Naomi and the Boys the best of Collection

by Patrick Ranasinghe

Naomi and the Boys the best of Collection

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSpuuUBRUks

Dean Martin with Lena Horne & Engelbert Humperdinck

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lv2u5C9pqMI

Did you know or remember ? Naomi and her brother were from Sri Lanka they had a hit song in the 60’s (Naomi & The Boys – Tennessee Waltz) The Road in Ambalangoda – Sri Lanka named after Robert Wickramasuriya (senior) the father of Naomi & Robert Suriya ( Wickramasuriya ) that’s the younger sis Fiona besides the name board.

After their father passed away they all migrated to Singapore and change the surname to Suriya in late 50’s and early 60’s they formed the group The succeeding Recordings of “Naomi & The Boys” were songs with feel affection for “Old Photographs”, “Why I’m Walking”, “I’m Crying Inside” and “Happy Birthday Sweetheart”. New sounds again were introduced in this recording and this time “The Boys” used an electronic musical instrument called “Tubon” on “Old Photographs” which gave an innovative advantage then, the “Tubon” was played by Moses Tay.

Another exciting sound then on this EP was on “Why I’m Walking”, it displayed Robert Suriya’s expressive guitar skills as he reproduces a steel pedal effect purely by manipulating the tone controls and volume on the foot pedal and his guitar to specify a country and western sensation…….. This is exactly what Naomi and the Boys Always had in mind-Each composition had its own feel from the Drumming ,Instruments and the Vocals–we always had a different mood with song–which needed a new style and mood-Naomi set the Feel. “Naomi & The Boys” in October 1969. It was one of Singapore’s, Malaysia’s and Indonesia’s most memorable Recording and Performing Pop group of the 60’s. These are my Memories of “Naomi & The Boys”.