Since this column is so popular, I'm making it available for all to read and enjoy. An archive from the last 11 issues from Zethiopia. Best vieiwed in PDF, download here. Otherwise in jpegs here.
These are copywritten so if you are going to post them online; please mention that it was extracted from Zethiopia newspaper.
Published by March 19th, 2006 in Social.
A lot is known about our famous singers. Through written biographies or TV and Radio interviews we are aware how they got started and where and when they sang a particular song. What is less known though are the stories behind the songs. The lyricists (yeGitim Derassi), the music writers (yeZema Derassi), the arrangers (aqenbabari) and the Bands. Rarely do we see these unsung heroes credited for their contribution. And so, my entries will concentrate on these faceless giants.
In the 1960's, Addis was going through a transformation, a transformation that was influenced by Soul, Funk and Rock. The '50 saw the Imperial Bodyguard, Police and Army Orchestra's as great contributors with the likes of Tilahun Gesesse, Mahmoud Ahmed, Alemayehu Eshete, Bizunesh and Hirut Beqele. After the attempted Coup in 1960 though, the Big Bands gave way to the smaller bands (though by today's standards, these small bands would be considered huge.) Along with the various military institution bands, the smaller bands made a huge inpact in the development of what is termed as the 'Golden Era' of Ethiopian Music.
One of these bandleaders had the great distinction of encompassing the true gift of what most muscians dream off. A lyrcist, a music writer, an arranger, a singer and finally an a accomplished pianist, guitarist and drummer. Unless you're a true lover of Ethiopian music or was a teenager in the the late 1960s and early 1970s (G.C.), you probably have never heard the name Girma Beyene. When the word arranger comes to mind the name that probably pops in one's mind is Mulatu Astatqe. According to Francis Falceto, the famous French producer whose Buda Records is responsible for bringing the Ethiopiques Series, in the heyday of the LP (Vinyl or Shekla) Girma Beyene is credited as arranging close to 65 titles to Mulatu's 40.
Born in Addis Ababa, Girma Beyene completed his primary education at the Nativity Catholic Cathedral School. He started his career as a musician when he received rave reviews for his performance with Girma Bogale on acoustic guitar at the Haile Selassie I Theatre. He was in high school at the time and the critical acclaim he received led him to practice with the Haile Selassie I Theatre Orchestra during his school breaks. In 1961, Girma Beyene and Bahta Gebrehiwot (known for his song "Anchim Endelela") were picked to join the Ras Band at the Ras Hotel from a pool of about 70. According to Bahta, in an interview with Addis Live Radio, he and Girma Beyene were a lot younger than the rest of the band members. When the first Ras Hotel Band renamed themselves The Ghion Band and moved to the Ghion Hotel, the self taught Girma Beyene (he never had formal training in playing music instruments or arranging music) stayed and formed the second Ras Band. He maned the piano while Tesfamariam Kidane was on sax, Feleqe Kidane on trumpet, Hailu "Zehon" Kebede on bass guitar and Girma Zemariam on drums. Seyfu Yohannes and Menelik Wossenachew joined the Ras Band as vocalists.
In 1969, Girma Beyene recorded four tracks for Amha Records:
Set Alamenem (Lyrics by Girma Beyene, music by Girma Beyene and Arranged by Mulatu Astatqe) (it is said that Girma Beyene, an extremely shy person actually went through this heartache, thus a masterpiece was born)
Enken Yelelebesh (Lyrics by Getachew Degefu [a famous Piano player who contributed to the Ethiopian Airlines Instrumentals], Music by Girma Beyene, Arranged by Mulatu Astatqe)
Ene Negn Bay Manesh (Lyrics by Getachew Degefu, Music by Girma Beyene, Arranged by Mulatu Astatqe)
Yebeqagnal (Lyrics by Bahta Gebre Hiwot, Music by Bahta Gebre Hiwot, Arranged by Girma Beyene)
(These four tracks were remastered and release on Ethiopiques 8: Swingin Addis.)
Continue reading ‘Ever heard of GB?’
I know what you?re thinking. Why did I sign that 3 year contract for only an mp3/radio/camera/video/bluetooth cell phone? That's right, for some, that?s not enough. We will soon enter a phase of a far more sophisticated phone. For now, businesses are taking full advantage of it (of these ridiculous gadgets) and tomorrow it shall be a norm. Fellow cell trekkers, I bring you the blackberry. You probably come across it during small segments on CNN or on some Jay-Z videos. But since you need reliable information, I shall break it down for you. RIM (research in motion) is a Canadian company that?s an hour west of Toronto that brought the famous blackberry to the business venture. Imagine the power of PC in the palm of your hand and functions of wireless communications; you can re-adjust a business transaction while taking a number two. However, the world is about competition. This brings us to this American company called NTP Inc that made its own patent to reclaim the American industry. But hold on, RIM wanted its technology to be how you say "unplagiarized. Than Washington had to get involved, but in my views the only reason it was involved was because of the huge extent it has to the American economy. And also due to the fact that some congressmen goggling Jessica Alba was easier than fighting the deficit. (Sigh) So back to my miniature story, before it got messy, RIM paid out NTD $450 million, and did some binding settlements, which again gets complicated? If you want the extended version I suggest goggle search engine. So America, are we ready for such phones in our life. Will we need PC again? Can we still press hold on someone and make bank payments with our thumbs? Come to think of it, I?m glad I signed that contract; I am not ready for all these Cosmo experience in the palm of my hand.
Published by March 14th, 2006 in Social and Thoughts.you
my
eye
sight
created
to reflect.
just.
you
my
mirror
in whom
i learn
to right
my
error.
oh-so-just.
in
you
i
perceive
life
so expensive
only
i
may
buy.
pensive or not
its just
just.
yes
i
dwell
in
you
weak and strong
you
are
born to illuminate
my life
in
you.
the just.
“without you
there would be no way”
for
you are
my
only
way
thru whom
i journey to the cradle of wisdom
In the dark realm.
you
all of you.
