|
In Loving Memory of
Aldric "Peter" Nelson
1945 - 2004
- Read the Obituary
- Sign the Guestbook
- Read the Star Tribune Article
What's New
Some great photos
of Shangoya from the '70s on ....
|
Red Pants Jam Benefit Concert
There was a benefit concert at The Cabooze in Minneapolis
on June 6, 2004, in celebration and memory of Peter's life
and music. The "Red Pants Jam Benefit Concert" featured
virtually all of the Minneapolis world beat bands, including
I-Roots, New Primitives, Ras Kwame & Ananse, Dred I Dred,
Innocent, Les Exodus with Prince Jabba, International Reggae
All-Stars with Lynval Jackson, Ipso Facto, Cyril Paul and
former members of the Shangoya band.
Proceeds from the benefit concert went to the Aldric
P. Nelson Memorial Fund. On behalf of Peter's family,
we wish to thank you all for your generosity and concern.
The outpouring of love and kindness is a testament to Peter
and has helped the family cope during this challenging time.
Many thanks to Jeff Taube of MidAmerica Talent for organizing
the benefit and to the many musicians who donated their time
and considerable talent. Thanks to all the generous and loyal
Shangoya fans, friends and family for joining us to honor
the "Shango Mon." Peter would be delighted to know
that he got everybody together one more time to "jump
up," "free up" and remember the good times.
Bless you all.
-- Mary
|
"Safe Journey, Peter" by Cyril
Paul - May 15, 2004
Whappenin? Whappenin? The voice like a balmy tropical
breeze whiffed me with such ease, a strong Trini accent accompanied
a stare over my shoulder in the crowded causeway, our eyes met. His
face dangling a smile a mile long assured familiarity. I recognized
the tall, lanky, narrowly framed figure a camera to his eye, with
a bag strapped across his shoulder, a bandana covered his head, as
beads of sweat crowned his brow. The accustomed salutation--a brief
conversation including the current Trini affairs as glitter, feathers
and colours flashed by. It's high noon as we cruise along with costumed
crowds. It's Mardi Gras, bands are chipping their way to Queen's Park
Savannah, accompanied by DJs surround sounds cueing colorful masqueraders
for a take over of the grand stage. Meanwhile busy vendors in makeshift
villages attracting nervous crowds, air their appetizing, mouth-watering
culinary, spicy, scented specialites amidst all of this I hear, "Whappenin?
Whappenin?"
And once more Peter and I are connected. We are both swept along into
an annual invasion of nationals, a curious horde, we arrive to lavish
in the epic of our culture, a rich colorful phenomenon like no other.
We come to restore its life and embellish ours like a baptismal stream
flowing endlessly into time. We are at home to immerse ourselves.
We will have it no other way. Native sons and daughters, a youthful
people, a young nation, a rainbow of colors en masse sailing with
the sun, reaching for the historical rituals exemplifying creativity
and diversity, passion and pageantry. Simultaneously sharing it with
the world, Carnival is infectious, it's contagious, it's sagacious
and it's free. "C'est la jeaux de vivre." Peter and I frequently
shared these moments. That is why his passion for the Art provide
the charisma evidenced by all who knew him.
Today I've come to celebrate Peter, a life cut short, a life both
simple and complex. Simple because he chose to live it so. His life
encompassed us all. He gave us his gift of his energy and music. We
shared in the high points of his life, and the persistent balladeer/musician
he became. Peter was complex because he preferred his private life
to be exclusive. Perhaps his earlier life continued the biological
search for his answers to the mysteries by which he was surrounded.
Peter, however, brought us together by virtue of celebrating his life.
This is a celebration of love, respect and friendship honoring a man
who consciously or otherwise created a healthy social outlet for thousands,
perhaps millions, of Minnesotans and for his friends.
And so in my final salute to a fellow artist and a true Trini, it
is my hope that his journey may include us all. Let us create a spiritual
bouquet, a garland to him for a race well run. Let us provide him
the energy he gave us with his final "Whappenin? Whappenin?"
May we be always connected.
|
|
BUY Shangoya CDs |

Shangoya : The Collection
List Price: Varies.
Check out Amazon.
Audio CD (September 6, 1994)
Original Release Date: 1996
Number of Disks: 1
Mouthpiece; ASIN: B000005OLE
Other Editions: Audio Cassette
Listen to samples of the“The Collection."

Shangoya : Alive At 25
List Price: Varies.
See Amazon.
Audio CD (March 10, 1998)
Original Release Date: 1998
Number of Disks: 1
Mouthpiece; ASIN: B000006FBG
Listen to samples of “Alive at 25.”

Shangoya : Tropix
List Price: $10.00
Audio CD (November 24, 2001)
Original Release Date: 2001
Number of Disks: 1
BigLip Records; ASIN: TBD
|
|
|