'Play It Cool' Movie (1962) Banned In Our Cinemas

Friday, April 15, 2011

According to a 1962 Singapore newspaper that covered local and overseas entertainment the rock n roll movie, Play It Cool (image) was banned because of its "undesirable song and dance sequence."

Such movies drew crowds because fans were able to watch their pop stars on the 'silver screen'. Computers and You Tube were not available then and movies like, Sing Boy Sing, Rock Around The Clock, Jamboree, Calypso Heat Wave and a host of others kept the cinemas flooded with the best Western pop artistes singing their latest.

Play It Cool had Billy Fury as the main attraction, so could he be the reason why the movie was banned in Singapore? Billy Fury, like many pop singers in the 60s, had a starring role and was known for his sensuality when performing.

Here's a bit of history from a website. His biography discussed his first self-penned 1959 hit, Maybe Tomorrow, which made him an overnight sensation both as a singer and an actor on radio and TV.

His second song, Margo just managed the pop chart while two other singles failed. It was due to "bad press which he was receiving," because of "his wild and overtly sexual stage acts." Elvis Presley experienced similar circumstances didn't he?

According to Fury, "All I did was to squirm about a bit and they banned me for that." But Play It Cool, a box office hit, was made in 1962 and the EP soundtrack were 45 weeks on the Charts. He had also toned down his act since 1959. Were there other reasons for the ban? Could it be the lyrics in the songs the artistes performed? What was the "undesirable song" and "dance sequence"? We will never know.

Anyone seen this movie? Perhaps someone can shed some light as to why it was banned? But then it was a long time ago. And censorship was strict.

Billy Fury Website: http://www.nic.fi/~nallew/pages/bio.html Original article: Andy Lim

Continue Reading | komentar

Elizabeth Taylor: Sixties Silver Screen Siren

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Remembering LIZ TAYLOR with a song. She had passed on at 79 years young. I was thinking of the movie Giant (1956) and the theme song by Dimitri Tiomkin that I remember so well and could sing as a youth. Fans gathered like bees at the Capitol Cinema when this honey of a film came. Tickets were sold out days ahead.
Nearly everyone who saw the blockbuster loved and learnt the Tiomkin hit which boomed out on the giant speakers at the theatre. It was also popular with Radio Singapore requesters and caused a stir. But this was the 50s lah, not 60s.

By chance, while watching television this evening, Elton John appeared on the little screen and dedicated, Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me to the beautiful and sensual star of the silver screen. But my choice remains. So Liz Taylor, one of the giants of the 60s screen, this song's for you:

Just like a sleeping giant/Sprawling in the sun /In one great hand the Rio Grande/In the other Galveston/Where oil wells laugh at angels/Buzzards wheel above/This then is Texas/Lone Star State of Texas/This is the giant/Land I love..."/Just like the silver dollar/Falling from above/This then is Texas/Lone Star of Texas /This is the giant/Land I love.../Austin to Houston/The Alamo, El Paso/Crystal City, Waco/Giant, giant, giant...

(Music/Lyrics: Dimitri Tiomkin/Paul Francis Webster/1956)

Images: By courtesy of (1) Flickr and Raffles Hotel, Singapore. (2) Google/'Giant' with James Dean.

Elizabeth Taylor was in Singapore in 1957 with husband, then Mike Todd (of Todd AO lenses fame), and had a gown designed for her by Doris Geddes. She was here again in the 90s when Michael Jackson had a concert at the National Stadium. There are many websites about Liz Taylor.

Continue Reading | komentar

Dwarfs, POWs, Gunslinger, Teacher And Panther? Songs That We Don't Sing In The 60s

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Whistle While You Work:
I remember watching Disney cartoons when I was very young and loved Snow White (1937) with her seven dwarfs. One particular song, Whistle While You Work, enchanted me so much that I easily learnt the skill because I wanted to whistle the tune so badly. Music from the past has many of these whistling tunes. This posting is about some of them.
Coloney Bogey March:
Another one that became a whistling hit was the Colonel Bogey March written in 1914. Although not many people remember the title, they knew how to whistle, "that River Kwai song." The song was a powerful one because of its repetitive, simple melody and because it was from the soundtrack of the blockbuster, The Bridge On The River Kwai.

Prisoners of War:

The tune was played when the POWs marched towards the prison camp and is not to be mistaken with the orchestral counter-march composed in 1957 by Malcolm Arnold. Both marches had been recorded together by Mitch Miller and his Orchestra as March from the River Kwai - Colonel Bogey.

The Good, The Bad And The Ugly:

In 1966, Singapore film goers went wild with a spaghetti western called, The Good, The Bad And The Ugly and the main theme, composed by Ennio Morricoe, echoed for months everywhere.

Clint Eastwood:

Hugo Motenegro had a version using the Moog synthesizer that went up to number two on the Billboard Pop Single Chart in 1968. And gunslinger Clint Eastwood (image) clinched it again. It was so popular that it had been covered by our local group, The Stylers.

I Whistle A Happy Tune:

The very pretty Julie Andrews (in later years to become *Blake Edwards' wife) appeared in a movie that fascinated both young and old. The King And I (1956) showed for weeks at the Cathay Cinema in the 50s and a song that kept everyone bright and cheerful was, I Whistle A Happy Tune.

The King And I:

In the movie, it was performed on board a ship when teacher Andrews was on her way to meet Yul Brynner the King. To ease her son's fear and tension, she sang and whistled the song. It became a hit with other songs in the show.

The Pink Panther Theme:
The Henry Mancini Pink Panther Theme (1963) is an instrumental composition that whistled its way to a nomination at the Academy Award for Original Music Score in 1964. It won three awards.

Inspector Clouseau:

The movie about the pink cartoon character was animated in time to the tune. It became successful commercially and made bungling Inspector Clouseau (Peter Sellers), a character in the Pink Panther series. It was directed by special Oscar winner *Blake Edwards. *(A few days after this posting Blake Edwards passed away, with wife Julie Andrews by his side.)

Roger Whittaker:

There are many whistling tunes? Do you know one that you like? Have you heard of Roger Whittaker? He whistles most of his songs like Mexican Whistler, Pretty Bird, River Lady and classics like The Elizabethan Serenade. But that's another story...

Image:

Original article: Andy Lim.

Continue Reading | komentar

Colonel Bogey March: Mitch Miller & His Orchestra

Continue Reading | komentar

Song About Singapore Covered By Top US Artistes Or "Why Our Music Appeals To Western Ears."

Saturday, December 4, 2010

On A Little Street In Singapore:

It's a well-known fact. A song about Singapore has been covered by top US bands and groups. And it was covered a long time ago. On A Little Street In Singapore is a very old song by Peter Derose and William J. Hill and was popular in the 30s and 40s.
Dorsey, James, Sinatra, Miller:

It was revived in 1978 by the Manhattan Transfer and when the group was here, the song became their trademark. Besides the Manhattan Transfer, Jimmy Dorsey, Harry James, Frank Sinatra, the Ames Brothers, Bert Kamfert and Glen Miller have covered it.
Exotic East:
The lyrics are typical of songwriters from the West when they interpret the exotic East, 'We'd meet beside a lotus covered door' and 'My sails tonight are filled with perfumes of Shalimar/With temple bells that guide me to her shore...' I am wondering if the cruise ships currently plying our shores are aware of this practice.

Suzie Wong:

Would be a great idea to boost tourism but shouldn't we have church bells too? And Christmas bells? Songs about Asia by Westerners will always have this cliched viewpoint and Singapore is no different, a sunny island in the mysterious East with its slant-eyed, cheongsam chicks called Suzie Wong. By the way, have you seen 'a lotus covered door' lately?

Charlie Chan:

To be fair, On A Little Street is a great song from the 40s, with its razzmatazz and jazzy, finger snapping composition but I am not too sure about the lyrics. Seems like Charlie Chan is still lurking around in some corner with his moustache and greasy hair. And Singaporeans are still wearing coolie-hats and samfoo!!!

Bootleg CDs:

Is this the Singapore some Western listeners are interested in, when they buy bootleg CD selections lifted from 60s Asian music vinyls? No wonder our 'older' songs are still selling. All for the wrong reason. Or is it for the 'Wong' reason?

Click: Movie Theme Songs Label below to check similar article about song Sayonara. (July 3rd, 2009).

Image/Movie/Singapour: http://www.doctormacro.com/
Original Article: Andy Lim.

Continue Reading | komentar

Of Wedding Bells, House, Baby, Papa And Mama

Monday, November 29, 2010

(a): 'Mama looka Boo Boo,' they shout.

Their mother tol' them, 'Shut up your mouth,

That is your daddy.'

'Oh no. My daddy can't be ugly so!'

'Shut your mouth, go away...'

(b): Somebody bad stole de wedding bell

Somebody bad stole de wedding bell

Somebody know but nobody tell

Cause somebody bad stole the wedding bell

Who's got the ding, dong, who's got the bell...

The songs I listened to during my youth are the ones I still remember today. The tunes and lyrics spin in my head all the time and can be turned on immediately. It's like clicking on to the song-list of an mp3 player or an i-phone. The explanation follows the list below:

l. Where Will The Dimple Be? - Rosemary Clooney

2. House Of Bamboo - Earl Grant

3. Looking For Henry Lee - Jo Stafford

4. High Noon - Frankie Laine

5. Ivory Tower - Gale Storm

6. Papa Loves Mama - Donald Peers

7. Somebody Bad Stole De Wedding Bell - Georgia Gibbs

8. Mama Looka Boo Boo - Harry Belafonte

Can you still remember the songs you love?

1> Rosemary Clooney (image), who is George Clooney's aunt, used to be a pop singer in the 50s and 60s and her version of, Where Will The Dimple Be (1955) was a favourite on Radio Singapore's request programme, Calling All Hospitals where Maisie Conciecao was the DJ (we use the term, 'announcer' those days). It was the most requested song for a baby dedication. And KK (Kandang Kerbau) Hospital was the maternity hospital then.

4> Tall and lanky actor Cary Cooper, the male lead in High Noon, was one of the icons for Westerns. The movie was a hit when it was shown in Singapore, drawing crowds at the cinemas. High Noon, the song (1952), by Tex Ritter, was a request favourite and played on the air everyday. The Frankie Laine version was more popular locally.

6> When Papa Loves Mama (1960) came on the air, it became the anthem for many Singapore families and a favourite for dancing the cha-cha-cha. The original and only version I know is by Donald Peers; so in this instance it's the song, not the singer. The giggling girl accompanying Peers could be Joan Regan.

7, 8> The other novelty tunes on my list, Somebody Bad Stole De Wedding Bell (1954) and Mama Looka Boo Boo (1956) must be heard to be appreciated. With humorous lyrics and a grand calypso beat, these two classics are hardly played on the radio today. The Georgia Gibbs version of SBSTWB is unavailable on You Tube. MLBB by Belafonte is on You Tube, accompanied by Nat King Cole (side-bar). Great songs for kids too!

(c): On the baby's knuckle, on the baby's knee,

Where will the baby's dimple be?

Baby's cheek or baby's chin

Seems to me it'll be a sin

If it's always covered by the safety pin...

Shall we discuss the other songs on another posting? Are you familiar with any of these songs?

Continue Reading | komentar

Elvis Presley Movies And His Singing Duets (2)

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

01 Crawfish w Kitty White: King Creole
02 Pocketful Of Rainbow w Juliet Prowse: G.I. Blues
03 Husky Dusky Day w Hope Lange: Wild In The Country
04 Aloha Oe w The Surfers: Blue Hawaii
05 Earth Boy w Ginny/Elisabeth Tiu: Girls! Girls! Girls!

06 How Would You Like To Be w Vicki Tiu: It Happened At The World’s Fair
07 Happy Ending w Joan O'Brien: It Happened At The World’s Fair
08 Mexico w Larry Domasin: Fun In Acapulco
09 Today Tomorrow And Forever w Ann-Margret: Viva Las Vegas
10 You’re The Boss w Ann-Margret: Viva Las Vegas

11 The Lady Loves Me w Ann-Margret: Viva Las Vegas
12 Spring Fever w Shelley Fabares: Girl Happy
13 Frankie n Johnny w Eileen Wilson/Ray Walker: Frankie n Johnny
14 Petunia The Gardener’s Daughter w Eileen Wilson: Frankie n Johnny
15 Look Out Broadway w Eileen Wilson/Ray Walker: Frankie n Johnny

16 Scratch My Back w Marianne Hill: Paradise Hawaiian Style
17 Datin’ w Donna Butterworth: Paradise Hawaiian Style
18 Queenie Wahine’s Papaya w Donna Butterworth: Paradise Hawaiian Style
19 Yoga Is As Yoga Does wElsa Lancaster: Easy Come, Easy Go
20 Who Needs Money with Ray Walker: Clambake

21 Confidence w some children: Clambake
22 There Ain’t Nothing Like A Song w Nancy Sinatra: Speedway
23 Signs Of The Zodiac w Marilyn Mason: The Trouble With Girls

Blogger's Comment: I like the songs because he sings them but didn't get to see many of these shows except for King Creole, GI Blues, Blue Hawaii and It Happened At The World's Fair. The rest, sadly for Presley, became run-of-the-mill movies that were merely churning out his songs.

Continue Reading | komentar

Marie Tang Talks About Talentime, Larry Lai, Stylers, Charlie Lazaroo, The Man From UNCLE

Friday, May 21, 2010

MARIE TALKS ABOUT UNCLE LARRY, UNCLE CHARLIE AND THE MAN FROM UNCLE:

Hi Andy,

Wow! This is really a surprise! The one and only EP I cut was with The Stylers, and I have some very fond memories of the many practice sessions we had during those days for my record, which also contains the song from The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Uncle Solo! Oh my goodness! I was only 15 years old then...

.

You have a very interesting blog and it will surely bring back many wonderful memories and smiles for many of us who contributed to the music scene during the 60s. Your **posting of my mum... I've just sent it to her through MSN and she too was mesmerised and surprised.

.

1969 Talentime... Host, Larry Lai - addressed him as Uncle Larry then - best host in Singapore, compared to some of the existing ones. Uncle Charlie (Charles Lazaroo) was such a wonderful and helpful musician.

.

During those days they had prizes for the top 8 contestants. I was 7th and I think I won myself a watch with changeable straps... ha, ha, ha... the simple life. I also competed in a few more talentime contests organised by Cathay Cinema in conjunction with the movie The Oscar and took first prize with my song, Fireball XL5.

.

Hey, I got myself an Oscar trophy, which is still in my home. And in the same year I took another first prize for a talentime organised by Boys Town but can't remember the song I sang. My singing talent was definitely my mum's genes but there were other priorities for me and I did not pursue a singing career.

.

Thank you once again Andy, for bringing back such good old memories.

Cheers,
Marie (Tang): 21st May, 2010.

.

Thank you so much Marie for sharing. Really appreciate!

**Saturday, December 27, 2008:
Ocean Park Hotel Singapore With Wilma Tang

Image:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3093/2543814906_17ac440dc9.jpg

Continue Reading | komentar

Dominique, L'amour Est Bleu, Volare (Part II)

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

FOREIGN SONGS BECOME ENGLISH HITS (3):

ITALIAN: O sole mio (1898) or It's Now Or Never by Elvis Presley has also been performed and covered by many artistes, including opera pillars like as Enrico Caruso, Mario Lanza and The Three Tenors, as well as rock and pop artistes like Bryan Adams and Luciano Pavarotti who won a Grammy for his rendition of this operatic piece.

The lyrics were written by Giovanni Capurr, and composed by Eduardo di Capua. Though there are versions in other languages, O sole mio is usually sung in the original Neapolitan language and translates literally as My Sun.

FRENCH: Many French songs have been translated into English ones but two hits that blogger remembers are: (1) L'amour est bleu or Love Is Blue (1967), a song composed by André Popp and written by Pierre Cour. Brian Blackburn wrote English language lyrics for it. It was first performed in French by Greek-German singer Vicky Leandros or Vicky.

It has been recorded by many other musicians and French orchestra leader Paul Mauriat's is the best known. Claudine Longet's, Heather and The Diamond Four versions made it a hit with our Singapore listeners.

FRENCH: (2) Dominique (1963) is another French by Soeur Sourire (Jeanine Deckers) of Belgium, also known as The Singing Nun. It is about Saint Dominic, a Spanish-born priest and founder of the Dominican Order. The English version of the song was written by Noël Regney.

In addition to French and English, Deckers recorded versions in Dutch, German, Hebrew and Japanese. Also, Debbie Reynolds starred in The Singing Nun movie (image) which has an English version of the song. It was the second foreign language song to hit the top of the Hot 100 in 1963, the other being Sukiyaki by Kyu Sakamoto (previous posting).

Another one is Volare or Nel blu di pinto di blu by Domenico Modugno in 1958. No other foreign language song reached the US Billboard Charts until the Spanish language hit Eres tú hit the US charts in 1973.

Know a foreign song in English? Tell us.

Image: google

Information: Wikipedia Songs

Original article: Andy Lim

Continue Reading | komentar

(1) Flower Drum Song, Asian-American Musical

Saturday, January 16, 2010

****************************************************************************************************************************** INTRODUCING FLOWER DRUM SONG:

After World War II, Americans began to show an interest in the "mysterious East" and Rodgers and Hammerstein, with all their positivity, had explored this interest in South Pacific and The King and I. Both musicals were hits in the late 50s and early 60s in Singapore. But they had never been staged in the local theatres, or had they?

Flower Drum Song is another musical with an Asian theme that was popular in Singapore in the 60s. It is a 1961 Academy Award-nominated film adaptation of the 1958 Broadway musical play Flower Drum Song, written by the composer Richard Rodgers and the lyricist/librettist Oscar Hammerstein II. The film and stage play were based on the 1957 novel by the Chinese American author C.Y. Lee.

This movie featured a mostly Asian-American cast with members that included dancers, though two of the singing voices were not by Asians. Starring in this movie were Nancy Kwan (images), James Shigeta, Benson Fong, James Hong, Reiko Sato and the original Broadway cast members Jack Soo, Miyoshi Umeki (Movie: Sayonara) and Juanita Hall.

It drew large crowds at the Singapore cinemas when it was shown in the 60s, while sexy and vivacious Nancy Kwan became a household name. The songs from the movie, on the other hand, were not so popular in Singapore but, I Enjoy Being a Girl performed by Nancy Kwan and voice dubbed in by B.J. Baker and A Hundred Million Miracles performed by Miyoshi Umeki and cast members, had a good following locally.

Information on musicals: Wikipedia.

Original article: Andy Lim Collection

Continue Reading | komentar

(3) Elvis Heartbreak Hotel Holden, Novak Picnic With Dino, Como, Mitchell, Platters - 1956

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

TOP TUNES INFLUENCE: 1956/57

In 1956 Elvis arrived and these songs featured:
Memories Are Made... Dino
Great Pretender Platters
Lisbon Antigua Nelson Riddle
Poor People Of Paris L. Baxter
Heartbreak Hotel Elvis Presley
Hot Diggity Perry Como
Moonglow/'Picnic' M. Stoloff
The Wayward Wind Gogi Grant
Almost Lost My Mind P Boone
I Want You, I Need You...
Don't Be Cruel, Hound Dog &
Love Me Tender Elvis Presley
My Prayer The Platters
The Green Door Jim Lowe
Singing The Blues G. Mitchell

Strange how the mind remembers the tunes, actors and movie screen images of long ago. One Morris Stoloff combined the theme from the movie Picnic (image) with the song Moonglow, and with the director, produced the sexiest scene on celluloid. This scene is still in Blogger's mind today. Listen to the music and watch it on YouTube (right).

Picnic starred William Holden and Kim Novak and showed to capacity house at the Capitol Cinema that year. Moonglow is a 1934 song but well-known in Singapore as an instrumental from the 1956 movie, The Benny Goodman Story. The song is a classic. Personally, Benny Goodman's version is best.

Heartbreak Hotel is raw rock and roll with Elvis Presley on rhythm, Scotty Moore, lead, D.J. Fontana, drums and Floyd Cramer, piano. Recorded in January 1956 in Nashville, the song introduced Presley to America and the world. Heartbreak Hotel became the first No.1 pop record by Elvis and the best selling single of 1956. Then Singapore saw him in, Love Me Tender...

Image: http://www.jonathanrosenbaum.com/

Original article: Andy Lim Collection.

Continue Reading | komentar

(2) Davy Crockett, Fess Parker, Sixteen Tons, Ernie Ford - Beginnings Of A Rugged Society

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

TOP TUNES INFLUENCE: 1955/1956.

It all happened in Singapore in the mid-50s. When streets were narrow and traffic light, young boys in primary schools were pulling their parents to the movies to watch Fess Parker as Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier (image). With a beaver hat and thin rifle, he had youths gasping in awe when Crockett, "killed him a bar (bear) when he was only three." Blogger rushed to the Capitol Cinema in North Bridge Road to watch the movie.

Some students cycled from Woodsville Road on their rickety bikes to the same destination. And Tennesse Ernie Ford was thudding the bass with his heavy rendition of, Sixteen Tons, warning everyone with, "and whadaya get... another day older and deeper in debt."

But the one song in 1955 that started nearly every Singaporean rockin' and rollin' was Bill Haley's Rock Around The Clock, so when the doors of the cinemas opened to screen this Alan Freed movie, every one flocked and stampeded to watch it. (Check posting, February 10th, 2009).

For Singapore 60s baby boomers it was Cliff Richard and The Shadows. But in 50s Singapore, Bill Haley And His Comets hit the joints. Then came the greatest of them all...
Image: http://www.passionweiss.com/

Original article: Andy Lim Collection.

Continue Reading | komentar

(1) Sincerely Learning The Blues, Cherry Pink, Yellow Rose, Autumn Leaves, Let Me Go Lover

(1) TOP TUNES INFLUENCE: 1955/1956. First in this series of 8 postings:

It is important to realise that Postings 1 - 7 under Top Tunes Influence is written to explain that the songs featured on the music charts in the mid-50s have in many ways shaped Singapore 60s music. Surfers need to realise that Cliff Richard just didn't materialise from thin air and appeared at the Badminton Stadium with his Shadows.

My own ideas revealed:

Like most teenagers who love pop music, the mid-50s in Singapore was an exciting time for them especially if their home radio was tuned to English language broadcasts. In 1955, when the rock n roll era began, the following songs were heard often on the radio.

Let Me Go Lover - Joan Weber
Sincerely - McGuire Sisters
The Ballad Of Davy Crockett - Fess Parker
Cherry Pink & Apple Blossom White - Perez Prado/Orchestra
Unchained Melody - Les Baxter
Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley & His Comets
Learnin' The Blues - Frank Sinatra
The Yellow Rose Of Texas - Mitch Miller & His Orchestra
Love Is A Many Splendoured Thing - Four Aces
Autumn Leaves - Nat King Cole (1956)
Sixteen Tons - Tennesse Ernie Ford

Autumn Leaves, Learning The Blues, Let Me Go Lover, Sincerely, Unchained Melody and A Many Splendoured Thing had English-educated women, swooning as they listened to these tunes from the kitchen. These songs were categorised under 'sentimental love songs'.

Splendoured Thing had patrons rushing to the cinemas to watch William Holden and Jennifer Jones hold hands and fall in love. Sighs and theme music mingled in the cinema halls as the images kissed (image). Cabarets at the amusement 'Worlds' were playing the same tunes to crowded dance floors.

Cherry Pink and Yellow Rose were being whistled all over the country as listeners fell in love with the Latin flavour of the first and the marching beat of the second.

Image: http://www.thewoundedbird.blogspot.com/

Original article: Andy Lim Collection.

Continue Reading | komentar

(2) Aci Buka Pintu Nujum Pa'Belalang Sabar!

Monday, September 21, 2009

This second Long Play is another EMI, Regal that specifies in Malay, "songs composed, arranged with the orchestra under Puteh Ramlee, AMN."

My interest in P. Ramlee dated back to the mid 50s when I watched movies produced by Shaw Brothers. My diet of Siput Sarawak, Neng Yatimah, Momo Latiff, Sit Tanjung Perak, S. Kadarisman and Omar Rojik holds strong even till today.

Then when P. Ramlee came along as Penarek Becha with his gang of Bujang Lapok I was fascinated with this man who composed, directed and even acted in his own movies.

The evergreens in these two LPs may interest some readers who want to listen to this great man. Like John Lennon said, "Before Elvis there was nothing." Likewise in Malay pop music in Singapore and Malaya, "Before Ramlee, there was nothing."

Getaran Jiwa is P. Ramlee, one of the best songs composed by him. Together with S. Sudarmaji, other songs that are pleasant to listen and meaningful would be Barang Yang Lepas Jangan Di Kenang, Sabar, Kesah Rumah Tangga and Sepanjang Riwayat Ku.

He has his humorous side too and Aci Aci Buka Pintu (one of my favourites), Lanang Tunang Ta Jadi (by Kassim Masdor and my good friend Yusnor Ef), Ai Ai, Ai Twist, Sabarudin Tukang Kasot, Ting Tara Tilalla and Nujum Pa'Belalang would put anyone, who understands Malay, in stitches!

LP Reference: EMI/Regal: SREG 9801/2.Image/original article: Andy Lim Collection.

Continue Reading | komentar

(1) Come September: Bobby Darin, Chet Atkins

Thursday, September 3, 2009

This month of September reminds me of a movie that attracted a lot of attention in the early 60s. It is called, Come September and starred four of the biggest stars in that generation. Rock Hudson and Gina Lollobridgida were sex symbols then and Sandra Dee and Bobby Darin the teenage idols.

Rushing to see a movie like this is like rushing to watch Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt today! It was a long bus ride for me to catch the movie as I had to take a bus from the East Coast to the Capitol Cinema in North Bridge Road on a weekday afternoon.

Come September is a commercialised fantasy where a womanizing tycoon ends up chaperoning a group of American girls who have rented his Italian villa. Bobby Darin, a very popular 60s singer, composed two songs for the movie, the title song and another one called Multiplication. Chet Atkins or Mr. Guitar, 14 times Grammy winner, popularised the instrumental Come September.

Image: http://www.movieposters.com/

Original article: Andy Lim

Continue Reading | komentar

(3) James Bond You Only Live Twice - Lara Tan

Thursday, August 27, 2009

At the end of 1967, The Trailers released another EP with a second James Bond number. It was also on Cosdel (CEP 3008). You Only Live Twice, was released with, Please Don't Talk To The Life Guard, Single Girl and Dream Girl. They are all sung in Chinese by Ling Ling or Lara Tan (image), who had cut a few other titles with The Trailers.

In the Bond number You Only Live Twice, lead guitarist Victor Woo and pianist/organist Jimmy Chan showed their prowess by giving the song its local flavour and depth. You Only Live Twice and Dream Girl were released in Australia by Festival Records with copyright from Cosdel.

In the original recording, You Only Live Twice, was sung by Nancy Sinatra, with music by John Barry and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse. Little Anthony & The Imperials recorded a powerful rendition of the song for United Artists Records as well. It appeared on their 1967 album. Shirley Bassey had also performed it in an album of her own.

Reference: Wikipedia.

Image/original article: Andy Lim Collection.

Continue Reading | komentar

(2) James Bond - Thunderball - The Trailers

Thunderball*, a James Bond song, originally by Tom Jones, was recorded by a well-known Singapore band, The Trailers. It was the B-side to their hot-seller, Do It Right by Benny Koh (image).

The group's manager Tommy Low secured a contract with Cosdel Records and released this, their first single in May, 1966 (CSP 1007). Thunderball was arranged by pianist Jimmy Chan who was with the Flamingos Combo - see posting on James Choa. The single did very well and it was a great start for The Trailers Enterprise which began in September, 1965.

For first-timers in the local 60s recording industry, Thunderball, an instrumental, is commendable, especially with Tony Zee's (percussion) booming introduction and drum-roll end. Although the rhythm, bass and keyboard accompaniment is louder than the lead guitar, it is on the whole an acceptable piece.

According to Wikipedia, the version recorded by Shirley Bassey and re-recorded by Dionne Warwick was not released until the 90s. John Barry composed it with lyricist Don Black. Tom Jones, who sang Thunderball, fainted during recording when singing the final, high note, "I closed my eyes and held the note for so long that when I opened my eyes the room was spinning."

*Thunderball was at 1st place on Singapore's Top Tunes on February 14, 1966.

Image/original article: Andy Lim Collection.

Continue Reading | komentar

(2) Country Western Influence: Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson, Roy Rogers, Hank Williams, Frankie Laine, Jim Reeves, Glen Campbell

Sunday, August 9, 2009

During the earlier years in Singapore there were already many songs from the treasure chest of country oldies. Songs like, Dont Fence Me In (1945), by Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, not forgetting Gene Autry, Have I Told You Lately That I Love You (1945) were in existence on 78rpm records. Then favourites like, Your Cheating Heart (1952) and Jambalaya (1952) by Hank Williams followed. His own personal choice was Cold, Cold Heart (1951).

Frankie Laine's High Noon (1952) Rawhide (1958) were also best sellers as the theme of the rough and tough in country music gripped Singapore, "And I must face a man who hates me/Or like a coward, a craven coward/Or like a coward in my grave..."

People who came to the US from Europe composed songs like the Texan Fraulein (Bobby Helms), and Little Dutch Girl (George Morgan). The influence was gradual though, so when Elvis Presley emerged with his first movie, Love Me Tender (1956) followed by Loving You (1957) with songs like, Lonesome Cowboy, A Lotta Livin' To Do and Hot Dog, most pop music enthusiasts went agog. Country and rock were combined. Johnny Cash joined the scene with, I Walk The Line (1956).

Then Rio Bravo (1959) hit the big screens in Singapore. Tough John Wayne, sexy Dean Martin and teenage idol Ricky Nelson held everyone to ransom with My Rifle, My Pony And Me. Marty Robbins with El Paso (1959), known as a gunfighter ballad, kept Singaporeans singing this elaborate tale of 13 verses for months on end. Then Jim Reeves, who had earlier hits provided his rendition of, *He'll Have To Go (1959) and Johnny Horton with, North To Alaska (1960).

When Glen Campbell, By The Time I Get To Phoenix (1967) hit the trail and John Denver came with Leaving On A Jet Plane (1967) and Take Me Home Country Roads (1971), the Country and Western craze woke the baby boomers up!

The Singapore 60s cowboy craze erupted when our local boys and girls came with twanging acoustic guitars and hawaiian guitars as back-up. Not many Fenders appeared on stage then. The CW craze had begun.

Then, shades of Ferlin Husky, a cowpoke from the hills of Pasir Panjang, Singapore, emerged! He was Rocky Wong and appeared on stage in full regalia, with his cowboy suit, guitar and hat. He could have been the first Singapore cowboy. (earlier posting: August 9th, 2009).

This journey, discovering country music from the 50s to the 70s, is a personal one and the songs are milestones along the way.

*Singapore Karaoke Favourite: Jim Reeves', He'll Have To Go (1959).

Image: http://cnet.com.au/

Image: http://spout.com/films

Original Article: Andy Lim

Continue Reading | komentar

(1) Country Western Music Influence: Lone Ranger/William Tell Overture/Calamity Jane/Doris Day/Elvis Presley/Frankie Laine

**************************************************************************Writing about Country and Western music is not an easy task, especially when the internet has nearly 70 million hits for this genre of music. So I thought it best if I wrote on the subject based on my own personal journey.

Many young Singaporeans in the 50s learnt about cowboys and native indians from US comic books as these were easily available. They were cheap, cost about 30 cents each and an enthusiast with little money, could buy one and amuse himself with it for a day or two. Movies were also affordable as a seat in a cinema was priced 50 cents. The comic book I read was, The Lone Ranger and the movie I saw was Winchester '73.

Winchester '73 (1950) is an American cowboy movie released by Universal Pictures (image). It starred James Stewart, Rock Hudson and Tony Curtis. There were many movies like this one that drew long queues, partly because of its line-up of great stars and because entertainment was rife in Singapore. Cinemas became magnets that drew large crowds.

The western cowboy theme, with its galloping horses, buffalos, stetson hats, Colt 45s, rough and tumble fight scenes and 'red indians' pulled people out of their homes. The music connection came when Calamity Jane (1953) hit Singapore with its singing and pistol-packin', prairie girl. The movie and Doris Day were a hit. Everyone clamoured to watch it. And one of the songs in the movie, Secret Love (1953) became a classic!

The Lone Ranger (1956), a cartoon comic strip about a masked Texas ranger, his horse Silver and side-kick Tonto (image), also became a television hit before it was screened in the theatres and the theme music was the 'cavalry charge' finale of Gioachino Rossini's William Tell Overture, now inseparably associated with the series, which also featured many other classical selections as incidental music.

Because of these cowboy movies and comics, Singaporeans soon became addicted to this particular genre. Simultaneously, the guitar strumming, cowboy yodelling (Slim Whitman) and whistling singers (Roger Whittaker), sealed the deal for these 'singing cowboys' who sing 'cowboy songs' or later known as Country & Western music in the 60s.

Image: http://thereelimage.co.uk/

Image: http://showmanshooter.com/

Original article: Andy Lim

Continue Reading | komentar

Elvis Presley 60s Pop Music For Young Children

Thursday, August 6, 2009

It is always a joy to introduce music to very young children. Even pop music, especially from the 60s genre, if correctly selected, could prove fun and stimulating for the little ones.

Personally, grandson Joshie at 3 years old, sings a selection of 60s music with ease and pride, when he goes into his own rendition of, Fireball XL5, *Obladi Oblada, Wooden Heart (image), Big Boots, *My Bonnie, *Diana, Beautiful Sunday and The Chipmunks' Christmas Song. He sings them, he hums them and even shakes a leg to these melodies, just like a professional.

However, he learnt his simpler pieces and started off with Twinkle,Twinkle Little Star, I Hear Thunder, Ticky Ticky Tick (Frankie Laine) and Little One (Russ Hamilton) way before the real pops. He was only only one and a half then.

*Take heart with some lyrics from these songs.

Image: Elvis/Juliet Prowse/GI Blues. From: Elvis Movie Database.

Original article: Andy Lim

Continue Reading | komentar