(not drowning, waving and the Musicians Of Rabaul, Papua New Guinea featuring Telek)
My music postings have a small but faithful following, however, this entry is self-indulgent and will mean nothing to all but one or two people. I've included it because of my attachment to and affection for Papua New Guinea, particularly the people of Kundiawa, where I lived for 5 years in the 80's and 90's.
'not drowning, waving' (styled in all lowercase) were a Melbourne group popular through the mid 80's to mid 90's playing rock, indie and world music. In July 1988 they went to Rabaul, Papua New Guinea at the invitation of the manager of Pacific Gold Studios to record with local musicians. 'Tabaran' came from those sessions. Although containing local musical styles and content there are caveats on the description of the album as a whole ..
"'Tabaran' is not a representative album of Papua New Guinea music nor is it anthropological."
".. the liner notes warn against any illusion of ethnic musical purity .."
Having said that, the overall 'feel' of the album for me is one of immersion in culture and time.
'The Kiap Song' is perhaps the most commercial of all the tracks, dealing with the attitudes of certain ex-pats to the local population, specifically mentioning the area where I spent almost all of my 5 years in PNG, Chimbu Province.
"The strong Chimbu man looks straight ahead.
He hears his masta's voice, he's lost his nerve again.
The kiap shouts, the big buffoon
he yells his orders through the coffee trees."
My only problem with this is the use of the word "Kiap" as seeming to be just the boss of a coffee plantation. In fact, kiaps were district patrol officers in pre-independence days, evolving to become district magistrates post-independence. A friend during the time I lived there was Rick Giddings who was exactly that - a kiap who became a magistrate. As can be imagined, he had some amazing stories.
There's a great intro at the beginning of the song 'Abebe' where the announcer gives a 'pidgin' language version of the band's name .. "i no dringim wara, tromwai han tasol". Literally, "he didn't drink the water, he's just throwing his hand around" - therefore - "not drowning, waving".
When the CD version of the album came out, Tim Cole, band vocalist who produced the record, decided to put a 'hidden' track as close to the end of the CD as possible. The result was a 15th song - 'Gawi Bagarap' tucked away as a little gift for the unsuspecting listener. I've listed a link to a live version of the song.
Sadly Rabaul, where this album was recorded, was destroyed by falling ash after a volcanic eruption in 1994.
Treat yourself to something different, listen to the music.
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