The biographical information below was taken from Ella Andall's Facebook page.
"About
A powerful and spiritual chantuelle from the Caribbean. Forever Arousing
The Spirit.
Biography
ELLA ANDALL has worked consistently over the past four decades to establish herself as an artiste of international stature. Considered by many as a Caribbean Queen of Song – a chantuelle supreme, a high priestess of African-Caribbean music, Ella’s journey is one of power and potency.
From the early 1970s, Ella Andall emerged as a dynamic force among a new breed of peoples’ artistes in Trinidad and Tobago. With music as her main vehicle, she has dedicated her life to reach and teach the people, pushing a positive image reinforced with lyrical strength and fervour.
The development of SOCA as a radical sound of the Caribbean’s youth, saw Ella as one of its main messengers during its formative years. Artistically defined as ‘the soul of Calypso’, SOCA music brought a new approach and attitude to the Caribbean landscape. Ella Andall personified that new attitude – painting new pictures of empowerment for her people, cutting new paths forward, sending new signals with songs of love, lite and liberation. During this period, Ella toured extensively through the Caribbean region, United States and Canada with the band Vibrations International (led by the late Ras Shorty I). Her recordings topped the Caribbean music charts - Second Fiddle, We Are Different People - and her exciting cover of Eddie Grant’s Hello Africa autographed Ella Andall’s name into Caribbean music history.
Ella has moved with a renewed determination to express the rootical sound of the Caribbean, rejoicing with the African spirit while retracing ancient steps with new energy. She articulates the struggle of the women, she provides sustenance for the children. Hit songs like Black Woman, Bring Down The Power, Rhythm of a People and Missing Generation, brought Ella more awards in Caribbean music industry. In 1996 she was voted Best Female Artiste in Trinidad and Tobago, and in 1997 was the Caribbean Entertainer of the Year. Other awards include, NACC – Top 20 Stars of Gold – Calypso Award Ceremony – Say My Name (1997); Female Composer of the Year COTT (1998). She performed in the National Calypso Monarch show and the International Soca Monarch show (the two premiere music events in Trinidad Carnival).
In 1999 Ella was invited to the World Beat concert held in Trinidad to perform alongside artistes such as Baaba Maal, Nitin Sawhney, Tito Puente, Hugh Masekela, Andre Tanker, Ravi Shankar and many more. All artistes delivered powerful performances which contributed to a memorable event for world music lovers.
Her most recent recordings explore the fundamental rhythms and chants of the Orisa religious traditions in the Caribbean. The drum and vocal tapestry of the high priestess Ella is woven with power and pride in albums like ‘Oriki Ogun’ and ‘Sango Baba Wa’.
The dramatic and dynamic presence on stage, the intense energy radiating, the majesty, the magic, have all contributed to the power that is Ella Andall. Her journey into the theatre has brought her acclaim in the musical “Carnival Messiah” (West Yorkshire Playhouse, UK) and the lead role in “Yo Asantewa Warrior Queen “ Royal Festival Hall, London) which played in both England and Ghana. She was also the musical director and lead chantuelle in the production of “Sango de Imo” (The University of the West Indies, Centre for Creative and Festival Arts).
Her musical journey continues as she graces the international stages representing Trinidad and Tobago in Italy, Morocco, Ghana, UK, USA, Venezuela and the Caribbean. In December 2005, she was the opening performer for the First World Music Festival held in St. Lucia, and in March 2006, she performed at Trinity College in Hartford Connecticut at a concert tribute to the memory of Andre Tanker. In June 2006 she performed at the Afro American Tradition Festival (FITA) in Venezuela and shared the stage with Miriam Makeba in the 2006 Emancipation Celebrations in Trinidad. In March 2007, she appeared at the Blues and Rhythms Festival in St. Vincent to loud acclaim and admiration.
On many occasions while at home she has been called upon to perform for dignitaries when they visit the country: the Dalai Lama, Winnie Mandela, Iyanla Vanzant, the Ooni of Ife, Nelson Mandela, His Excellency Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. Her voice rings out the freedom song with pomp and pride, with defiance and with dignity and the music continues." SOURCE
Uploaded by IsDePanInMe
OGUN BABA DEY - By Ella Andall
Uploaded by IsDePanInMe
OGUN ONIREA - By Ella Andall
Uploaded by omoorisha07
OSHUN - By Ella Andall
Uploaded by thefmgirl
OMI AWA FISANI - By Ella Andall
Uploaded by thefmgirl
OSHUN KARELE - By Ella Andall
Uploaded by thefmgirl
OGUN BERELEA AMI OH [Medley of songs] - By Ella Andall
Uploaded by omoorisha07
SHANGO - By Ella Andall
Please see the blog's index for other songs by Ella Andall shared on the site.
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A Note From The Gull
Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Ella Andall.
If anyone has the words for these songs and their meaning, kindly consider sending them to me. I love these songs because I feel that the past is present and speaking to me. I think I mentioned it in another post, but my African ancestors have sent me dreams over the years and in one very joyful and moving dream, they actually gave me a song. The words and melody were indelibly imprinted on my heart and I have not forgotten them to this day.
I have my own meaning even without understanding the words of these songs. I meet my mother in these songs and maybe I will try to explain that another time. I was born into a Roman Catholic family and raised and educated in that faith but whenever I hear this music, something inside me resonates and I reply, "Don't give up on me. I will come home soon."
In "Alado Yeh" Val Serrant says it:
"Patria est communis omnium parens" - Our native land is the common parent of us all. Keep it beautiful, make it even more so.Blessed is all of creationIn "Alado Yeh" Val Serrant says it:
"Now my spirit floating, drifting like a cloud
Hearing voices calling, I look down and see a crowd
Drumming and they chanting in a different tongue
Music so enchanting, I had to go down
Watching what they doing, trying to understand
It was so amazing since I came from another land
The high priest approach, hold and shake my hand
"Welcome home, my son, welcome to shango land."
Hearing voices calling, I look down and see a crowd
Drumming and they chanting in a different tongue
Music so enchanting, I had to go down
Watching what they doing, trying to understand
It was so amazing since I came from another land
The high priest approach, hold and shake my hand
"Welcome home, my son, welcome to shango land."
Blessed be my beautiful people
Blessed be the day of our awakening
Blessed is my country
Blessed are her patient hills.
Mweh ka allay!
Guanaguanare
