Ray Johnson, Diamond Four, Frank Thompson

Friday, October 15, 2010

Some Sleeves Speak (Sleeve-liner from above vinyl):

*"They were the Diamond Five. Where have I heard that name before? It could be anywhere from Hong Kong to Liverpool. They first appeared in Singapore in late 1965 and although they were acclaimed wherever they played, it was not until after their radio and television appearances during their tour of Australia that they were really recognised here.

Ray Johnson's individual style and the group's interpretation of Frank's compositions is now known throughout the Far East. This record is then a tribute to you, the fans of Ray Johnson and The Diamond Four.

I hope it gives you as much pleasure to listen to it as it gave them to make. And next time you are in somewhere like the North Pole, just listen for the music of The Diamond Four. It's there too (vinyl sleeve-liner: Philips Record image)."

#Except for I've Been Around, a Fats Domino cover, the other 3 songs, Wedding Bells Soon, Help Me, Little Girl and Stay By My Side were composed by F.A. Thompson - the "Frank" that the writer above was referring to. The Philips Record (ME-0148-DE) was released around September, 1968.

Heather Batchen, Frank Thompson, Diamond Four:

Fourteen year old Heather Batchen was accompanied by this same group, a band of British servicemen from an HMS naval ship, docked in Singapore then. They recorded a single with her in 1966: Day Dreaming by Frank Thompson. It is a sentimental number, sung with much feeling and personal interpretation that became a Heather hallmark. In the same genre, the big 60s hit If We Are Only Friends is an appropriate flip on Philips ME-057-HF for Heather's vocal style.

On an EP (ME-0173-HE) called Mr. Moon she had recorded again with The Diamond Four, Do You Care and Hey, Mr. Moon, both Frank Thompson compositions. Having completed their line of servicemen duties, the Four returned to England after this second recording with Heather.

The other two songs Heather recorded on the same EP, were with The Thunderbirds and called, Because I Love You and I'll Be Yours.

#Original article/image: Andy Lim Collection.

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How Our Local 60s Music Is Sold Overseas - "Wild Rockers That Would Never Make It"

Sunday, August 8, 2010

HOW SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIAN 60s MUSIC ARE SOLD OVERSEAS. PLEASE READ THE BLURB BELOW, QUOTED IN FULL:

Various Artists – 'Chinese Rocks' LP only:

"Like the old saying 'digging a hole to China' insatiable record collectors go through stages, digging deeper & deeper to find the next unknown treasure. Collectors of garage/trash 50′s & 60′s oddities have grown in recent years like a wild fungus & many vinyl mysteries have been solved only to open new ones.

Looking to the East we have indeed literally dug a hole to a 60s Singapore & Malaysian weirdsville, represented here by a family style nightmare of rickshaw crashing left of center, wild rockers that would never make it onto even a collector's compilation of this sort.

Everything from wild surf to Trashmen styled thud to almost Shaggs ineptitude/beauty to garage pounders & even a retarded psychedelic comedy track. Put this record on and drown in the delightful soy sauce vinyl insanity that is Chinese Rocks!

Tracks: The Stylers – Hey! Hey! Hey!, The Siglaps – Hey Girl, The Quests – Ding Dong Twist, Johnny Tan – Shakin’ All Over, Bakar Hamid & The Hawks – Div-Kav-Tetap Ku Kenang, The Thunderbirds – Call My Name, Shao Fong Fong – I Love A Go Go.

The Hi-Fi Twins & The Kings – Papa Oom Mow Mow, Blue Lake Combo – Bombora, The Steps – Steps Theme, S. Suri & Les Sea King – Svasana Ala, The Fabulous Falcons – Midnight Express, The Saints – ???, The Hi Fi Twins & The Kings – Lies, Helen Velv & The Silverstones – Hot Pants, The Quests – Pop Inn Theme."

The above image and promotional document is not edited and comes from:

http://www.dionysusrecords.com/home/?p=1124

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Indie-pendence Day - Singapore Birthday Bash

Saturday, July 31, 2010

6 Aug 2010, Fri
It’s indie-pendence day as we open the celebrations for the birthday bash at the Outdoor Theatre. Get your fix of great music from some of the most celebrated Singapore bands today.

7.30 – 8.15pm A Vacant Affair
8.45 – 9.30pm B-Quartet
10 – 10.45pm
The Great Spy Experiment
7 Aug 2010, Sat
Relive the sounds of the 60s to 80s!

The Mysterians will perform their hits such as Please Don’t Tease, while 60s heart-throb crooners Henry Suriya and Andy will reunite with the Silver Strings. Top off the evening in a Sing-along with The Mysterians when they play familiar favourites!

Hosted by Brian Richmond.
7.30 – 8.15pm The Mysterians
8.45 – 9.45pm Henry Suriya and Andy with Silver Strings
10.15 – 11pm The Mysterian

8 Aug 2010, Sun

Melissa Fitzgerald – daughter of Thunderbirds front-man Derek – gives new life to the band’s top hits. The talented Vadham family reunites with Moses, performing Gingerbread classic Roses, Regina delivering good ol’ country tunes and the siblings singing Sausalito in tribute to the late Chris Vadham of Western Union Band.

Terry Mortimer of Tony & Terry, and Peter Diaz of The Surfers, will bring you memorable rock and roll hits.

Hosted by Brian Richmond.
7.30 – 8.15pm Melissa Fitzgerald
8.45 – 9.45pm The Vadhams
10.15 – 11pm Terry Mortimer & Peter Diaz

Images/Information: artitude-u-art.blogspot.com/2010/01/esplanade...
http://www.esplanade.com/whats_on/programme_info/a_journey_through_local_music1/index.jsp

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Alan Lyford Makes Music In Perth, Australia

Sunday, July 25, 2010

I have a couple of 45 singles (image) by Alan Lyford and the Thunderbirds. Both vinyls have been recorded by Philips Singapore in the 60s. The first vinyl (338704PF) has this young boy singing, No One To Care (own composition) and What Now My Love, the very well-known ballad by Decaud, Sigman and Delanoe. In the second vinyl (ME-0161-AF), Lyford sings his own Love Me and Chains by Goffin and King.

In my search to do a write-up of Lyford, a friend connected me to a night-spot website called, The Ellington Jazz Club. This popular club which features live music is situated at Beaufort Street, Perth, Australia. There is a blues band playing there called Bloozology with the most experienced musicians from the city in its line-up.

Formed in 2007 this band has vocalist and bass player Alan Lyford in the team. It is the same Lyford who has recorded for Phillips and according to the website, he has for some years accompanied and sung with many Perth and inter-state artistes in Australia. Lyford was also lead singer with the fusion band, *Manteca, in the late 70s and early 80s, when they were recorded for national broadcast by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

Lyford's music career in Australia is definitely impressive with his sterling track record. He has played with super stars like America, the Doobie Brothers and Simply Red, supported Suzie Quatro, Lou Rawls,Tom Jones, Roberta Flack and toured with Ian Moss from Cold Chisel. He is currently recording an album of his original compositions.

According to another website, when he left Singapore during the earlier years, Lyford joined a band called, The Revue. It was a 5 piece band formed in 1967 and he was bass guitarist and singer from 1969-1971. In the same year (1971), he joined The Mark IV also playing bass. This band, formed in 1966 was previously called The Zebeks and started life in 1964.

*The Albums:

The debut album by West Australia’s Manteca was recorded in 1979 by the Perth Radio Station 720 6WF. The group fuses a mix of jazz, funk and rock together to form their sound. Half the album's style is funky rock featuring Alan Lyford’s vocals, which is "kind of sound like mid 70′s average white band, Tower of Power etc." The other half is instrumental jazz and funk. This particular album has a very funky version of Herbie Hancock's classic, Watermelon Man.

The group has another album in 1981, a Fusion LP produced by ABC Records. Its a mixed bag with some instrumental fusion style tracks and some with vocal cuts. The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter is the best track with a mellow, laid back, Brazilian flavored groove.

Sad isn't it to have a talented artiste like Alan Lyford leaving Singapore shores? Perhaps we should invite him to play at the Esplanade? If you have some more information about Mr Lyford do write in.

Thanks to LL.

Image/Edited article: Andy Lim.

Information:
http://www.ellingtonjazz.com.au/index.php/schedule/month/05/show/689
http://streetrockrecords.wordpress.com/category/australian-jazzfunk/

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Heather And Cliff Together! Congratulations!

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Bootlegs are not legitimate commercial releases and are illegal but some collectors want them. It is true that all illegal items - not just records - are hard to advertise, buy or sell. So most bootlegs have little value.

They come in several categories though. Some bootleg LPs often feature tracks that have not been commercially released because the recordings are stolen ones. Some are illegal recordings of live concerts.

EPs include re-releases of rare or valuable 45s. Some bootleg 45s are exact copies of rare records with the original label graphics and numbers - these are known in the industry as counterfeits. In Singapore 60s, a record does not need to be rare. As long as it sells well, a bootleg copy is available.

During blogger's search for vinyls, he comes across many bootleg copies. Some of them are so common that they are worthless today, but some of these fakes are being sold in the market for a higher price. At the end of the day it depends on how much a buyer is willing to pay and how badly the seller is willing to part with the bootleg for the amount involved.

The above vinyl, from a flea market, costs S$2.00 but blogger was offered quite a staggering amount for it by a collector. It has a unique cover with our Singapore sweetheart Heather's most popular song, Love Is Blue.

But what makes it special is Cliff Richard's pasted photograph below with the song Congratulations. Together with Green Tambourine Heather (who was with The Diamonds Four), sings Kiss Me Goodbye. And the label is Hi Fi Record without a serial number. They could've have been more imaginative.

Anyone interested in bootleg? Do you have some at home?

Click to read: Bootleg or Thunderbirds

You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0TE5PRI3EI

Image/original article: Andy Lim.

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Thunderbird Derrick Fitzgerald: Raising Awareness And Helping A Fellow Musician

Monday, September 14, 2009

Derrick Fitzgerald (top right image), from one of Singapore 60s pop groups The Thunderbirds, has suffered a stroke. There is an effort by two young people to help raise some funds for the guitarist.

According to the Straits Times September 14th, 2009, the charity gig will be held on Wednesday, 7.00pm at the Black Coffee, Hitachi Tower, Collyer Quay, Singapore.

The Thunderbirds which was formed in 1962 has a top hit that is still being played on radio today and remembered by many Singaporeans. My Lonely Heart was at the Number 1 spot in Singapore and Malaysia in 1968. The group has also recorded many originals and covers in the 60s.

Reference: The Straits Times Press, Singapore/by Eddino Abdul Hadi. Monday, September 14th, 2009.

Image: Universal Music, Singapore. Audie Ng Collection.

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Heather - The Diamond Four - The Thunderbirds

Friday, June 5, 2009

Besides the selection of Heather's two songs Love Is Blue and Green Tambourine in 100 Greatest Singapore 60s, she has also recorded some songs with the Diamond Four, a band of UK naval servicemen.

The image was from Philips in 1966 when Heather was only 14 years old. When the Diamond Four returned to Britain, Heather Batchen teamed up with Singapore's Thunderbirds.

As piracy was rampant in the 60s Heather's songs were included in an illegal EP with Kiss Me Goodbye and Me, The Peaceful Heart. Listening to Heather within the confines of a quiet and comfortable atmosphere brings back the nostalgia that only 60s Singapore music provides. She is the peaceful heart.

1. Joe Wu Seattle/WA/USA, has Heather on You Tube.

2. Image: Universal Music, Singapore.

3. Philips is under Universal Music, Singapore

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Singapore's Siglap Five. Hit By Bootleg Records

Thursday, March 12, 2009

EARNING A LIVING

The above image was not specially created on the scanner. It's a genuine record cover. Two for the price of one. Four songs on one record instead of two in one single.

Wow, it's a deal and you get this record all over Singapore in the 60s. Check out the label again. Nothing will be revealed. Now everyone's seeing red.

Is it bootleg? "Tell Me If It's True?" asks Eveylyn who seems to have contacted jaundice . Just listen to them on YouTube. Ivlahlaysia boleh has posted many videos.

You Tube: Key in: Siglap Five or Thunderbirds.

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Thunderbirds -Seeing Red - Peter Chan Too

EARNING A LIVING

Another recording by The Thunderbirds with the Fitzgerald/Pasqual composition of "My Lonely Heart" but is this heart the real thing or a pirated copy?

Harvey Fitzgerald, who co-wrote this song with Gerry Pasqual, sang on the hit recording. He has since retired from the music business and lives in Perth, Australia.

His brother, Derrick Fitzgerald, the lead guitarist, made this recording with his iconic slide guitar riffs. Was he using an ordinary comb to make that unique sound? He was still leading the group in Singapore and played at the Carriage Bar at Goodwood Hotel, Orchard Road for more than 15 years with Danny Boy (Silver Strings) at the drums.

"For us to make a living we had to play commercial; e.g. Santana, The Stylistics, Chicago. We rotated with Heather & the Thunderbirds at the "London Scene" in the basement of the Marco Polo Hotel (then called Hotel Malaysia).

Then we played at "Moonshine" at the Ocean Park Hotel Katong before the group broke up (because of NS). We played 3-4 sets of 45 mins each on Friday and Sat nights."

Peter Chan recalls from Good Morning Yesterday blog by Chun See

Image/original article: Andy Lim.

Extract: From Peter Chan's article on Good Morning Yesterday.

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----------Call My Name - The Thunderbirds!-------

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

The trend continued and many Singapore 60s bands composed and recorded their own songs with lyrics that had similar love appeals. Harvey Fitzgerald ('My Lonely Heart') was one singer/songwriter who wrote lyrics that would be fondly remembered by many babyboomers.

Their second biggest hit, next to their signature song, "My Lonely Heart" (1966) was You Were Made For Me To Love (1967). Harvey Fitzgerald, who also composed this song, sang it with much feelings.

The Thunderbirds include: DERRICK FITZGERALD on lead guitar, WILLIAM WEE, bass guitar, HARVEY FITZGERALD, rhythm guitar, with vocalist IVAN FITZGERALD, The percussionist was FREDDIE TAN.

Another line-up in 1969 includes: RICHARD DANKAR, bass, FREDDIE KANG, organist and SHEDIG MARICAN, drummer.

(Image: from Silver Strings Collection)

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