Weekend Entertainment-June 7, 2014

June 7, 2014

The entertainment programme for this weekend comes early since it coincides with the Official Birthday of Duli Yang Maha Mulia Yang DiPertuan Agong, Almu’tasimu Billahi Muhibbuddin Tuanku Alhaj Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah. Dr Kamsiah and I take this opportunity to congratulate all friends and associates who are being honoured by our beloved King today for their contributions to national development and public service.–Dr. Kamsiah and Din Merican

Frank Sinatra

Bobby Darin

Engelbert Humperdinck

Bee Gees

Jerry Vale

Songs for the Weekend

June 1, 2014

Last evening (May 31), Dr. Kamsiah and I attended the 75th Birthday party of Tan Sri Robert Phang  (left) at the Corus Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. It was a well attended function where we renewed old friendships including with the controversial Tunku Abdul Aziz, and made new friends. We also celebrated the graduation of Robert’s daughter, Dr. Frances Phang MD, from the University of Nebraska. Our congratulations to Dr. Frances and sincere birthday wishes to her dad, Tan Sri Phang.

At the Phang party, I also met a fan of this blog who asked me whether I had abandoned my role as DJ. I informed the nice and kind lady that the state of our politics had affected my musical mood. On the score, I took a break from being a weekend DJ. But I promised to play a few tunes for this Sunday. I, therefore, hope she likes my selection for her listening pleasure.–Din Merican

Dean Martin

Jim Reeves

Frankie Avalon

The Everly Brothers

Al Martino

Vince Hill

The Question I ask myself: Where does the Time Go?

May 18, 2014

The Question I ask myself these days as I approach three Quarters of a Century is Where Does the Time Go. I dedicate this Barry Manilow’s rendition of the song with the same title , Bing Crosby’s That’s What Life is all about and Frank Sinatra’s My Way to friends, associates, men and women of my generation. Please don’t go away or give up as we have lots of unfinished business to settle, given the state of our country. We must soldier on and not quit.—Din Merican

Barry Manilow

Bing Crosby

Frank Sinatra

Your Weekend Entertainment: With YUNA

February 15, 2014

In the 1970s, a young artiste from Johor achieved a great success as an entertainer abroad. He gained fame in PARIS, France. He is Shake (and later Dato Shake). Here is the song, Tu sais je t’aime, that him brought into the limelight in Europe. Dr. Kamsiah and I met him a few years back at the wedding of a friend’s daughter when he performed this song. There was no turning back for him, and we wish him well.

Dr Kamsiah and Din Merican

Dato Shake

Dato Shake in 2011

Recently, a teenager, whose parents are our close friends introduced us to a young lass from Subang Jaya who is a singing sensation in the US. She is YUNA, and for this weekend’s entertainment we feature her exclusively starting  with Gelora Jiwa, her tribute to the late Tan Sri P. Ramlee. We hope you like our selection.–Dr. Kamsiah and Din Merican

YUNA

Extra- KRU and P. Ramlee-Getaran Jiwa

Repeat Performance–Katrina Dahari

Your Final 2013 Weekend Entertainment

December 28, 2013

Friends,

This is the final weekend for 2013. We think it is appropriate to close our 2013 weekend entertainment session by bringing back some great ladies of song of a bygone era. Let us start with Joni James, followed by Doris Day. And then we bring on Rosemary Clooney, Ella Fitzgerald and Dinah Washington. You will probably agree with us these personalities, each in her inimitable style, have left an indelible mark on modern popular music and jazz.

Please have  a good New Year. Despite the tough times ahead, we all have the strength of character to withstand the pressures that can come with the rising cost of living.–Dr. Kamsiah and Din Merican

Joni James

Doris Day

Rosemary Clooney

Ella Fitzgerald

Dinah Washington

Your Weekend Entertainment: Let’s Go Country

November 23, 2013

It is the weekend again. Dr. Kamsiah and I have chosen to play some country hits for you, our friends and associates. For this purpose, we shall start with Slim Whitman, the yodeling cowboy who is Din’s favorite country and western entertainer of the 1950s. He is followed by the great Johnny Cash who was dominant in country music in 1960s and 1970s. Rickey Van Shelton is next. Although less known in Malaysia, Ricky has a fabulous voice. Listen especially to his rendition of From a Jack to a King and you will know he is very popular in the US. 

Finally we bring on John Denver who passed on tragically in a plane crash some years ago. We dedicate Take Me Home, Country Roads to our very good friend, Ambassador John R. Malott and his dog, Max. We also take this opportunity to wish him and all our friends in the US happy Thanksgiving.  It is appropriate for that occasion for us to feature Placido Domingo and John Denver rendering Perhaps Love. Great weekend to all, wherever you may be at this time.–Dr.Kamsiah and Din Merican

Slim Whitman

Johnny Cash

Ricky Van Shelton

John Denver