Technology Comes to "Celestial"

The Celestial Church of Christ, a Nigerian fellowship, has branches in cities all over England. Predominantly Yoruba in membership, its services combine the best of English and Nigerian musical traditions---soaring organ music and thudding speaking-drums. It: was my privilege to sit in on a B.B.C. radio recording session recently in the Gothic interior of the Elephant and Castle "Celestial." Music and preaching were being recorded "live," which had a curious effect on the service.

To radio listeners, the songs and messages were to seem spontaneous. In reality, to the dismay of the white-robed singers and musicians, everything had to be recorded again and again.

A bewildered speaking-drum player was wired for sound. Made to don earphones, he received incessant commands from radio H.Q. in the vestry to play the same notes over and over until the "mix" was right.

I was surprised at the technical ability of the B.B.C. man, whom I had dismissed as a "chinless wonder." Yet here he was, setting up microphones and ordering preachers to preach more loudly--all with great efficiency.

Everyone laughed and groaned whenever the familiar command was heard--"Could you do that over again?"

"Technology comes to Celestial!" one man remarked. "We're getting modern--next time it will be television!"

Told to "play it again," one musician slapped his forehead in exasperation, others looked careworn, but most laughed .and waved their arms in the air. The conga-drum player could beat thunder with the palms of his hands, but he couldn't satisfy the man with the microphones. Gradually, members grew tired and began to drift home.

"Our congregation is diminishing," a Warrior Shepherd (or deacon) remarked.

But in the end it was all worth it when a beautifully recorded song, "Home," was eventually heard wherever the World Service can be received. Guitar, church organ, conga- and speaking-drums played in unison as a girl sang

   Home!
   Singing Home!
   Celestial is my Home!

"Perfect!" said the B.B.C. man, and the whole church rang with triumphant ululations.

Kensal Green, London NW103

COPYRIGHT 1999 Folklore Society
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