From Madras India - Arnold George Dorsey

Saturday, June 26, 2010

ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK 2010 LEGACY OF LOVE WORLD TOUR

Mr Arnold George Dorsey couldn't be any better. For two solid hours on Thursday evening 24th June 2010, this 60s music superman, who's got a ton of greatest hits to his name, shimmied, rocked, joked, sang and entertained his audience at the Kallang Indoor Stadium, Singapore, without providing an interval to allow seniors in the audience to visit the washroom.

When good, old friend Billy Yap told me he had two tickets for the Engelbert Humperdinck show I was surprised. "Son bought them as a present," he said, "Shall we?" I relented. To save my own conscience, I treated Billy to a simple dinner at one of the classier restaurants surrounding the Stadium (no choice for a simpler food-court meal) but the dinner tag didn't really make up for the exorbitant ticket price (image) his son Michael paid.

We had a direct view of the performance but the elevated seats were so far away, Mr Humperdinck was like a floating white shroud amidst a sea of glittering, coloured, stage lights. However, the two giant television screens fronting the audience helped save our failing eyesight. Did we enjoy the show?

The man sang his string of evergreens, like The Last Waltz, Quando, Quando, A Man Without Love, Les Bicyclettes De Belsize and other monster hits, together with a few samplers from his latest album - his 81st - if I heard him correctly. Then when it was time to croon his international number one, he introduced it as, "The miracle from heaven... the song that turned my life around... Ladies and gentlemen, Release Me."

With his strong and powerhouse vocals, Humperdinck is not only a suave balladeer; he teased a lady on stage and cracked jokes like a veteran stand-up, "The dental surgeon told his hefty patient that the root-canal treatment would need a Viagra for the process. When the patient asked why a Viagra, the surgeon replied, 'Well, you will need something to hold on to when the pain hits...'" The crowd roared.

He also paid tribute to Bryan Adams with, Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman (1995) and James Blunt's, Goodbye My Lover (2005); both songs are on his new album. The younger ones in the audience cheered with the older ones bewildered. Then when he said his final goodbye the thunderous encore that followed My Way (Paul Anka - 1969) was so loud the Stadium reverberated with approval. (Watch UTube).

In the milieu outside we couldn't find our car... Did you attend the concert?

Image/Original article: Andy Lim Collection - CD Cover from Decca Records 820 777-2.

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British 60s Pop Invasion Singapore - Engelbert

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Yes, it's the man with the strange monicker, Engelbert Humperdinck. Arnold George Dorsey is of British descent but born in India. He invaded Singapore with his quiet British charm and smooth solos.

His release, "Release Me" on March, 4th 1967 became a hit when he teamed up with Tom Jones' manager. It stayed for 56 weeks on the Hit Charts in a single run and was believed to be selling 85,000 copies in a single day. It is also his signature tune and beat the Beatles, "Penny Lane"/"Strawberry Fields" Forever to the top spot. In other words he was the man who beat the Beatles.

"Humperdinck's deceptively easy going style and casually elegant good looks, a contrast to Tom Jones's energetic attack and overtly sexual style, earned Humperdinck a large following, particularly among women. "Release Me" was followed up by two more hit ballads, "There Goes My Everything" and "The Last Waltz", earning him a reputation as a crooner that he didn't always agree with (Wikipedia).

"If you are not a crooner it's something you don't want to be called. No crooner has the range I have. I can hit notes a bank could not cash. What I am is a contemporary singer, a stylized performer, " remarked the man.

By the 80s, he was performing more than 200 concerts a year and also won a Golden Globe Award for best entertainer of the year in 1989. He has sold more than 130 million records.

And so the awards go on. Like Tom Jones, he is as popular today. The man and his music live on.

Again, many impersonators of Engelbert Humperdinck can be found in Singapore. Are they still singing now?

Website: Engelbert.com

Extracts from Wikipedia as indicated*

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Singapore 60s - British Invasion - Tom Jones

There is no discussion on 60s music without mentioning Welsh singer Tom Jones and another man of similar status, because they both appear at about the same period during the 60s. But while Tom Jones invaded Singapore with his British brawns, sexy image and powerful voice, the other swooned his fans with cool, quiet sensuality.

Jones' first song didn't make the hit charts but his second one did and soon everyone was singing, "It's Not Unusual", in early 1965. He went on to sing pop, R&B, ballads and soul with 54 albums, more than 390 hits and 100 million records, so check him out at his own website.

Tom Jones' impact on the Singapore's pop music scene still has local artistes singing and playing his songs today. Many songs have been translated into Chinese and Malay, or at least the melodies are similar.

There are also many Tom Jones impersonators in Singapore. One of them is Halil Chik and the other is Ismail Haron. Many singers with powerful voices are able to emulate the Welsh sex symbol. Jerry Fernandez, a popular DJ and MC, is another Tom Jones impersonator. He sings with the Neu Faces at the Singapore Cricket Club on Saturday afternoons.

Tom Jones is as active as ever on the world circuit, singing his own hits as he would have nearly 50 years ago. Sir Tom Jones is a living legend!

But who's the other one who hit Singapore 60s with as great an impact? Check the next post.

Image: http://www.jasondunn.com

Original article: Andy Lim

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Eartha Kitt At National Theatre Singapore

Friday, December 26, 2008

Eartha Kitt sang at the National Theatre and Hotel Malaysia, Singapore in March 1969. Even then we had our share of top international artistes. But was it cheaper to buy a ticket then? And was the show at Hotel Malaysia confined only to an exclusive group?

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Eartha Kitt Has Passed Away at 81 Years Young

Thursday, December 25, 2008

She was a singer whose music I enjoy and whose influence was world wide. EARTHA KIDD has passed on at 81.

I had to write this blog as one of her songs, "C'est Si Bon" is my all time favourite and I remember singing it at the Ocean Park Nite Club a long, long time ago. That's the connection.

The sensual, husky voice of Eartha Kitt lasted for more than 60 years. Her biggest hit was, "Santa Baby". We have all been influenced by her music somehow. May you rest in peace dear lady.

Official website: http://www.earthakitt.com/

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