Groovematics: Singapore Private Clubs Play 60s

Sunday, May 22, 2011

The natural talent, versatility and repertoire of Philippino musicians are legendary. These melody makers perform in many private clubs and nightspots all over Singapore. Our local islanders who love pops, throng these places to listen to singers like Laila, Vanessa and one man band Ging (lst image) over a glass of beer.

Handsome Ging is so deft on his guit strings that those who are familiar with his playing compare him to Carlos Santana. His rendition of Black Magic Woman, Oye Como Va and other Santana hits kept us enraptured the whole evening. The girls sing anything from the 50s and they sound as great as they look! Their version of Freddie Aguilar's Anak will pull the heartstrings.

Requests for particular songs from patrons were swift as drink-hostesses carried slips of paper to the two ladies on stage. The Groovematics kept the young crowd entertained. Image 2 shows promoter and Silver Strings bass guitarist, Audie Ng with his group. And where is this band playing? Cannot tell lah! But definitely not far from the Esplanade.

Images/Article: Andy Lim.

Continue Reading | komentar

Singapore's Latin Duo: Ally And Bobo At The Expo

Friday, May 20, 2011

Well here they are ladies and gentlemen, two of the best Singapore strollers I have seen since my days in Paris, France. Elder brother Ally (right image) and Bobo (who plays lead and rhythm with The Silver Strings) are seen here at the Singapore Exposition hallways performing Latin hits from the 60s with only an acoustic guitar each. They were performing, Fly Me To The Moon and Quizas, Quizas, Quizas.

The amateur recordings on 1st May 2011 were done impromptu and under extraordinary circumstances. But the music and vocals are excellent, definitely professional. Los Bobos, as they are called, played for two hours each day during lunch. Pity you missed them because they are a fantastic duo, playing a great number of current music too. The Los Bobos are not buskers but stroll at nightspots around Singapore entertaining moonlight revellers.

Original article: Andy Lim.
Image: from You Tube by nateynoo.

You can listen to them at the right Side-Bar >>>>>

Continue Reading | komentar

SRS Naidu: Compere, Mimic, Ventriloquist (Part II)

Monday, May 9, 2011

2nd and concluding article about SRS Naidu:

Entitled, Meet Malaysia's Most Wanted Compere, the short introduction in the souvenir programme highlighted the difficulties the organisers experienced when they tried to get the services of Naidu for the dinner and dance they were organising because he was "the most sought-after compere" in Singapore.

It also explained that "SRS, as he is popularly known to many of us, is one of the very few in Singapore or even in the East who can compere or tackle any social or sports event. He is always at his best."

"Last year (possibly 1964) he was invited to a Grand Ball at Tapah, Perak to compere the visit of H.H. The Sultan of Perak. He had also compered the world famous Don Yada and His Latin Follies Show, the Johnny Nakamura Show, the recent Miss Singapore contest, a Hindi pop show featuring 60s Bollywood Legend MGR and hundreds of others in his fifteen years as Master of Ceremonies."

In his working life, SRS was popular with the nurses in Singapore hospitals when he was attached to the Singapore General Hospital." When he left GH he secured a "good post" in the Car Parks Divison of the Ministry of National Development.

The article again emphasised his ability at "big fun fairs (where) he plays a leading role" because, as an "organiser of socials and sports, (he) is known to many. A natural baritone, with an American accent, we are proud that he accepted our invitation and we know that you are going to enjoy his wit."

I had occasions to meet this man on stage when he formally introduced singers who were about to perform. He was good. So why was he called The Birdman? Because SRS was a ventriloquist who could mimic bird calls. It was the 60s remember?
Image from Squidoo: Bluebird Bag by maggieO2.

Continue Reading | komentar

SRS Naidu: Victoria School Birdman MC (Part I)

Cult hero and action star of 50s Hollywood movies, Burt Lancaster played the title role as The Birdman Of Alcatraz. It was a hit, drawing thousands to watch the film on the big screen.

Similarly Singapore had birdmen who also drew the crowds, but to the dance floors. In fact, two popular comperes on the 60s social dinner and dance circuits had near similar names with similar titles. One was Mr. S. Ragavan Naidu and the other S. R. S. Naidu, The Birdmen Of Singapore. Below is an article about S. R. S., taken from the website of Victoria Secondary School, Singapore.

"Old Victorians who have made their names as radio/tv comperes and DJs include the legendary Tan Swee Leong and the late S. R. S. Naidu, popularly known as the Birdman of Singapore. Both were listed in the Who's Who in Singapore and Malaysia, a publication on prominent personalities. Singaporeans of the older generation would remember with fondness the great voice and witty presentation of Swee Leong first on Rediffusion and later with Radio TV Singapore.

Naidu was omnipresent as a compere at beauty pageants and high profile functions. He was one of those instrumental in organising the VS School Carnival in 1968 which was adjudged as one of the best and most popular carnivals hosted by a school then. He also compered the talentime contest which was a great success. It was no doubt boosted by the presence of the Birdman himself (Edited by blogger and written by: 1960s VIC)."

Why was he known as the birdman? The next posting on SRS will provide the answer.

Information from: http://blog.ova.org.sg/2009/05/satay-night-reflections/

Continue Reading | komentar

Singapore Band In London Had Three Names?

Sunday, May 8, 2011

ANSWER TO QUIZ TIME:

This group went to England in 1962 and were paid for their services when they played in a West End nightspot in London accompanied by their manager Tom Gan. Leading the group was 19 year old guitarist George Teo, cousin to brothers Andrew (18) and John (19) Gwee. Andrew played bass guitar while John the drums.

The two brothers were from the Singapore Junior Trade School and had gone to London to study music. Known as The Hilltoppers, the four became popular when they were runners-up in The Blue Diamonds Show Case in the 60s. They had played at parties and functions but when they acquired the engagement in the West End, they called themselves Singapore Islanders.

(Hardly anyone attempted the Quiz. Only current DJ Mr William Xavier got the answer correct. Apparently the group was also called The Etceteras. A phone conversation with pop music culturalist, Singapore 60s image collector Dennis Tan, confirmed the information.)

Besides recording the single in 1964 on Oriole (image) with Now I Know and Little Lady, Dennis also revealed that the group recorded another earlier single, Bengawan Solo with an original song on the flip, Where Is My Love. So the quest ends here; it's the same band but with three names: The Hilltoppers when they were in Singapore, as Singapore Islanders when they performed in England and became The Etceteras as recording artistes. If there are corrections to be made regarding information please let us know.

Thanks to LL for the connection, Mr X, Dennis and blog follower 'Jimmy', who recently provided the same answer! Four lunches for all. Anytime.

Images from: You Tube by 'my7inch'

Continue Reading | komentar