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Ismael Lo — Tajabone
Album: Jammu Africa
Avg rating:
6.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2516









Released: 1996
Length: 3:58
Plays (last 30 days): 1
(no lyrics available)
Comments (191)add comment
That opening harmonica melody sounds like Amy Grant’s “El Shaddai”. Thought maybe this was going to be a cover. 
 jp33442 wrote:
I recommend WFMU, they are still fighting the good fight and totally independent and play great music 


I agree.  
This brings back such good memories. Back in the mid 1990's we wondered down to the harbour area in Durban and "Lo" and behold their band was playing. I'd never heard of them and it was already 30 mins into the gig. We got in and the concert lasted for another 2.5 to 3 hours! They were absolutely amazing live. Bought all their albums ever since. So much great music comes out of West Africa.
 timmus wrote:

This absolutely nails Bill... a lot of the old radio talent is mostly retired and far away from their craft now, but Bill is still playing the hits (or at least the good ones as far as I'm concerned).  Whenever RP is gone this is going to leave a big hole with very little to replace it.  That said I would not be surprised if there are some old hats doing just what RP is doing but just without the publicity and following... I sometimes wonder if those stations exist somewhere.
I recommend WFMU, they are still fighting the good fight and totally independent and play great music 

 (former member) wrote:
He is what is left of the great FM tradition
 
This absolutely nails Bill... a lot of the old radio talent is mostly retired and far away from their craft now, but Bill is still playing the hits (or at least the good ones as far as I'm concerned).  Whenever RP is gone this is going to leave a big hole with very little to replace it.  That said I would not be surprised if there are some old hats doing just what RP is doing but just without the publicity and following... I sometimes wonder if those stations exist somewhere.
SUPERB!  Thanx RP!   
 bialia wrote:

This song is great and a lot of the comments are really highlighting the fact that english speakers seem to be uniquely entitled when it comes to hearing music in the (typically only) language they speak.




I don't care. The lyrics sound like a  musical instrument to me. A beautiful one!   
 Sawyer wrote:
{#Clap}


I have no idea what he's singing about, but turned up the vol. after just a couple bars.


Great stuff.      


They are here;: https://genius.com/Ismael-lo-s...
This song is great and a lot of the comments are really highlighting the fact that english speakers seem to be uniquely entitled when it comes to hearing music in the (typically only) language they speak.
I, also, have no idea what he's saying.  Sorry to say it bugs me, and after I hear it it becomes an annoying earworm for a time.  PSD always.

PS Good tunes tonight.  Nice work.
This really needs to be followed up with Wooly Bully.
I find this music beautiful & captivating, but a portion of my brain hears this and thinks, "Nobody gets woolly, women get weary."

Nice. This immediately after a Leo Kottke selection. Great segue. Thanks RP!
 kazoo wrote:


Woolly, woolly tiger bum.

I am laughing out loud...miss you Dude

Done-to-death dirge in a different lingo. You'd have to hope the lyrics are better.
 Sawyer wrote:
{#Clap}


I have no idea what he's singing about, but turned up the vol. after just a couple bars.


Great stuff.      


Harmonica is all the language one needs... 
 cpwells wrote:

It is true, Bill is a genius. He is what is left of the great FM tradition and nobody does flow and transition better. Like a monk in a high tower relating what the world was like before the barbarians



So true... yet making me laugh wholeheartedly at the same time!
 Sawyer wrote:
{#Clap}


I have no idea what he's singing about, but turned up the vol. after just a couple bars.


Great stuff.      


Me too. Always. Every time this glorious peace starts. Thanks eternally for the good you do, dear RandB (Rebecca and Bill) (but could also still be Rythmn and Blues)
All is good in the world when this song plays <3
todo sobre mi madre, the genius of Almodovar
 rhlrstn wrote:

This is pretty funny.. makes me wonder what the actual lyrics/translation are :)
 

Woolly, woolly tiger bum.
From height to nine... In fact, Ireally understand the message of this music to my heart... But Outstanding !
Sounds like a Charlie Maguire song I recall hearing quite a long while back.
Lyrics:


Ta, Tayebón deñeo e tayebón
Ta, Tayebón deñeo e tayebón
Abdu u yambal ñare malaicalá

Jawe e ticon daru seseron
Momun munidá degan yulingán
Momun munidá dengan wongán

Jawe e ticon daru siseron
Momun munidá degan yuligán
Momun munidá degan wongán

Tayebon deñeo e tayebon
Tayebon deñeo e tayebon

Wulei, wulei, wulei, wulei...abdu yambbarr
(wulei) ñari malaicala
(wulei)chicoley yogué
(wulei)danu siserron (wule)munilá
(wule)degan yuligán (wule)munilá
(wule)degan wongán (wule) ahhh...

V2:

Ta.....tajabone de nuy tajabone
Ta.....tajabone de nuy tajabone
Abdu u iambaar gniari malaykala
Ch'awé étchiko daan si séroo
Muomu muhnilda degëm du lingaan
Muomu muhnila degëm woor nga-am
Ch'awé etchiko daanu si seroo
Muomu muhnida degem du lingaam
Muomu muhnida degem woor nga-am
Tajabone de nuy tajabone
Tajabone de nuy tajabone
Wou leij Wou leij
Wou leij Wou leij
Abdu jambaar gniari malaykala
Chico woley juge daanu si sero
Muhnila degem du linga'n
Muhnila degem woor nga-am
HaHa... I'm reading the comments about all the various play-on-words directions folk have gone. Reminded me of an African Drumming camp we went to where the orgniser (from Sierra Leone) was messing with the words of a song (from Senegal) in English

Just goes to show it ain't such a big bad world after all... He also did a mean rendition of "I've got a brand new combine harvester" by Adge Cutler & the Wurzels (Google it...).

Awesome musician. Instant 9 from me - been on my music mix for a few years!!
Thank you to RP for being my 'daily companion'.  My world would be silent without you.
El Shaddai
 a_genuine_find wrote:
I tie your bun
Then you tie your bun
Wooly Wooly Wooly
 
Paging Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs...;-)

Tony in NJ
W.A.S.T.E.
I have no idea what he is singing about, but this is just magical. When I close my eyes, my mind jut wanders off to more calm and peaceful places...
 Saliby_Br wrote:
great movie, great song.
 
gracias for new movie recommend, always on the lookout.
 Sawyer wrote:
{#Clap}


I have no idea what he's singing about, but turned up the vol. after just a couple bars.


Great stuff.      
 
I don't know what he's singing about either, but I can tell he's passionate about it.
 lizardking wrote:

"Tajabone" is a word that means ''collecting donations for children," in a Moslem festival in which children go from house to house and exchange fruits, grain, and clothing

We’re going to Tajabone 

The angel Abdou Jabar is coming from the skies to your soul

He will ask you “Did you pray?”

He will ask you “Did you fast?”

He is coming to your soul

Thank you, lizardking!
I went looking for these lyrics. Finally found a translation from the original into Spanish. Then I used Google translate to get it into English. The results were not an improvement on your succinct interpretation (above). 

Thanks Bill Thanks Lizardking for helping me understand the meaning of the song
It is true, Bill is a genius. He is what is left of the great FM tradition and nobody does flow and transition better. Like a monk in a high tower relating what the world was like before the barbarians
 brw001 wrote:

I think the song is about meeting your maker and whether or not you are on good terms with the creator.  
 
"Tajabone" is a word that means ''collecting donations for children," in a Moslem festival in which children go from house to house and exchange fruits, grain, and clothing

We’re going to Tajabone 

The angel Abdou Jabar is coming from the skies to your soul

He will ask you “Did you pray?”

He will ask you “Did you fast?”

He is coming to your soul
 rhlrstn wrote:

This is pretty funny.. makes me wonder what the actual lyrics/translation are :)
 
I think the song is about meeting your maker and whether or not you are on good terms with the creator.  
 a_genuine_find wrote:
I tie your bun
Then you tie your bun
Wooly Wooly Wooly
 
This is pretty funny.. makes me wonder what the actual lyrics/translation are :)
I tie your bun
Then you tie your bun
Wooly Wooly Wooly
I have loved this one forever and just bumped it up 9 because it just touches my heart right now. Thank you!
Thank you for playing something with harmonica in it! (my favourite instrument).
What people don't realize, is that often, the backing vocals can bring out the best in a song.
Sublime! Top marks!
i'm thinking try listening to RP as a WHOLE for a bit. bill's genius is in the flow. sometimes a song really stands out, but to me, it's the momentum, the segues and the next wave. om 
Tajabone was my introduction to Ismael Lo... couldn't have asked for a better one {#Notworthy}
not a fan of slow world music
Nice!
woolly bully 
Tie your bun!   Sounds like fun.
great movie, great song.
These beautiful guitars!
Very nice!  
Reminds me of El Shaddai from Michael Card.


Who's calling me woolly?
Goes down perfectly with deer chops. 
 Sawyer wrote:
{#Clap}
I have no idea what he's singing about, but turned up the vol. after just a couple bars.
Great stuff.      

 
me, too, heard it come floating in on a rainy Sunday, beautiful, calm and a bit sad, the melody, harmonies and the voices
Sadly, what stands out for me is harmonica (not a fan) and the pseudo-chorus of "woolly.  woolly.  woolly."  
{#Clap}


I have no idea what he's singing about, but turned up the vol. after just a couple bars.


Great stuff.      
 N Hu rockpommel16 wrote:{#Dancingbanana}
 Nice Vocals
...may i live at your home while you travel?....dutch...thanks.....

 

Aww thats bonnie{#Good-vibes}
 Paul_Skybreakers wrote:
very nice. Makes me want to travel....
 
...may i live at your home while you travel?....dutch...thanks.....
Upon hearing the first licks, I was transported to a radio booth a long time ago when I was DJ Zhaebro at WRUV in Burlington, Vermont. I used to play Ismael Lo on my show "Greater Earth Vibrations" - those were some good old days. Thanks for playing this stuff, Bill!
very nice. Makes me want to travel....
Have not heard Bill play this for a while......use to be on heavy rotation.
i might like this without the vocals.
but, it's kind of sad.
 
Sublime.... Solid 10
Regardless of language, it is boring.
This will always make me think about the scene in Almodovar's 'Todo sobre mi madre' (All About My Mother) and get goosebumps. Just a beautiful song.
Woolly? Is he singing about sheep?
This song made me do an auditory double take — in a good way. I'm hearing some nice world music, and then there's this harmonica, which I did not see coming, but fits perfectly into the song.

 
"Ismael Lo, born in 1960, is the son of a Senegalese civil servant who loved American soul music. Lo grew up listening to stars like James Brown, Wicked Wilson Pickett, and Otis Redding. Lo built his first guitar from a cooking oil can, and learned to play harmonica and guitar together by nailing his harmonica to the wall. Lo was a guitarist for Super Diamano, a mbalax blues band, for five years before leaving to start his own solo career. Lo is often called the "Bob Dylan of Senegal" because of his guitar and harmonica combination coupled with his deeply satisfying lyrics. As Lo himself says: "I speak of racism, poverty, famine, and the relationships among people"  "      The African Music Encyclopedia
LOVELY!!!
I love that wooley or booley or whatever they say chorus at the end!{#Lol}
7 -> 8
Character_babybear

Cool, another song from my library that showed up on RP, again, color me impressed!{#Clap}
I thought this was the Barenaked Ladies singing in some African dialect.
 fredriley wrote:
"Tie a bun, then you tie a bun" :o)
 
"A woman may get woolly..." :)

"Tie a bun, then you tie a bun" :o)
 gutboy wrote:
 lwilkinson wrote: Either I've got a one track mind this morning or I'm going deaf (or I need to spend some real money on better speakers for the office) ....

but I swear it sounds like he's singing, "ahhhhh, hide the bone, hide the bone, watch me hide the bone".

{#Cheesygrin}

English translation: donations for children

very likeable song, very much like american depression era folk music.
of course, american music is very much influenced by african music, but i think the roots of this song's style are more american than african.
i give it an 8 and thankyou RP for playing it.
ps  "hide the bone" works for me, too, but thats an adult game
 
ROFL - seee what you mean about the bone:-)

Nice, very nice. It´s gonna be a SOLID EIGHT, no doubt about it.

 rawbasher wrote:
hmmmmm... No one found my "Pulp Fiction" reference the least bit amusing. Guess I should have put a ":)" after it.

For the record, I'm all for people singing in whatever language they want to!

 
Sorry{#Foot-in-mouth}. Hadn't realized the original comment had been intended as a joke...yup you shoulda used a : ) or the /sarc tag!

 lwilkinson wrote: Either I've got a one track mind this morning or I'm going deaf (or I need to spend some real money on better speakers for the office) ....

but I swear it sounds like he's singing, "ahhhhh, hide the bone, hide the bone, watch me hide the bone".

{#Cheesygrin}

English translation: donations for children

very likeable song, very much like american depression era folk music.
of course, american music is very much influenced by african music, but i think the roots of this song's style are more american than african.
i give it an 8 and thankyou RP for playing it.
ps  "hide the bone" works for me, too, but thats an adult game
This guy has become my favourite African artist over the last few years. So wonderful that RP is taking him to other obviously grateful listeners. Thanks D&R

 

excellent work with the traditional instrument harmonic & voices 



voices as this are not belong of a country or a region, belongs to all the humanity

**  9 **



Thank you for playing this, It's been far too long since the last time I've heard it!  Anyone heard any of his other stuff?
Heard this song was from the film "All About My Mother" which is supposed to be fantastic. Still haven't managed to catch it, though.

Either I've got a one track mind this morning or I'm going deaf (or I need to spend some real money on better speakers for the office) ....

but I swear it sounds like he's singing, "ahhhhh, hide the bone, hide the bone, watch me hide the bone".

{#Cheesygrin}
This is a beautiful song! Thank you Radio Paradise!
What, no Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs to follow?
What part of "Kicks Ass" don't you understand? AphidA wrote:
If by "kicks" you mean "sucks", I'm with you 100%
You've played this song enough for the next 365 days.
Whirlpool wrote:
This Song Kicks Ass
If by "kicks" you mean "sucks", I'm with you 100%
This Song Kicks Ass
rawbasher wrote:
hmmmmm... No one found my "Pulp Fiction" reference the least bit amusing. Guess I should have put a ":)" after it. For the record, I'm all for people singing in whatever language they want to!
you need to use the /sarc tag and like Bruce Willis in The Fifth Element, I too speak only two languages. . . English, and Bad English
I was on at the time and was perturbed/annoyed but decided not to rant a reply. Glad to hear you're not a troll. rawbasher wrote:
hmmmmm... No one found my "Pulp Fiction" reference the least bit amusing. Guess I should have put a ":)" after it. For the record, I'm all for people singing in whatever language they want to!
Mmm.... Wooly. And for the record... Wooly.
I always love it when RP plays something from elsewhere..I really get into the foreign sounds. Thanks
hmmmmm... No one found my \"Pulp Fiction\" reference the least bit amusing. Guess I should have put a \":)\" after it. For the record, I\'m all for people singing in whatever language they want to!
jpfueler wrote:
I forget who said it but when asked who thier favorite band was he replied Rammstien...because they have the balls to sing in their own language.
That would be Peter Steele of Type O Negative, I've been trying to find a video of that interview for ages.
inindian wrote:
Don't be bashful "rawbasher". If you want to write "motherfucker" so badly, just do it. Oh, but seriously insensitive-less-than-halfwit, chillout, take a vacation in Baghdad, because comments like that don't belong here. Oh, and be sure to wear your "I luv NY" T'shirt. (Apologies. No slur intended to Baghdad and NY)
not Baghdad. Someplace they'll just love him like the muslim slums of france. Better yet, Tehran or Karachi with a "I Refuse to attempt to learn your Language and Mohhamed Sucks" shirt. Written in Arabic and Farsi. Odd an African singer would sing in an African language....no?
Nope. Hearing this once is one times too many...
rawbasher wrote:
ENGLISH MOTHERF***ER, DO YOU SPEAK IT?!?
Paul_in_Australia wrote:
I would defend anyone's right to self expression, but this is the ugliest comment that I have ever seen on RP.
electronicshaman wrote:
I have to agree. That is totally unnecessary.
Don't be bashful "rawbasher". If you want to write "motherfucker" so badly, just do it. Oh, but seriously insensitive-less-than-halfwit, chillout, take a vacation in Baghdad, because comments like that don't belong here. Oh, and be sure to wear your "I luv NY" T'shirt. (Apologies. No slur intended to Baghdad and NY)
Never thought I'd learn to like this tune, but... 7 8.
7
Paul_in_Australia wrote:
I would defend anyone's right to self expression, but this is the ugliest comment that I have ever seen on RP.
I have to agree. That is totally unnecessary.
Women get woolly...
rawbasher wrote:
(toxic spill cleanup)
I would defend anyone's right to self expression, but this is the ugliest comment that I have ever seen on RP.
MadPercolator wrote:
Wow, the list is on FIRE today with interesting selections. This one made me feel like I'm on the train to Barcelona (as this is the song playing in All About My Mother when Manuela leaves Madrid). Now I know where it's from. The movie, btw, like all Almodovar movies, is highly recommended.
I agree with you! and in addition: Almodovar rules! All about my mother rules...! This song makes me feel nostalgic...!
winter wrote:
I'm not sure why, but this song bugs me. It seems to go on too long. Maybe because I don't understand the words, so I don't know what it's about and I'm just listening to verse-chorus-verse-etc.? Not that I think all songs on RP in English, mind you. There just doesn't seem to be enough to this song for me to overcome my not knowing what's being sung. Also I'm not wild about the singer's voice. It has an irritating nasal quality. And for some reason the word "tajabone" itself bugs me. No idea why. I know, picky picky me! I had to laugh - I agree about irritating. especially when he sings "wooly tajabone"
A beautiful song that captures the mood in Almodovar's Todo Sobre Mi Madre
Wow, the list is on FIRE today with interesting selections. This one made me feel like I'm on the train to Barcelona (as this is the song playing in All About My Mother when Manuela leaves Madrid). Now I know where it's from. The movie, btw, like all Almodovar movies, is highly recommended.
I'm not sure why, but this song bugs me. It seems to go on too long. Maybe because I don't understand the words, so I don't know what it's about and I'm just listening to verse-chorus-verse-etc.? Not that I think all songs on RP should be in English, mind you. There just doesn't seem to be enough to this song for me to overcome my not knowing what's being sung. Also I'm not wild about the singer's voice. It has an irritating nasal quality. And for some reason the word "tajabone" itself bugs me. No idea why. I know, picky picky me!
SpaceCowboy wrote:
In that case, let's be democratic about it. I mean, you are talking about "we" aren't you? As such, RP should play music according to the number of native speakers of a given particular language.
Why wouldn't "we" refer to RP listeners, in which case English must rate much higher (and Chinese much lower)? Not that I'm arguing for all-English songs--I care very little for actual words of songs. The music and rhythm of the lyrics are much, much more important.
This manages to be beautiful and somewhat mournful at the same time. What a nice, little song.
rluking wrote:
This isn't even there enough to be boring. Enh. Or is it meh?
It is Not just you!
SpaceCowboy wrote:
In that case, let's be democratic about it. I mean, you are talking about "we" aren't you? As such, RP should play music according to the number of native speakers of a given particular language. World population: approximately 6 billion people (2001). This gives us the following: Mandarin Chinese Music: 14.5% (879 million) Hindi Music: 6.1% (366 million) English Music: 5.7% (341 million) Bengali Music: 3.5% (207 million) Portugese Music: 2.9% (176 million) Russian Music: 2.8% (167 million) Japanese Music: 2.1% (125 million) German Music: 1.6% (100 million) Source: Dr. Dennis O'Neil,Behavioral Sciences Department, Palomar College, San Marcos, California As you can see, English music is way overrepresented on RP. To be sure not to offend any speakers who speak any of the other 5000 languages in the world, I would suggest that RP should play approximately 60% instrumental music. ;)
Something wrong may have happened with your copy and paste from your source. Where did you drop the Spanish ?
The vocals on this cut always seem to remind me of John Hiatt who annoys the hell out of me with his voice...
Remove the vocals, and just keep the guitar, and this could easily score higher. Just my 2 cents
MrsAustin wrote:
Tres heurer!! Oh mon dieu!! Here is BriocheBack Mountain ala emoticons:
Very good. That made me laugh. Thanks.