Listening to Geoffrey Oryema on Radio Paradise

Sublime song. I am so sad I missed this guy when he toured close by. I thought to myself I'll catch him on his next tour... An amazing artist taken too soon.

Posted 7 months ago by csumby [ Reply ]

dandueck07 wrote:

Love this artist and this song. It always transports me to a better place.

Same Here!! May Geoffrey Rest In Peace!!

Posted 8 months ago by joejennings [ Reply ]

Love this artist and this song. It always transports me to a better place.

Posted 9 months ago by dandueck07 [ Reply ]

Loving this right now. Thank you.

Posted 1 year ago by bluecshells [ Reply ]

Excellent album from 1990. The big hit was "Ye Ye Ye", an absolutely killer track which should certainly be in RP's rotation (if it isn't already).

Posted 1 year ago by siqbal [ Reply ]

The sadness of this song reaches my soul. His epic life story gives many more layers to his voice. Wonderful.
Makes me appreciate what I am, what I have and where I am in life.

Posted 1 year ago by hightail [ Reply ]

TLynneHenry wrote:

Wow. Not sure if you're a racist, a person with bad taste in music, or both.

Probably BOTH!

Posted 1 year ago by joejennings [ Reply ]

sfoster66 wrote:

A bit too much time touring Africa for this fella...off to find some Chill Lounge...you folks enjoy the safari for me...

Wow. Not sure if you're a racist, a person with bad taste in music, or both.

Posted 1 year ago by TLynneHenry [ Reply ]

Hearing this instantly transports me back to a powerful mushroom journey I had last year when I first heard this song – so beautiful, serene. Not knowing the meaning of the lyrics allows me to just focus on the amazing musical qualities of his voice. This song carries me me somewhere special.

Posted 2 years ago by Clark_Novato [ Reply ]

A bit too much time touring Africa for this fella...off to find some Chill Lounge...you folks enjoy the safari for me...

Posted 3 years ago by sfoster66 [ Reply ]

chpittard wrote:

Actually the lyrics are those one:

o na ma kanguwe
o na ma kanguwe
o na ma kanguwe
ni na ma kanguwe
U lu pa la ki lé ba tu li ba lu kuwa
lu kuwa
lu kuwa u lu we (we)
lu kuwa u lu we (we)
o na ma kanguwe
hié ééé
ni na ma kanguwe (ééé)
o na ma kanguwe
hié ééé
ni na ma kanguwe
U lu pa la ki lé ba tu li ba
(lu kuwa) x 21
o na ma kanguwe
ni na ma kanguwe
zandi zanbi ba lé koé
ni na ma kanguwe iééé
o na ma kanguwe
U lu pa la ki lé ba tu li ba lu kuwa
lu kuwaaa
lu kuwa u lu we (we)
lu kuwa u lu we (we)
o na ma kanguwe
ni na ma kanguwe (ééé)
U lu pa la ki lé u lu pa lu kuwa
U lu pa la ki lé ba tu li ba lu kuwa
lu kuwaaa
lu kuwa u lu we (we)
(lu kuwa) x 21
o na ma kanguweééé
ni na ma kanguweééé
o na ma kanguwe
ni na motena
U lu pa la ki lé u lu pa lu kuwa
lu kuwa
lu kuwaaa
lu kuwaaaaa uenluwe
o na ma kanguweééé
zandi zanbi ba lé koé
dé kambo la motene
ni na motema
U lu pa la ki lé u lu pa lu kuwa
ni na ma kanguwe

Anyway, thanks Bill for opening the door to that kind of song. Hearing all your stuff as I am translating, all the time.

TKS for the correct lyrics... Been driving me Barmy trying to figure it out..lol.

Posted 3 years ago by billjacky [ Reply ]

Actually the lyrics are those one:

o na ma kanguwe
o na ma kanguwe
o na ma kanguwe
ni na ma kanguwe
U lu pa la ki lé ba tu li ba lu kuwa
lu kuwa
lu kuwa u lu we (we)
lu kuwa u lu we (we)
o na ma kanguwe
hié ééé
ni na ma kanguwe (ééé)
o na ma kanguwe
hié ééé
ni na ma kanguwe
U lu pa la ki lé ba tu li ba
(lu kuwa) x 21
o na ma kanguwe
ni na ma kanguwe
zandi zanbi ba lé koé
ni na ma kanguwe iééé
o na ma kanguwe
U lu pa la ki lé ba tu li ba lu kuwa
lu kuwaaa
lu kuwa u lu we (we)
lu kuwa u lu we (we)
o na ma kanguwe
ni na ma kanguwe (ééé)
U lu pa la ki lé u lu pa lu kuwa
U lu pa la ki lé ba tu li ba lu kuwa
lu kuwaaa
lu kuwa u lu we (we)
(lu kuwa) x 21
o na ma kanguweééé
ni na ma kanguweééé
o na ma kanguwe
ni na motena
U lu pa la ki lé u lu pa lu kuwa
lu kuwa
lu kuwaaa
lu kuwaaaaa uenluwe
o na ma kanguweééé
zandi zanbi ba lé koé
dé kambo la motene
ni na motema
U lu pa la ki lé u lu pa lu kuwa
ni na ma kanguwe

Anyway, thanks Bill for opening the door to that kind of song. Hearing all your stuff as I am translating, all the time.

Posted 3 years ago by chpittard [ Reply ]

very tranquil... put a smile on my face. As a man on a limited budget my travels these days come through music. RP... you have taken me not only around this bright blue ball spinning free... but also into the cosmos...

Posted 4 years ago by deadheadmark [ Reply ]

Thank you, B & R, Radio Paradise; your world music mixes lift us higher today! The gentle, powerful, evocative joy and presence of music for today and always!

Posted 4 years ago by rezadent [ Reply ]

Posted 4 years ago by uksminas [ Reply ]

unclehud wrote:

Akazungu wrote:

There are several languages spoken in Uganda, though Swahili is the common language among the peoples. Mr. Oryema's local/tribal language was Acholi.

Tried it again today, Google translate, still from Zulu) has this:
I have them
I found no hatred
I love them in love, ah oh
So many of the earth
What is Fun Quest? ah oh
I have them
I found hatred, ah oh

He said the bones in the park said
Africa, The earth is rotten
People are like this
The earth is rotten
The earth is in danger
Sudan, Rwanda, Angola, Liberia, Zaire
Stop the killing
Under the violence
South Africa: war is never good
Under the violence

I just got this for the first verse (detected Zulu):

I Need Your Peace, I find no hate
Wear Your Love ma, ah oh
It's a joke about the world Why Do We Need Emotion? ah oh
I Need Your Peace I get no hate, ah oh

Posted 4 years ago by RabbitEars [ Reply ]

pwilster wrote:

Godlike!

Geoffrey was one of the blessed amongst up, brave (Bombs are Falling) whilst sensitive and sensual.

Posted 5 years ago by Jamus [ Reply ]

JuliaH wrote:

This is so lovely. I tried to buy it at iTunes and the store didn't have this artist. Anyone know anything?

Maybe try Amazon? think that's where I got it. I know this was asked 6 years ago but just in case...

Posted 5 years ago by phlattop [ Reply ]

unclehud wrote:

(Four years ago, the Google Translate version of lyrics, auto translated from Zulu)

rita_johnson wrote:

He's from Uganda. Don't know if they speak Zulu there.

Akazungu wrote:

There are several languages spoken in Uganda, though Swahili is the common language among the peoples. Mr. Oryema's local/tribal language was Acholi.

Tried it again today, Google translate, still from Zulu) has this:
I have them
I found no hatred
I love them in love, ah oh
So many of the earth
What is Fun Quest? ah oh
I have them
I found hatred, ah oh

He said the bones in the park said
Africa, The earth is rotten
People are like this
The earth is rotten
The earth is in danger
Sudan, Rwanda, Angola, Liberia, Zaire
Stop the killing
Under the violence
South Africa: war is never good
Under the violence

Posted 5 years ago by unclehud [ Reply ]

rita_johnson wrote:

He's from Uganda. Don't know if they speak Zulu there.

There are several languages spoken in Uganda, though Swahili is the common language among the peoples. Mr. Oryema's local/tribal language was Acholi.

Posted 5 years ago by Akazungu [ Reply ]

unclehud wrote:

From Google Translate (because I always read the lyrics). Google said "Zulu detected" but gave a rather fractured translation.

The Ngicelu Xolo
I hate
The Ngecelu love, ah oh
Yiningathi earth
What We Funu fellowship? ah oh
The Ngicelu Xolo
I hate, ah oh

Shu bones Bespoke
Africa, World decomposition
People are Nkohla weight and
World decomposition
risk
Sudan, Rwanda, Angola, Malawi, Liberia, Zaire
Stop the killing
Phansingo violence
South Africa: war is never good
Phansingo violence

He's from Uganda. Don't know if they speak Zulu there.

Posted 5 years ago by rita_johnson [ Reply ]

Oh my gosh -- about an hour ago I was wondering how to persuade Radio Paradise to play Geoffrey Oryema. And then I hear this. Thank you thank you.
His album "Beat the Border" is just divine too.

Posted 5 years ago by rita_johnson [ Reply ]

Godlike!

Posted 5 years ago by pwilster [ Reply ]

thank you; haven't heard this in too long.

Posted 6 years ago by jmkate [ Reply ]

unclehud wrote:

bump
From Google Translate (because I always read the lyrics). Google said "Zulu detected" but gave a rather fractured translation.

The Ngicelu Xolo
I hate
The Ngecelu love, ah oh
Yiningathi earth
What We Funu fellowship? ah oh
The Ngicelu Xolo
I hate, ah oh

Shu bones Bespoke
Africa, World decomposition
People are Nkohla weight and
World decomposition
risk
Sudan, Rwanda, Angola, Malawi, Liberia, Zaire
Stop the killing
Phansingo violence
South Africa: war is never good
Phansingo violence

Posted 7 years ago by haretic [ Reply ]

So glad to hear him here. Beautiful music from someone who lived a difficult life. Saw him at the start of a Womad festival one day many years ago. He was the best artist the entire day.

Posted 7 years ago by cely [ Reply ]

From 8 to 9. So gentle, so sweet, so beautiful.

Posted 7 years ago by thediceareloaded [ Reply ]

ch83575 wrote:

There is something very Simon and Garfunkel about the guitar track... in the best possible way.

Amazing song.

i hear it too, sounds good but i can't come up with the song

Posted 8 years ago by Skydog [ Reply ]

There is something very Simon and Garfunkel about the guitar track... in the best possible way.

Amazing song.

Posted 8 years ago by ch83575 [ Reply ]

Kaisersosay wrote:

Its an international tour

It's an international tour de force.

Posted 8 years ago by TerryS [ Reply ]

This song reaches out and touches my soul.

Posted 8 years ago by JPOSBORN [ Reply ]

Last few songs just one of the reasons I listen to RP, diversity, eclectic music, and my soul says TY

Posted 8 years ago by willmcnaught [ Reply ]

That was amazing. What a powerful piece!

If anybody is interested in that kind of awesomeness google: eric bona and bobby McFerrin. it's a live concert with the two of them performing a song...amazing!

Posted 9 years ago by profoundpronoun [ Reply ]

jmkate wrote:

This is the degree of beautiful where you lean in to hear every sound..

yeah. the album is beautiful... for those asking, it can usually be found used on amazon and elsewhere.

Posted 9 years ago by RabbitEars [ Reply ]

NoEnzLefttoSplit wrote:

crikey, that was a nice set.

Its an international tour

Posted 9 years ago by Kaisersosay [ Reply ]

crikey, that was a nice set.

Posted 9 years ago by NoEnzLefttoSplit [ Reply ]

JuliaH wrote:

This is so lovely. I tried to buy it at iTunes and the store didn't have this artist. Anyone know anything?

If you're still looking to buy, Bill's iTunes links will help you lighten your wallet...

Posted 9 years ago by kcar [ Reply ]

great song, great album. sweet to hear this here.

Posted 9 years ago by RabbitEars [ Reply ]

Deep and fundamental stuff. Beautiful.

Posted 9 years ago by DaidyBoy [ Reply ]

Masterpiece. One of the favorite tracks of all time. 10.

Posted 9 years ago by whomhow [ Reply ]

Just beautiful.

Posted 10 years ago by 2020sk [ Reply ]

From Google Translate (because I always read the lyrics). Google said "Zulu detected" but gave a rather fractured translation.

The Ngicelu Xolo
I hate
The Ngecelu love, ah oh
Yiningathi earth
What We Funu fellowship? ah oh
The Ngicelu Xolo
I hate, ah oh

Shu bones Bespoke
Africa, World decomposition
People are Nkohla weight and
World decomposition
risk
Sudan, Rwanda, Angola, Malawi, Liberia, Zaire
Stop the killing
Phansingo violence
South Africa: war is never good
Phansingo violence

Posted 10 years ago by unclehud [ Reply ]

This is the degree of beautiful where you lean in to hear every sound..

Posted 10 years ago by jmkate [ Reply ]

zitherica wrote:

this is... wow.

I agree.

Posted 11 years ago by unclehud [ Reply ]

So great to have something this beautiful coming from Uganda when there's so much bad stuff going on there. Gives one hope.

Posted 11 years ago by Carl [ Reply ]

JuliaH wrote:

This is so lovely. I tried to buy it at iTunes and the store didn't have this artist. Anyone know anything?

think I bought it off Amazon.

Perfect night music. His voice is sooo good.

Posted 11 years ago by phlattop [ Reply ]

Wow - this last pair of songs is just lovely. Maybe I will drive into work in a couple more minutes.

Posted 11 years ago by C57BL6 [ Reply ]

Eno's production shines on this track. Truly a great album!

Posted 11 years ago by df1489 [ Reply ]

This is so lovely. I tried to buy it at iTunes and the store didn't have this artist. Anyone know anything?

Posted 11 years ago by JuliaH [ Reply ]

Nice! Reminds me of this crazy reggae artist...cant remember the name!

Posted 11 years ago by helgigermany [ Reply ]

I rated 9 because it creates an emotional response that many great songs do not after one listen.

Thanks RP for introducing me to Geoffrey.

Posted 11 years ago by einsteinstoe [ Reply ]

Sublime!

Posted 11 years ago by Limpopoking [ Reply ]

That's very nice.

Posted 11 years ago by CopyrightX [ Reply ]

Hauntingly beautiful.

RP introduced me to this song and artist - thank you!

Posted 11 years ago by grant [ Reply ]

Pure masterpiece.

Posted 12 years ago by whomhow [ Reply ]

LOVELY!

Posted 12 years ago by Stingray [ Reply ]

Found this on the Long Way Down CD.

Posted 12 years ago by jagdriver [ Reply ]

Great great.

Posted 12 years ago by guasco [ Reply ]

this is... wow.

Posted 12 years ago by zitherica [ Reply ]

This song is very peaceful and grounding.

Posted 13 years ago by bluecshells [ Reply ]

This whole album is simply awesome. Get it if you like this track!

Posted 13 years ago by Limpopoking [ Reply ]

Me too.

Posted 13 years ago by shampa1n [ Reply ]

buenas noches - good good heal from the day....buena sanar a partir del día

Posted 13 years ago by Det [ Reply ]

Piazzola, then Oryema. Bill, that was wonderful, surprising and... eclectic. That's why I keep listening to RP. Thanks.

Posted 13 years ago by nampelkafe [ Reply ]

fredriley wrote:

This man has the smoooooooooooothest voice I've heard for some time. He could be singing the Ugandan telephone directory for all I know or care, but the depth and smoothness of his voice is like balm for the brain :). 7 from the chilled-out Nottingham jury.

I see a lot of comments from that Nottingham jury. How many members do you have, what is your political affiliation and who is your financal backer ?

Posted 14 years ago by parrothead [ Reply ]

A friend "gave" me this song on a mixed tape, just to give an idea how long ago that was. Haunting. It immediately brought me back to that time.

Posted 14 years ago by Mexilicious [ Reply ]

burdell wrote:

Wonderful! Where does Bill find this stuff?

It was included on the very first Pure Moods compilation released in 1997. That's where I've heard it. (Also featured in the movie "Bedazzled" during the scene where Brendan Fraser is in jail). — Nice to hear it here too!

Posted 14 years ago by socalhol [ Reply ]

Pretty song, but listening to all that reverberating whistling with headphones really gives me a headache.

Posted 14 years ago by audiolizard [ Reply ]

Beautiful song. Nice.

Posted 14 years ago by Bosami [ Reply ]

I like his hair, too. :)

Posted 14 years ago by twitterpated [ Reply ]

rmmartins wrote:

Thanks RP/Bill for introducing so many great African artists to me...!

ditto! I'm loving it

Posted 14 years ago by stevematic [ Reply ]

Just lovely.

Posted 14 years ago by WayUpNorth [ Reply ]

Thanks RP/Bill for introducing so many great African artists to me...!

Posted 14 years ago by rmmartins [ Reply ]

burdell wrote:

Wonderful! Where does Bill find this stuff?

Seriously.....thats why I am an RP addict

Posted 14 years ago by photolew [ Reply ]

Wonderful! Where does Bill find this stuff?

Posted 15 years ago by burdell [ Reply ]

fredriley wrote:

This man has the smoooooooooooothest voice I've heard for some time. He could be singing the Ugandan telephone directory for all I know or care, but the depth and smoothness of his voice is like balm for the brain :). 7 from the chilled-out Nottingham jury.

I so agree. I have three of his albums and they are all so beautiful and haunting.

Posted 15 years ago by joanie [ Reply ]

Refreshing. Thanks Bill

Posted 15 years ago by Joy4life [ Reply ]

This man has the smoooooooooooothest voice I've heard for some time. He could be singing the Ugandan telephone directory for all I know or care, but the depth and smoothness of his voice is like balm for the brain :). 7 from the chilled-out Nottingham jury.

Posted 15 years ago by fredriley [ Reply ]

No thanks

Posted 15 years ago by AdyMiles [ Reply ]

Niiicceee....

Posted 15 years ago by derekd [ Reply ]

cool dreds....

Posted 15 years ago by abulaabula [ Reply ]

Wow, I really liked this one.

This is just another example of why the music itself is more important than lyrics to me (particularly non-English spoken tunes)!

Posted 15 years ago by FluorideFreeMN [ Reply ]

Nice .... ...

Posted 15 years ago by brians201 [ Reply ]

Beauty.

Posted 15 years ago by zipper [ Reply ]

Excellent stuff.

Thanks again, Bill.

Posted 15 years ago by Karmala [ Reply ]

Goosebumps........ALL OVER!!!

God I love RP

Posted 16 years ago by Limpopoking [ Reply ]

beakaye wrote:

I like this.....nice gentle sound, almost haunting in a way. Fit's in well with this rainy dark day in the PNW.

and it fit's in well with this rainy evening in germany... greetings to spokane

Posted 16 years ago by quoett [ Reply ]

Love this one. Such a haunting song. Ironically I first heard it in the soundtrack for the best-forgotten (but somehow dear to me) Brendan Fraser movie Bedazzled. It is not on the actual soundtrack you can purchase, but judging by the Amazon reviews it's what a lot of people were looking for when they sought out the soundtrack.

Anyway, a great tune.

Posted 16 years ago by JavaJones [ Reply ]

I like this.....nice gentle sound, almost haunting in a way. Fit's in well with this rainy dark day in the PNW.

Posted 16 years ago by beakaye [ Reply ]