| Description |
Tape#2: Music Background and Journey of Blasius ToUna (Continued)
Side A&B:
Blasius ToUna had some guidance, coaching and mentoring in music from Father Reichel, a musician who worked for the Catholic Mission supporting various Church Parishes around the villages and stations in the Gazelle Peninsula. Fr Reichel also support other Tolai people to become musicians.
Blasius was brought up in the Catholic church and while attending Milmila Primary School, he came o know Fr Reichel who saw in him that he would have talents in music and painting.
He was married in 1953 and in his later years, he continued to be in contact with Fr Reichel so he wrote songs both church "lotu" and guitar and would send for checking out. This process helped him to develop his musical skills so he began performing and recording his songs and later taught others and Catholic church goers his songs which were mostly his compositions. He was not prepared to copy songs and use their music to compose and perform.
The catholic church songs were mainly for choir singing such as Holy Communion, Lent and his painting skills were displayed in churches such as the Holy Trinity, Mother Mary "Maria", the Angels and other catholic faith expressions.
Blasius with village group he formed also competed in festivals such as Tolai Warwagira in the 1970s' and songs were recorded and broadcast by Radio Rabaul. Songs such as "Sigapu, Fopela leg, Kunai Dumdum" were popular songs recorded.
Blasius was also exposed to Country/Western style music played on gramophone and also listened to over radio broadcast programs. Musicians and artists he was aware of were Slim Dusty, John Cash, Charlie Pride, Jimmy Rogers and his favourite was Jim Reeves on his Christmas carols and songs.
Blasius is aware of other mixed race stringbands such as Kambiu Club and contemporary Tolai musicians in live power bands such as George Telek, Kanai Pineri and does not make any comparisons in the style of music played as it was up to individuals and bands to determine their music and not for him to have a say on how they play or perform their music.
(Steven Gagau, May 2019) |
