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 !
When Traditions Meet: Rooster Year 2017 (translated) 雄 鸡 年 2017 I was checking out a song to complement the year of the Rooster 2017, not a commercialised Chinese New Year song, but for a change, an English pop hit. It must be suitable for believers of the Chinese Almanac and zodiac signs. It was quite a challenge finding one. I found one, a popular song deep in tradition and derived from folklore and it's from the West. Let's take a look the Chinese Rooster first. In the Chinese Almanac, the theory is that a person's character is decided by his or her zodiac sign including the element of either wood, fire, earth, gold or water. And 2017 is a Fire Rooster Year.
Here's the hitch, your own year of birth is not your lucky one in the 12 year Chinese astrological cycle. So if you believe in this theory at all and if you are a Rooster, just be a bit careful in 2017 😊. Whatever your belief system is, here's a song that should be suitable for our Fire Rooster this year. Our male chicken crows about himself: I am the little red rooster Too lazy to crow for day I am the little red rooster Too lazy to crow for day Keep everything in the farmyard Upset in every way. Now that's defiance and he is in a fighting stance and ready to have it out with any of the farmyard domesticates. Sounds like a fiery one here.
From what I understand about this traditional song, a Chicago Blues number, it's only to explain that a rooster brings about some kind of barnyard peace: Dogs begin to bark now And hounds begin to howl Dogs begin to bark now And hounds begin to howl
Watch out stray cat
The little rooster's on the prowl.
Looks like our cock means business. And he's going for the stray cat which could be a feline. But the zodiac character for a 2017 Rooster is: trustworthy, with a strong sense of time keeping and responsibility at work.
The Western Rooster
It is possible then, if we interpret what a Rooster symbolises, both from an Eastern viewpoint and a Western one, that it is a reliable and trustworthy creature that could lead the barnyard responsibly and peacefully. And the farmer needs him home:
If you see my little red rooster Please drive him home If you see my little red rooster Please drive him home Ain't had no peace in the farmyard Since my little red rooster's been gone From my personal viewpoint, Mick Jagger's rendition of the song is all appropriate with his natural swagger on stage, rooster-neck movements, flapping arms, calculated tip-toed prance and sexy, pouting mouth, with all the nuances of a very strong, proud and cocky but successful personality. A true rock cock.
Thanks to songwriter Willie Dixon, and all the other lyricists before him, for the inspirational words that would make this 2017 Rooster Year a more positive one for all, especially with Chinese astrology believers and Western folklore enthusiasts. Welcome to the year of the cock. A local musician told me yesterday during a jam session, "Now all monkey business 🙉 will end and everybody will start to talk cock...🐓" Did you read the Telephone Booth story with Rolling Stones' Off The Hook (Side B of their Single?) Click below. http://singapore60smusic.blogspot.sg/2017/01/when-phones-were-in-booths-not-pockets.html HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR EVERYONE.
Little Red Rooster小小的红公鸡(The Red Rooster - first titled) is a blues standard, credited to songwriter Willie Dixon. It was recorded in 1961 by US musician Howlin' Wolf. Slide guitar playing rooted in Delta Blues style with theme derived from folklore.
Images: Google. An original article by Andy Lim. Don't copy. Be original.
Songs I Love: I've always loved the song, South of The Border (Jimmy Kennedy n Michael Carr) and learnt it as a child from radio broadcast. The Latin beat with its array of percussion sounds has always been the magnetic factor. The song from 1939 (I wasn't even born) became very popular early in the 1940's and remains a hit till today. Strange that it is actually a Country and Western song from a movie, sung by our Hollywood cowboy, Gene Autry, one of the earliest silver screen wild-west stars. Because of its popularity the number has been recorded by dozens of artistes from the 50's.
Pablo Roterro and His Mexican Brass Boys from Coldwink These names include: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Perry Como, Bing Crosby, Guy Lombardo, Willie Nelson, Sim Whitman, Marty Robbins, Engelbert Humperdinck, Sam Cooke, Patsy Cline, Robbie Williams, Fats Domino, Slim Whitman, Chuck Berry, Don McLean, Frankie Laine, Chris Isaak and and many more. That's how popular the song was across countries. The instrumental version has the 50 Guitars of Tommy Garrett, orchestras of Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Nelson Riddle, Ray Coniff, Max Greger, Geoff Love, Country Minstrel and Bobby Ferres. Then there's: Herb Alpert and His Tijuana Brass, Pablo Roterro and His MexicanBrass Boys (above) and other percussion bands. Even The Shadows and Jumping Jewels are in the game. For me I love The Jumping Jewels' version and Blue Diamonds rendition.
Sam Cooke's Version by trevycoley83
So depending on who sings the song and which band is playing the music, the tempo changes accordingly.
In Singapore night clubs and dance floors during the 50's, the song became a hit when patrons danced to its rousing Latin-American beat, usually a rhumba, sometimes a cha-cha and mostly a mambo. But when a crooner goes to the microphone to sing it, the rhythm changes accordingly and dancers glide on the floor. Our boys and girls from the 60's guitar twanging time, love The Shadows version: 3 guitars and drums. Clean and neat. U.K. original.
Don't forget New Orleans. When Frank Sinatra recorded it, the song took on a jazzy, city beat feel. Willie Nelson like Chris Isaak gives it the strumming guitar, country like atmosphere. Just listen to Sam Cooke's above. Different again. Yes, it's soul man! Chicago Blues?
Now here's the reason why I feature this song. The dynamics are simple. A C/W song is also a Mexican rumba hit. And Mr Trump wants to build a wall along the Mexican border. How does one severe a psychological connection physically in one fell swoop?
How do you separate the United States of America from Latin-America? Even the songs the countries sing have the same roots. A strumming cowboy groovy guitar gravitates to a Mexican, mambo, maracas melody. Evolution of song, South of The Border. Smooth and easy, without transition:
1. Country and Western 2. Latin beat 2. Jazz, Crooners 3. Guitar Instrumental 4. Soul 5. ???
The Jumping Jewels' Style by lenantais36 South of the Border is only one song from hundreds of Latino hits that had found its way across to Mexico from the US. And vice-versa. Now isn't that free trade where everybody wins? Maybe time will tell. You know, like songs and its tempo, people evolve, change, transform and improve... Mr Trump?
Images: Google. You Tube: Thanks to video producers: Coldwink, trevycoley83, lenantais36 for the different versions of, South of The Border.
RIP Mary Tyler Moore. (1936-2017) has passed away on 25 January, 2017. Different snippets of opening title on videos. Just love the concluding lines to her theme song, "You're gonna make it after all."
It was a big hit in the 1970's in Singapore, with a prime time sit-com for female leading lady, 30 years young, Mary Tyler Moore. My wife and my mother (her ma-in-law) were glued to the show every week, dinner in hand. Love is all around.😊 The song was written and performed by Sonny Curtis, who was from The Crickets, Buddy Holly's group. He also wrote tunes for Bobby Vee, Andy Williams and Everly Brothers. And Singaporean ladies, single and free were humming it in cars and buses.
Who can turn the world on with her smile?
Who can take a nothing day,
And suddenly make it all seem worthwhile?
Well it's you girl, and you should know it
With each glance and every
Little movement you show it
Love is all around, no need to waste it
You can never tell, why don't you take it
You're gonna make it after all
You're gonna make it after all (By Sonny Curtis) You Tube Videos from: Taylor, TVs Greatest.
Here's a pretty Singapore poem written some years ago:
New Year's Morning
(by Lee Tzu Pheng)
The children come searching
among the scattered red of the road
for unexploded crackers,
turning over the charred heaps
and eagerly picking up one or two;
the night's dews have made them damp,
they no longer sound sharply,
but even a flash and a pop
is an artistic success,
an event of power.
Their small faces smile a celebration
as echoes rock the neighbourhood
machine-gun into the new year.
Federal Anthology of Poetry 1
(Federal Publications (S) Pte Ltd 1981)
During the years before fire crackers were banned in Singapore, children hunt for the ones that had not been exploded on the streets. The adults had long strings of them, hung from higher floors of buildings or cranes. And as 60's Chinese New Year music filled the air from loudspeakers, the firecrackers exploded in unison... It was fun, fun, fun.
"A partial ban on firecrackers was imposed in March 1970 after a fire killed six people and injured 68. This was extended to a total ban in August 1972, after an explosion that killed two people and an attack on two police officers attempting to stop a group from letting off firecrackers in February 1972.
However, in 2003, the authorities allowed firecrackers to be set off during the festive season. At the Chinese New Year light-up in Chinatown, at the stroke of midnight on the first day of the Lunar New Year, firecrackers were set off under controlled conditions by the Singapore Tourism Board.
Other occasions where firecrackers were allowed to be set off were determined by the tourism board or other approved organizations. However, they were not allowed to be commercially sold - Wiki." If readers were to search 'exploded firecrackers on the streets' on Google Images, Singaporeans today must be grateful to our late PM Lee Kuan Yew for banning them in August, 1972. A Happy Lunar New Year of The Rooster 2017 to All.
Here's a narrative from good UK friend Allan Thompson. It's been a while since he's written. Another one that he wrote before Christmas 2016 is still in storage but it'll be out soon.
He's concerned that his story today could be taboo and lewd. I'm no judge of what this blog's contributors write but this particular one describes a very active Penang, Malaya, in the 1960's. Little hotel, older than Hell Cold and as dark as a mine Blanket so thin, I lie there and grin Buy me a little bottle of wine From the time they landed on this island, North of Malaya, up to the day they left by trishaw, Allan and his friends had contributed much to its economy.
Allan Thompson's Letter Dear Andy,
Firstly, let me wish you and your family a Happy New Year. I wonder if you remember the Billy Fury song, Phone Call from his classic early album, The Sound of Fury? Just a thought.
Is the subject of Singapore brothels and hip 1960's bars in Penang a taboo subject? I don't really mean the nitty-gritty, hands-on aspect, but rather the outsider-looking-in point of view. Here is an example of Penang from the late 1960's.
The Fireballs - Bottle of Wine - Ace Records Ltd
I was on a detachment from Singapore to Butterworth in Malaysia, and we used to go across on the yellow ferry to Penang for recreation. We found that most of the popular bars were actually hotels, but not normal hotels by any means.
In fact, if anyone innocent had asked to book in for a night or two, the proprietor would have had to move one of the waitresses/bar-girls out to share with one of the other girls. This was because each girl had her own room and the hotel was a cover for a brothel.
We used to go there after normal licensing hours for a beer and a chat with the girls who were very pleasant and generally well educated. I was amused to find that in one such establishment, all the girls used the same name for business purposes, Suzie Sayang!* Very clever. A couple of the hotels employed Thai girls who were very pretty and uninhibited.
There were also smaller bars and one of these was close to the ferry terminal and had a juke-box with a good selection of records. The one which was played most often was White Room by Cream, closely followed by Bottle of Wine by The Fireballs. Perhaps this was because the aforementioned hotel rooms were painted white, and wine had the same effect as Tiger or Anchor beer.
I remember being in this particular bar with some friends one afternoon when two young men with long hair came in and looked around the room shiftily.
One of the girls who had been chatting to me touched my arm and whispered: "Very bad men."
I looked at her quizzically and she explained: "They want boys, not girls. Very bad."
It turned out that the two men were actually French merchant seamen but whether their preferences were as the girl had suggested or not, I didn't find out because, after another glance around the bar, they left.
"Chacun a son gout,"** as they say in France (with accents where necessary).
I hope you don't find this contribution too lewd for your blog. It does contain a couple of musical references, after all - doesn't it?!
Good Wishes, Allan Thompson. Suzie Sayang.* French, which means: Everyone has their taste.**
I stood a watching all night long I stood a watching all night long I stood a watching till you went away You were a girl of many charms Oh how I loved you in my arms I never thought that you would ever go Cause I love you so...
Images: Google. Songs: Suzie Darling - Robin Luke A Bottle of Wine - The Fireballs.😊
OLD NEWS: It is not a surprise that a number of pop singers may not want to perform at Donald Trump's Inauguration as the 45th President of the U.S. but it is shocking that there are so many artistes who refused the offer. Here is the list gathered from newspapers, magazines and the internet of artistes from the 1960's onward who will probably not appear: Adam Lambert - 2000's Andrea Bocelli - 1990's
Beyonce - 1990's Bruce Springsteen - 1960's Celine Dion - 1980's Charlotte Church - 1990's Cher - 1960's David Foster - 1970's Dixie Chicks - 1980's (Pix 3)
Elton John - 1960's Garth Brooks - 1980's Jennifer Lopez - 1980's (Pix 4) Jon Bon Jovi - 1970's Kiss - 1970's Lady Gaga - 2000's
Marie Osmond - 1970's Mortley Crue - 1980's Paul Anka - 1960's Rick Astley - 1980's (Pix 5) Radio City Rockettes - 1920's (Pix 2) 75% of the singers and groups are from the 60's - 80's, experienced, very popular and crowd gatherers but the uncertainty is in. They might not appear and some confirmed they will not. Let's listen to one comment, at least, from somebody who was here in Singapore just two years ago.
Rick Astley: with Silver Strings members: John Cher n Audie Ng "Let's see how big the cheque is," he was quoted as saying and with much honesty that is in the gentleman. Rick-rollin' expert Rick Astley added that an American President's inauguration wasn't the right place for a British artiste to be. Another big name, Paul Anka, who had been asked by Mr Trump personally, could not re-schedule himself for the big night because of personal commitment but it would have been wonderful to hear Anka sing, My Way during the ceremony. There are some other artistes who will not be appearing but I am not familiar with them. Knowing Mr Donald J. Trump, he may have a few trump cards up his sleeves, so let's wait and see. There are still four days more. He may come up with his Four Aces.
Hmm, just wondering if Elvis Presley, John Lennon, Michael Jackson, James Brown, David Bowie and Debbie Reynolds, etc. had been around, would they? What about you? Would you, as a band or a solo singer and musician, perform for Donald Trump? Why not? Why isn't everyone giving him a chance? After all it's just entertainment for the night. You are not endorsing his political gymnastics. Disclaimer: All information have been taken from the Internet and I cannot be responsible if schedules and artistes' appearance are changed from time to time. Please do not depend on this posting for the evening's inauguration programme. Images and gif: Google. You Tube: 1) My Way Paul Anka, 2) Marie Osmond. Top Stories Today (12 Jan 2017).
It's interesting that social media plays such an important role in many people's lives today. From Blogs to Facebook, Twitter to Google Plus (and these are only the very basic ), social media users have escalated up to 2.6 billion around the world since 2010.
So again, to make this story short and sweet, I am jumping into this posting to write about the P.O.T.U.S. Barack Obama's music choices. And he has a few more days before he retires from the Oval office. Historical event indeed. Without social media nobody would bother what songs he loves and doesn't but in this new generation where information is easily available, music lovers would want to know what his song choices are and listen to them.
And his favourites are all on the internet, open to anyone. Great choices for the avid listener because Obama is not only known as a jazz lover but balances his choice with songs from the past and present, i.e. from Billie Holiday to Beyonce, from Sinatra to Springsteen. He has a long list of favourites, longer than most other presidents, and it's good because in this way he makes himself known to many people and connects with them well. But it's not so in little Singapore. I may be wrong here but our guys in charge hardly know their popular music. Or they're just hiding the fact. It's a pity because they're missing a whole lot of people they could touch base with.
Music Makers (l-r): Sunny, John, Mike, Soo Khoon, Andy, Rickie, Joe, Paul.
The only cool dude I know who does is Tan Soo Khoon (above in pink), a singer and guitarist who can perform many songs and connect with his audience. He can sing the whole night with his semi-solid guitar. I watched him a couple of times and he can gyrate and rock Elvis' numbers including All Shook Up, Jailhouse Rock and evergreens like Your Cheating Heart and The Young Ones. Soo Khoon was a former MP (Member of Parliament) and held the Speaker of the House position for many seasons. He knows many music makers out there and invites them to his home to jam at his well-equipped studio.
Now back to the US and President Obama who has a Day playlist and a Night one on Spotify, 39 songs altogether. I am limiting his list to only music from the 50's, 60's and 70's: Day 1 Ain't Too Proud To Beg - The Temptations 2 Live It Up - The Isley Brothers 3 Tombstone Blues - Bob Dylan 4 Too Much Trouble In The World - Bob Marley; Wailers 5 Wang Dang Doodle - Howling Wolf 6 Another Star - Stevie Wonder 7 Hot Fun In The Summertime - Sly n Family Stone 8 Gimme Shelter - Rolling Stones 9 Rock Steady - Aretha Franklin
Night 1 Moondance - Van Morrison 2 How Can You Mend a Broken Heart - Al Green 3 The Best Is Yet To Come - Frank Sinatra, Count Basie 4 You Don't Know Me - Ray Charles 5 Help Me - Jonie Mitchell 6 I've Got Dreams To Remember - Otis Redding 7 Suzanne - Leonard Cohen 8 The Very Thought of You - Billie Holiday 9 Flamenco Sketches He's got his Summer playlist, his Campaign playlist, his Workout playlist and a host of others. To sum up, here's what I gathered from the sites. His favourite 60's song is, What's Going On by Marvin Gaye but likes Stevie Wonder overall. He has 30 Dylan songs on his iPod and appreciates Springsteen, Grateful Dead, Earth Wind and Fire, Elton John and Rolling Stones.
He's much into jazz as mentioned earlier and digs John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker. Also Howling Wolf, Sheryl Crow and Yo Yo Ma. Do you have a playlist of your own. Write in when you can because good friend from California Henri Gann (Trekkers) has one too. Obama Hit List from The Telegraph Culture/Music: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/barack-obama-spotify-playlist/
Images: Google. Mr Obama with Led Zeppelin, Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen.
So here's the big deal now. We used to walk to make our phone call. Now we walk with our phone call.
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Fun Time, Quiz Time
As the world progresses technologically, I don't know if it does in an emotionally matured way, many things around us become obsolete. Here's my take:
Not too long ago when telephone booths were in vogue and when people had no phones in their pockets, let alone video clips, photographs or the latest news items, these special structures usually found at street corners, were the only way you could get or relay an urgent message, if you were on the go.
In London, England and surrounding counties, these booths were red in colour. When I first saw them in London in the 70's I thought they look like big *ang pows or red packets.
But there were other ones of different colours, shapes and sizes. And these booths were very popular some years ago. In later years, when phones became portable, they had other uses for the telephone booths e.g. as mini-libraries, tiny street bars, etc. and props as shown in these pictures. Here are some booths with their music superstars.
Can you guess who the stars are?
Here are some great songs where telephones are mentioned in the lyrics.The artistes in the images have no connection with the song titles:
Chantilly Lace - Big Bopper (1958)
Beachwood 45789 - The Marvellettes (1962)
634-5789 Soulsville USA - Wilson Pickett (1964)
Party Line - The Kinks (1966) Happy Together - Turtles (1967)
Syvia's Mother - Dr Hook and The Medicine Show (1972)
That's Not The Way It Feels - Jim Croce (1972)
Long Distance Operator - Bob Dylan (1975)
Telephone Line - ELO (1976)
Hanging On The Telephone - The Nerves (1976)
Love On The Telephone - Foreigner (1979)
Call Me - Blondie (1980)
I Just Called To Say I Love You - Stevie Wonder (1981) Here's an American version of phone booths from Bob Dylan's perspective. There are thousands in the phone booth Thousands at the gate There are thousands in the phone booth Thousands at the gate Everybody wants to make a long distance call But you know, they're just gonna have to wait Just a phone call to a girl-friend but tone stems anger, unhappiness. Dylan's songs spell other meanings. But the venue was a phone booth.
You Tube Video: Off The Hook from Rolling Stones
Video by creekmorebanks' channel
This picture above with five gentlemen in phone booths can only be answered by Singaporean readers. Name this group and where these booths were?
This last image by American comic book artist, Michael Allred is a little tougher. So clues coming right out. They are British Rockmusic stars of the 60's and 70's. You can find JH, The W., BJ, MJ, MF in her Girl on a Motorcycle leathers. Then comes DB (Ziggy Stardust). Anyone else? All celebrating on Carnaby Street, with an obtrusive, larger than life, telephone booth. It's 2017 now so these artistes look younger in the picture. Good luck and have fun.
NB Singapore Phone Booths: Having booths in Singapore will be useless. The weather's too hot. Singapore coin phones long ago were open-air ones.
*An ang pow is a red packet with money inside given away during Chinese New Year. Images: Google (telephone booths).
