Sam Saimun, The Mystery

The name Sam Saimun, keroncong singer in 60-ies for me is such mystery, until I get this album including his photograph on February 2008. The first time I know his name is from a cassette album which compiled Indonesian national anthems by old singers. They are Sam Saimun, Bram Atjeh, and so on.

Why Sam Saimun is such a mystery? Because we as 80-ies generation feel difficult to find his album. Also may be because his album is only a few, and is not produced anymore by record industry. What makes his name more mysterious is because legend singer Bing Slamet once upon time in a book Musisiku (2007) quoted as saying that Sam Saimun is his teacher in learning to sing keroncong. Wow? Even Bing Slamet recognized him that so high? Come on, who is Sam Saimun? This album at least can show you his talented voice. *

The Headliners, The Gift

The Headliners is a title for this compilation album by Columbia Record. This album has been pressed exclusively for Club Members, and the Club Fifth Anniversary Gift to music lovers. This superb limited edition recording was made as a thank giving for members of Columbia Record Club.

The Headliners consist of 12 songs by several leading singer and band under Columbia management from 1955 to 1960. Perhaps this generation now are at least 60 years old. This album is truly superb and special, because it’s tracks are all hits. Although I especially give a special comment to four songs: Cavalry Command (Mitch Miller and The Gang), Every Body Loves Saturday Night (The Brothers Four), Sabre Dance (Andre Kostelanetz), and Begin the Beguine (Tony Bennett).

Cavalry Command is sounded like music for military march. Every Body Loves Saturday Night is a weekly theme song which actually must be more popular than Happy Birthday song. This song can be sung every saturday. Begin the Beguine is special because it was interpretated by legendary voice Tony Bennett.*