Search - Cardinal Rex Lawson :: Rex Lawson's Greatest Hits

This is an Album of Nigeria's 'Glory Days', now gone by.

RuyiVRuyi@Yahoo.COM (Victor Ruyi) | Miami, Florida, USA | 11/04/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you were lucky enough to have been born in the '50s or '60s, you will agree after sampling this album that it nicely takes you back to those gone-by 'Glory Days' of Nigeria's peace time, moral innocence, genuine national pride, togetherness, and clean music that would make any driving trip very soothing (if you have a CD player in your car). One particular track; "Baby Sawale-Ashewo" will get you singing along even if you never heard it before. It is that catchy, easy, and sweet! I found myself still singing "Onye-mama, Oyeh..." long after I'd parked the car and far away from the CD player. Rex Lawson could easily be regarded as Nigeria's Bob Marley when it comes to West African 'High-Life' music, except that he was years aheard of the late Raggae king. His music was just as rich in lyrics and instrumental composition in the era way before all sorts of technical assistance and special effects that has made today's music so out of touch with reality and creativity. You will particularly find this album very sentimentally rewarding if it has been a long time since you last visited HOME; Nigeria. Listening to it will definitly make you feel all dressed up psychologically in some rich and exotic African regalia or outfit. You will have such a reminiscing proud and happy smile on your face as you continue to listen to each successing track that your new and perhaps young American-born family members cannot understand. However, they will enjoy seeing such a different and rich smile on your face that they too will begin to cherish the soothing music of Rex Lawson with you instantly, though internally, you'll secretly yearn for a chance to dash away and seek out your old-time friends to litsen and reminisce with you as you try to avoid the nagging question; "where did you find the album on CD?" Many of the tracks made me so relaxed and happy, I was very proud to be, not just an African, but a NIGERIAN for the first-time-around again! ...And you know what, I suddenly felt like I have been giving my daily personal and basic problems more credit and attention than they deserve. So, I felt like nothing, nothing, and I mean, nothing really matters as mush as I thought before, except to simply try and be happy, make each day count, and help everyone to be happy around me, and to do my best to live behind such a rich, and happy lagacy as Rex Lawson has left us in his music. Just in case you are wondering how can one CD bring all these feelings about... Well, just have yourself a good listen to it ONCE, and you'll understand, my friend. Until then, "Onye-mama... Oyeyh..." Enjoy it.END"

WONDERFUL

RuyiVRuyi@Yahoo.COM (Victor Ruyi) | 05/04/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Rex Lawson is a traditional highlife singer who's became famous in Nigeria during the 1960's His clear, powerful voice is reminiscence of Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe , who was heavily influenced by his sound. This is an excellent introduction to some rare recordings. The sound is both mellow and upbeat with the signature Cuban rhythms of High Life."

Second to none

RuyiVRuyi@Yahoo.COM (Victor Ruyi) | 06/11/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"To draw comparison to the disposable culture of anything you'll hear on the radio would be to intellectualize something that can speak to one on a universal level. Rex could be singing about hydro electric projects for all I know, but the songs are still peerless. Do yourself a favor... give the top 1000 a miss and get a copy of this."