Wu Meiling 巫美玲

March 31, 2010

The period of Pop Standards in the 40s and 50s was also a remarkable time for 新馬, denoting the region of Singapore–Malaysia. There was no lack of local talents and budding singers. One prominent composer- singer-lyricist (and actor) was 上官流雲 originally from Selangor (Malaya). He composed the enduring song 午夜香吻 (Midnight kisses) which was sung by 巫美玲 Wu Meiling on Horse Records. They continued the successful partnership by singing a duet together, 新馬來情歌 (New Malay Love Song), an Indonesian folk song called Impian Semalam* which 上官流雲 re-translated ingeniously to make it one of most beloved Chinese humorous novelty songs.** This Chinese version was copied and translated into various languages. The Bright Pearl Sisters 明珠姐妹 from Singapore did a very successful cover of it in the 70s. An updated version is included here.

Wu Meiling also popularized 爸爸愛媽媽 (Donald Peers’s Papa Loves Mama), 多少柔情多少淚 (Summer kisses winter tears), 月儿弯弯照九洲, 情海, 可怜阿伯大 (also known as 甜蜜蜜). She became known as 北馬歌后 or the Song Queen of Northern Malaya.

* Impian Semalam was composed by an Indonesian Chinese named Oei Yok Siang. The Quests released an instrumental version appropriately named Nonya Baba A-Go-Go to identify the heritage of the Nonya Baba (Peranakan), descendants of early Chinese immigrants who are partially assimilated into the local Malay culture through adoption, adaptation, inter-marriages, and songs.
** 上官流雲 also re-translated the popular 印度姑娘 (Indian Maid) of the same music genre.

午夜香吻 (MIDNIGHT KISSES)
情人　情人
我怎麼能夠忘記那
午夜醉人的歌聲
情人　情人
我怎麼能夠忘記那
午夜醉人的香吻
多少蝶兒為花死
多少蜂兒為花生
我卻為了愛情人
性命也可以犧牲
情人　情人
我怎麼能夠忘記那
午夜醉人的歌聲
情人　情人
我怎麼能夠忘記那
午夜醉人的香吻
香吻　香吻

馬來情歌 (NEW MALAY LOVE SONG)
（女）有個馬來先生穿件花紗籠 (SARONG)
头戴一顶 SONGKOK 站在大路旁
我偷偷地向他身上細打量
果然一表人才給人好印象
敢問一聲 CHE-ABANG
（男）我名叫 HASAN
（女）住在那一個 KAMPONG
（男）KAMPONG 在 GEYLANG
（女）再問先生幾多歲
（男）今年二十三
（女）是否有了 CHINTA
（男）還沒有對象
（男）娘惹生來漂亮花容白如霜
RUMBUT 長長彎彎披在兩肩上
一對迷人眼睛好比小月亮
PAKAI BAJA BANDONG 曲線像 GUITAR
敢问一声娘惹
（女）我叫瑪莉亞 (MARIA)
（男）再問今年幾多歲
（女）二九一十八
（男）我要跟你 KAWIN
（女）是真還是假
（合）同心合力建造甜蜜蜜的家
同心合力建造甜蜜蜜的家

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The Mystics

March 18, 2010

The Mystics were formed in 1965 during the glory years of HK’s English pop scene. The members largely comprised of hkongers of Portugese decent. The band was popular at the school parties and “tea dances”, and recorded chart toppers like I can’t help myself, Sweet soul music, Midnight hour, Going out of my head, Song of the wind, One day (sang by Don Choi) and Send her back (composed by Michael Remedios and Tony Tavares). They disbanded in 1971.

The Mystics: Michael Remedios (vocals), Tony Tavares (drums), Francis De Costa (guitar), Vasco De Costa (bass guitar), and Clifford Yim (keyboard). Don Choi joined in 1970. Other members included Ricky Gosano, Ricky Fung, Ricky Souza and Derek Turner.

(SEND HER BACK)
I sigh when lovers meet.
I sigh ‘cos it’s so sweet.
I can’t remember the time,
The moment she left
But now it’s so true,
And she left with a kiss.

So please send my love,
Send her home to me.
Send my love,
Send her home to me.
‘Cos she’s the one and the one she’ll always be.

Somehow it’s not the same.
Oh I try love as a game.
But every girl that I meet reminds me of her.
The world all around seems to me just a blur.

So please send my love,
Send her home to me.
Send my love,
Send her home to me.
‘Cos she’s the one and the one she’ll always be.

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The Mercy’s

March 6, 2010

The Mercy’s came from Medan in North Sumatra. The band was formed in 1969 and continued to be very successful into the mid 70’s. The members were: Erwin Harahap (lead guitar), Rinto Harahap (bass guitar), Rizal Arsyad (rhythm guitar), Reynold Panggabean (drums) and Alexander “Bun” (keyboards). Charles Hutagalung then replaced Alexander. Charles and Rinto wrote most of the songs for the band. Later, Albert Sumlang joined and added saxophone to the sound (Note: Albert passed away in 2009. He will be best remembered for the great Mercy’s hit song Kisah Seorang Pramuria which he composed, sang and played the saxophone on it. The 2000 reunion live version of the song is chosen to be featured here).

(KISAH SEORANG PRAMURIA)
Mengapa di dunia ini
Selalu menertawai
Hidupku yang hina ini
Berteman dengan seorang gadis
Mengapa semua manusia
Menghina kehidupannya
Mencari nafkah hidupnya
Sebagai seoang Pramuria
Semua itu tiadu arti bagiku
Ku anggap s’bagai penguji imanku
Kiranya Tuhan jadi saksi hidupku
Betapa sucinya jalinan cintaku
Walaupun hinaan ini
di tujukan pada diriku
Namun ku s’lalu tersenyum
Kar’na cintaku suci padanya
Semua itu tiada arti bagiku
Ku anggap s’bangai penguji imanku
Kiranya Tuhan jadi saksi hidupku, oh
Betapa sucinya jalinan cintaku
Walaupun hinaan ini
di tujukan pada diriku
Namun ku s’lalu tersenyum
Kar’na cintaku suci padanya
Namun ku s’lalu tersenyum
Kar’na cintaku suci padanya

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Grace Chang (Ge Lan) 葛蘭

March 2, 2010

The inimitable Grace Chang, or 葛蘭 (Ge Lan, a romanization of “Grace”) to her Chinese fans, was a megastar during the golden age of Mandarin cinema and songstress films in Hong Kong from the late 1950s to the mid 1960s. Grace was born in Nanjing, grew up in Shanghai and trained in classical Beijing opera, and moved to Hong Kong at age 15. MP & GI Film Studio (which distinguished from established studios by making contemporary melodramas and musicals influenced by Hollywood) made her a household name in the Far East. The late 50s Summer Romance of Hollywood with Asia also took Grace to international fame when she debut very successfully on The Dinah Shore Show (October 25, 1959) on American television. Grace sang The Autumn Song (秋之歌, adapted from 秋的懷念 by Yao Li) and then the memorable rendition of “Getting to know you” with Yukiji Asaoka (朝丘雪路) and Dinah Shore. Grace made about 30 movies before retiring shortly after her marriage in 1961 to Gao Fuquan from London, England. Capitol Records released an album of her endearing Chinese songs in 1961. She was also credited with the first English-language popular music recording produced in Hong Kong: “I want you to be my baby” (Georgia Gibbs) recorded under the Chinese title 我要你的愛.

Grace is referred to by some as the Marlene Dietrich of Hong Kong Chinese cinema. Some of her movies are considered classics including:
1) 野玫瑰之戀 The Wild Wild Rose (1960), with hit songs like Ja Jambo 說不出的快活 and Carmen 卡門 (Habanera).
2) 曼波女郎 Mambo Girl (1961), with I love Cha Cha,
3) 空中小姐 Air Hostess (1959), with Taiwan Song 台湾小调 and Oh Caliso.

(人生何處不相逢)
人生何處不相逢
相逢何不訴情衷
只管對他說明
你情有所鍾
不要怕什麽驚恐
人生何處不相逢
相逢何不訴情衷
只管對他說明
你情有所鐘
不要怕好夢成空
姻緣道上
免不了也有驟雨狂風
不妨讓風雨相送
姻緣道上
免不了也有歡笑悲慟
不妨讓悲歡相共
人生何處不相逢
相逢何不訴情衷
只管對他說明
你情有所鍾
不要怕好夢成空

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