NOTES ON NOTES
HONGKONG'S lovely lady of song, Kong Ling,
is in America at the time of writing, for the specific purpose of appearing on the Arthur God- frey Show. A milestone in her career indeed.
Here in Hongkong her career. is about to be further enhanced by the release of her first album on the Diamond label.
As a prelude to the faimching of this long player, the record are releasing four company
They singles from the albuT... are "C'est Magnifique" and "My Heart Is An Open Book"--both sung Jua English; "Voice Of Love" (in English
and
Mandarin) backed by "I Love You Baby" in English; "One Way Ticket To The Blues" (in English and Mandarin) and “Let Go Off-Beat" in English; and finally "Sayonara" (in Mandarin), and
English and "Tenderly" (in English),
The album is entitled "Hong- kong Presents GF-Beat Cha, Cha and the 12 songs were cut in two days at, two strenuous sessions at the Highball bár.
Celso Carillo talented Filipino bandleader, did all the arrangements and directed
aa
orchestra which included, spart from the normal rhythm section, two trumpets, ode baritone saxophone, conga drum, bongo- drums and cowbells,
KONG LING - Christmas
with Godfrey
A
by CARL MYATT
milestone in her career
don't think there is a popular direction of Frank Hunter and singer who hasn't cut such an Marty Gold. album..
As an added attraction, the irside
the of
double-leafed From the vast choice on sale, album includes the words of all here are what I think are three the carols.
of the best. The oray, unfor- that tunate part of it all is many of the tunes are repeated
In all the alarms,
Pianist
15
Tome and Robert Wells.
+
·
"Christmas
Roger Williams Time" on Kapp KL-1164.
may
The Spirit of Christmas
By Majid Gafoor
Other has set in
NCE more the cold
and Christmas is with US again. For most students this means that holidays, presents, parties and pleasure are in store. The more diligent will make use of this opportunity to brush up their weak subjects. Shopkeepers will be making ready for the rush and pen- pushers will be enjoying several days off and extra wages.
While we are receiving all this, however, we should remem- ber that the Christmas spirit is to give especially to the needy and not so much as to receive.
In a small place like Hong- kong with such a huge popula- tion, the "needy" is indeed ap- plied to a large group. A walk through a few of the thousand and one streets of the city will vee or category are young and old, men, women and
children
Roger Williams, to The material the Four Aces my mind, has cut the most have used on their album "A beautiful of all Christmas al- Merry Christmas With the Four Aces," is almost the same as bums this year.
includes all those that which Williams has used Side coo old and beloved carols such as But you may have a preference "Silent Night" and "O Little for vocals with your music, in
which
case your choice Town of Bethlehem." Side two
to popular well be in favour of the Aces. given partly Christmas songs such as "White On Decca DL 8191. Christmas" and the very lovely "Christmas Song" which was THE Christmas contribution Written by Sinz singer Mel The Ray Coniff singers is bright, breezy and lighthearted. Williams' treatment of every No carols on this disc at all, tune on the album. is outstand- though all tunes pertain to the ing. He is backed by the Con- season in question.
While we enjoy ourselves cert Grand orchestra under the Outstanding are their rendi- during this festive season, they tions of "The Christmas Song," huddle, shivering and hungry.
and "Sleigh Ride"
"Green- They look with envious eyes at sleeves."
us, who are furtunate enough to Incidentally the cover on the have a roof over our heads, album is worth mentioning.
With warm clothing and food. It is a photograph in colour sad eyes the ragged children their gay, laughing the foreground and sur-counterparts leaving shops rounded by silver, and red overloaded with numerous BEATRICE CHEUNG, decorations, all placed against a parcels.
Bayview black backdrop. It is startling 19, student, 12 rea-
in its beauty and warmth. We CAN give these un- sons for celebrating Christmas, Mansion, 1st floor, Cause Without a doubt, one of the fortunates a happy Christmas do we
than any other medium.
way Bay, Hongkong.
lovliest covers made this year. by contributing money, old celebrate at
Whether it is told in a
Christmas with Comiff-The clothes,
and toys. Christmas?
carol or a popular sohg, it does
Ray Coniff Singers on Phillips Any contributions no matter With all the parties, receiv- to Expe extent revive
B 47001. L /ing and giving of gifts and memories to the true. spirit of
how small, would be a great help. Not even the smallest general, festivities, one is in- Christmas and the Christmas
article would be wasted. clined to forget the real reason message "Peace on why Christmas is observed. goodwill toward men."
Miss Francis Silva, of the Diamand Musle Company who produced the album, was also the recording engineer.
Merry Christmas,” one thinks
not to much in religious MEET THE
terms as in terms of “have a good time at the party and don't drink too much," But from all the commer-
The album was recorded for stereophonic and monaurul re- production. Having heard the tape, I sincerely believe they cialisation that does take place, have a best-seller On their some good does emerge. bands.
* WHAT
Music probably does more to help us to remember the
MEMBERS!of a big waxy looking candle set gaze at their gay.
·
HANIFA M. DIN, 19,
road, 3rd floor, Causeway Our secretary, 27 Lee Garden-
Bay, Hongkong. earth, and
-
PETER K. TSANG, 19, The birthday of Christ has This year, as usual, the been so commercialised
Shu that music shops have been glutted student, 31
Kok- when one wishes a friend “a by Christmas albums, and street, flat 342, Hongkong.
THE
The Hit Parade
By Ted Thomas
course
big news this week is of Radio Hongkong's charity drive for the benefit of under-
privileged children.
All proceeds will go to children not fortunate enough to have homes and parents of their own, and the public are;' Invited to contribute to the drive by telephoning Radio Hongkong on Tel No. 35066, 25067, 35068 or 35069 and subscribing to their favourite disc.
When, the total on any one record has reached $100 the record will be played In full.
There's music to suit every. one from Bach to boogle, and all you need do is pick up the telephone, -diz! any one of the above numbers and pledge a sum of
money against any tune of your
choice.
IF you don't
like music then you can ask for a minute or two of your favou- rite Radio programme, any- thing from the Goon Show to The Archers, and when the total pledge reaches $200 then we'll play it for you. + *
CHRISTMAS is coming and Christmas is probably the best time to look back on A very lively year of popular music. Who were the biggest stars-who faded ou com→ pletely, and who is going to last a while?
No doubt who occupies first spot
In the hearts of the “aingles" buyers. Despite most
1. Are You Lonesome Tonight
2. Come Back To Me My, Love
3. Come Back, Silly Girl
4.
To Each His Own
5.
Romantica
6. Tell Me One More Time
7. The Clickity-Clack Song
8.
9. 1' Save The Last Dance For You
Melodie D'Amǝur
10.
11.
Itsy Bitry Yellow Polka Dot Bikini My Girl Josephine
12.
I Wish I'd Never Been Born 13. Nɔ
14. My Heart Has A Mind Of Its Own 15. Look For A Star
16. Charming Billy
17.
18.
19.
1 Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus .. Midnight Lace
I Love You In The Same Old Way 20. Incurably Romantic
* * *
of 1960 being spent in the Army Elvis Presley topped everyone on both record sales and number of record re- quests.
Connie Francis was unchal lenged as the most sought after female vocalist, and the Platters continued with their wave of success as the world's leading pop music group.
Who faded? Well we just don't hear much of Ricky Nelson these days. There's been a noticable cooling off 'on the part of releases featur. Ing the volce of the Jate Buddy Holly—though I un- derstand that there's still a considerable stockpile of, as yet, unreleased material.
A
*
question from one of the panel members in Badio Hongkong's disc jury "First Impressions" set me thinking Last week.
Elvis Presley
Mark Dinning Steve Lawrence The Platters Jane Morgan . Conway Twitty Brian Hyland Paul Anka
Damita Jo
Brian Hyland
Fats Domino Patti Page Dodie Stevens Connie Francis Carry Mills Johnny Preston Paul Anka
David Carroll
Paul Anka Bing Crosby
Just who buys the mass of supposedly "funny" records that are passed over the record counters every day. Surely the fun In almost every spoken word disc, is gone after the Initial laugh and after that it can only be of value when amusing friends.
But no! A section, of the week's mail claims that most of the big sellers in this line are played over again and again to the same audience, and enthusiasts eagerly await each
release by their favourite comedians.
new
Hits Here and There Department
In America: 1. Are you Lonesome Tonight? Elvia Presley: 2. Last Date, Floyd Cramer.
1
In Britain: 1. It's Now Or Never, Elvis Presley; 2. Save The Last Dance For Me, The Drifters.
-MEMBERSHIP
Fill this in and send it to the China Mail, 1-3 Wyndham Street, Hongkong.
Name
Age Occupation Address
হল
blankets
"Our reward for this will come in the form of a smile on the face of the old woman at the comer, snuggling warmly in your old coat, and the laughter of the children playing with the old but to them precious toy. And we will be happy, for we will have acted in the true Christmas spirit, gaining hap- piness in the pleasure and satis- faction of having done 50me- thing really worthwhile.
Credit card to Majid Gafoor, Hongkong.
"WHADDYA MEAN, "MERRY CHRISTMAS?"
Credit Card to A. Rozario, Kowloon,