P. Ramlee's 'Bujang Lapok' On A Chinese Record Unique Indeed: Bau Asem, Ketiak Siapa Busok?

Sunday, January 16, 2011

CHINESE POP INSTRUMENTAL: A-Go-Go And Off-Beat Cha-Cha Art Sea Record: MEP 3032.

There were hundreds of instrumental groups in the 60s that cater to the Chinese pop markets in Singapore, Malaya and Hong Kong. Some of them have been featured many times on this blog.

These bands include Maurice Patton and The Melodians, Charlie and The Boys, The Travellers, The Silver Stones, the popular Stylers and more. The songs are usually covers of Western pops.

TIAN LIAN BAND:

The genre of music is familiar too since these bands recorded 60s tunes mainly for dancing. But the name TIAN LIAN BAND (images) was a surprise - a very Chinese group indeed! Never heard or seen a record by this band. After checking some websites I found that this particular band had recorded other songs on Art Sea Record.

P. RAMLEE:

But what is more surprising is the song on side two. Unless you are familiar with Malay pops, Pok Pok Bujang Lapok is a tongue-in-cheek about bachelors. It is composed by P. Ramlee and used in his movie with the same title. The other three songs include, When Will You Return (tagged as 'a Chinese song'), Young Ones (a Cantonese song) and So Lonely (a Hokkien song). A gimmick perhaps?

SWINGIN' SKIPPERS:

Even the group name of the dancing girls in the photographs caught my eye. They are called, The Swingin' Skippers. The girls must have been popular then to have their names displayed on the cover. Don't you find their costumes so informal and simple? That's Singapore street wear in the 60s. Not much different from today? And off-beat cha-cha definitely symbolises Chinese pops.

BOLSHOI BALLET ORCHESTRA:

P. Ramlee's music has also been played by orchestras like The Bolshoi Ballet Orchestra of Tashkent. Listen to You Tube on right bar >>>>>

Images/Article: Andy Lim Collection.

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Maurice Patton & The Melodians With Simon Jr

Saturday, March 6, 2010

pipa wrote:

Hi Andy,
Have you got any info on Maurice Patton and The Melodians featuring Simon Junior? It seems they were very influential in the 1960's. Nothing much on the internet about them. Can't find much information about them elsewhere.

Thank you.

Andy's Reply:

Yes, it's a challenge indeed. I have been trying to get some information about this group of musicians and hope to compile something in the near future.

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According to the information gathered from EP vinyls of the 60s, Maurice Patton And The Melodians (image with Choh Ying and Simon Jr. on drums) have recorded many songs in English and Chinese with these companies: Hero Records, Cortersions $, Blue Star Records, Art Sea, Roxy Records, Happy Records and the studio involved was usually the Pearl, Dean & Kinetex Studios. Patton has recordings where he features his own name - MAURICE - and image on the sleeves.

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Simon Junior, Ling Seow, Wong Chin Yian, Choh Ying, Patrina are some of the Chinese singers backed by Patton and his group. I have also noticed that some of the Chinese songs recorded are covers with English lyrics and sung by Simon Junior.

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Some titles like Man Lee, My Girl, Wait For Me, Night Dream, Born To Live, Dream Of Spring, Deep Deep Love are popular Chinese tunes available on the market presently. They are for English speaking listeners familiar with the melody but not the language.

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Other songs by Patton and his boys are 60s US and UK pops. One interesting vinyl I own called 'Let's Dance Soul' has Master Jack, She Wears My Ring, Kiss Me Goodbye and Man Without Love. The other called, A Go Go, Off Beat Cha Cha has Silver Threads & Golden Needles, I Really Don't Want To Know and Where Are You and Mixed Feelings. According to one website, Patton used the echo unit to create a Chinese beat style later emulated by many Chinese bands.

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The vinyl market is so large that many professional musicians grouped to record guitar instrumentals. The Stylers, The Travellers, The Silverstones, The Tones, Charlie and The White Cloud Orchestra and Patton with The Melodians are some of the successful ones.

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Anyone familiar with Maurice Patton and The Melodians? Were you in one of these groups? Do write in to tell us. We'd love to hear from you.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfCElFpC6MM

Image/Original article: Andy Lim Collection.

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