TAN Choon Huat @ Ling Xiao (Ling Seow) 陈春发@凌霄
Performing Arts in Singapore (Music),
Accession Number 001654
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 13
Total Reels
- Jesley Chua Chee Huan
Interviewer
- 11:08:00
Total Running Time
- Mandarin
Language
Copyright Notice
All rights to the recordings and transcripts on this website, including the rights to copy, publish, broadcast and perform, are reserved. Written permission is required for any use. If you have any queries, please contact nas@nlb.gov.sg
Reel/Disc 1 of 13
Metadata
- 4 Sep 2008
Recording Date
- 00:55:39
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Family background. Won singing competition at the age of 17. First album released in 1968. Established his singing career after his second album ku qing hua (苦 情花). His educational background. His impression of HDB flats. His living environment. Loved to listen to Rediffusion when young. His favorite singers. He loves Chinese, English and Literature. His objective in studying. Childhood ambition is to be a singer. Found it important to have interest in one’s pursuit. His relationship with his father. Joined National Service (NS) in 1968. How he entered the singing competition. Why he used the stage name Ling Xiao (凌霄). He sang wrongly in the finals but was not discovered. His views on judging singing competition. How he recorded his first album. Style his own hair, make-up in those days.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 13
Metadata
- 4 Sep 2008
Recording Date
- 00:50:26
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Difference between recording and concert artiste in terms of singing techniques. Various recording companies in the past. Singers were paid according to album sales by local recording companies while EMI was based on fixed salary. Elaboration on local recording companies. Interviewee performed in night clubs in mid 80s. Initial experiences working there. Earned extra money from wine and tips. How he coped with mid 80s recession. Interviewee started drinking when he performed in the night club. His fan club in Hong Kong started in the 70s and lasted more than a decade. He performed in more night clubs in Hong Kong. Mandarin songs were popular in the 70s followed by Cantonese songs after mid 80s. His performance in Hong Kong and Taiwan. His impression of Roman Tam and Feng Fei Fei (风 飞飞). How he learnt from experienced singers. His impression of Xu Xiao Feng (徐 小 风). Felt that humor is important in show business. His views on why local artistes are not eloquent on stage. His unforgettable farewell party in Hong Kong. Gifts he received from his fans. He enjoyed performing in Indonesia. Mentioned his unpleasant experiences performing in small night clubs. Difference between Hong Kong and Indonesia audience.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 13
Metadata
- 5 Oct 2008
Recording Date
- 00:53:54
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Definition of ge ting (歌 厅). Described getai (歌台) in those days. Names of singers then. His favorite singer. Mentioned Singapore ge ting (新加坡歌厅), Zhen Zhu Ge Ju Yuan (珍珠歌剧 院), Hai Yan Ge Ju Yuan (海 燕歌剧 院). Hai Yan engaged mainly Taiwanese artistes. Why interviewee enjoyed performing in Hai Yan Ge Ju Yuan (海 燕歌剧 院). He hones his acting skills while performing in ju yuan (剧 院). Difference between TV and stage acting. Ju yuan (剧 院) business went downhill in mid 80s. Names of singers he worked with. His impression of singers, Bai Guang (白 光) Yao Su Rong (姚苏容). Related incident where feather went into singer’s mouth while singing. Need to develop one’s own singing style. Impression of singer, Chen Fen Lan (陈 芬 兰). Elaboration on his days in Hai Yan Ge Ju Yuan (海 燕歌剧 院). He used to play the male lead. Daily performance. How they were paid. Description of Hai Yan Ge Ju Yuan (海 燕歌剧 院). Recalled stage drama performance where he cried till he lost his voice. His most embarrassing moment on stage. Elaboration on singer Fu Shu Yun (傅舒云).
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Reel/Disc 5 of 13
Metadata
- 5 Oct 2008
Recording Date
- 00:56:42
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Further elaboration on Fu Shu Yun (傅舒云). Singers compete for album sales. Taiwanese songs were popular then. Advantages of being paid by number of albums released instead of sales volume. Time taken for interviewee to learn a new song. Felt that present day singers are well taken care of. Interviewee did not see himself as a star. His attitude towards people now. Used to record an album every fortnight. Did his own make-up. Mainly record albums during his National Service (NS) days. Performed in Malaysia in mid 70s. Recorded album in Hong Kong. His music teachers.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 13
Metadata
- 5 Oct 2008
Recording Date
- 00:49:06
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Interviewee performed in Malaysia, United Kingdom, Indonesia and Vietnam. His 10-day performance in Vietnam with other singers. Interviewee felt that Cantonese song lyrics is more refined from the 80s onwards. Interviewee prefers his own singing now. His views on present day local singers and their songs. Luck is important but need also hard work and the ability to accept criticism. How he teaches singing. Nice appearance gives one advantage. His views on friendship and money. Health is most important to him. His views on gambling. His cooking hobby. Enjoys music. Believes that one smile makes two. How he reacts to remarks about him. Feels that artiste has no freedom. Why he enjoys being overseas. He enjoyed attention when he was much younger.
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Reel/Disc 7 of 13
Metadata
- 15 Oct 2008
Recording Date
- 00:51:40
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Elaboration on ju yuan (剧 院) and its audience. Mentioned Neptune Theatre (海皇歌剧 院) and its program. Comparison between Hai Yan Ge Ju Yuan (海 燕歌剧 院) and Neptune Theatre (海皇歌剧 院). How interviewee got into Neptune Theatre. Interviewee’s impression of comedians, Wang Sha (王 沙) and Ye Feng (野 峰). How Wang Sha (王 沙) helped interviewee when someone asked him for protection money. Mentioned singer Ai Li (爱丽). They kept their songs to be released secret. Felt that Hong Kong and Taiwan singers are better. Found our local market small. His peak in the 70s when he recorded over 100 albums. Why he was not happy with his past albums. Felt that his singing improved over the years. Elaboration on his performance in Indonesia. His costumes. Interviewee prefers to do his own make-up. How he maintains his looks.
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Reel/Disc 8 of 13
Metadata
- 15 Oct 2008
Recording Date
- 00:56:46
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
His leisure. Learnt to do housework after his mother passed away. Missed mother’s love. Performed mostly in the night club in mid 80s. How they obtained commissions/tips in the night club. Interviewee never thought of looking for another job when he was laid off. His initial reactions when he worked in the night club and his subsequent change of attitude. Why he is thrifty now. Related family incident where he learnt lesson on self-reliance. How he got his role in Chinese TV drama ‘Facing the Music’. How he overcomes his initial nervousness in acting. How he prepared for the role. The drama took two and a half months to complete filming. Felt that it was his second spring in his career. Why he did not act now.
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Reel/Disc 9 of 13
Metadata
- 15 Oct 2008
Recording Date
- 00:53:21
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Interviewee is selective about his acting role. His unhappiness during the filming of ‘Facing the Music’. His memorable experience in ‘Facing the Music ‘ where he really cried. Mentioned other drama series he took part in. Related his acting experience with popular Taiwanese star Ma Jing Tao (马 景 涛) who gave him acting tips. Interviewee is diligent in memorizing acting script. Why he is patient with others when acting. How he continued to act when he could not walk. Favorite dramas he acted in. Felt that his favorite actor Xie Shao Guang (谢绍光) is very professional. Interviewee prefers singing to acting. How he got to know his current agent/boss. Why he enjoys performing on cruise. His performance on the cruise.
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