Musical Links

These links have only a passing connection with MEC, although music is a part of the worship at the centre, and MEC for many years organised a highly popular carols service (Carols By Candlelight), held at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Lusaka. Rather, I hope that the recordings presented here are of general interest. In future perhaps we will have music from Makeni itself here.

Please note, these are 32Kbps mp3 recordings, often from a poor source to begin with, so don't expect hi-fi! (But I have posted some improved recordings July 2003)

Colin Morris

Excerpts from BBC broadcast 1993, "The Reckoning" on the joy and pain of returning to Zambia.

Colin Morris, first president of the United Church of Zambia visiting Lubwa Mission. (729K)

Talking about David Livingstone, pre-independence church life on the Copper belt (1.7M, 7mins)

Zambian Space Program?

John Matsikisha talks about the developer of Zambia's space program in 1964. (1.4M, 6 minute BBC Radio program excerpt, 2003)

10th Anniversary Speech, 1981
A speech by Dr Kenneth Kaunda at the 10th Anniversary celebrations. The central theme is that people cannot be free while they are subject to poverty, hunger and exploitation. MEC is praised as an example of an organisation that is fighting against these evils. (This starts with a live Tiyende Pamodzi. Unfortunately, this is distorted at the source.)

KK 10th Anniversary MP3 (3.7M)
KK 10th Realplayer (1.3M)

Explanatory Notes:

The "short man" is Leyson Sakala, who was praised in Fr Dil's speech as being crucial to the centre’s work in its first 10 years.

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The Big Gold Six Band

Dating back to the 60s, originally called the Lusaka Radio Band, the Big Gold Six Band were in residence at the Inter-Continental Hotel in Lusaka. One of the founding members was Alick Nkhata, at one time director of Zambia Broadcasting Services. They were named after the brand of cigarette, Player's No.6, whose manufacturer sponsored the band.

"According to former president Dr Kenneth Kaunda, in his book "Singing for Freedom", musicians such as the late Batolemeo Bwalya and Alick Nkhata were the draw cards at UNIP rallies. People who had no interest in politics were drawn to UNIP rallies, not to listen to political speeches, but to listen to the duo belting out liberation songs which they rendered in Sinjonjo, Kwela or Township Jive."(Source: http://afronet.org.za/monitor114/music.htm)

Lest we forget, here's a sample of some great campaign music, on a single labelled UNIP-1. What was the date?

Go with UNIP (446K);
Tiyende Pamodzi ndi UNIP (448K)

A recent recording of the better known Tiyende Pamodzi (683K)

The New Nation of Zambia

"A collection of historic recordings" ZRBC LP ZR01

Duncan Sandys announcing the imminent birth of Zambia; National Anthem.(374K) I think this is the recording that was used at the start of the news on TV.

An atmospheric six minutes of commentary on the moments leading up to the 24th of October, 1964. (1.4M )

Service of Prayers for Southern Africa at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Lusaka

A church service led by Revd Pierre Dil, c. 1990, attended by Kenneth Kaunda, and many dignitaries from the Zambian government and the ANC.

We Shall Overcome (865K) Rousing!
St Peter's Choir (664K) Lusaka?
Cathedral of the Holy Cross Choir (661K)
Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer (659K)
As the congregation leave, a choir sings Amazing Grace (602K)

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