MW6-066 - Interview with Elisa Tiden, Vunairoto Male Choir and Songs of John ToWowono

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Tape#1 Side A - Music Story of Elisa Tiden Elisa Tiden was born in the early 1930' and comes from Rabuana village in the northern part of the Rabaul, Gazelle Peninsula. The music background and journey of Elisa Tiden started before the WW2 when he worked in the Gold Mines in Wau, Morobe Province. He learnt playing guitar mainly 5key, 3key style from ToIoana from Matupit as he had a guitar in Wau where they both worked. After the war, Elisa returned and started playing as a solo artist performing at various village events such as weddings, festivities of deceased and fundraising activities. His music was mainly on Kuanua songs and no traditional related songs. The choirs, stringbands and traditional music were kept separate from each other. Other known musicians from Rabuana village were John ToGarama and Tuluet Lepan and supported Elisa in stringband music and embraced songs made popular on the airwaves by Radio Rabaul broadcasts. They all have some some views about the emerging young musicians mainly singing about man-woman relationships rather than nature, life and general stories. They also are aware of traditional songs like Warbat using modern music particularly with live bands. Side B "Lili" by Vunairoto Village Male Choir and John ToWowono Solo Guitarist The recordings at NBC Radio Rabaul were regular broadcasts on airwaves of choral and stringband music. The Vunairoto Village Male Choir is on the north coast road of the Gazelle Peninsula. The traditional Tolai song "Lili" was sung as a blend of traditional and contemporary music in choral singing. John Wonwono is a pioneer musician from Nangananga village in the Kokopo District. He plays various solo guitar songs on radio broadcasts to the people of East New Britain Province. (Steven Gagau, March 2019). Language as given: