Cardinal Rex Lawson ~ "So Ala Temen - Yellow Sisi - Love Mu Adure"

[SuperFadaka]

I grew up in Nigeria hearing my dad (Dominic Ayo Ige) whistling Rex Lawson songs. Now many years has passed, my dad is retired and old living at Ile-Ife and I living in the UK, every time I hear Rex Lawson tears fills my eyes, as it takes me back memory lane. I have listened to all Rex lawson songs.It was at Oxford UK that I really got access into Rex Soulful music.

[amotto1000]

what a fantastic xmas for me....bumped into cardinal rex'es collection...my late parents used to listen these.Thanks for the posting.

papa D,

[Abe5720]

The way he navigates even the most complex vocal arrangements is quite legendary. His style of music transcends all known musical genre. He was the consumate and accomplished musician that no body else in our country could replicate. His dexterity, mastery, and total control of the trumpet when affixed with its plunger, is just breath taking.

[nomnomdeguerre]

don't you love those rare moments when you click around on youtube and end up at an artist you've never heard before and your day is made?

[makizee1]

when music was still music.....not the headbangers we have now.

[samuraichuck87]

WISH I COULD KICK BACK WITH SOME HONEY WINE :)

[lezzgetit]

VERY HAPPY. GOOD MUSIC



[UncleMo77]

Wonderful tune...Love mu Adure. Very popular in Ghana

[MegaDogood]

Very great highlife music, brings back memories. Thanks groovemonster for sharing

[trommelbiel]

This was the song I listened to as a child. Brings back nothing but sweet memories.

[vcoolshakey]

Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson was a legend  of dat bygone era when musicians were really musicians.You had 2 be proficient in handling an array of musical instruments b4 you were honoured by the listening ears of music lovers.Your lyrics had 2make profound meaning & your delivery spot on.Not these days of computer generated bull crap.Your early death was a cataclysmic loss 2 music world 4those who are privileged 2know good music.My feeling of satiety after listening to such good music lasts for weeks

[Kanyinola]

One of Nigeria's most gifted arranger and composer of the 60's ,Papa Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson demonstrates the most affection for his craft. He was always totally consumed in his own performance. A great loss to the high-life world. RIP.

[Kanyinola]

One of Nigeria's most gifted arranger and composer of the 60's ,Papa Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson demonstrates the most affection for his craft. He was always totally consumed in his own performance. A great loss to the high-life world.

[chung1chu]

Call me a conspiracy theorist but I believe Rex Lawson was assassinated.

[igboville1]

@chung1chu: I share your views. Somehow, many people who put Biafra in the world map by their talents all died in 1970 or 1971.

[olojulagbari]

Yellow sisi siddon a corner put hand on a jaw.Waiting for the master.Boss can you tell me? Why you do me so?

[dodgepeter]

I listened and danced to this man's music at the Lido Night Club in Port Harcourt Nigeria in the middle 1960's, and have mourned the loss of his life and talent to the world.

[singlemalouda]

REXLAWSON,KA MKPURUOBI GI ZURUIKE NA NDOKWA

[ojekings]

RIP REX

[akpan001]

Wow! I remember standing at Tinubu Sq. or Ojulegba  shopping strip listening to this cut. RIP Jolly Papa

[MegaDogood]

Very nice music !!!

[EnuBed]

@ nimere, thanks for the brief interpretation. I am requesting you kindly interpret the entire songs like So Ala Temem, Susana Pango and Peri-special / Mbanga and post the lyrics on U-tube or e-mail to me. His music reminds me of when Nigeria was a safer and happier place to live in...............no armed robberies, kidnapping of people and fuel scarcity etc...........in the late 1960s................before the civil war. His music helps me survive in UK etc. Thank you.

[nimere]

So Ala Temem- God made the rich.

Ori piki igoin temem- He also made the lowly

Ala wolo ma, Igoin deri ma- Respect the wealthy, don't scorn the poor.

[groovemonzter]

@nimere - Thank you Nimere!

[bellemskey]

@nimere Thanks for the translation my brother... Imiete...:-)

[olumomento]

@nimere You threw more light into the lyrics of this song,bless your heart. May Rex's soul rest in perfect peace.

[RexLawson4eva]

@nimere wow! thanks for this translation you don't know how nice it is to finally be able to sing along confidently knowing what the song actually means =)

[sunsethlabisa]

groovemonzter u r number 1

[AleGorymusic]

I am new to highlife. From first listen it seems it's very similar to the Cuban "son" (i think that's the name) kiund of like the songs of "Buena Vista Social Club"... Anyone else feel the same? I guess that's why they call it "Afro-Cuban" music, because the Afro and the Cuban are intertwined. So, can anyone tell me the difference between highlife and old Cuban music? My guess is it all came from Africa, the clave and all...

[femiiged]

Am alway moved to tears whenever I listen to Cardinal Rex Lawson. Music that comes from the deep recess of the soul! My father would play Rex's music 24/7. I grew up with these vibes in my subconcious. IT ALSO BRINGS ME AGREAT MEMORY OF MY GROWING UP WITH MY DAD IN THE POLICE BARRACKS AS HE WAS TRANSFERED HERE & THERE

[TheNomercy12]

i miss awola and  okiki ,

[Pharoahh]

Chai senibo

[skyforeal]

this song reminds me of those days when i was in abalama learning how 2 speak kalabari,may God bless my frnd NTIEDUGO,IBINGO,tell them i miss them sooo much,4rm NATTY german.

[yereike]

Bros and Sistas let all come home . This is too much!

[viqwinner]

@yereike The problem is that Nigeria is a lot different from the way it was when these songs were made, even from we left there some one decade ago. You go back there now you can only live on the nostalgia and lament the degeneration and weep for what Nigeria could have been but is not. One of my friend used to say the failure of Nigeria is the undoing of Africa and the black race. If Nigeria was organized black from all over would have loved going there with pride...

[RexLawson4eva]

so deep and expressive......this guy makes me proud 2 b a nigerian

[monuorah]

@RexLawson4eva I agree my fellow Nigerian :)

[chrisamadiuka]

Oh! God, how much I love this music. Full of love, passion, memory. Music of Igboland - yester-years. God bless Nigeria, our Father-land, Afrrica. Chris, U.K.

[justimagin85]

Nna see music!

[LoveDialogue]

Menories, Memories, memories. Rex is the only musician who cries when he sings his own songs. We miss you Rex. We never know what we've got till its gone. Thanks Grove for sharing.

[studioxtra]

This is West Africa Music, the best music ever made.

[chrisamadiuka]

I remembered my early days in Port-Harcourt, schooling, dancing this very music along with other mates.Life was very peaceful by then. Thanks great nigerian musicians. We love you all.

[LoveDialogue]

Memories, Memories, Memories, Memories, Memories Memories. Radio Nigeria Port Harcourt then. You are greatly loved Rex, I miss you. Thank you Host.

[AmaOnyeOgabu]

Another of my uncle Eugene's favorite, chei groovemonzter, i appreciate you sirrrr

[osagiator]

simple and always the best this was my youth music never forget it.

[grandunclemedia]

whoa.... this is Music! proud to b a Nigerian.

[igbogili]

Rex is simply a music icon,a mega-genius of an era--- TARE

[ariwodo]

Keep up the work. This reminds me I's baby hearing these tracks. More kuddos!!

[UberGouber]

it's 4am in Paris, i'm listening to that guy since 1am. I've never heard him before but this is amazing. That's what i call music

[rkotheboy]

A giant!!!!

[efiong]

fantastic music

[jaideye]

Rex Lawson was the greatest highlife musician of all time! When I listen to tunes like Suzana Pango, I have goose bumbs from Igo Chicko's saxophone solo. By the way, most of the saxophone solos on early Fela songs were done by Igo Chico. Tony Odili set the standard on congas and its still being copied. No offnse Maceo, Igo had the groove and it was all on the 'one' before James thought of it, believe it or not! Lawson made u cry, laugh and dance all at the same time. We lost a great musician.

[EnuBed]

Groovemonzter,many thanks. Please,can you interpret his songs in Kalabari e.g."So Ala Temen" ? I have no difficulty with "Love Mu Adure" because it was sang in Ibo,a lagacy of Rex Lawson having an Ibo mother. Just in case you don`t understand Kalabari,will any one who does kindly interpret "So Ala Temen" etc for me and other interested viewers.

Please post also "Sussana Pango","Mbanga" and "Peri Special".

[groovemonzter]

I have to admit that I don't speak a word of Kalabari. Maybe someone out there can help us..

[groovemonzter]

EnuBed ~ I have "Peri Special Mbanga" posted. Search my videos for Rex Lawson and you'll find it. I'll look around and see if I have Sussana Pango maybe more. Let's see now...

[OsiTech]

One of my Dada favorite musicians and we're Yoruba. So music knows no bounds.

[OneWorldOneDestiny]

Awesome, Groovemonzter.

[borisade]

This music is just full of passion and love may your soul rest in peace

[Dotun007]

Groove monzter, u r da man.

I had this CD yrs ago, but got stolen when my car was broken into. Been searching for these songs ever since.

Does anyone know what he actually says in Yellow Sisi? Orlando Owoh had a version and it always seems to me that they both say something like "Yellow Sisi siddon na corner putting on her jaw (dont laugh) wetin cause the matter, what can u tell me

[bellemskey]

Hahaha Dotun i can see your passion for the song.... Yes Orlando had his own remix version.... and it's Yellow Sisi Siddon na corner Put in hand na Jaw... as in sitting and putting your hand under your jaw, almost like what the the pic shows here.... I love both versions.... beautiful song....

[summersunt]

The whole time I have been wondering what they were singing about in Yellow Sisi and that's what they were saying - it makes me want to laugh.

[pastorisaac611]

You are quite right Dotun007. It seems to me that Baba Kenneries recorded 'Yellow Sisi' long after the death of Rex Lawson in 1971. I could be wrong!! Orlando Owoh, Juba are both contemporary of Rex Lawson in juju and highlife music. I never knew they were both singing the same thing until I listened to Rex Lawson version. Good observation!! May their souls rest in peace.

[pastorisaac611]

Again Dotun007 have you noticed same tune and similarity in his 'Jolly Papa' track and that of Ebenezer Obey "Ori Bami Yemi' in the 60's? The song may have different meaning but the lyrics look the same.

[folashade01]

groovemonzter, you will be the first person i will say thank you to apart from God without seeing you. listing to you musice makes me happy and i forget all the bills i have to pay in my house. old music are good for mind relisation thanks again.

[isolapepe]

Yes sir!!!!!! He left so early. Thanks for sharing.

[batikartiso]

what a voice¡ wonderful¡ best of yesterday, today,tomorrow and for all time,singing with passion,sentiment woven great love. Though i don't understand the message, but the music is so fine that,it takes along all the force

[ibadanman]

Biafra war music.

[morrikel]

i never knew who this guy was,i wasnt even born when hes song was popularly played on the radio,but i observed my dad always played it,and i always danced becos i loved it,i loved it when i was so little and i still love it till date

[dudugidi]

Good grooves. It will be a tragedy if these gems disappear from the music playlists. This is music its essence. I have goose bumps listening to these. Priceless tunes, priceless!

[bellemskey]

Not in my lifetime dudugidi.... We have to do all that we can to keep their memories and tunesvevergreen and that involves promoting them to be played by radio stations and doing documentaries on them......

[Blackmike234]

This music always brings my childhood years back. I wonder if our children will ever appreciate this music...?

Nigeian Highlife - the best ever.

Thank you for posting...

[cutechickzoe]

don't worry, im 13 and this is one of the most listened songs on my ipod.

[OneWorldOneDestiny]

Thank you, Groovemonzter. I love this music.

[aderibigbe14]

thanks alot for all the old school i much gbadun it

[ulemo1]

thanks for this tune.

[bellemskey]

Haaaaaaaa...... you've finally buried me with these beautiful tune.... by the way, Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson is my best of all the highlife maestros..... Hmmmm Hmmmmm Mmamama!!!! Thanks a million