On Thu, Dec 25, 2008 at 1:50 PM, Joram wrote:

Wandugu,

I have now celebrated 15 Christmases here in Carlifornia and must admit that I do not want the next one to arrive without Baba Gaston.

Please anyone with a good copy of Viva Krismas by Baba Gaston please post it on YouTube. I am prepared to paypal or M-pesa you.

—
Joram Ragem
wuod Ndinya, wuod Onam, wuod Amolo, wuod Owuoth, wuod Oganyo, wuod Mumbe, wuod Odongo, wuod Olwande, wuod Adhaya, wuod Ojuodhi, wuod Ragem! (Are you my relative?)

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Wandugu,

Today, someone I do not know has made my day. No, no no, hapana! He has made my year, fifteen times over. Yes, I have missed this piece of art for 16 years, and today, though it is 4 days after Christmas, it finally felt like I was in Lundha, my home village. This piece of art, has brought memories of my trip during ‘mwezi wa decemba.’ As I remember how my parents pushed and shoved to get in the Third Class Coach, and the trip in the Steam Engine from Odhumo to Butere especially when I was sneaked in through the window, tears of joy fill my face. Yes, these were the days of Baba Biro, Ngware Inn, Akamba and Malaika. These were the days of trying so hard just to get my transistor radio to catch VOK, but barely. In the distance, pasted below is the masterpiece of art that came through.

http://ntwiga.net/linked_to/audio/current/Baba%20Gaston%20&%20Baba%20National%20Orchestre%20-%20Kakolele%20Viva%20Christmas.mp3

http://ntwiga.net/linked_to/audio/current/Baba Gaston & Baba National Orchestre – Kakolele Viva Christmas.mp3

William Odongo, I know of another great one called William Odongo Omamo or Kaliech. If you ain’t him, then you are just like him – a great! You have defied all, risked all, held back nothing though you could have and asked for nothing just to make me, an unknown person have a complete Christmas. Yet some, including my wife say that Father Christmas was laid off? Please let ALL, especially the sceptics know that Father Christmas and William Odongo are indeed synonymous! This is the spirit of Kenya. You found it, shared and I hope all will enjoy like I am.

Ahsante.

—
Joram Ragem,
wuod Ndinya, wuod Onam, wuod Amolo, wuod Owuoth, wuod Oganyo, wuod Mumbe, wuod Odongo, wuod Olwande, wuod Adhaya, wuod Ojuodhi, wuod Ragem! (Are you my relative?)

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Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2008 20:03:19 -0500 [07:03:19 PM CST]
From: Joram Ragem
Subject: Re: Christmas Without Viva by Baba Gaston