Sandpipers: Chotto Matte, SIA A Great Way To Fly

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THE SANDPIPERS:

Stephen Thomas Erlewine, when writing about The Sandpipers, wrote that they were a male vocal trio that recorded easy listening pop hits in the mid 60s and was "distinguished by its light, breezy harmonies, which floated over delicate, breezy string arrangements, as well as the occasional appearance of a wordless female backing vocalist who drifted in and out of the music."

Sandpipers did not manage to have a long, sustained career but had one Top Ten hit with Guantanamera in 1966 (numerous Asian versions: check 'Guantanamera' under Labels below). 

There were other songs like Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls, Misty Roses, Today, Chotto Matte Kudasai and covers. The group was originally known as the Four Seasons and the trio was part of the Californian Mitchell Boys Choir before they formed their own group. 

Famous trumpeter Herb Alpert (remember him with his Tijuana Brass), who ran his own AnM record label was impressed when he heard them and signed them to a record contract.

An added female vocalist, Pamela Ramcier, was one of the most distinctive elements of the group's music and with her mod outfit of mini-skirts and a-go-go boots, made her more noticeable than the actual Sandpipers.

In 1970, Come Saturday Morning became a hit when it was part of the soundtrack for the movie, The Sterile Cuckoo. The Sandpipers continued to record into the '70s but after five years without any chart success, they disbanded in the mid-'70s. (Please read the next posting below.)

THE SIA CONNECTION:

In 1979, The Sandpipers had also recorded the Singapore Airlines song, You're A Great Way To Fly on PYE Records orchestrated by Jose Mascolo Lyrics was written by New Monkees Bobby Hart and music from Fred Bongusto (image above).

The melody and lyrics were befitting of the SIA concept: classy, soft and alluring as the gentle giant whispers across land, sea and cloud. The song lures passengers into a smooth and dreamy flight.

Not many people knew about the project, but when the theme song was played on air and the advertisement appeared on TV, everyone cheered and loved the song with its exquisite taste of Pierre Balmain chic and Sandpipers dream voices. And the Singapore Girls? Chantek (beautiful).

One of many SIA advertisements found on YouTube. An early 70's ad.

Image: The Sandpipers - Jim Brady, Mike Piano, Richard Shoff.

(2) Lisa Lim - The Stylers - Chinese 60s Music

The third singer is Lisa Lim, who recorded under Precious Urn, a well-known label offering mostly Chinese melodies and once owned by Roxy Music Company at North Bridge Road.

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Her choice is the well-known golden pair combination of Guantanamera and San Francisco with Patches (1962), a song about teenage tragedies by Dickey Lee and The Last Waltz (1967) by Engelbert Humperdinck.

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These four songs are totally different in rendition and Lisa Lim has a knack for providing a special feel for each one. It is difficult to ascertain if she really carries some of these songs but they are oldy goodies. (Image: KEP 522).

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She has also pressed other covers on Amigo Records with The Stylers and the songs include, Nobody's Child, Proud Mary, Fraulein and I'll Never Fall In Love Again. Quite a repertoire with Proud Mary being in a different category altogether. Lisa Lim sings in Cantonese and has a high powerful voice to sing this selection.

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Ronnie See and his New Burns may sing his own version of Patches during the Orchid Country Club gig in July, 2009.

Image/original article: Andy Lim Collection,

From San Francisco To Singapore - 60s Music

As explained in a previous posting (June 16/2009), another popular song covered by as many singers and instrumental groups, is the June, 1967 hippie hit, San Francisco (wear some flowers in your hair) by Scott McKenzie. It was composed by John Philips of the Papas and the Mamas.

Do not to be mistaken, because another San Francisco begins with the line, "I left my heart in San Francisco" sung by Tony Bennett in 1962 but written in 1954 by Cory/Cross. It was a hit as well.

In Singapore, the Girvin Sisters, Elizabeth and Marilyn with *Horace Wee, were backed by Charlie and His Orchestra to record a single (image), with Guantanamera as its A-side. 'Charlie' is well-known amongst vinyl record collectors as his name and 'orchestra' seemed to have backed many local artistes. The vinyl was produced by Star Swan Records. (Check posting on December, 21/2008.)

*The possibility that it is Horace Wee comes from Alphonso Soosay's write-up on this superb Singapore guitarist as he lead the RTS (Radio TV Singapore) Orchestra's performance of this song which attracted a huge number of fans and reviews on the media. (Universal Music, Singapore.)

Image/Article: Andy Lim Collection. All Rights Reserved.

Guantanamera - 60s Music - Covered By Many

The song, Guantanamera, needs no introduction and it has been interpreted in many languages including Chinese (image) but for most music lovers, it's the melody and the beauty of the original lyrics in Spanish that enchant.

The original composer for this Cuban folk song is uncertain but is usually 'attributed to a José Fernández Diaz (Wiki)' and written around the 20s. The lyrics relate to a particular woman from Guantánamo, with whom the person had a romantic relationship. If used with different lyrics, it can be a vehicle for social commentary, etc.

There are many versions but the lyrics loosely translate as, "I am an honest man from the land of palm trees, so as I lay dying like a wounded deer seeking refuge in the woods, I want to share the verses of my soul. I have a white rose each for this sincere friend who has given me his hand and for the cruel one who has torn his heart. I also wish to share my fate with the poor people... to me, the mountain brook provides more pleasure than the sea." Possibly a rejected lover!

The Sandpipers, personally, is the most poignant and popular since it was arranged by Peter Seeger.  There are other versions by Los Lobos, Trini Lopez, Joan Baez, Jose Feliciano and Julio Iglesias. 

There are numerous Asian versions of Guantanamera too including one by The Burns, Charlie & His Go-Go Boys, Lisa Lim and Horace and the Girvin Sisters. If readers come across any other version, please contribute. The accompanying song on these vinyls is usually, San Francisco (Some Flowers In Your Hair)

Vinyl Image/Article: from Andy Young.

(2) To Sir With Love - 60s Indonesian Invasion

Even our neighbouring countries have their own pop stars. Ernie Djohan is one of them. She took advantage of Lulu's hit and cut a disc with her group Buana Suara under the Philips' label.

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Her voice cannot be compared with Lulu's as it is neither rich nor powerful. Her pronunciation has that Dutch accent, clear and distinct but she emphasises the wrong syllables.

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The group backing her could do better with a strong and more solid lead guitar presence. But then her wee voice would have been drowned. There could have been a better balance of voice and music. The cover looks simple but attractive. The song, which could have been longer, lasts for only two minutes.

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Note the other song by Ernie (image), "San Francisco", which has been covered by quite a number of local artistes. Like "Guantanamera" and "Born Free", these songs are hot but overexposed. Ernie has cut many records and some of songs included are, "You Only Live Twice," "Master Jack" and "I'm A Tiger".

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(Image: From Andy Lim Collection)

Singapore's Pop Culture - The BURNS - Vinyl

When Ronnie See left The Burns, the group cut an EP (image above) and recorded cover songs. Apparently the EP itself was a rare find since it had been snapped up by vinyl record collectors.

(This image is the final part of a series about Ronnie & The Burns.)

Another successful MANHUNT completed.

(Image: From Andy Lim Collection.)