It's The Singer Not The Song: Vernon At Large

Saturday, February 12, 2011

40 years on and the man is still attracting crowds. Whether he's in panic purple glitter, a resplendent white suit or a snake skin jacket (images), Vernon Cornelius still holds court with his singing, jovial banter and stage presence.

Formerly fronting The Quests he's keeping his fans happy today with his rendition of pop 60s songs. I have acquired some photographs of his gigs since 2004 when he performed with the Abadi Sousman Band from Indonesia. In January 2005, he backed Riem de Wolff (Mr. Blue Diamond) at the Assisi Home Charity Concert at Victoria Theatre.

In the same year, he appeared in a concert in aid of the Aceh tsunami victims and at the Orchard Hotel Ballroom. In 2007 Vernon sang at Zouk for the Singapore Heritage Festival Concert. He has also appeared at 'St Mary's Kampong Nite' at the Church of St Mary of the Angels in August 2008 and the 'Eurasiana' Show at the Esplanade Concert Hall in June 2009 with the 50 piece Singapore Pop Orchestra led by Maestro Iskandar Ismail.

Sing on young one.. sing on!

*The Singer Not The Song: Rolling Stones

Everywhere you want I always go /I always give in because babe you know /You just say so cause you give me that /Feeling inside that I know must be right /It's the singer not the song /It's the singer not the song /It's the singer not the song... (M. Jagger/K. Richards: 1965 UK)

Images: from Vernon Cornelius.

Original Article: Andy Lim.

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Mr Blue Diamond Riem de Wolff, Quests, DJ Larry Lai: 60s Music Meet In Singapore Shopping Mall

Monday, January 10, 2011

Image seated: Andy Lim (The Silver Strings), Riem de Wolff (The Blue Diamonds), Larry Lai (Rediffusion Broadcaster). Standing: Jap Chong, Vernon Cornelius (The Quests).

Vintage Brothers:

Shoppers screamed, Seniors extended their arms for a handshake when pop group The Vintage Brothers appeared for lunch, at one of the shopping malls in Singapore.

Questing For Diamonds:

Fans with CDs in hand jostled their way to the front of the queue and everyone wanted to have a picture (Image 2) taken with Jap Chong and Vernon Cornelius (The Quests), Riem de Wolff (The Blue Diamonds) and Larry Lai (Rediffusion Broadcaster). One fan even brought his Blue Diamonds vinyls for Riem's autograph.

Dream On:

So for those surfers in Singapore who missed the, "Dream On, You 60s Celebrities" gig, here's a picture for keep sake. By the way it's 2011 now, not 1965 but they had gigs in Singapore recently.

Riem De Wolff:

Seriously though, the du-wop duo from Holland, The Blue Diamonds' chart topper Ramona is still selling internationally and Riem is up to his neck in diamonds. Twenty-five million copies sold and counting... Riem has a successful solo career now but sings with his son too. Listen to Riem, with steel and slide guitarist Sarah Jory, on the sensitive duet-written, How I Love You in his 2005 Back On Track album (Image 1 ). He had appeared in some concerts in December 2010.

Vernon Cornelius:

Vernon (Quests) is busy with his gigs and has recently appeared with Reim as a duet, singing Blue Diamonds melodies of yesteryears. Vernon is much into archival activities and has a large collection of past goodies, much from Singapore. Vernon fronted the Quests from the 60s -70s and recorded with EMI.

Jap Chong:

Jap (Quests) is taking it easy and still plays when there are reQuests for him to appear. This gentleman looks very young for his age. He's used to the rhythm of local pop stardom. Jap Chong played rhythm guitar with the Quests from the 60s - 70s and recorded with EMI.

Larry Lai:

Larry co-ordinates the masses and is still the maestro, using his baton more as a magic-wand to make celebrities appear and disappear. The usual, "I-know-that-voice" phenomena still persists when he's around. Strangers pass him by and call his name when they hear him talking.

Larry was the most popular DJ and one of the top broadcasters in Singapore from the 60s - 90s at cable Rediffusion and the Singapore Broadcasting Company. He has since retired. There are about 9 postings about this gentleman on the blog (click Larry Lai below).

Image 1: http://www.bluediamonds.nl/

Image 2: Andy Lim Collection.

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Riem de Wolfe: Blue Diamond At Serangoon

Saturday, September 18, 2010

He was here in January this year. Riem de Wolfe was outside a restaurant called, Blue Diamond. Quite appropriate really. The picture was taken by Vernon Cornelius while he was, "loafing around Serangoon Road... and (had) stumbled upon this Indian restaurant."

Apparently "Riem was thrilled and amused" so Vernon couldn't resist taking some pictures. And in case, just in case, you don't know who Reim de Wolfe and Vernon are, you must read this whole blog to find out.

Image: From Vernon Cornelius Collection. Thanks to him and MusicMeister.

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The Blue Diamonds - Sparkling 'Right Back'

Friday, July 2, 2010

THIS POSTING IS FOR LL:

Go to any CD shop in Singapore and ask for The Blue Diamonds. The response from a particular young lady at one shop counter: "Don't know Blue Diamonds."

Me: "What about Jumping Jewels?"

Counter lady: "Who?"

Go to a record and CD shop in the US, UK or any other western country and the person in charge will check on his computer before searching for the title/artiste on the shelves. Only then the response: "Sorry, sir. We don't have it but we can try and order it for you if you like." Shouldn't sales people in Singapore be taught some courtesy and know a little about pop music history before they are allowed to sell CDs? Cannot lah, too expensive to train!

A Blue Diamonds CD (image) was given to me as a present. I am not familiar with some of the songs but then it had been a while since I found a BD CD and as a big fan, this gift is worth its price in diamonds. And the songs are sparklers. This one includes Neil Diamond's Song Sung Blue. Yes, Diamonds sing Diamond.

The title track Right Back is first, followed by: I'll Mend Your Broken Heart, Cryin' In the Rain, The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine, Day After Day, Alice Long, Skinny Ginny, When You Are A King, I Will Love You Endlessly, Uptown, Bend Me Shape Me, Don't Let It Show, Sweet Little Girl, Cry, Sweet Dream Baby, Lonely Street, Surfin' In Sunshine and Right Back Front. (Originally: Long Play TELSTAR - 12 tracks, recorded 1987).

The Dutch duet's last hit was in 1971 but they continued to perform together until Ruud de Wolff's death at the end of 2000. Riem de Wolff continues to perform and release albums.

*In autumm 2005, Riem recorded a new album in the Deans studio in Kirkby, Liverpool. Called, Mr. Blue Diamond, Back On Track, it has John Pettifer (The Deans) and Sarah Jory, a special guest musician, playing slide-guitar and singing with Riem on this album. Check SideBar/YouTube. Sounds like, Sultans of Swing.

Image: CD Cover from a great friend (you know who you are.)

*Riem's web: (1) http://www.bluediamonds.nl/cd_nw_gb.htm

(2) http://www.american-legends.nl/riem_bio.htm

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Blue Diamonds National Service & In Uniform

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

They are back again. One of blogger's favourite duet and even better than The Everly Brothers, the two boys known as The Blue Diamonds (although one has passed on), can be heard marching along with these songs. And in uniform too, with the Choir of the Technical Troop, Grave and Orchestra of Conductor Jack Bulterman (image):

Old Soldiers Never Die, Pack Up Your Troubles, It's A Long Long Way To Tipperary, John Brown's Body, She'll Be Coming Round The Mountain, Marching Along Together (Fontana: 266 358 TF).

They were then in the army when these songs were recorded and, like Elvis Presley (GI Blues) and our own NS boys, had to serve their country (Holland). "They had a ball with their companions at arms, as their singing, backed by a choir of their friends, is a selection of marching songs and melodies popular with soldiers. You will recognise them all (sleeve notes)."

You will too, especially our Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and most uniformed personnel, professional or otherwise. You sure you have this vinyl? Quite rare I think. But these are really nice, old sing-a-longs. Any Blue Diamonds enthusiasts out there?

Image/Original Article: Andy Lim Collection.

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(9) Bye Bye Blackbird Baby Face Blue Diamonds West Ham United Anthem, All In One Long Play

Thursday, November 12, 2009

BLOGGER'S 50s MUSIC EDUCATION:

The selection on this LP by The Blue Diamonds are popular in the 40s/50s and many of the 12 songs are jazz standards. Let's go through the LP:

I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles debuted in 1918 and has been recorded since by Doris Day, Vera Lynn and Frank Fontaine in the early 60s in the US. The song is now better known in the UK as the club anthem of West Ham United, a London-based football club.

Bye, Bye, Blackbird is a 1926 song, another jazz standard most dixielanders are familiar with and has been recorded by many artistes, including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Judy Garland, Trini Lopez, Mitch Miller , Ringo Starr, Miles Davis, Liza Minnelli, Peggy Lee and Joe Cocker.

The very popular Baby Face and a personal favourite, together with Margie and Till We Meet Again are all jazz standards and have been sung and recorded in the 20s or earlier by many.

The rest of the songs are just as special and all personal favourites. Have I Told You Lately That I Love You is a CW evergreen, covered by dozens and by Naomi/Boys too. Everyone knows, Vaya Con Dios, Isle Of Capri, Goodnight Sweetheart and Missouri Waltz while My Grandfather's Clock is a beautiful children's song.

The Blue Diamonds are accompanied by Jack Bulterman and his Orchestra. It's a great vinyl and quite a rarity because this particular one discussed is a Fontana France (680509 TL) 1961 pressing and the cover opens both on the left and right.

Reference: Wikipedia Songs.

Image/original article: Andy Lim Collection.

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Singapore 60s Music. Singapore Blue Diamonds

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Off the cuff: After winning the Singapore Blue Diamonds contest, James Choa and the rest of The Gaylads (popular 60s group with The Flamingos - Posting: April, 9th, 2009) were given a singing contract and arrived in style at the Merlin Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, to be resident vocal group at the Harlequin Room with a full band to accompany them.

They were driven all the way, by car from Singapore to KL, by Tan Swee Leong at the helm of his Ford Anglia. Mr Tan, a celebrity himself, was also the MC for their shows and James remembered they had a fascinating 3 weeks at the hotel.

Since it was the 60s they had time to see the sights in KL during the day and had comfortable accommodation at the hotel itself. Besides a full allowance, The Gaylads were also provided with whatever creature comfort they needed during their stint at the Merlin.

(Image: The real Blue Diamonds with Anneke Gronloh. From National Heritage Board, Singapore.)

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Goodwood Hotel Anneke & The Blue Diamonds

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Images of Anneke Gronloh and The Blue Diamonds - Rudy and Riem De Wolff - at the Goodwood Park Hotel, Orchard Road, where the trio were staying. These superstars of Singapore 60s were at the hotel for their performance on the island. These photographs were taken on 5.2.62 and 20.12.62.
(Images from: National Heritage Board Singapore Website and Straits Times Press, Singapore)

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------PART OF OUR LOCAL MUSIC SCENE------

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Ruud de Wolff (12.5.41) and Riem de Wolff (15.4.43) who were born in Indonesia migrated to Holland in 1949 and made their first recording (image above) singing, 'I Kissed You'. They scored many hits until 1971 and performed all the way to the 90s until elder brother Ruud died on 18th December, 2000. He was about 60. Younger brother Riem is still recording with a supporting band and son Steffen calling themselves The New Diamonds.

One thing is certain the brothers have a distinctive sound and it made all the difference. Although they have appeared on numerous occasions in Singapore, I never had the opportunity to see or hear them perform live but the first time I heard 'Ramona' I went all the way to Kwang Sia Record Shop at North Bridge Road to buy it.

These important years for Singapore pop had vocal groups of duets, trios and even quartets on stage. I remember The Three Bambinos. Do you?

Why were the brothers' names never revealed on the Fontana Records cover of the above pressing? Just starting out perhaps?

*'Ramona' reached American Billboard Hot 100.

* lst on Dutch & German charts.

*'Little Ship' (1961, Doc Pomus/Doug Shuman) is an original. Never recorded by others.

* 'Sukiyaki' (Kyu Sakamoto's Jap hit but sung in English).

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(6) Dutch Connection - Blue Diamonds - Rare

Ask me if The Everly Brothers are my favourite duet and I'll say no. In fact they one of the best vocal duets in the 60s but I find The Blue Diamonds more refreshing, vibrant and entertaining on record. Their versatility shows.

I heard 'Ramona' before listening to The Blue Diamonds'. It was slow and boring. Written by Mabel Wayne, Wolfe & Gilbert it was composed to be sung by a 1920s actress Dolores Del Rio. The later Jim Reeves' (He'll Have To go) version was much better but I was pleasantly surprised when I heard the upbeat rendition by The Blue Diamonds. The introduction on muted e-guitar ideally suited this recording of an old hit tune. The abrupt end makes the listener yearn for more.

Strange as it seems this pair recorded all my favourites, 'Pretty Blue Eyes, 'Have I Told You Lately', 'Mr Sandman', 'Lili Marlene' and 'Sukiyaki'.

The brothers musical magic has lasted from the 60s up till today, remembering that they made many pre-war songs popular.

(Image: Courtesy of David Greenfield)

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