The Good Women Choir was founded in Ibadan, southwestern Nigeria in 1975 as the musical expression of the Christ Apostolic Church, an offshoot of the Aladura Christian religious movement that arose among the Yoruba people in the early 20th Century. The Choir numbered 200 at its founding and presently has twelve members.
Mrs. Deborah Fasoyin, who has led the group since 1976, attributes its endurance to its strong spiritual base and a refusal to follow musical fads. The group performs only in churches and claim they decline to accept payment, subsisting only on their own contributions.
Today's offering, Ọdun Nlọ Sopin (Ibukun Orisun Iye MOLPS 66, 1979), was the group's biggest hit, and is ubiquitous in southwestern Nigeria this time of year, heralding as it does best wishes and good tidings for the New Year:
Ọdun nlọ sopinThis music makes me happy! I hope you feel the same.
Baba rere
Baba Ma ṣọmi o
Tọmọtọmọ
Ohun ti o pa mi
Lẹkun olọdun titun
Majẹ ko ṣẹlẹ simi
Baba rere
This year is coming to an end
Good God
Oh Lord guide us
And our children
Sorrow and sadness
In the new year
Will not be our portion
Good God
Good Women Choir - Odun Nlo Sopin / Alleluya Lomo Mi Goke / Ara Mi Yo Ya Gaga / Tire Lagbara
Good Women Choir - Jesu Gbo Temi / Ma Je Koro Mi Su O / Jesu Lona Otito
Download Ọdun Nlọ Sopin as a zipped file here.
Hi! I recently started a music blog focused on Sudanese music! Check it out! https://sudanesemusicblog.wordpress.com
ReplyDeleteHe *might* at least have shown enough courtesy to praise your efforts at Likembe.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the Good Women Choir album. Never heard them before, and though I'm not usually interested in religious music, they've got a great sound.
Brendan's Sudanese music blog is excellent.
ReplyDeleteIt is, I agree. He's knowledgeable, and offers up a lot of good material. But courtesy would seem (to me, at least) to require showing at least a nodding familiarity with another's blog, when you advertise your own on it. That's all I'm suggesting.
ReplyDelete