"When I first released NEON in 1992, I felt there was a need for the Maltese traditional melodies, which existed, mainly in the Maltese indigenous music of Ghana (anah) and Prejjem, to be gathered instrumentally and arranged for the popular music field.
Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to see it reach the level of popularity it has reached in Australia and around the world.

When all the copies of the first issue on cassette were well and truly gone, I felt the need, once more, to meet the demand of the requests I was receiving from the community and the worldwide web for it. With the help of Charles Belli of Recreation Studios, I re-issued a limited number on CD. These were sold in quick time and quite often I had to ring Recreation Studios to order the required number over the telephone, causing pressure to both Mr. Belli and myself, who wanted to accommodate the requests in the quickest possible time. The time had come to remedy the situation.

After I re-mastered the NEON tracks and re-designed the sleeve I decided to re-issue a limited number of copies. With each CD I also include an information sheet giving background to the inspirations, which led to the tracks, included.

The themes on Neon are a collection of my arrangements which reflect the music of the Maltese Islands".

1. Il-Buskett: The site of the popular feast of Imnarja (the feast of St. Peter and St. Paul) celebrated on June 28th and 29th. Hundreds of people flock to the gardens to eat the traditional Maltese dish of rabbit stew cooked in wine and to listen to traditional folk music and singing of Ghana ("anah"). Many stay overnight to enjoy the festive atmosphere and listen to Ghana singing and "prejjem" guitar music to early morning.

2. Lil Manwel Cilia: This is a tribute to one of the greatest Ghana singers that ever lived. Cilia's plaintive voice touched the hearts of many generations of Maltese as he sang stories such as "l-Gharusa Tal-Mosta (The Bride of Mosta) and "Il-Fatt ta' Toni Bajjada" (The Tony Bajjada Story) and many more. Manwel's voice was at its best when he sang in the minor keys. This track is a salute to the man and his legend.

3. Il-Qajjenza: Situated near Marsaxlokk, this rural landscape was once the Mecca of ghana singing in the open air. Modernity has changed the face of the landscape and ghana singers and guitarist do not assemble there as before, but the old singers still sing the praises of Qajjenza, where the echoes of past ghannejja are now, only a memory.

4. Kordi Mill-Girna: (Chords from the Girna) "Girna" is a traditional corbelled Maltese stone hut. It was used, by farmers, for shade and storing of field tools. One imagines many an Ghana song or a guitar chord echoed from it when the farmer rested from his toil. This track compiles several themes, which are common in Prejjem. It is also the title song from an Album I released in the 80's about Maltese traditional singing and playing. The Girna remains an icon of a time when life in Malta was simpler and Primary industry was the main source of income.

5. L-Ahhar Tislima: (The Last Farewell). This is my last farewell to Guzeppi Scerri "It-Toto", a legendary guitarist who emigrated to Australia in the 50's and helped keep the "prejjem" tradition alive, among the ghannejja who had also emigrated to Australia in those early years. I met him in May 1985 and was lucky enough to record him playing prejjem and some other popular melodies. His story telling and generosity in giving me an insight of Prejjem and Ghana was invaluable. He died suddenly in December 1985 when I was away. I never had a chance to say goodbye. This track was my way of bidding him my last farewell" L-Ahhar Tislima".

6. Lill-"Bambinu": (Dedication to "Bambinu") Mikiel Abela, nicknamed "il-Bambinu" was a much loved ghannej who entertained the masses with his impromptu style, but most of all with his stories (fatti) and songs, some of which were recorded on vinyl. He was born in Zejtun where his monument (guitar in hand) proudly welcomes visitors to Malta's primary Ghana village.

7. San Girgor: This is another popular religious feast, which was connected to Ghana singing.

8. Lis-"Simenza": (Dedication to "Simenza"). Manwel Mercieqa "Is-Simenza" was known for his story telling (fatti) as well as being one of the ghannejja who were recorded on record. This track is based on his Ghanja "Tifhir lil-Malta" (praises to Malta) which was very popular when it was released. The Ghana genre is called "Tas-Suffara" (whistle).

9. L-Imnarja: (The Feast of Light). The primary Ghana feast of St Peter and St Paul, which is celebrated at Buskett gardens. (see track one)

10. Fil-Bitha tal-Granmastri: (In the Courtyard of the Grand Masters). One imagines the pomp and ceremony that existed in the time of the Knights especially at the Palace of the Grand Master. While this is played in a minor key, the "minore" is intended to depict grandeur other than the usual sadness of the "fatt" (story). The "minore" can be expressed in many ways musically, but this arrangement was inspired by the Magisterial Palace with its majestic architecture, fine balconade and art treasures.

11. L-Ghanja tal-Merhba: (The Song of Welcome).This ghanja is named after the opening theme from the Ghana Mass. The acoustic guitars are meant to add solemnity to the normal Ghana theme. The Mass was first celebrated in Malta in the mid-eighties. I was fortunate enough to be involved in the coordination of the first one in Melbourne, Australia in June 1988. The first notes of that opening ghanja at St Joseph's Parish church, Springvale, will be etched in my mind forever as Maltese traditional music and the Maltese lyrics, filled the church and was heard by a congregation made up of many nationalities.

12. Fort Ricasoli: Situated in the Grand Harbour suburb of Kalkara (where I grew up), Fort Ricasoli stands majestically at the mouth of the harbour. This track is a concept based on a child's view of growing up after the war. A time when the harbour was full of naval shipping and Fort Ricasoli was very much an active bastion in Malta's defences. As children we wandered freely around the surrounding fortifications and ditches. The track is a dedication to the fort as well as a recollection of what the fort's walls (swar) must have endured in their time.

13. Il-Hanut Ta' Dwinu: (Dwinu's Wine Shop). This is a straightforward Ghana melody, which is a dedication to the Maltese wine shop where Ghana and Prejjem flourished in the past. It is also based on the title song of the play I wrote in 1992. The play, a musical comedy, told the story of life at the wineshop. This is the instrumental version.

14. Ghana Jive: This is an experiment, where the Ghana melody is arranged in a jazz-swing style. Apart from the attempt to show the adaptability of Maltese Folklore melody, it is also another song from the same play "Il-Hanut Ta Dwinu".

(Neon was first released on cassette in 1992. This second release on CD, was necessitated by a demand for it, especially from the worldwide web.)

Manuel Casha - November 2001
(email) manniec@optusnet.com.au

manniec@optusnet.com.au
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