tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5893219718076521675.post1220296473001089693..comments2024-03-29T05:26:28.491-04:00Comments on pancocojams: English Lyrics For Two Late 1950s Nigerian Jùjú Songs: J. O. Araba's "The Swamp" & J. O. Oyesiku's "This Is The Matter, In Abundance"Azizi Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963772326145910073noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5893219718076521675.post-62461316603044630592018-01-31T10:58:51.867-05:002018-01-31T10:58:51.867-05:00I mentioned that I found a copy of Professor Water...I mentioned that I found a copy of Professor Waterman's book on JuJu music at a Carnegie library in a Black neigbhorhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but I wouldn't be surprised to learn that there are copies in some other branches of Carnegie Library in Pittsburgh-especially in the main branch which has a very good music section.<br /><br />Please give my regards to Professor Waterman. I was very impressed with his book.Azizi Powellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14963772326145910073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5893219718076521675.post-13110321383898174192018-01-31T09:43:47.765-05:002018-01-31T09:43:47.765-05:00Fantastic. I'm actually in contact with Prof W...Fantastic. I'm actually in contact with Prof Waterman and i've been sure to let him know how influential his book has been in my life. I will chime in every now and then to share whatever knowledge i have. If you have any specific questions, please don't hesitate to ask. I'd be happy to contribute. Cheers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5893219718076521675.post-1667918569458894062018-01-31T00:19:15.477-05:002018-01-31T00:19:15.477-05:00You're welcome, Anonymous.
I'm glad that ...You're welcome, Anonymous.<br /><br />I'm glad that you found this blog post. I'm glad that I happened upon this book in one of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania's public libraries (in the Homewood neighborhood, an almost all Black population community). <br /><br />I hope that you will share more information about African music here or elsewhere online (and then share the link here). I and other people are interested in learning about the rich musical cultures in Africa.<br /><br />One love and keep on keeping on. <br /><br />Azizi Powellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14963772326145910073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5893219718076521675.post-25675928970144346222018-01-30T23:23:35.665-05:002018-01-30T23:23:35.665-05:00Greetings and thanks for such a brilliant write up...Greetings and thanks for such a brilliant write up. I've had Prof Waterman's book for about 20 years and in my opinion, it's the most detailed study of Juju music anywhere. It's a work of genius and love. I'm also a native Yoruba speaker and even for me some of the lyrics are pretty deep. I understand them and know quite well what they mean but unfortunately, they also require context. The context relates to knowledge of Yoruba culture, history, religions and social mores. It's a tough thing for a non native speaker to fully grasp. In fact, some native speakers also don't get the full effect of the lyrics. Anyways, both Araba and Oyesiku were amazing musicians and chroniclers of their time. I've been researching African music for a minute and there are tons more to be explored. CheersAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5893219718076521675.post-89263182946295782362017-12-06T10:20:56.951-05:002017-12-06T10:20:56.951-05:00I'm not going to attempt to provide any analys...I'm not going to attempt to provide any analysis of these two featured songs, but I welcome others who are familiar with Yoruba culture to do so.<br /><br />I will, however, say that I chose to highlight these two songs out of other song lyrics given in that 1990 book on Juju music because I like these lyrics- unfortunately, I've not been able to find the songs themselves online. <br /><br />I particularly like the "deepness" of J.O. Araba's lyrics "The swamp has crossed the road, anyone who gets splashed with mud should forgive us."<br /><br />Also, as something of an aside, the line "This is the matter, this is the matter, this is the matter, in abundance" in J. O. Oyeshiku's song really reminds me of the title "This Is A Serious Matter" that is one of the signature songs/chants for the first historically Black (university based) Greek lettered sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.<br /><br />Click <a href="http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/08/alpha-kappa-alpha-sorority-inc-this-is.html" rel="nofollow">http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/08/alpha-kappa-alpha-sorority-inc-this-is.html</a> for a pancocojams post about that song/chant. But, other than that title & repeated words and the fact that they both offer social commentary, Oyeshiku's juju song and the AKA sorority song have nothing in common.<br /><br />Azizi Powellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14963772326145910073noreply@blogger.com