LIM Kie Beng @ Mao Yu 林其明 @ 毛郁
Performing Arts in Singapore (Music),
Accession Number 002670
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 3
Total Reels
- Teo Kian Giap
Interviewer
- 02:41:38
Total Running Time
- Mandarin
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 3
Metadata
- 22 Feb 2011
Recording Date
- 00:58:11
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Born 1962 in Penang and came to Singapore when he was one. Talked about his childhood in Siglap. Interviewee was influenced by his father who listened to classical music and sang Chinese pop songs. Interviewee loved to draw and father sent him to learn under Mr Wee Beng Chong 黄明宗 when young. The reason interviewee took up piano lessons was because his parents wanted him to utilise the piano when his sister stopped her lessons. Interviewee learnt under his neighbor Mrs Doreen Seow till Grade 4 and at Victor Doggett Music Studio following that. He was motivated participating in music competitions and watching other contestants played. The music competitions in 1977 and 1978 were organized by the Singapore Music Teachers’ Association. After his ‘O’ levels, interviewee gave tuition before being enlisted into National Service. Interviewee studied at Maha Bodhi School and Anglican High School (1973-1976), where he gave a few piano performances in the latter.
Around 1980, interviewee listened to more Taiwan folk songs 台湾校园民歌 and also Japanese pop songs. At Anglican High School, interviewee was good friend with Pu Xiao Ke 卜小苛. Both liked music and decided to form a group when they left school. Others like Mr Wee Chin Hock 黄进福, female members Yu Han 宇涵and Lun Mu沦暮 joined and they practiced at Joo Chiat Community Centre. Soon, they started to write their own music. Interviewee and Mr Wee would usually compose the music while Pu and Yu Han would write the lyrics. The group was formed in 1980 and the group name Yin Yun 氤氲 came a about in 1981/82. In 1983, the 3 guys decided to enter Talentime competition. Talked about the various stages of the competition, where their group San Ren Dui 三人队 sang their own compositions throughout the whole competition. Also talked about their performance in the finals.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 3
Metadata
- 22 Feb 2011
Recording Date
- 00:51:36
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Interviewee mentioned how they felt when San Ren Dui won the Talentime Group Category. They were offered a contract by Singapore Broadcasting Corporation but due to some clauses in the contract, they declined the offer. They however continued to appear on TV from 1984 to 1985, performing mostly their own compositions. From 1985 to 1987, he worked part time as a piano accompanist for the SBC singers. He talked about his job there, including learning while observing Ms Pan Xiu Qiong 潘秀琼 teaching the class. He left SBC when he had a job at Yamaha. Interviewee said that their group Yin Yun was approached by Ms Pang Siew Moi to appear on the radio programme Ge Yun Xin Sheng (GYXS). 歌韵新声. Interviewee knew Pan Ying through Talentime and the group invited her to sing on GYXS. Jiang Hu 姜鄠also appeared with them on GYXS.
Interviewee knew both Pan and Jiang when he participated in the 1984 Talentime Songwriting category, where he came in second. Interviewee said that the group became less active after 1985 as the members were busy with their own matters. He talked about how his stage name Mao Yu 毛郁 came about. Interviewee said that for the 1984 Talentime songwriting competition, he composed the melody and Yu Han wrote the lyrics. Yin Yun performed 1 – 2 compositions at Xinyao Festival. Interviewee knew Mr Billy Koh of The Straws when interviewee learnt guitar under him at Yamaha. Yin Yun never did not have any recording of its compositions. Interviewee talked about the more prominent Xinyao groups at that time, like The Straws, Ya Yun Xiao Zu, Di Xia Tie. Yin Yun also collaborated with other groups, such as Colin Qi of the Merlion. His favourite song of his group would be Che Zhan 车站, composed by him and written by Zhong Ren Kang 仲仁康.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 3
Metadata
- 8 Mar 2011
Recording Date
- 00:51:51
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Interviewee elaborated more on how members of Yin Yun came about, and talked about the style of writing and composing of the various members. Interviewee would assign who would sing the vocal parts for the songs. Interviewee clarified that it was him and Yu Han who participated as individuals at the 1990 Xinyao Festival, organized by the Young Writers Society. The song song Bie Lian 别恋 was composed by him with lyrics by Yu Han. He felt it was a pity that Xinyao Festival was discontinued after 1990. He gave his opinions on the rise and decline of Xinyao movement. In 1986, interviewee sang a composition by Wen Jin Hua 温金华at the Asian Broadcasting Union song competition. Around that period, he and Pan Ying also sang backup vocals for recordings. He also recorded jingles (such as for ENO), which he found challenging to express the right emotions.
Interviewee also participated in gospel music competitions, and he compared the difference between pop and gospel music singing. He talked in detail participating in the 1997 NTUC Songwriting Competition, where his song Ming Tian Yao Bi Dang NIan Hao 明天要比当年好 won the Gold Award. Mr Li Zhi Tian 李治佃wrote the lyrics and Pan Ying sang the duet with interviewee. Interviewee talked about being backup singers for singers Jeff Chang 张信哲 and Wakin Chau 周华健. Interviewee concluded the interviewee by saying how he felt being part of the Xinyao movement.
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