Mooncake Festival 2023: What It Means To Celebrate Our Local Harvest Moon

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From Freda Hanum, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

[She's one of the famed girl bands, The Teepees]

Click below each posting to 

connect to mooncake songs 

and festivities through the years:

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2020/10/the-moon-represents-my-heart-by-siti.html

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2021/09/mid-autumn-festival-international.html

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2013/09/mid-autumn-festival-in-mood-for-moon.html

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2015/09/growing-up-with-moon-symbols-and.html

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2018/09/mooncake-festival-in-singapore-2018.html

Wishing you Happy Mooncake Festivities this September 2023.

Chinese New Year 2023 Water Rabbit 邓丽君 - 迎春花 Teresa Teng - Ying Chun Hua 新加坡 60 年代音乐：2023 兔年快乐 Andy 60s Music

 

"What's up Doc?"

Bugs Bunny: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.

新加坡 60 年代音乐：2023 兔年快乐

Xīnjiāpō 60 niándài yīnyuè:2023 Tù nián kuàilè

There are still some Bugs Bunny fans around in Singapore so it is natural that this Chinese new year of the wabbit, er, rabbit, features our toothy, carrot-loving pal from the pages of Warner Brothers comics. On this blog Bugs is the Zodiac Rabbit.

"What's up Doc?"

Sea Bunny 雲見ダイビング　ゴマフビロードウミウシ　

2014/03/28 [or Water Rabbit] 

YouTube Video: AYA Channel

licensing (at) jukinmediadotcom

This Chinese rabbit 2023 year is supposed to be represented by a water rabbit or sea bunny. It's actually a slug. Uncertain if Bugs would represent it by swimming in the sea.

Sea Bunny 雲見ダイビング　ゴマフビロードウミウシ　

2014/03/28 [or Water Rabbit]

邓丽君 - 迎春花 (Teresa Teng - Ying Chun Hua)

YouTube Video: Life Records Chinese

Winter Jasmine: Ying Chun Hua [迎春花]

https://plantcaretoday.com/winter-jasmine.html

Mr Chow Wen Hing, 

singer/song writer revealed 

he was born in the Rabbit year. 

Check out some of his compositions.

Click his name under 'Labels' below.

Teresa Teng: The Moon Represents My Heart: In English by Eliza Mammoliti 月亮代表我的心 - 邓丽君

"The Moon Represents My Heart"

Teresa Teng, 月亮代表我的心 - 邓丽君 

English Cover by Elisa Mammoliti.

YouTube video from WJ LimaWix

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A Teresa Teng Fan writes in from the West:

The note below comes from blog reader Axel, to comment on*this music blog's article and video about Teresa Teng. I thought the letter would be better as an independent posting. The rendition by Mammoliti [YouTube, below] is simply beautiful. Thanks my friend for your contribution. 

Axel's letter:

Hello Andy,

Found another English version of this beautiful song - the singer also sings in Chinese. I don't know if I can embed a YouTube link here - otherwise search for WJ LimaWix, as the name of the person who has uploaded the video - the video title is also listed as "The Moon Represents My Heart - Teresa Teng, 月亮代表我的心 - 邓丽君 English Cover by Elisa Mammoliti" - uploaded in August, 2020. 

Teresa Teng: the original singer of this song.

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2020/10/the-moon-represents-my-heart-by-siti.html

Also this interesting comment is included "This English cover is performed by Elisa Mammoliti in Italy on Aug 1st, 2020. Instrumental orchestration is provided by my good friend Fred Chiosa in Lagos, Nigeria. All done while we sheltered-at-home in this Covid-19 era" - truly a global cooperation... 

The museum in Taipei.

I had the pleasure of meeting Teresa Teng's brother in Taipei, in 2009 - apart from eating at his restaurant, also seeing his small Teresa Teng museum, and a conversation about her life.. The song has been a favorite of mine, ever since my first trip to Asia, in 1981 - i didn't understand a word... didn't matter... the angelic voice made the connect to... well... my heart... now... my wish... would be that Andrea Bocelli makes a recording to the song...

Cheers.. 

Axel

*As many fans would know, TT's songs are banned in China. Are they still banned today? What happens to people who own vinyl, CDs and her recordings?

Comment anyone?

Teng Chang-fu

Teresa Teng's brother.

Images: Google.

Interesting Comments. Names Have Been Withheld:

Viewer A: 

Truly a melody and a memory that transcends borders. This is a song that represents the sentiments and feelings of many generations of Chinese, mainland or overseas: and I'd say to China - lighten up! 

Our hearts are always shining like the moon. Bravo to Elisa Mammoliti, you may not speak Mandarin, but you certainly speak the language of love and longing.

Viewer B:

Why the 'moon'? It is always waxing and waning, and in English [at least] Literature, it is a metaphor for inconstancy. Especially when it is the 'moon represents my heart'?

I ask out of puzzlement. Have puzzled me for some time now.

Maybe she is referring to a supermoon. We had one on 14 June, 2022. Perhaps her love was like the supermoon, so full, so bright, so perfectly round.

Viewer A:

Sigh... sometimes I think Singaporeans are so educated that we lose our sense of wonder and imagination. Can't blame some folks for calling us 'clinical'.

Viewer B:

Be serious but also not serious.

If we were dead serious, we'd be dead, literally. I take my hat off to those under oppressive regimes, who can see the irony, and therefore, the humorous side of things. Otherwise, how to survive?

Andy invites comments. 

Images - Google.

鄧麗君 - Teresa Teng - 楓葉飄飄 - Maple Leaf Fluttering - Video Henry Chen（ 夢追い酒）Joey Koh Reminisces

鄧麗君 - Teresa Teng - 楓葉飄飄 - Maple Leaf Fluttering

Video - Henry Chen（ 夢追い酒）

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Letter below by Joey Koh:

Shalom Brother Andy, 

GREETINGS.

Many thanks for sharing this wonderful song "Maple Leaf Fluttering" sung by one of my favourite singers.

As A Young Boy

In fact, Theresa Teng (Lijun) was the first singer whom I knew when I was still in Tampines Primary School. I remember vividly my anxiety and challenge in trying to land the needle on Theresa Teng's solo album, an antique black round record, while the turntable was spinning. Lots of cold sweat and panic moments whenever the needle fell off the edge of the spinning circular record. 

I was always overwhelmed by the loud rattling sound with fear and worry! :(.  It really took a lot of practices with my fine motor skills and through many failures, of course.

Image from - https://nationalpost.com/travel/

As A Teenager

Well, Autumn is always my favourite season. It was also the best time I cherished the most before the super cold winter arrived. The thought of the frost bite, static, wind chill and walking back from the library or cateferia to our apartment at the wee hours, still haunts me as I feel the cold right down to my spine; it's like lightning. The temperature was always below 20 degrees ❄️🥶.

Despite these experiences, I always love the Fall season and its colours, like many of our friends do. The falling of the snow and maple leaves in the park or along the footpaths are the precious moments I cherish the most.

Thank you for being part of my beautiful memories when I was growing up as a teenager in Canada, especially during my 4 years in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Image from - https://sudhirtv.com/2012/12/19/

As A Soldier Boy

I fact, September 1982 was the most critical point and most memorable time of my life.

At 16.5 years young, it was a choice of either returning home to serve my 2.5 yrs of National Service or staying on to pursue and complete my undergraduate education before my compulsory military training in Singapore.

Thank you Lord for all the tertiary admission letters arriving earlier before September 1982...  And, with an exceptional and personalised letter from the Registrar of UW then, Mr Bellhouse, I was permitted to start as a freshman at the University of Winnipeg in Canada. Thanks for the official deferment and blessing from MINDEF, which was subjected to the approval of my exit permit extension every year.

Gratefully and Sincerely,

PTL💖

🙏🙏🙏

PS- Stay vigilant, stay home and take care always... 🙏🤗.

Joey Koh, soldier boy.

NB

This post is also dedicated to Jane and Adriano and those who are in Winnipeg/CAN and remember the Singapore delegation.

Connect to the special Autumn/October posting

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2021/09/song-titles-with-october-autumn-themes.html

'The Moon Represents My Heart' 月亮代表我的心 By Siti Nurhaliza, Bon Jovi & A Malay Version Happy Mid-Autumn 2020 Singapore

Siti Nurhaliza, Bon Jovi, Faye Wong, Andy Lau

(Top/Bottom: Left to right)

UP TO 8,500 VIEWS

The song 'The Moon Represents My Heart' 

was established since 1972 and was not only a Chinese hit but an international one, especially when Teresa Teng carried it in 1977. It was one of the biggest Chinese (Mandarin) songs ever.

The New York Times reported its glory, many famous stars sang it. These vocalists included Bon Jovi, David Achuleta, Kenny G (instrumental version), Katherine Jenkins, Andy Lau, Leslie Cheung, Faye Wong and even Malay pop singer Siti Nurhaliza. 

Siti Nurhaliza sings it with perfect diction, intonation and depth. One is the most accomplished Malaysian singers that I've heard since the 1950's. Her beauty matches her voice. YouTube by 'AFIROL82'. Thank you. I hope you will let it remain.

On the platforms in Singapore there's never a Community Centre festivity without this song. From our local bands, guitar groups and most choirs, the moon seems to represent everyone's heart.

As the years rolled on it became an unofficial anthem for the Mid-Autumn Festival or Mooncake Festival, so it's October guys and you'd probably be hearing this song and its refrain for many times this month. I remember too my grandson leaning it for a concert piece he was in, during his kindergarten days. 

It is also sung in Malay by this young lady. Thanks to Peter Balan.  BULAN MENJADI SAKSI - a truly accurate rendition and translation in Malay. It means 'the moon is my witness'.

The international standing it holds is represented on this post with a version in Malay and a Caucasian lady singing it with an orchestra. 

The words were written by Sun Yi  and music composed by Weng Ching Hsi. There are English lyrics to it but has anyone sung a version*. Could you let us know? Thank you.

Any comment dear reader? 

Enjoy and have a Great Autumn Festival 2020 Singapore.

But keep Covid at bay. If you really need to sing, sing it behind your mask.

Cheers.

*Apparently there is an English version, told to me by good friend Victor Lam, drummer to the Mysterians and lately The Burns. A screen-shot of the video shows below. It's translated and sung by YOJIMBO37.

Thanks to many readers who sent Mid-Autumn greetings via WhatsApp yesterday 1st October, 2020.

Haley Westenra and Shin (World Games 2009): YouTube Video Haley Westenra International. Thank you.

Images and Videos: Google and YouTube. Copyrights belong to rightful owners. Please inform under Comment page below if there is any objection.

Poster Explanation: 'European' = inclusively Caucasians, to encompass the Choirs that have sung it; 'Nur' = Siti Nurhaliza.

Hong Kong Protests Bring Back Pop 60s Music (香港抗议 60S 音乐, 是)

This Connection Post is dedicated to my school mate Yeo Choon Meng

who loves HK Pops. Thanks, Meng, hope you enjoy the music and stories.

The poster above is for illustration only since some of the music stars have passed away.

 UP TO 1,300 VIEWERS

The Hong Kong protests and riots have lasted for some months now. It is indeed in a sad state of affairs. 

Let's hope the situation will improve and the island will once again turn on its neon lights to dazzle, sparkle and illuminate itself. In music history, HK has one of the most excellent entertainment industry on this side of the world. It must channel its forceful creativity back to the energetic island that used to spell the best in popular culture.

I have, in the past years, posted many articles about Hong Kong's 60s and 70s pop musicians and singers. Most of the artistes have strong ties with the island.

Below are some connections that may interest you.

Irene Ryder sings 'You Don't Have To Say You Love Me'. Thank you.

Shao Fong Fong:
https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2011/09/shao-fong-fong-sings-in-impeccable.html

The Fabulous Echoes 1:
https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2015/09/fabulous-echoes-were-called-rock-n.html

The Fabulous Echoes 2:
https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2009/05/fabulous-echoes-instrumental-group-is.html

Irene Ryder (Part One)
https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2014/11/irene-ryder-ryding-high-in-hk-60s-part-1.html

The Wynners: I'll Never Dance Again. One of the top HK groups in the 70s.

Irene Ryder (Part Two)
https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2014/12/hong-kong-pop-music-60s-ryding-high.html

Teresa Teng, Mummy And Mahjong:
https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2015/11/playing-mahjong-with-teresa-tengs-mother.html

Mona Fong:
https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2014/03/mona-fong-50s-charm-still-attractive.html

Jimmy Lin Chong:
https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2011/01/jimmy-lin-chong-singing-thief-from-hk.html

The Wynners:
https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2009/09/wynners.html

Anders Nelson, MING:
https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2009/11/blog-post_24.html

The poster above is for illustration only. The group is 'Danny' Diaz and The Checkmates.

Mid Autumn Festival: 2018 English Moon Songs

Check the different western songs that use the moon 

as symbolic ideals of love,

hate, lust, good, evil, situations and place, etc.

UP TO 3,000 VIEWS, 10 COMMENTS

月亮代表我的心 

Teresa Teng The Moon Represents My Heart.  

"You ask me how deeply I love you, how much I love you. My feelings are real, my love is also real, the moon represents my heart. You ask me how deeply I love you, how much I love you. My feelings will never move, my love will never change, the moon represents my heart. The gentlest of kisses has opened my heart. The deepest of love affairs, I think about it till today. You ask me how deeply I love you, how much I love you. Just think about it, just take a look, the moon represents my heart."

(Translated by George Murphy).

https://www.youtube.com/user/gregorysmurphy

                                        Frank Sinatra Fly Me To The Moon.  Video.

I call them moon songs. Personally, the two best moon songs ever. If you have some in mind, and there are hundreds or thousands of them, whether in English, Chinese, Malay, Tamil or other languages please contribute. My best wishes to all. Watch that moon soon!

With English Lyrics:

Bad Moon Rising
Bad Side of The Moon Blue Moon
Blue Moon of Kentucky
By The Light of The Silvery Moon
Blue Moon

Carolina Moon 
Dark Side of The Moon
Everyone's Gone To The Moon
Heading for the Moon
It's Only a  Paper Moon


Moon at the Window
Moonglow
Moonlight Bay
Moonlight and Roses
Magic Is The Moonlight

Moon River
Moon Above Malaya                                            
Moonshadow
Mr Moonlight
Song About The Moon

Yellow Moon
Brain Damage
Dancing In The Moon
Moon Child
Moon Shadow

Moon Daydream
Moonlight Drive
Maiden of the Cancer Moon
Moon Dance
Dancing In The Moonlight

Pink Moon
Sisters of the Moon
Havana Moon
Dark Moon
Blue Moon Of Kentucky

And of course, Moonlight Sonata!
Nothing specific here about traditions or beliefs but more about songs with that lunar word.

Ah-woohoo!

Images: Google.

Lee Yee (李逸): Malaysian Hearthrob Not Forgotten (唱首情歌给谁听?)

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A schoolmate, well-versed in Mandarin, introduced me to a pop star when I was looking for a Chinese male singer to feature.  I have not featured one for many months. 

I am not too familiar with the golden years of 70's pop Chinese music in Singapore, so when he told me about a singer he was knowledgeable about I decided to buy one of this singer's vinyl (image below) and listen to the songs recorded. I must say I am impressed and thank Kin Kow for the information provided. 

Lee Yee (李逸) Jin Biao, was a household name in the early 1970's.  His feminine good looks attracted a lot of attention when he was performing during his hey-day in the region.

In the 60's and 70's the public was looking to Hong Kong and Taiwan for Chinese songs because audiences here felt that Singapore singers were not up to par, so when Lee, who came from Malaysia, appeared on the scene he became a phenomenon. 

He had charisma and a powerfully beautiful voice so Lee who had a contract with Life Records, a well-established vinyl company, became one of the most popular Chinese singers during that period. He became well known to the youth and aunties who loved him. 

He drew crowds and even toured with super diva Teresa Teng as a team when they performed in Malaysian towns.  The tours were successful and news spread that he could compete with the best from Hong Kong and Taiwan. They even compared him to Liu Wen Zheng.

For Whom Do I Sing This Love Song (唱首情歌给谁听?) was the number that made him famous and his rise to fame was meteoric after the sale of this particular single. The Malaysian-born Chinese made it such a hit that the pop music Chinese community all over the world associated him with this song.

For whom am I singing this love song?
Where can I find a soul mate?
There is so much passion deep inside me
I cannot finish singing or talk about it.

Everything went well as his fan base grew. It was quite a feat those days for an unknown Malaysian singer to hit the headlines and make it big. The competition was keen indeed.  

During the early 70's, although there were other talented Chinese singers both in Singapore and Malaysia, his songs stood out because he was able to interpret them in his own special way. So even if the song had been covered by other singers, his own version would always stand out.

He sang with a wail in his voice like a tormented, passionate lover. He would usually sing out a verse from the song lyrics during the introduction.  If Tomorrow Comes was an example. Lee was known for his sad and sorrowful songs that aroused the listener's sympathy. Girls were known to have cried listening to him sing.

李逸 - 好姑娘 (Lee Yee - Hao Gu Niang)

Even English speakers like me know the melody.

In Memory of Lee Yee: 

Video produced by Life Records Chinese. 

But as the saying goes, when one least expects it, tragedy strikes. And it did. One morning the local newspapers announced that Lee Yee was killed in an accident. It happened on 27 July 1980.  Born in Penang in 1952, he was only 28 when he died. It was such a shock to many fans.

There was disbelief and many cried openly when they found out it was true. Here was a rising young star with a stable and bright future. It was an untimely death as fate had its own plan. Worse, Lee Yee left behind his wife - also a Life Record artiste - and a daughter.

Despite the years, many fans still remember him today because his emotional rendition of Chinese sentimental popular songs was indeed unique. 

Comment anyone?

Letters about Lee Yee:

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2023/12/lee-yee-part-2-late-singer-johore.html

                        Crowds thronged the streets during his funeral

Images: Google.
Information from Mr Chan Kin Kow and articles by: irisesinthesun YouTube.

Meeting Teresa Teng And Mother @ Kuala Lumpur Part 1

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The band leader of the Silver Strings, Audie Ng sent me an SMS revealing his meeting with Teresa Teng and her mother. When I contacted him on the telephone he revealed that:

He used to service hotels all over S. E. Asia in the late 1960's and early 70's by supplying them with Filipino pop bands. He would fly from Singapore and visit these places regularly to either sign a contract with the hotel management for his bands to perform, or to check on the welfare of his musicians. 

It was usual that during some of his business visits he would meet singers and musicians. On one of these occasions he met the late diva, *Teresa Teng and her mother. 

He remembers that when he met her she was still very young and that she could have already cut some records with a company then. He confirmed the year to be around the early 70's.

Ms Teng's mother was a friend of one Mr Gan Ngoh who was the owner of the Mayflower Night Club at the Fortuna Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He cannot describe Mr Gan but he can still recall the club where he saw her for the first time; Ms Teng would jam with the hotel band by singing with them during the afternoons' leisurely breaks.

In the meantime, he would join in the mahjong games at one of the tables in the nightclub. Seated at the table was Ms Teng's mother. So they both became mahjong friendly. 

Even at the time that Audie knew Teresa Teng he realised she had the potential to be a successful singer because she was very pretty and had such a pleasant voice. A professor of cultural theory once remarked that it was the sweetness of her voice that made her famous.

During one of his chats Mrs Teng had jokingly asked that he managed her daughter but since he was not familiar with Chinese singers and the Taiwanese music market, he declined the proposal. 

He exclaimed that he fell in love with her voice and pretty face, otherwise he would probably be rich and famous managing her. As he chuckled over the phone I sensed the tone of humour, "I was also married la..." 

During his time in show business since the 1970's he had the opportunity of meeting and chatting close-up with four South East Asian divas, Anita Sarawak from Singapore and Malaysia; Francis Yip from Hong Kong; Irene Ryder from the Philippines but based in Hong Kong and of course Teresa Teng from Taiwan.

*Teresa Teng (January 29, 1953 – May 8, 1995) was a Taiwanese pop singer and well know for her romantic ballads and folk numbers.  These songs have become so familiar that The Moon Represents My Heart and When Will You Return have become evergreens, even among the non-Chinese.

She had recorded songs in Mandarin, Taiwanese, Hokkien, Cantonese, Japanese, Indonesian and English.   At 42 she passed on in 1995 from a severe respiratory attack while on holiday in Thailand.

Images: A personal collection; Google.

The tale above is by Audie Ng, leader and bass player of Singapore's pop 60's band The Silver Strings. 

Disclaimer: Blog owner cannot ascertain as to the authenticity of the story.

                Teresa Teng Full Album of Hits from Candy Channel.