If you thought that Melkamu Tebeje's Awassa Langano was the hottest tune that ever graced the air-waves back in the early pre-revolution seventies, there was and still is very little or no hope for you.You didn't know it then, but your taste of zefen represented the first tell-tale sign that you were and will remain a Fara until the day you draw your last breath. You can try to fake it all you like, but deep in the nebulous recesses of your mind, there will always be the nagging truth that you area Fara; . . . perhaps a superficially polished one now, but a Fara nonetheless, thanks to the Melkamu-Syndrome.”
That was extracted from an article I read about four years ago on Seleda. That was the first time I ever heard of Melkamu Tebeje.(I stared a wikepidia article, please help by expanding on it) The author wrote a wonderful and interesting article. I got curious thus I had a family member send me a copy of the song. I must be Fara because I thought it was a great catchy song.
Years later I happened to go to a fortieth anniversary celebration of Melkamu’s musical contribution. I saw him perform live as well as the current musician speaking about how he had influenced them. That’s when I started to listen to his music. Yesterday, I received a brand spanking new greatest hits CD. As it says on the inside cover “Special thanks to Abegasu Kibrework Shiota bringing yesterdays music to today’s audience,” I assume its been remastered. For those who don't know who Melkamu Tebeje is, he is a great muscian that has written and produced over 200 songs. So far I’ve only heard less that 25 different songs. The podcasted song is called “TechaWache Nech Cheb Cheb.”
Once I get a copy of Awassa Langano I will podcast that song as well… its is one of my fav songs of all time…
I love it!!! Thanks. Me not Fara.
Me, FARA and proud of being one. Was once what u call ARADA (Read: street smart) growing up in CHERKOS. Did n’t take me anywhere. When i became ‘Fara’ (laid back not the smart aleck type) things turn around and am doing fine since then. Those who made it to the top were largely once considered FARA. In comaparison how many of those whom we have considered YE ARADA LIJOCH have become losers. This ARADA, FARA thing is childish. May be it meant something in Junior High.
wey gud..i guess arada or non fara means dancing to the tune of staying alive being seductively sung by a voluptuous young lady throwing you those come hither looks.bring the the good old days please. i am getting tired of these copycats who are abandoning our tradition for a quick buck.
I blame all those shai bets in Addis for gathering the ‘arada’s’ in the neighborhood and trying to divide us. We are all one, ye Addis lejoch arada or fara! We will not stand for dividsion or their divide and conquer tactics!! Yesterday’s Fara is tomorrow’s arada, so my fellow Addis Ababans, let’s all join hands and sing the old Melkamu Tebeje spiritual, free at last, free at last…oops, I got carried away a little, I’m sorry.
OK, here’s one for all of you old schools who do know Melkamu Tebeje. You rememebr his song ‘Deha Bemehone’? or something like that? It was about losing his girl to this rich dude and I still remember some of the lyrics. Something about his tie (kerebat) was washed by his tears as he saw his love at the wedding. It went something like:
Ayeeiiiee tilagn hedech,
Deha bemehone, or something like that. LOL
I am sure Ethio Jazz remembers the song, and maybe he can dig it out of his library and post it for us.
But the story was that he couldn’t marry this chick because he didn’t have the money and she basically went with the rich guy. LOL I used to feel bad for the dude, listening to that song and my brother actually used to shade tears listening to it. I swear, it was my brother, not me. LOL
Chereka… could any of this song be one you are talking about
http://www.ethiopianow.com/music/melkamu/
mesfin, I can’t play any of the songs for some reaso, but I think it’s the one entitled, “wa sew mehone”. I think I got the lyric now.
Ayee ayee waaa sew mehine
Be enba teleyayen deha bemehone
Thanks for the link. I will try again.
Chereka, can you try browsing the page with Internet Explorer? I had the same problem till i tried with IE. Also do you have Real Player?
Yes Nolawi, I am using IE and do have real player. I am thinking it migh have something to do with the firewall here at work. I will try it from home.
Thanks for the suggestions.
Chereka why do you want to hear that song so bad. Endegena lamalkes new?:) here is some more of it…
Benba telyechin btwodm batwodem
lesergwa terachin hedkun alkerehm
Aynoche selayu aynochwa syalksu
shmize kerebate benba telewesu……ayeyey deha bemehone..nanana… what was he doing at her wedding anyway? Oh I forgot he was fara..
To my mind he is one of the Ethiopian famous artist and continue introducing Ethiopian cultural and modern music to the world nations. I always am listing his music.
MEANWHILE….
did any ‘bernosians’ know that there IS a kifle ketema called farTa in Amhara Region of Ethiopia? You see ye Qebele signs and others that say…“yeFarTa kifle ketema weTatoch mahiber” minamin:: It is located near Debre Tabor… and, basicaly, it is rural! I guess arada being the Addis and Piassa area… that is where the arada vs fara/farTa came about… that knowledge is recent addition to my book courtesy of summer 2006.
PS: Melkamu Tebeje’s songs as a whole are crappy …