This blog is about new entrants to the Colombo Medical Faculty of the University of Ceylon (as it was then known) in June 1962. There were a total of 166 in the batch (included 11 from Peradeniya).Please address all communications to: colmedgrads1962@gmail.com.You may bookmark this page for easier access later. Header image: Courtesy Prof. Rohan Jayasekara, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo (2011 - 2014). Please use the search bar using a key word to access what interests you
TAKING YOU BACK TO THE 50s- Speedy Mahen Gonsalkorale
Nihal (ND) wanted
me to post some songs which I do on an on-line karaoke music app called SMULE
So here it
is, two songs by the famous Platters who also sang the other well-loved song, The
Great Pretender. One is a solo and in the other, I joined a lady and sang a
duet.
This is form Wikipedia about them
Let me set the ball rolling by recalling a few of my favourites (sticking to English songs for the moment). My favourites form the 50s and 60s are Dean Martin, Buddy Holly, Perry Como, Ray Charles, Paul Anka, The Beatles, Tony Brent, Beach Boys, The Supremes and the Everly brothers and of course Elvis the Pelvis Presley. It is a tribute to them that these songs are still played and sung.
ReplyDeleteLocal heroes are Cliff Foenander, Bill Forbes, Desmond Kelly, Mignone Rutnam, The Jetliners and many more. Let us see what readers come up with. Please feel free to quote Hindi stars like Nargis, Raj Kapoor etc and Sinhala ones such as Sunil Shanta, Rukmani Devi and Indian ones like Mohamed Rafi, Lata Mangeskar and Asha Bhosle.
Mahen
ReplyDeleteThe platters appeared in Bill Hayley's film "Rock Around The Clock",screened at the Savoy in Wellawatte.The Great Pretender and Only You sung by Platters,Rock around the clock and See you later Alligator by Bill Hayley and the comets became instant hits in Colombo.This film was shown at the Savoy from Dec 1956 to Feb 1957.I saw the film three times and I know of three Thomians who viewed it 36 times.The Radio Ceylon Hit Parade and Sunday choice programmes played these songs every week for several months.
We seem to have similar taste in music,Dean Martin,Perry Como,Frank Sinatra, Elvis,Jim Reeves and Englebert are some of my favourite Male vocalist and on the female side Doris Day,Ella Fitzgerald and Shirley Bassey.The Sinhala favourites were CT, Rukmani Devi,Chithra and Somapala.
I enjoyed the the Jetliners with Mignone and Sohan at the Galle Face Hotel, Cocoanut grove on Sunday Evenings.The Beatles and Rolling stones were my favourites too.
Mahen
ReplyDeleteThose songs are perennial favourites and a reminder of a time, people and events. You have indeed done them justice. Such iconic songs are hard to sing to please music lovers as they tend to hark back to the originals. But you sing them so well and thank you for obliging my request. I specially like "Only you" as is so close to the original.
Bora helped to bring back those old memories. I too saw Rock around the Clock at the Savoy in 1956 with my father and saw the Bambalawatte boys dancing unashamedly in the aisles of the theatre. I was a teenager then and those were magical times.
Thanks for the memory.
Thanks, Bora and Nihal for your comments. Bora didn't comment on my performance, maybe he is being tactful! The songs were a challenge to sing, especially the "asdekata duma gahanawa".
ReplyDeleteI too remember all the singers mentioned. The Jetliners were special because of their "Shadows" style and for the fact that Ishan Bahar was a schoolmate of mine in the 55 Royal group. His son is also a singer of repute. The Shadows were of course quite a sensation not only because of their musical skills but because of their polished choreography. I still listen to them quite often.
Tony Brent was another of my favourites. Strangely enough, when I came to the UK, I was surprised that this Irish singer was hardly know here.
Bora mentioned the Coconut Grove which I had been a few times although I would have liked to go there much more.
Mahen
DeleteTony Brent was a Eurasian (Anglo-Indian) from Bombay India. He emigrated to the UK. He was a regular performer at the Hammersmith in London in the 1960's and was very popular. In 1961 Tony emigrated to Australia. He died in Sydney in 1993 at the age of 65 of a heart attack and his ashes were taken to India and scattered in the Ganges.
Tony Brent had many hits in Ceylon as we remember them so well.
"Cindy, Oh Cindy" (1956)
"Dark Moon" (1957)
"The Clouds Will Soon Roll By" (1958)
"Girl of My Dreams" (1958)
"Why Should I Be Lonely?" (1959)
I stand corrected about being Irish. I think my misconception arose because my Irish friends knew him
DeleteNihal
DeleteMore Tony Brent songs
Little Serenade
Two Innocent Hearts
In my little Room
Mahen
ReplyDeleteSincere apologies,I did not realise that you were singing,when I heard a ladies voice I switched off.Now that I heard you it was brilliant and Harshi too listened and was full of praise.Platters songs are very difficult to sing,personal experience after two lines I go flat. Niroshini has told me that you sing well and you have sing alongs from time to time.Pre Smoking ban in public,at several dinners in the UK,after the toast for the Queen,the MC announces ,guests you may smoke and simultaneously the band starts playing Smoke gets in your eyes.Tony Brent was a favourite of mine,like you I was surprised that he was not known in the UK, he was popular in India.I still try to sing Little Serenade from time to time only the first few lines.
Nihal I remember people dancing on the aisles and stage at the end of the film,that was part of the fun and I enjoyed watching them.When I hear Golden Oldies they bring back memories of certain periods of my life both pleasant and sad.
Changing the topic; with reference to a recent post of yours regarding the number of Professors in the medical world,I would like to make the following comment.I have been told that there are NHS consultants in District General Hospitals who have received Prof status for example from a School of Nursing for their contribution to Education and Training of nurses and that is fair enough.This category would be referred to as Professor A.B (consultant Neurologist) or Professor C.D (consultant ENT surgeon).That is perfectly in order.People who are not aware of the background may conclude that the Professorship was associated with their respective specialties.
No worries. You must have listened to Only you which I said was a duet. Smoke gets in your eyes, the other one is a solo. Not sure whether you listened to that.
ReplyDeleteNot as well known was Cliff Foenander who also went to Australia like so many of his generation. His band was "The fabulous Echoes". I remember him for "a little bit of soap". I was an avid fan of the Radio Ceylon Hit Parade. Ah! The days of the 45s and the 33 rpm and Vinyls!"
Mahen, I always enjoy listening to you! These songs are not easy, and you sounded really good. The Platters sang it at a rather high pitch, because Tony Williams had a high tenor voice. (Am I correct?) FYI, The group "The Platters" still exist and perform, and have had different singers over the ages. I have seen them on our local Public Television station. The arrangements are very similar to the oldies.
ReplyDeleteI have a funny story about their songs: My family was at a Sunday service in a small Bandarawela Church, during our school vacation, and we were singing from the English Hymnal. My younger cousin, who was about 4 years old at the time, was standing next to us singing her heart out. My siblings and I were puzzled and leaned over to hear what she was singing, because we didn't think she knew the hymn. It turned out that she was singing "The Great Pretender!"
I too loved all of the singers and songs that have been mentioned in the comments, and even managed to hear Tony Brent live at the Green Room! (My father accompanied us). My taste in popular music has evolved over the years listening to the music that my daughters played at home. I would like to add to the list, Bobby Darin, Eric Clapton, George Michael, Sade, Queen, The Police, James Taylor, Steve Winwood etc. Now I sometimes even listen along with my grandkids. I've told them that all the modern pop stars sound the same!!! I must be getting old...
Mahen, Bora and Srianee
ReplyDeleteIn the year 1956 there was a wind of change that swept across the music world when the era of the crooners like Al Jolson, Al Bowlly and Bing Crosby gave way to the lively music of the electric guitars, a revolution that started with Bill Haley and the Comets.
I was a pimple faced teenager listening in awe to this magical music.
Music has always been in my life. Not being exposed to playing a musical instrument I did the next best thing by singing in the choir and barber-shop quartets at school. I had all the vinyls of the famous and maintained a song book with paper cuttings.
It was only when I had to hit the books for the GCE that the penny dropped that one day I will have to find a job and fend for myself. From then on music had to play 2nd fiddle.
Having been exposed to classical music at school this never left me and with the passage of time it came into greater prominence in my life. Now my greatest pleasure is being at the Royal Festival Hall or the Wigmore hall on an evening listening to the masters. A definite sign of my age!!
Nihal, In my opinion one should not confine one's listening pleasure to one type of music. In my case, the music I select (Jazz, classical, pop, rock) depends on my mood and whether I need it as quiet background music while I am working on something. When I sat at my microscope during my pathologist days, especially when I was reviewing cytology slides (Pap smears) which are often repetitious and boring, I often had my headphones on!
DeleteSrianee
DeleteThe drift into any type of music seems to happen unconsciously. I go where my mood takes me. I do listen to Jazz that I love from Dave Brubeck to Satchmo and Miles Davis. My Friday Night is Music night is the time for nostalgia for Sinhala music and also the naughty calypsos. Some of the modern music doesn't have much appeal for me. The rap music with no real melody and poor lyrics is never my choice. Classical music has the calm serenity that I yearn for at this stage of my life.
I agree with you about Rap Music! I don't "get it" either. If you enjoy jazz piano, check out Brad Mehldau. (He is available on Apple Music and Spotify.) He was my younger daughter's classmate in high school and is now well regarded in the jazz world, and frequently tours Europe. His playing is very expressive. Interestingly, my grandson is a Brad Mehldau fan!
DeleteSrianee
DeleteThank you for that info on the Jazz pianist. I will hear him on Spotify soon. My favourite is of course is Oscar Peterson, the maestro.
Srianee
DeleteI listened to Brad Mehldau on Spotify. Listened to several and like his "The Nearness of you" wonderful.
Thank you
Srianee and Nihal, I just listened to Brad Mehldau playing "The nearness of you". Wow! he is truly sublime. Thanks for introducing him to my life Srianee. My favourite vocals for thatsong have been by Norah Jones ( Ravi Shankar's daughter) and Frank Sinatra. It is a wonderful song. I confess that Rap is not in my list either and I hesitate to call it music! I would recommend accessing the St Mary's Perivale web series on YouTube as both of you like Classical music, The website is https://www.st-marys-perivale.org.uk/donate-001.shtml
DeleteNihal and Mahen, I'm glad you two enjoyed Brad Mehldau's playing. His style is very soulful. I've seen him live once (after he became famous) and he seemed to lose himself in the music, and was not aware of the audience at all. He does not put on a 'show.' I knew him when he was in high school when he would play at art gallery openings etc. His dad is an Ophthalmologist, and at first the parents were not so thrilled about him following a career in music! They eventually came around, and I'm sure they are happy that they did!
DeleteSrianee, all I can say is that you and I are fortunate as that is how I feel exactly but with likes and dislikes, it is always very individual. I just consider myself lucky that I enjoy a wide range of music. It depends a lot on my mood as to what I would choose to listen to. One problem I have with music us that at times my head starts on a song and it keeps repeating even when I am trying to concentrate on something else! Could be a nuisance at times. One weakness I have is that I am very much a melody man and it is not often that I study the lyrics in depth. My brother is very much into lyrics and he is no longer surprised when he tells me "Mahendra, have you heard that new song by Amaradeva?" and I say "yes, I loved it". To which he says "he sang it with emotion and conveyed the beautiful message so well, didn't he" and I say "Err, what message?" to my frustrated brother!
ReplyDeleteMahen, I have that same problem with songs I cannot get out of my head! Sometimes they are not even songs that I like, but something that I just heard on the radio. Is there a neurological term for this phenomenon? It is akin to tinnitus!
DeleteNot that I know of Srianee. My own diagnosis was this. As you know, I play by ear and make a conscious effort to replay a song in my head from start to finish and keep it going till I get to the piano or Keyboard. Trouble is that the record does not stop playing even after leaving the piano" I suppose it comes under obsessives compulsive disorder.
DeleteI thought that the topic of music in the glorious 50s and 60s might wake up seeping giants but sadly, not so. Thanks anyway to the contributors. You can soon expect a lovely article from Srianee- topic? I shall keep you in suspenders!
ReplyDeleteMahen
ReplyDeleteThis was a fantastic musical interlude thanks to you. The success of this publication must not be judged by the number of comments but by the quality of the comments. There are no rubbish one liners to add to the tally.
I would seriously try to convince you to have more of these musical blogs with several pieces of music perhaps of different genre to vet the appetite. You are too critical of yourself.
This has been a welcome change from the poetry and prose that has hogged the blog since its inception.
Hi Mahen and Nihal
ReplyDeleteThe music was excellent and I agree with Nihal,keep blogging music.I wonder whether we should sing the Everley brothers song "Wake up little Suzie" for the sleeping giants.
Good idea, Bora! Our friends need to be woken up! Also "Wake me Up Before You Go Go" and "Wake Me Up on Judgement Day" (Those are from the 80s).
DeleteGreat idea Bora! I love the Everly brothers too.. and the Bee Gees.. and Sukiyaki by the Blue Diamonds. I could go on!
ReplyDeleteBora
ReplyDeleteI too heard the woman's voice and wondered if it was something in the air or something in the water !!
We live in interesting times
You know the trouble with you lovely guys, you don't read the post properly!---- This is from the post -"So here it is, two songs by the famous Platters who also sang the other well-loved song, The Great Pretender. One is a solo and in the other, I joined a lady and sang a duet". SWIM - (swim is See What I Mean!). My apologies if you are referring to some other "woman's voice"!
ReplyDelete😂
DeleteNihal , Mahen and Srianee
DeleteIf it was in the water, instead of smoke it would have been a case of "water gets in your eyes" or "water comes to me eye"(Belafonte}.
Just a touch of banter.
Seriously Mahen,the more I listen to the two songs, the better they sound,like a good red wine.
Pleased that it is "growing on you" Bora. I remember the Harry Belafonte song you mention very fondly. I do hope that Liza did eventually come back. Then there was Jamaican Farewell and Banana boat song. Good old calypso songs.
DeleteMahen, Bora and Srianee
ReplyDeleteI love the calypso music for their rhythm and humour. It was at the zenith of its popularity in the 1950-60's. I recall "cricket lovely cricket" which was a hit amongst us cricket fans. There was a Calypso Quarter in the Commercial Service of Radio Ceylon when they played the top hits. Although popular there were a few they couldnt play over the airwaves due to the bawdy lyrics. There was one by Lord Flea and the Calypsonians:
Where did the naughty little flea go
Nobody know, nobody know
Where did the naughty little flea go
Nobody know, nobody know
A naughty flea he came to town
Started searching up and down
Looking for a place to nest
Where he can get some food and rest
The rest of the lyrics are on the net for anyone interested. Another famous Calypso guy was Lord Kitchener. He sang a song called Doctor Kitch which is simply hilarious.
I love the more sedate Harry Belafonte stuff too bringing back memories of sand and the sea and the palm trees. There is one in particular called "Haiti Cherie" when he sings of his country of birth which is simply beautiful and so very nostalgic.
Correction: Harry Belafonte was born in New York
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DeleteI must check some of what you recollected. What I like about calypso is the joyful abandon with which they are sung. I can picture laughter, good food, good spirits (in more than one way!) and camaraderie. The expression “happy go lucky (with a simple ‘l’!) is well suited
ReplyDeleteI have fond memories of taking my young daughters (about 9 and 10 at the time) to a Harry Belafonte concert. They protested and grumbled, but once he got on stage they were mesmerized, and became fans! I think Harry B. celebrated his 94th birthday recently on March 1st. He is a political activist these days and we occasionally see him on talk shows. "The Sit-In: Harry Belafonte Hosts The Tonight Show." is an interesting documentary of the week when he hosted Johnny Carson's Tonight Show in early 1968.
ReplyDeleteMy sister complains that they don't play any calypsos on 'Gold FM'
the popular radio station in Sri Lanka. I wonder why?
Srianee
ReplyDeleteIn the nineteen eighties I went for a Pat Boone show in Essex,UK.The couple seated next to me mentioned that,When they told their teenage daughter that they were going for the Pat Boone show,the daughter asked them who is she?.
Bora, that is a funny story!
ReplyDeleteOver the years I have found that music is an ice breaker when I want to have a conversation with a young person. Recently, I was visiting friends and their 16 year old was listening to something that was vaguely familiar. When I inquired, he said it was a sea shanty! Apparently sea shanties have become very popular among teenagers these days because some guys have been singing them on 'Tik-Tok!'
Although no one mentioned Tony Bennett in the comments, I thought I'd share something that I read in the AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) magazine yesterday. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease in 2015, but was able to continue tours and performances until we were all shut down in early 2020. The family has decided to share his story in order to help others. The article describes strong family support, but what I found most interesting was that he still rehearses with his long time accompanist, and is able to sing very well during those sessions. At other times he is apparently very quiet and withdrawn.
ReplyDeleteThe article described music's peculiar power to reach even severely demented patients.
Some reference material if anyone is interested:
Alive Inside (2014 Documentary)
This is Your Brain on Music and Successful Aging, two books by Daniel Levitin (Neuroscientist and musician)
The Spectrum of Hope by Gayatri Devi, M.D. (Tony Bennett's neurologist.)
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ReplyDeleteThanks for your recommendations Srianee. Ishal try and get the book The Spectrum of hope.
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ReplyDeleteHi Srianee, I tried to watch Alive inside but it cannot be viewed in the UK on line. I shall try and get hold of The spectrum of Hope via a non-amazon source if I could. It looks like worthwhile reading.
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