We have had a request from George for some of the cover versions featured on the ace Malaysian 1970s compilation, "Kugirama - The Greatest Hots of Pop Band".
So here are Black Dog Bone demonstrating their mastery of both types of music - fast and slow - and Discovery with their squelchy version of "Gimme Litle Sign". As a special treat for you all, I've added Brenton Wood's incomparable original.
"Khayalan" - Black Dog Bone
"Hatiku Luka Lagi" - Black Dog Bone
"Berilah Ku Suata Tanda" - Discovery
"Gimme Little Sign" - Brenton Wood
In case you are struggling to place the Black Dog Bone tracks, here are a couple of subtle clues.
Friday, 4 August 2017
Tuesday, 1 August 2017
Pop in Penang, Bop in Borneo
More from Malaysia; specifically from a most enjoyable compilation of 1970s chart smashes called "Kugirama - The Greatest Hits of Pop Band". Strictly speaking that should be "bands" but let's not nit-pick.
A fair few of the tracks are Malaysian language cover versions of US/ UK hits of the day. The only one of them that varies from the original even slightly is Discovery's remake of Brenton Wood's "Gimme Little Sign", and if you ask very nicely I'll feature them both in a future post. Today, however, we have three tracks that are - as far as I can tell - authentic originals.
"Hey Hey Taxi" - Discovery
"Si Gadis Ayu" - Black Dog Bone
"Hanya Cinta" - Sweet September
Today's clip comes courtesy of the estimable abgcantik, who has uploaded a prodigious number of vintage Malaysian music videos to YouTube. I've not looked at more than a fraction, but I can't believe there are any others better than this. Thanks, abg!
A fair few of the tracks are Malaysian language cover versions of US/ UK hits of the day. The only one of them that varies from the original even slightly is Discovery's remake of Brenton Wood's "Gimme Little Sign", and if you ask very nicely I'll feature them both in a future post. Today, however, we have three tracks that are - as far as I can tell - authentic originals.
"Hey Hey Taxi" - Discovery
"Si Gadis Ayu" - Black Dog Bone
"Hanya Cinta" - Sweet September
Sunday, 30 July 2017
Doktrinal Days
Today we bring you the first of our slim pickings from Malaysia, bought purely on the basis of the cover:
As the eagle-eyed among you will spot, the album is "Masa Scarecrow" and the band is Doktrin Metos, which I am am advised is Malaysian for Metal Doctrine. Which gives you a pretty good idea of what you get - bog-standard metal of the era (1990) with a couple of less heavy tracks thrown in to show depth. It's not for me, but make your own minds up.
"Patahyna Sayap Malam" - Doktrin Metos
"Benar Atau Jelmaan" - Doktrin Metos
But whatever else might be said about Doktrin Metos, they are at least an improvement on the similarly named novelty band Doctor & The Medics.
As the eagle-eyed among you will spot, the album is "Masa Scarecrow" and the band is Doktrin Metos, which I am am advised is Malaysian for Metal Doctrine. Which gives you a pretty good idea of what you get - bog-standard metal of the era (1990) with a couple of less heavy tracks thrown in to show depth. It's not for me, but make your own minds up.
"Patahyna Sayap Malam" - Doktrin Metos
"Benar Atau Jelmaan" - Doktrin Metos
But whatever else might be said about Doktrin Metos, they are at least an improvement on the similarly named novelty band Doctor & The Medics.
Thursday, 27 July 2017
Cavorting in Cameroon
Well, I'm back from my trip to Jakarta and assorted parts of Malaysia, and a great time was had by all. My visit to the Rainforest World Music Festival in Sarawak was curtailed by the arrival of torrential rain - I suppose the name of the festival should have been a clue - but I was taught how to use a blowpipe while there. I am sure that is a skill that will come in handy in the future.
Apart from the festival, the musical pickings were pretty slim. While admittedly I didn't scour every inch of Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur or George Town, I failed to find a single CD emporium in any of them. I had better luck in Kuching, where I managed to acquire a compilation of 1970s Malaysian pop plus what judging by the cover may be a concept album involving aliens. Let's hope so.
More of those anon. For now, let's get back in the saddle with some fun and frivolity from Cameroon. Both tracks come from a groovy compilation with the self-explanatory title of "Pop Makossa".
"Mussoliki" - Bernard Ntome
"Nen Lambo" - Bill Loko
As far as I know, "Mussoliki" is not a misspelt tribute to the former Italian dictator. We don't need that kind of thang.
Apart from the festival, the musical pickings were pretty slim. While admittedly I didn't scour every inch of Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur or George Town, I failed to find a single CD emporium in any of them. I had better luck in Kuching, where I managed to acquire a compilation of 1970s Malaysian pop plus what judging by the cover may be a concept album involving aliens. Let's hope so.
More of those anon. For now, let's get back in the saddle with some fun and frivolity from Cameroon. Both tracks come from a groovy compilation with the self-explanatory title of "Pop Makossa".
"Mussoliki" - Bernard Ntome
"Nen Lambo" - Bill Loko
As far as I know, "Mussoliki" is not a misspelt tribute to the former Italian dictator. We don't need that kind of thang.
Wednesday, 5 July 2017
Ring Rang A Dong Time
I'm heading off on my travels in a couple of days, back towards the end of the month. I'm looking forward to the trip - work in Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta, and a couple of long weekends in Penang and Sarawak, with a visit to the Rainforest World Music Festival likely to be a highlight of the latter.
As usual, I'll leave you with a selection of tracks that were first featured here back in the pre-zeitgeist era of 2009. They aren't quite as exotic as some of the earlier selections but that is because the dredging is nearly done now. There are a few dodgy things that I couldn't bring myself to inflict on you twice - and I say that knowing that "Finnish Whistler" made the cut - but not much else.
See you soon, folks.
"Yho! Yho!" - Winston 'Mankunku' Nkosi
"She Don't Love Nobody" - Nick Lowe
"Cuckoo" - The Monks
"Strawberry Blonde" - Ron Sexsmith
"Fools" - Diane Birch
"Finnish Whistler" - Roger Whittaker
As usual, I'll leave you with a selection of tracks that were first featured here back in the pre-zeitgeist era of 2009. They aren't quite as exotic as some of the earlier selections but that is because the dredging is nearly done now. There are a few dodgy things that I couldn't bring myself to inflict on you twice - and I say that knowing that "Finnish Whistler" made the cut - but not much else.
See you soon, folks.
"Yho! Yho!" - Winston 'Mankunku' Nkosi
"She Don't Love Nobody" - Nick Lowe
"Cuckoo" - The Monks
"Strawberry Blonde" - Ron Sexsmith
"Fools" - Diane Birch
"Finnish Whistler" - Roger Whittaker
Monday, 3 July 2017
Mazhar and Moussa
A couple of slices of sunny, funky pop for you today. One from Turkey, one from Cote d'Ivoire, because that's how we do things round here.
"Bis Istersek" - Mazhar Fuat Özkan
"Black & White" - Moussa Doumbia
Which leads us inevitably to Greyhound. Those are some enormous microphones.
"Bis Istersek" - Mazhar Fuat Özkan
"Black & White" - Moussa Doumbia
Which leads us inevitably to Greyhound. Those are some enormous microphones.
Saturday, 1 July 2017
Jimmy Lafave R.I.P.
Some sad news to report. I found out a couple of days ago that the great Texan troubadour Jimmy Lafave died of cancer in late May.
I was lucky enough to see him play in London a couple of times three of four years back. He was very personable and he and his band knew how to put on a great show.
But the unforgettable thing about Jimmy was his incredible, emotive voice. There are very few singers, if any, who can more reliably bring a lump to my throat. R.I.P. Jimmy. It's not dark yet, but it's getting there.
"Home Once Again" - Jimmy Lafave
"I'll Remember You" - Jimmy Lafave
"Not Dark Yet" - Jimmy Lafave
I was lucky enough to see him play in London a couple of times three of four years back. He was very personable and he and his band knew how to put on a great show.
But the unforgettable thing about Jimmy was his incredible, emotive voice. There are very few singers, if any, who can more reliably bring a lump to my throat. R.I.P. Jimmy. It's not dark yet, but it's getting there.
"Home Once Again" - Jimmy Lafave
"I'll Remember You" - Jimmy Lafave
"Not Dark Yet" - Jimmy Lafave
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