Looking Back: Country Music With Maxine Brown

Sunday, February 6, 2011

THIS POSTING IS NOT AN ADVERTISEMENT

If you are not familiar with the music of the 50s and 60s Maxine Brown's Looking Back To See - A Country Music Memoir - is the book to grab from the shelves of our National Library. The Three Bells (1959) is one of the biggest hits of all time and gave Maxine Brown, her sister and brother international stardom. And the story begins...

Mini review:

Maxine Brown shared stages with everyone, from unknowns to the knowns like Rick Nelson and Elvis Presley. "She saw Elvis at the beginning of his incredible, tragic ride" when she devoted one full chapter to travels with the King.

Then there were Jim Reeves and Johnny Cash and pieces of advice - "Lousy bands can mess up the greatest singers..." - from the people she met during the times of boogie-woogie, swing music, television, horror movies, The Kennedys, space flight, hula hoops and "nickel Cokes."

Country Music People magazine says it all, "This is the story of The Browns... It is also the story of rip-offs, frustration money woes, and the harsh truths about fame... Told in a spunky, no-holds-barred, immensely readable style with plenty of juicy anecdotes (blurb)."

If you have the time and interested in country music, this is the book to check out. And who are the Browns, in case you are not familiar with them? Her book tells all.

Image: Cover of "Looking Back To See - A Country Music Memoir" by Maxine Brown, The University of Arkansas Press (2005), USA. From: National Library Board, Singapore. NLB: 782.421642

Original article: Andy Lim.

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The Trailers: Phoenix Theme: Seeing Double

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Seeing Double: Play the song on the right bar while you read >>>>>>>

For those readers who are familiar with Singapore pop music from the sixties, seeing two different covers of the same vinyl is not surprising. For those who aren't, here are two Chinese New Year red packets. This particular vinyl sold so well that they produced another lot but with a slightly different cover. Not a bootleg copy, definitely.

44 Years Ago:

It was released exactly 44 years ago - in February 1967. The new Trailer for this recording was Jimmy Chan, featured as the man on the keyboard. Chan was with the Flamingos Combo (remember them?) and replaced Michael Teo.

Victor Woo:

That's the story I have at the moment until Victor Woo comes back from his trip to tell me the real story, so for those interested the record from Cosdel contains: Phoenix Theme - Go Go Beat (EMI HongKong), Lara's Theme (Jarre/Albert), Ding Dong Song - Off Beat (Yao Ming n Bart, Peter Maurice) and Ali San - Off Beat (Formosan folk song, unknown).

Line-up:

The back cover includes the Trailers line up for the vinyl: Victor Woo on lead, Edmund on rhythm, Eric Tan on bass, Jimmy Chan on the electric organ and piano, Tony Zee on drums and special guest, Robet Song on percussion instruments. In case you are interested, record number is: CEP 3001. You hear the songs everywhere in Singapore and the rest of South East Asia after this vinyl was released.

Images: Andy Lim Collection.

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The Quests 'Return Of Spring' by MrRainbow64

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Xperiment: 'Living In The Past' - Mr Rainbow64

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

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Shades Of Kung Fu Chinatown Rock: Chinese New Year 1979: The X'periment! Living In The Past?

Monday, January 31, 2011

Ang Pow:

Well, here it is, my own copy of Chinatown Rock (images:3,4) by X'periment. It's my ang-pow (red-packet) or Chinese New Year gift for everyone. I googled for the covers but couldn't find the images. I guess this record is going into extinction, so if you have a copy, keep it. The songs are gem-stones today.

Mervyn Nonis:

It is a Singapore WEA (Warner/Elektra/Atlantic) record pressed in 1979. Eight of the songs are originals by Mervyn Nonis and the Xperiment. It is produced and engineered by Stephen Israel and Lim Gek San.

K.V. John:

Personal Manager is K.V. John, who was a great compere in the 60s and 70s with his Spot Dances and Musical Chairs. John was also a comic on stage with a very pleasant personality. Does anyone know where he is now?

Original Songs:

So for those interested, Side One has: Chinatown Rock, Here Comes That Feeling, Come And Rest On Love, Living In The Past and *Fun, Fun, Fun. Side Two carries: Different Sound, Waiting, *Hedonism Is Fun, Geraldine and Baila. (Except for the two with astericks, the rest are originals.) Some songs are on You Tube provided by MrRainbow64. THANKS VERY MUCH, SIR.

Interviews:

I am waiting to interview Mervyn Nonis. Called him some months ago but couldn't make it to meet him. If you have any idea where the other members of X'periment are please let me know. I'd be glad to make an appointment to chat and write about them. Better still, if you can, do a write-up on the Comment page. Thanks.

Greetings:

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR OF THE RABBIT EVERYONE. DON'T FORGET TO VISIT CHINATOWN! IT ROCKS!

Cover Images/Original article: Andy Lim.
B/W Image 1: http://www.chinatownology.com/

Image 2: http://www.blogtoexpress.blogspot.com/

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