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

songs: So Ala Temen - Yellow Sisi - Love Mu Adure
artist: Cardinal Rex Lawson & His Mayor's Band of Nigeria

From the Wikipedia:

Rex Jim Lawson (c.1930 - 1969), known as Cardinal Rex, was a singer, trumpeter and bandleader from Kalabari (Ijaw), Nigeria. One of the best-known highlife musicians of the 1960s, Lawson played with Sammy Obot, Bobby Benson, Victor Olaiya, Chris Ajiko, and other Ghanaian and Nigerian musicians and bands. His greatest success came as the leader of the Mayors Dance Band; their recorded hits include So ala teme, Yellow Sisi, Gowon Special, and Jolly Papa. His most popular hit is probably Love Adure, which is still a sure floor-filler in Nigeria to this day.

A highly emotional and deep musician, Lawson was known to weep and shed tears while singing his own songs, notably the haunting So ala teme. Sir Maliki Showman, the famous Nigerian tenor saxophonist who played with Bobby Benson, Victor Uwaifo and Rex Lawson, remembers Lawson as always placing music over money. Lawson is famed for his infectious gregariousness, his musical vision, talent, perseverance and individuality.

Lawson died tragically in 1971 in a car accident on his way to play a show in Warri, Nigeria.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• cardinal
• rex
• lawson
• mayor's
• band
• highlife
• nigerian
• music

[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!

[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...

[cutechickzoe]

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

[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

[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?

[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.

[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