Hokkien dance and music?

 No. The Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan is actually committed to promoting Chinese Cultural Arts as a whole. The dances and music which we use are from the categories mentioned above, i.e. classical or ethnic-folk. Dialects groups are categorised differently and hence do not feature.

4) Is there any information that is relevant to this blog's theme on music?

 I have included some music samples of the 4 most prominent ethnic-folk minorities and some trivia of that minority which you can use freely. Like I mentioned above, the music and dance in these minorities reflect very strongly the type of people and culture that they have. Hopefully, you will be able to see a connection between the people and their music. Additionally, I have attached one classical dance music.

Classical dance music: Elegance.

Mongolian: The Mongolian ethnic minority live in the vast steppes and grasslands of China. They are nomadic and traverse the landscape with herds of livestock under the bare sky. For them, the horizon really is the limit; because of this, and their cultural history, they possess a certain brazenness and have been known to take whatever they please when riding through each other’s territories.                                                        

Mongolian music: Freedom of the grasslands.

Tibetian: In sharp contrast to the Mongolians, the Tibetan ethnic minority live high up in the mountains where the cold climate dictates many of their habits. They worship the sun and wear many layers of thick clothing. They usually look very heavy-set because of all that clothing and the harsh weather conditions has made them a serious people.

Tibetan music: The people closest to the sun.

Dai: The Dai mostly reside in the Yunan province of China and have ancestry relating to the Thai and Lao people. It is often said that women of Yunan are the most mesmerising and a phrase that is commonly heard is that "Dai women are like water" – meaning they flow beautifully, I guess? The Dai place great emphasis on nature, beauty in nature and just beauty in general. For them, the peacock is regarded as the most graceful of animals.

 Dai music: Peacocks in flight.

Uighur: While the Dai are known for their beautiful women, the Uighur are known for their m en. In the Uighur culture, any young male of age is automatically termed ‘Balang.’ In their language, Balang refers to an energetic, charismatic, almost Casanova-like young man. Uighur culture draws influences from Arabic and middle-eastern cultures.

 Uighur music: Balang.

Because of problems with my computer I am unable to download music and clear pictures of the troupe. Excuse the poor formatting and typo errors.

A Happy Valentine's Day and Chap Goh May To All My Readers.

Images and Article from Edmund Quek. Copyrights Reserved.

Information about our major production at the end of this month:
A 60-minute production using purely Chinese dance to depict the classic Chinese tale of "The Peony Pavilion."

Title: Dance Drama: "A Startling Dream."
Date/Time: 22 Feb 2014, 8pm.
Venue: Kallang Theatre.
Tickets: $68, $48, $38, $28, from SISTIC
(30% off for students, senior citizens, NSFs. 10% off for PassionCard and MasterCard holders).

My Sweet Lady Jane: More Lawrence Than Chaucer.

                            Rolling Stones: Lady Jane You Tube Video by String Bean.

SONGS I LOVE:

This particular one by The Stones is not listed in the book, 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die by Robert Dimery and Tony Visconti although As Tears Go By is. But it's supposed to be one of the biggest songs on the Rolling Stones' achievement plaque (i). And I love its subtlety.

Remembering the lyrics with its soft, sweet balladry I was surprised the lyrics were compared to Geoffrey Chaucer's English because when asked to comment on the song, Mick Jagger remarked that the names were historical, fitting together from the same period.


Jane Seymour (1508-1537)

He added, "Lady Jane is very Elizabethan. There are a few places in England where people still speak that way, Chaucer English (ii)."  True, it was around the period he mentioned but Queen Elizabeth the First was born more than 200 years after Chaucer.

If I remember correctly, one of Chaucer's theme was of courtly love and his most famous, The Canterbury Tales were pretty much bawdy in nature.  But this song was loosely based on Jane Seymour (not the actress la), King Henry the VIII's third wife. Unlike other wives she was spared execution but finally died from childbirth complication. And the lyrics' no Chaucer English.  No matter what comments Lady Jane is a beautiful song.


Musically for accompaniment and to provide that Elizabethan feel, The Stones used an acoustic guitar, a harpsichord and a dulcimer, the last instrument was played by the late Brian Jones.  And the lyrics, missive-styled and pledging his troth since "wedlock is nigh", was written by humble servant Jagger with Keith Richards composing the music.




Light pop balladry or roaring gut-bucket rock i.e. shifting gears from one music extreme to another, that's what the Stones are able to do. And that's why they're still around.  

My sweet Lady Jane/When I see you again/Your servant am I/And will humbly remain.../Your time has come my love/I've pledged my troth to Lady Jane/The sands have run out/For your lady and me/Wedlock is nigh my love.

To be honest, the song reminds me more of D.H. Lawrence's, Lady Chatterley's Lover rather than Mr Chaucer's Tales, especially when the name Lady Jane is used because readers can surely remember thrusty  John Thomas.  Humble servant indeed.

Was this song ever banned anywhere?  Unlikely. What's your opinion?

(I and ii) The Rolling Stones: Stories Behind The Biggest Songs by Steve Appleford.
Images: Google.

ROLLING STONES LIVE TELECAST AT MARINA BAY SANDS SINGAPORE IN MARCH 2014. *****************************


Photo from: The New York Times.

LATEST NEWS!!!

Actor Philip Seymour Hoffman the Oscar-winning star, 46, was found dead at his Greenwich Village home on Sunday (2nd February, 2014).  

Achievements:1 best actor Oscar for Capote, 2005   
3 supporting actor Oscar nominations
51 feature *film releases, 1991-2014
29 dramas, 21 comedies, 1 animation
3 real life characters he played

Source: IMDB, The Numbers.

*Some of the movies that he appeared in include: Twister, Boogie Nights, The Talented Mr Ripley,  Almost Famous, Capote, Mission Impossible III and The Hunger Games (series).

According to newspaper reports the lights along theatre marquees on New York's Broadway were to be dimmed on Wednesday in his honor.

Happy Lunar Year Of The Horse: Gallopin' To 2014 (马新年快乐)

      Mr. Ed The Talking Horse Theme: You Tube Video from Steven Duffrin.

My Chinese New Year 2014 Posting:

There are millions of stories about horses but this short posting will only focus on two aspects. The first discusses Chinese Zodiac signs and the horse's astrological compatibility with the dragon and the second Country n Western pops' love for this truly magnificent animal. 

In the East:
Taken from a Chinese Astrology site, here's an assessment about Horse and its great pal Dragon.  According to the horoscope they can have fun together and make a stimulating match. They can meet on both the social and psychological level since they share the same high energy and appreciate the high life.

Neither are restive for too long and the Horse, which seems confident altogether may suffer from insecurities, lose interest quickly and move on in a relationship.  Dragon will usually step in to help because he is stronger and more exciting.  So Horse will find things interesting and be dynamic enough to stick around. 

Dragon and Horse. Great Friends?

Don't forget though, not all Horses share the same characteristics because there are Metal Horses, Water Horses as there are Wood Dragons, Fire Dragons and so on.  I don't know to which Dragon category I belong (Paper probably)  but have doubts about the reliability of Chinese or any horror scope.

In the West:
On the other hand, there's the West or preferably Wild, Wild, West where cowboys sit around the campfire to yodel their C/W songs.  These melodies about horses are as plenty as the real ones that surround their masters who ride and write about them.

There are so many titles that the Internet is filled with lyrics and music compositions about our four legged steed. Actually the word steed itself describes the horse i.e. swift and spirited.  In fact one ghost tale about a mystical horse that the American native Indians talked about became so famous that it was the most prominent in the lore of the Southwest. Legendary horse Wildfire by Michael Murphey proved a hit in the 70s.

**Down from Yellow Mountain/On a dark land she rides/On a pony named, Wildfire/With a whirlwind by her side/On a cold Nebraska night/She died one winter/When there came a killing frost/And the pony she named, Wildfire/Busted down it's stall/In a blizzard he was lost/She ran callin', Wildfire... (edited).

In Singapore 60s, The Quests scored their first hit single with, Shanty. But the flip called, Gallopin' is appropriately titled and just as excellently composed with its thunder beats. 

Although it's not as well known, this piece by lead guitar Reggie Verghese shows his versatility on the steel strings. Where do we get such imaginative, speed-packing instrumentals of galloping hooves nowadays?  The quality of play and guitar tone remind me of Hank Marvin's version of, Ghost Riders In The Sky (i). Thanks to MrRainbow64 for uploading it on You Tube.

Do you believe in Chinese horoscope and do you know of any other song with a horse theme you heard in the past? Tell us. The stable of stallion hits below is only a fraction of others available on the Internet.

A Few Songs About Horses 

*Gallopin' - The Quests (on right bar)
Wildfire - Michael Martin Murphey
Mr. Ed The Talking Horse Theme - You Tube above.
Wild Horses - The Rolling Stones
A  Horse With No Name - America   



Campfire Songs?

Two White Horses - John L. Hooker  
Run for the Roses by Dan Fogelberg
Chestnut Mare - The Byrds
Crazy Horses - The Osmonds
Champion the Wonder Horse - Frankie Laine

Pony Time - Chubby Checker

The Four Horsemen - Metallica
Back in the Saddle Again - Gene Autry
Tennessee Stud - Johnny Cash
Three Horses - Joan Baez


I Ride An Old Paint - Arlo Guthrie
Wild Horses - Garth Brooks
One Trick Pony - Paul Simon 
Live Like Horses - Elton John
Beer For My Horses - Willie Nelson

Commanche The Brave Horse - Johnny Horton
Ghost Riders In The Sky - The Shadows
Silver Stallion - The Highwaymen - Johnny Cash Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson.

Singapore Band: The Quests with EP vinyl GALLOPIN' with flip Shanty.

The list goes on cause there are hundreds of songs and stories about horses. They are man's best friend too aren't they. And I presume you know Mr Ed, the horse that talks?  But the children and grand-kids don't, so tell them about him.

A Happy Lunar New Year to all.

* I could not upload The Quests Gallopin' on this posting because it is a BlogSpot template problem but listeners can play it from the right side bar of this blog.

**Songwriter(s): Martin Murphey Michael, Larry Cansler
Copyright: Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
(i) Ghost horses and thundering ghost herds.
Images: Google.
You Tube Videos.

(1) LATEST NEWS!!!

Grammy Awards 2014.
Hey, 60s musicians are still winning Grammys!

BEST ROCK SONG: Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, Pat Smear, Cut Me Some Slack

BEST ROCK ALBUM, Led Zeppelin, Celebration Day

BEST METAL PERFORMANCE: Black Sabbath, God Is Dead?

BEST MUSIC FILM: Paul McCartney, Love Kisses

BEST BOXED OR SPECIAL LIMITED EDITION PACKAGE: Paul McCartney, Wings Over America

BEST POP INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM: Herb Alpert, Steppin’ Out

BEST MUSICAL THEATER ALBUM: Cyndi Lauper, Kinky Boots

From Idolator, Music News:
http://www.idolator.com/7503015/grammy-awards-2014-list-of-winners

In His Youthfulness.

(2) LATEST NEWS!!!

Monday 27th January 2014:

Pete Seeger died on Monday in Manhattan. He was 94 and a singer, song-writer and collector of folk songs. 

Some of the songs that he wrote and co-authored included, Guantanamera, If I Had A Hammer, Kisses Sweeter Than Wine, Irene Goodnight, Last Train To Nuremberg, Where Have All The Flowers Gone, We Wish You A Merry Christmas, Wimoweh, Turn, Turn, Turn,

From the Internet, here and there.

1957 Singapore: Rock n Roll Might Encourage Riots

                    Topic: That Singapore Youth Is Not Given Enough Independence.

UP TO 2,000 VIEWS

Even in the late 50s, Singapore students argued about "not getting enough independence" from their parents. A friendly debate amongst a family of three mission schools, St Andrew's, St Margaret's and St Hilda's resulted in a battle of words with rock and roll music as target.

Saints' school badge.

One speaker suggested that rock and roll was the result of parents trying to control their children excessively. Another member of the team agreed that the music was "healthy fun" but pessimistic parents thought it was an "inclination to riot."

Saint Margaret's School badge.

An opposing member of the debating team argued that if independence meant rioting on the streets after viewing a rock and roll movie, then she would have, "none of it." And as the dance became a hot issue another debater suggested that rock and roll meant the independence of youth. To show his support, a classmate from St. Andrew's, Wong Peng Koon shouted, "Long live rock and roll!" He was a school debater and is now a prominent lawyer.

St. Hilda's School badge.

But the debate was brought back into focus when a speaker quietly suggested that independence carried responsibilities such as "obeying the law." So who says youths in the 50s are quiet and reserved? Not true. We've had our say. And rock n roll is here to stay. And who won the debate? Ah, you must read it from The Straits Times Press Singapore.

Were you in this debate? Tell us.

Information from: The Straits Times Singapore (page: 3, 27/07/1957) and original article has been edited by Andy Lim.

Image: from Google Images

This posting was taken from the back pages because of the interesting topic it discusses, a Singapore favourite Google word search currently - riots.

80s Stellar TV Show With Much Cash Give-Away

Jennifer Yen from Malaysia: 'Younger' 

YouTube Video by: smnsimon00

         


Janet Basco: Carnegie Hall, New York City.

UP TO 5,400 VIEWS. 

      25 COMMENTS     

Money To Be Made:

Whenever the opportunity arises and if it's worthwhile news I would include local pop music items from the 80s and feature television shows that were well received. One possibly successful series that attracted Singapore sitting room audiences had cash vouchers given away to lucky winners which included a top prize of $150,000.  That was a lot of money, and still is today! In one year alone the production gave away about $1.8 million.  This newspiece was reported in a local magazine in 1981. 

Yeah, the 1970s ABBA song, Money, Money, Money on TV Show.

Both Local and International Artistes:

The shows were telecast 'live' and included an array of stars that were household names those years. They included Singapore's Kartina Dahari, Ali Ahmad, Paul Cheong, Tony Castillo, Jacintha and The SBC Dancers. There were guest artistes from overseas and it included Jennifer Yen from Malaysia, Janet Basco and the WEA Dancers from the Philippines, Linda Lou Allen from London and The Wright Brothers from the US.

Jennifer Yen RTM Talentime Winner 80s.

Yes, and these stars were at the peak of their career during the 70s and 80s. The host for this particular show was, Mr Versatile himself, Tan Swee Leong who has been featured on this blog a couple of times. (Check Labels below).

Paul Cheong: when he was at his best. With SBC Dancers.

Tan Swee Leong Show Compere

Carnegie Hall, Malaysian Talentime:

Janet Basco is a Filipino singer. She is known for her hits, You Made Me Live Again, Minsan Pa, and My Girl, My Woman, My Friend  where she sang with heartthrob and countryman Jose Marie Chan, two of the few Filipino entertainers to have ever performed in Carnegie Hall in New York.

She represented Philippines in the 10th Tokyo Music Festival in 1980 and in the Asean Song Festival in Indonesia. She has appeared in numerous concert halls internationally. (Listen to her on Right Bar of this blog).

Jennifer Yen, who was known as Malaysia's singing sweetheart and a winner of the RTM or Radio Talivishen Malaysia Talentime Competition sang selected songs from her two English albums. She was poised and captivating with a pleasantly charming voice that is still recognised today.


Kartina Dahari was honoured in a show @ Esplanade in 2013.

They had been together for many years and appeared on Filipino television regularly in the 80s, sometimes accompanying singers as background dancers but usually highlighted as group performers on stage.  Like Singapore's Sunny Low Dancers during the 60s, The WEA Dancers were just as well-known in the 80s. They proved their talent when they appeared on this show with the SBC Dancers.

Tony Castillo helped to build the music scene in Singapore.

Honoured By Esplanade, Boy Wonder, London, Broadway Jazz

Our own recording artistes Tina Dahari and Ali Ahmad need no introduction since both were regulars on the small screen (19 inches only remember?) over both the English and Malay radio stations. Kartina was featured recently at the Esplanade in 2013 where artistes of yore sang her hits from the 70s.

Broadway Hits from Linda Lou Allen

Tony Castillo was of course the jazz musician and singer whom Louis Armstrong called Boy Satchmo and arranged to have him perform at the Ed Sullivan in the US.  He had a big-band group, The Castillians that played in Europe and the United States.  Boy Wonder Castillo died at 64 in 2010. 

Paul Cheong was a home-grown talent and according to the magazine, "proves that he is capable of much more than cutting albums and spinning discs."  Another artiste in the series, Jacintha is a Singaporean singer and actress, well-known in parts of Asia-Pacific since the '80s.

Linda Lou Allen, based in London in the 80s, sang romantic ballads and Broadway jazz hits during the show. She was known for her versatility, energy and hot numbers.


80s WEA Dancers. They are on You Tube.

So what's the name of this show? Anybody still remember? Let me know. No prizes for the correct answer but it's so easy with clues everywhere. Which show can ever give away so much money?

Information and Images: Radio and TV Times 1981 and Google.
Thanks to Mun Chor Seng.

Pop Musicals: Run Run Shaw Runs Shows

                        The Lark - 小雲雀 - (1964) *Official Trailer* by Shaw Brothers.

Asian movie superman Sir Run Run Shaw had passed on. As part of his legacy he, with his brother Runme, produced many movies that included Chinese musicals popular even with non-Mandarin speaking public across the region.

Image Credit: SCMP Pictures.

According to Celestial Pictures Limited (Musical - Shaw Brothers Universe Film Collection) on You Tube, SB musicals, "captured the tastes, trend and psyche of the cinema-going public in the 1960s and the 1970s." 

As a teen I used to watch SB Chinese musicals in a neighbourhood cinema. Some of the musicals made by these two brothers were, King Drummer, Hong Kong Rhapsody, Hong Kong Nocturne, Le Belles, The Shepherd Girl, Love Parade, The Singing Thief and others.  To single one, the 1964 movie, The Lark is a treasure trove of some of the most popular Mandarin songs of all time.


Shades of K-Pop. From SB 1960 movie: Les Belles. Taken from Celestial Pictures Ltd.

Former PM Lee KY said, "The movie mogul will be remembered for his vision and determination in building a movie empire that touched the lives of many (ST: 8/1/14)." 

Anyone with a song to remember?

After the wind and rain last night
There's nothing except void in the dream
I'm lucky to have bumped into you
Aren't you coming back...
(Lyrics from a song on SB movie: The Lark).

 You Tube video from: Celestial Pictures Ltd.

Changing Recreational Landscrape: A Nation At Play

Introduction:

PlayNation is a 1-hour info-ed. about the changing recreational landscape in Singapore, focusing on national nostalgia, hence heritage and culture.  The show was screened on nationwide television in August 2013 on the Octo Channel.

Screen Shot from Oak3Films Facebook.

Part of the documentary covered a segment on the nightlife scene in Singapore, i.e. nightclubs, music, tea dances, etc. in the 60s up to the present.

Researcher and production co-ordinator Marissa came across this blog and read write-ups on Singapore's 60s nightlife.  She got in touch and I shared my experience for the documentary. After the official screening on TV, she provided me some  location-shot photographs for this blog.

I thank her, producer Jonathan and the film crew.

Location Shots:

Dear Andy,

Play Nation is a nostalgic 46-minute Info-Ed programme that looks at Singapore’s history through the way we played and continue to play. It is produced by Oak3 Films Pte Ltd.

Thank you again for contributing to our show and making it possible.  We would also like to inform you that you have been credited for your contribution to the show.

*Warm Regards.

Gadis, right, with kite and film crew. From Oak3Films.

Crew filming young lady Gadis (above right) from Singapore Kites Association preparing to fly her kite at Layang Layang Fun @ Marina Barrage organised by PUB Marina Barrage with Singapore Kites Association. Gadis is also our profile for the 1st segment which is all about simple play - kite flying aka layang layang, playgrounds, zero point, etc.


Liew Kai Khiun @ Dragon Children's Playground. From Oak3Films.

Filming Liew Kai Khiun (above sitting) about his memories of playing at the now famous Dragon Playground at Toa Payoh for the 1st segment of the documentary.

Universal Studios, Singapore. From Oak3Films.

Crew filming some shots of Universal Studios for part of the montage sequence in the last and 4th segment of Play Nation which covers the new ways of play in Singapore at Universal Studios, Waveboarding, FlugTag, etc.

Mixologist From Oak3Films.

Crew filming Ethan Leslie Leong, a mixologist (above far right) who makes cocktails as a profession and was the one who made the $32,000 cocktail, Jewel of Pangaea, the most expensive one in Asia. He is also our profile for the 3rd segment which is all about nightlife as a form of play in Singapore.

 

Screen Shot from DVD by Oak3Films.

Within the confines of a retro furniture shop as background we discussed the night-club scene in Singapore 60s like the ones at Paya Lebar Airport, Hotel Ambassador near Katong Park and the Adelphi Hotel at North Bridge Road.

Location shots taken @ Lorgan Furniture Pasir Panjang.

*Article and images from: Marissa Lim's notes personal collection and screen shots from Oak3Films.  Parts of the letters have been edited. Copyrights Reserved.