SOUTH AFRICAN ROCK DIGEST *** SPECIAL NEW YEAR'S EDITION 2003 *** http://www.sarockdigest.com 1st January 2003 Established 27th January 1999 ---------*********----------- IN THIS SPECIAL ISSUE: Happy New Year!... Happy Birthday to us... Top selling CDs at One World... Top 30 SA Albums of 2002... Top SA Compilations and Reissues of 2002... Top 50 SA Songs of 2002... Top 30 SA Albums of 2002 - a closer review... Top tracks off those top albums of 2002... 2002 - The SA rock year in review... Springbok Charts - a year-end's look back. -------------------- HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR READERS! - AND ANOTHER HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US We wish all our subscribers, readers, contributors, musicians, and everyone in the SA music industry, a happy, healthy and peaceful 2003! The South African Rock Files website - now known as the South African Rock Encyclopedia (http://www.rock.co.za) - was launched on this day way back in 1999. What began then as a small tribute website to the South African rock music of the '70s and '80s has grown over the past four years into a very large online archive of SA rock and pop music from the '50s right up to the present and beyond... A huge number of people have helped with the info that is archived on these websites, including many of the artists themselves. So a big thank you to everyone who has helped us remember our musical history... let's hope we never run out of past... ----------------- ONE WORLD http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 One World is still the longest operating, completely reliable, fully-stocked, up-to-date, exclusively South African online CD store. For the past six years it has been mailing SA CDs to customers all over the Pla-net, making SA music constantly available to anyone who desires and appreciates it. And almost every album mentioned on Amuzine and the SA Rock Digest is probably already catalogued and stocked in One World's database (including the CDs of many unsigned and independent artists). There are other online stores that offer SA music, in amongst their international titles, but we support One World because they have refused to sell anything else but SA music (with the exception of Rodriguez, who we also regard as an honorary South African!), and are determined to prove that sales of SA CDs can sustain an online business. Well, so far so good... long may they prosper! Visit One World at http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 ------------- TOP SELLING CDS OF 2002 AT ONE WORLD 1) Ipi-Tombi - Original Cast Recording http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&id=DOVCD6 2) Mango Groove - Best Of Mango Groove http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&id=CDRED667 3) Johnny Clegg - New World Survivor http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&id=CDVM45 4) Ipi-Tombi - The Warrior featuring Margaret Singana http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&id= CDRED676 5) Rabbitt - The Hits http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&id=CDRED602 6) Brenda Fassie - Greatest Hits http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&id=CDBREN009 7) Chris De Burgh - Live In South Africa (recorded live in 1979) http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&id=MMTCD2025 8) Various Artists - South African Freedom Songs http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&id=MMP001 9) Rodriguez - Live Fact (recorded live 1998) http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&id=CDCOL5542 10) Hawk - African Day http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&id=FRESHCD108 ------------------------- SA ROCK DIGEST TOP 30 ALBUMS OF 2002 1. Kobus! - Kobus! (ENT) 2. Picture Perfect - Perez (Sovereign) 3. Disclaimer - Seether (Wind Up) 4. Maanhare - Valiant Swart (Rhythm) 5. Beautiful Life - Ian Henderson (N3) 6. Communate - Starskii (Indie) 7. Between The Lines - Cutting Jade (DGR) 8. Bignity - Van der Want & Letcher (Sheer) 9. Odd Times - Sons Of Trout (SAFM) 10. Glory Glory - Dolly Rockers (Indie) 11. Ordinary Day - Fortune Cookies (Muskateer) 12. Groenkitaar - Spinnekop (Afrimusik) 13. Kelvin Declined - Kelvin Declined (Rhythm) 14. Karoo Kitaar Blues - David Kramer (Blik Music) 15. Swimming With The Women - Mikanic (Rhythm) 16. My Love Is A Leopard - Frosted Orange (Rhythm) 17. Holy Water - Wendy Oldfield (SAFM) 18. Moved To Change - Andrew Janisch (Indie) 19. Equilibrium - Koos Kombuis (Rhythm) 20. The Orchard - Mann Friday (Indie) 21. Beyond The Blue - Steve Louw and Big Sky (Sony) 22. Roadside Heretics - The Awakening (Intervention) 23. Tap Into the System - Dorp (Contains Nuts) 24. Spergebied - Brixton Moord En Roof Orkes (Rhythm) 25. Icon - Jo Day (Legend) 26. Gypsy Soul - Roger Lucey (Indie) 27. dream hope fear - New World Inside (Revolution) 28. China - Tony Cox (Sheer) 29. Hero Of Heroes - Brian Finch (3rd Ear) 30. Die Borrelbad Insident - Diff-Olie (Boereplaas) mp3s by most of the artists listed above can be downloaded at http://www.samp3.com Buy these CDs at One World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 ------------------------ SA ROCK DIGEST TOP COMPILATIONS AND REISSUES OF 2002 1. Rocking Against The System -Various (RetroFresh) 2. God Is African - Various OST (Sony) 3. A Moment In Cape Town - Various Live (Wonder) 4. Madiba 'Jazz' and 'World' (DVD) - Various (Madiba) 5. Kombuis Musiek' - Various (Fresh) 6. Cape Of Good Dope - Various (African Dope) 7. 96 - 02 - The Singles - Henry Ate (EMI) 8. Voelvry Die Toer - Various (Sheer) 9. Cape Town 2AM - Various (Ready Rolled) 10. Vloek van die Kitaar - Various (Trippy Grape) 11. The Great South African Trip - Various (African Cream) 12. Lank Sweat - Sweatband (RetroFresh) 13. Lady One - Breyten Breytenbach and SA Artists (Rhythm) 14. Afrikaans Met Attitude - Various (Hoezit) 15. Into The Night We Slide - Radio Rats (RetroFresh) 16. Eve... in the garden of song - Various (afrimusik) 17. Tassenberg All*Stars 3 - Various (Trippy Grape) 18. Homegrown - Various (EMI) 19. SA Artists Top 40 Hits of All Time Volume 6 -Various (Sting) 20. Zen Boulders / Storming Of The Loft- Falling Mirror (RetroFresh) Buy these CDs at One World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 --------------------- SA ROCK DIGEST TOP 50 SONGS OF 2002 1. Gasoline - Seether 2. 10 Seconds - Cutting Jade 3. Sestien Jaar Met 'n Vals Kitaar - Koos Kombuis 4. (I Think I Can) Relate - Tait 5. Hoenderman - Kobus! 6. Believe - Mauri Moncada 7. Diep In Die Bos - Valiant Swart 8. Tripping - Curious George 9. Beautiful Life - Ian Henderson 10. Ugly - Natalia 11. Extra Larry - Sons Of Trout 12. 42 - Kelvin Declined 13. Kwaito - KGB 14. Nasty - Golliwog 15. Social Ills - Godessa 16. Come Down - Perez 17. Don't Push - Mikanic with Ernie Deane 18. Jou Oë - Kobus! 19. Stained - Ashton Nyte 20. Everytime - State Far Better 21. Go F*ck Yourself - Janie Jones 22. Rock City - New World Inside 23. The Psyche Of The Situation - Tuesday's Child 24. All Eyes On Me - Seven Day Story 25. Donkey Rattle - Felix Laband 26. Change The World - Dolly Rockers 27. Die Son Kom Weer - Piet Botha 28. Goodbye Satellite - Blackmilk 29. A Man Like Me - James Stewart 30. Nightingale - Fortune Cookies 31. My Love Is A Leopard - Frosted Orange 32. Rockpop - Diff-Olie 33. Psycoparalysis - Dayspring 34. Girls In Black - Kelvin Declined 35. Perfect Love - Terence Reis 36. Eloise - Tribe After Tribe 37. Red Rock City - Mac Mackenzie & The Goema Captains of Cape Town 38. Free - David Michael 39. Today - Four Ounce Freedom 40. Need - Phringe 41. MP3 - Steve Louw and Big Sky 42. Jammez - Zen Arcade 43. Alles Sal OK Wees - Spinnekop 44. So Many Times - Jimmy 12" 45. Martyr - The Awakening 46. Geraamtes In Jou Kas - Brixton Moord En Roof Orkes 47. Charlie - Wonderboom 48. Another Country - Breyten Breytenbach 49. Did You See It Coming - Starskii 50. Meneer Geweer - Wouter Van Der Wenter mp3s by most of the artists listed above (and the majority of these songs) can be downloaded at http://www.samp3.com ---------------------------- REVIEWS - TOP 30 ALBUMS OF THE YEAR Written by Brian Currin, John Samson and Stephen Segerman. 1. Kobus! - Kobus! http://rock.co.za/legends/2000plus/kobus.html After the demise of the Springbok Nude Girls, it wasn't long before Theo Crous was teamed up with ex-Voice of Destruction vocalist, Francois Blom, and back in the studio. These two seemed to have set out with the intention of being as bizarre and outrageous and they could be. But the resulting weird effects, whispered vocals, lyrics about those slow Sunday arvies and sums that include the number nine ('Nege'), beautiful tunes, and chicken samples, turn the ridiculous into the sublime, probably even surprising the artists themselves. There are a number of Floydian slips, and a Velvet Underground desolation to the guitars, that give this decidedly modern SA album an attractive retro polish. From the Afrikaans artists' roll call opener ('Wie is Kobus?'), through the bouncing clucked chorus of 'Hoenderman', to the gorgeous and lovelorn 'Jou Oë', and the helium-induced vocals on 'Gee Raat!', 'Kobus!' is the sound of a mad plan coming together in the most unexpected, yet aurally wonderful way, and in the process, mapping out a whole new direction, and a few side paths, for the emerging "Klank Rock" movement in South Africa. The exclamation mark in Kobus! says it all. Album of the year! Buy at One World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=kobus 2. Picture Perfect - Perez http://rock.co.za/legends/2000plus/perez.html Nic Olsen, Matt Wilkinson, Mike Goddard and Adam Connor, collectively known as Perez, had been making big waves on the SA live circuit with their winning mix of grunge and classic rock. So it was no surprise that their debut 'Picture Perfect' was one of the most eagerly awaited albums of the year. The finished product did not disappoint. While the slow burning title track is the centrepiece of the album, there is strong competition from the rest of the songs (three no 1's on 5fm, and airplay on both SA and US radio stations), including the swaggering opener, 'Blow Me', fragile rocker, 'Dreams and Troubles', the monster riff on 'Come Down', the Nirvana nod in 'Smells Like Music', and the lilting reggae-tinged 'Wasted Out'. It's hard to ignore their awful ABBA cover, their even worse version of 'On The Twelfth Day Of Christmas' on the 'Santa Sessions' album, and the hysterical media gush that surrounds this band's every poep. But Perez have harnessed their strengths to produce an album that clearly proves they can make it on sheer talent and not just publicity. So, just this once, believe the hype, 'Picture Perfect' is one of the great SA rock albums. Buy at One World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=perez 3. Disclaimer - Seether http://rock.co.za/legends/2000plus/saron_gas.html Having landed a US recording contract and moved across, changing names and drummer, it was now time for Shaun Morgan and Dale Stewart to let their music do the talking, or should that be growling, ranting and screaming? Re-recordings of seven songs from Saron Gas's 2000 album 'Fragile' (including 'Gasoline', which was on the Bonus disc of later 'Fragile' releases) have been supplemented by five new tracks, all produced and mixed by Jay Baumgardner, to create a rolling thunderball of sound. Searing grunge guitars clash head on with Cobain-inspired vocals, spouting disturbed lyrics that bubble up in a pool of boiling anger. With the backing of the US Wind Up label it looks likely that we may soon be able to utter Seether's name in the same breath as Miriam Makeba, Hugh Maskela and Four Jacks and a Jill as being SA artists who have cracked the charts in the US. Undoubtedly these make strange bedfellows, but based on this exceptionally strong US debut, it may be that this little one (with the big sound) is saying to the others "roll over". The album picked up a *** review in Rolling Stone, and reached new ears as the band toured on the OzzFest extravaganza. Then, to cap a great year for this pioneering SA band, 'Gasoline' roared off with our Top Song of 2002 award. Buy at One World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=seether%20saron 4. Maanhare - Valiant Swart http://rock.co.za/legends/90s/valiant_swart_index.html 'Maanhare' is Valiant Swart's first studio album since his tour of the Mississippi Delta and on this album he has transplanted the blues sound from the south of America to the south of Africa. In these unsettling times, 'Maanhare' is a perfect album to lose oneself in. It's a gentle jacuzzi of sound, scented with quite beautiful poetic images and made extra soothing by Valiant's whiskey smooth vocals. Shadows stand watch, fish in the harbour know all the fishermen while travelling salesmen steal kisses with volstruisveer aunties. Tracks like 'Weeskante' and 'Sonvanger' are achingly fragile while those like the title track and 'Waar Die Dromers Dwaal' rock in a relaxed blues way. One could dismiss this album as being lightweight and socially irrelevant, but in today's day and age, albums like this that take a step back from the violence and rage and instead highlight things of beauty are exceptionally important. When they are as delicately crafted as 'Maanhare', they are more than important - they are essential. Buy at One World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=valiant%20swart 5. Freefall - Ian Henderson http://rock.co.za/legends/2000plus/ian_henderson_freefall.html Every year young singer-songwriters take their best songs and head into a studio to produce their hopeful debut album. Why do some rise above the others? In Ian Henderson's case it's because he had a really good bunch of songs and a studio that helped turn them into full-bodied works beyond the call of duty. Credit to Angus Kerr and David Birch and all the Durban musicians who worked on the album. 'Freefall' is an entrancing collection of songs that still sounds as fresh as it did all those months and plays ago. Henderson's warm voice and engaging style draws immediate parallels with the two Davids (Gray and Matthews) in songs like the opening 'Crash Landing', 'I Believe', 'Grandfather', and the album's big single, 'Beautiful Life', where acoustic instruments, lovely piano, and personal lyrics mix comfortably with their electronic cousins. A little gem of an album. Buy at One World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=freefall 6. Communate - Starskii http://rock.co.za/legends/90s/amersham_index.htm These ex-Amershamers (Adam Lomas and Nathan Waywell) quietly delivered their first project under the Starskii banner as the year began. 'Communate' is only 48 minutes long, but crams enough unfolding ideas, diverse melodies, perceptive lyrics and sheer invention into its 12 songs to make it almost feel timeless. But it is really just a "day in the life of" song cycle from the quiet opening 'Monday Madness' of the first part of the album, through to the five songs of 'Part 2', which take us into after-hours territory. There's the duo's speedier percussion-driven chill-out anthem 'Ecstacy', the upliftingly happy folk song called 'The Boy Who Flew Too High', and the album's closer, and first single, 'Did You See It Coming?', which is as close as this album gets to a conventional song with its chanted title and grinding guitars. 'Communate' is a head album, and ahead of its time in many ways; and it will wrap itself around you like a warm duvet, if you let it. Buy at One World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=amersham 7. Between The Lines - Cutting Jade http://rock.co.za/legends/2000plus/cutting_jade.html Cutting Jade first started making themselves noticed when the striking 'She Says' was included on the excellent 'Showcase 3: Unearthed' CD compilation. And then '10 Seconds' hit the airwaves mid-2002 and attracted major attention with its hooky chorus of "10 seconds from a nervous breakdown, 10 seconds from losing my mind" (Try getting that chorus out of your head!). The album 'Between The Lines' followed a while later and did not disappoint as it was packed with more of the same powerful, punchy rock. This highly rated five-piece from Pretoria also included their debut album from 2001, 'So There We Were' as a free bonus disc in the same packaging. It was a smart move of David Gresham Records to grab this "cutting edja" band. All eyes on them in 2003. Buy at One World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=cutting%20jade 8. Bignity - Van der Want & Letcher Van Der Want/Letcher had deserved critical success with their album 'Low Riding', and found time to produce the 'Kombuis Musiek' tribute album to Koos before releasing 'Bignity', definitely their career high point to date. This innovative and evocative album is anchored around the lo-fi harmony of Van der Want's and Letcher's vocals which intertwine in a beautiful macramé of sound. These wonderful voices are set off against some interesting and unusual sounds. With the aid of Lloyd Ross they make the most of the studio technology to produce these arrangements with startling results, culminating in a quite stunning studio assisted 'a cappella' version of the Springbok Nude Girls' 'Blue Eyes'. On 'Bignity' this Shifty duo make folk sound grungy, grunge sound disinterested and disinterested sound fascinating. After a bit of 'Low Riding', this creative and talented duo are riding high on the back of this. Big 'Dignity' or just Dig 'Bignity'. Buy at One World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=bignity 9. Odd Times - Sons Of Trout http://rock.co.za/legends/90s/sonsoftrout.html With their brand of funky rap rock, it seems that these trouts had been seasoned with a few red hot chilli peppers as they shimmy their way through the tracklist with tight and accomplished vigour. From the first stuttering guitar sounds of 'Extra Larry' to the ska-funk of the unlisted closing track they display a real maturity and dedication to perfection. There is a pervading sense of fun both lyrically and musically, but this is kept in check by some more serious lyrics. Musical contributions from Schalk Joubert, Barry van Zyl and Simon Orange are spot on as are the backing vocals of Tasha Baxter while Mike 'Renwah' Rennie's violin playing adds the final touches to this masterpiece. The Trouts followed the release of 'Odd Times' with an extensive national tour as well as finding time to include some London dates, these gigs along with the album were met with much excitement and critical acclaim. The London gigs were particularly good for those suffering from Sub-Saharan Homesick Blues. Buy at One World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=trout 10. Glory Glory - Dolly Rockers http://rock.co.za/legends/2000plus/dolly_rockers.html This was the year the Dolly Rockers made their long-delayed comeback. Greg Donnelly, the band's lead guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter, had been exploring the darker side of the recent alt.country revival while staying true to his early new wave influences like Echo and the Bunnymen and the Psychedelic Furs. 'Glory Glory' stands proud alongside those other gloriously desolate works. With its jagged-edge vocals and eerie guitars, 'Glory Glory' is not a happy album. However, it also not a depressing album. Yes, the subject matter is anything but cheery (songs titles like 'Kissing the Coroner' and 'Pain' give that one away), but the Dolly Rockers have managed to somehow inject this sadness with a real sense of triumph. Listen to 'Oh My God' and the title track and one cannot fail to somehow feel uplifted. The band has mastered their melancholy and have crafted it into some of the most tuneful and glorious songs since the Smiths broke up. 'Glory Glory' is probably best summed up in a phrase from the song 'Pain'. These are "love songs about pain". So celebrate your pain by listening to 'Glory Glory'. Who knows, you might just enjoy it. Buy at One World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=dolly%20rockers 11. Ordinary Day - Fortune Cookies http://rock.co.za/legends/2000plus/fortune_cookies_day.html A great debut from Cathy Stadler and her Fortune Cookies. 'Ordinary Day's ten songs pack a range of introspective lyrics and irresistible pop symphonies into less then 40 minutes. All the songs on 'Ordinary Day' were written by Cathy Stadler, with the exception of first single 'Nightingale', and were given the Brian O'Shea magic production touch at the Farm Studios in Midrand during 2001. The album opens in a sombre mood with 'What's The Reason' and 'Make Me Your Religion', before the zesty 'Ordinary Day' skips into sight, with a happy-sunny-in-the-city feel and sound similar to acts like UK group Saint Etienne, early Edie Brickell, and SA's The Sunshines. There's also 'Nightingale', and the equally addictive 'I Can't Get Enough Of You', 'Wait A Little Baby', 'Closer (Than I Hold My Breath)', 'Fallen Angel', and finishing with the sweet taste and sage advice of 'Take Your Time'. All round, 'Ordinary Day' is a short, intelligent, and delicious pop album. Buy at One World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=fortune 12. Groenkitaar - Gian Groen & Spinnekop http://rock.co.za/legends/2000plus/spinnekop.html In 2000 Gian Hanekom wrote some songs, got together with a few friends, called themselves Spinnekop and released the superb 6-track 'Soet September' CD. This debut promised much with its Afrikaans poetic lyrics combined with good solid rock. Spinnekop played live at every opportunity and built up a loyal fanbase. And then late this year, with a slight name change, Gian Groen and Spinnekop released this "klank rock" album, full of songs about life in the Cape, from Stellenbosch to Mitchell's Plain. Aching love songs rub shoulders with angry rockers; gentle acoustic guitars give way to searing guitar solos. This album is where poetry and power meet and it works beautifully. Buy at One World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=spinnekop 13. Kelvin Declined - Kelvin Declined http://rock.co.za/legends/2000plus/kelvindeclined.html This fiery foursome began the year by scorching a trail across the rock stages of Cape Town and then further afield during 2002. Their eponymously-titled 10-track debut album managed to capture the energy and passion of those live performances. Frontman Mark McCree on vocals and extra guitar is the focus of the band with his wiry, ginger intensity and bravado. But the band's skilled and diverse rock attack masks McCree's vulnerable lyrics that mostly arise from that emotional grey area between the unsatisfactory ending of a relationship and the aloneness of the aftermath - eased considerably by the prestige and promise of being the frontman in a rock band. There's the rollicking crowd favourite 'Standing In A Bottle', smash first single '42', 'Stan 229', 'Girls In Black', and 'Funky Chicken', a solid rock groove with its '70's "wakka wakka" guitars. Kelvin Declined seem to have have latched on to a winning formula - irresistible radio-friendly rock tunes with a vulnerable but cool-and-tough core. Buy at One World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=kelvin 14. Karoo Kitaar Blues - David Kramer http://www.rock.co.za/files/david_kramer_index.htm Karoo Kitaar Blues began life as a one-off show at the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees when David Kramer showcased a group of musicians he had found making fascinating sounds in the nooks and crannies of South Africa. This progressed to a run at the Baxter Theatre in October/November 2001, the last night of which was recorded. Dubbed by some as the "Beaufort-Worcester Social Club", this group of ageing musicians astounded audiences by sliding out the melody on their guitar with a spoon in their mouths while playing the guitar normally or with a unique brand of Karoo-ography. The artists here are Tokas Lodewyk, Hannes Coetzee, the Jaers brothers and Siena, Jan and Magdelena Mouers. The latter's distinctive vocals shine on songs penned by the family prompting the question 'Why wasn't this album called 'One Man Went to Mouers'. The oft-used phrase "this sounds like nothing else around" is a cliché but could not be more apt when talking about 'Karoo Kitaar Blues.' A desert Boland Disc. Buy at One World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&id=blik07 15. Swimming With The Women - Mikanic http://rock.co.za/legends/90s/sonsoftrout.html This is the debut release from Mikanic featuring the duo's acclaimed live set from the first series of Wonder Gigs in Cape Town. Nick Turner is Mikanic's Robert Plant-lookalike rock-steady acoustic guitarist from Sons Of Trout and Mike Rennie is his violin-playing 'Trouts' bandmate. A casual side jam session a few years back, to explore the two's alternative musical tastes, eventually evolved into Mikanic and an invitation to fill a slot on the Wonder Gigs. The duo's delicate acoustic sound still bears traces of the Sons Of Trout's unusual blend of jazz and folk, but these are all new songs that mostly explore South African themes with intelligent, tuneful arrangements. The highlight is the achingly delicate 'Don't Push' with Ernestine Deane on guest vocals, but there's also a stream of new ideas in songs like 'Africa My Love', 'Masaganja', 'Making Love With The Sunshine' and the groovy title track. Take your karma to this Mikanic! Buy at One World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=mikanic 16. My Love Is A Leopard - Frosted Orange http://rock.co.za/legends/2000plus/frosted_orange.html Guitarist Albert Frost and keyboardist Simon Orange have being paying their dues for a long time in bands like the Blues Broers and the Valiant Swart Band. And with Jacques Schutte on drums, they have produced a pigeon hole-resisting album of intelligent jazz, blues and rock. Simon Orange and Albert Frost first met late in 1989 when Albert's father, Frank D. Frost (RIP), sat in as the Blues Broers drummer for their first recording, 'Shake Like That'. Albert was a shy freckle-faced teenager while Simon was a long-haired, introverted and quiet band member, usually reading a book in the corner of the studio's garden. The Blues Broers started touring extensively in 1995 and it was here that Simon and Albert became close, as musicians and as friends. They soon realised they had a mutual interest in pushing their boundaries beyond blues so they started working together and, after weeks of preparations and name searching, Frosted Orange came into being. From the noisy guitar-rock of 'Kamakasting Land' to the quietly beautiful title track 'My Love Is A Leopard' is an all round polished performance from 3 masters of their craft. Buy at One World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=frosted 17. Holy Water - Wendy Oldfield http://www.rock.co.za/files/sweatband.html 2002 found Wendy Oldfield very occupied despite her new growing family obligations. She appeared on the Mondetta album from 2001, and then during 2002, recorded and released 'Holy Water', her impressive new album on the SAFM label. 'Holy Water' is a strong return to form for this confident and talented SA artist and confirms her undoubted talent. The 11-track album features a new batch of original songs like 'Life', 'Heaven', a reworking of the song 'Sun' off the Mondetta album, as well as other emotional, water-themed songs like 'Rain Won't Come'. 'Holy Water' was produced by Wendy Oldfield and Neal Snyman and features Douglas Bean on guitar and backing vocals, Tigger Reunert on acoustic guitar, Concorde Nkabinde on bass, and Riaan Van Rensburg and Barry van Zyl sharing drum duties. The year ended tragically for Wendy with the death of her ex-Sweatband partner and mentor, John Mair. The two had recently appeared in a reformed Sweatband at the Heritage Concert and the band's first album, 'Lank Sweat', was re-released on RetroFresh in the week Mair died. But there's a new sense of strength and understanding in the songs on 'Holy Water' and Wendy Oldfield sounds like she's doing well and moving forward. Buy at One World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=oldfield 18. Moved To Change - Andrew Janisch http://rock.co.za/legends/2000plus/andrew_janisch_change.html Someone once described fishing as "Transcendental Meditation with a punchline". They could have been talking about 'Moved To Change', ex-Woodshed member Andrew Janisch's debut solo album, whose 12 songs seem to lull one into a state of dreamy bliss, while continuing to pose those contemporary, existential questions that affect many of us in this new, strange age. These are all sensitive and emotional songs, with minimal instrumentation save for Janisch's lustrous guitar and pleasingly raspy voice, and some laid back fretless bass from Nelson Barbosa. From the wide-eyed future shock of the opener 'Millennium Boy' ("Here it is, here I am, just another Millennium Boy"), to the closing optimism of 'Fly Away', 'Moved To Change' constantly maintains its soft melodic and wordy punch. 'Moved To Change' is a thoughtful, relevant and beautiful album! Buy at One World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=janisch 19. Equilibrium - Koos Kombuis http://rock.co.za/legends/kooskombuis/index.html 'Equilibrium' is Koos Kombuis' first album of new material since the 1997 pair of 'Madiba Bay' and 'Blameer Dit Op Apartheid'. Kudos must go to Albert du Plessis of Rhythm Records and Benguela who built the quite wonderful soundscape around the guitar and voice tracks that Koos laid down. This instrumentation is as vital to the brilliance of the record as are Koos' lyrics as they create an atmospheric backdrop to the poetic imagery of the words. Rockers like 'Sestien Jaar met 'n' Vals Kitaar' and 'Ou Mense Wil Nie Rock 'n' Roll Nie' alternate with the darker tracks like 'Equilibrium met Lithium' and 'Kerke van die Nag'. This is occasionally interrupted by quite beautiful songs like 'Wrapped Around the Moon' and 'African Skyline', which have a feel-good factor. 'Luierliedjie', a song for his recently born son is the only disposable diaper on the album. Rich in texture, 'Equilibrium' is not a return to form for Koos, it's a morphing into another quite different, but equally fascinating form. The Bard-father is back. Buy at One World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=kombuis 20. The Orchard - Mann Friday Rob Burrel left Zimbabwe for Cape Town, formed a band, and immediately began writing songs about his troubled homeland. During 2002 he and the members of Mann Friday dropped out and settled into recording their debut in a studio set up on the banks of the Theewaterskloof Dam. The result was this impressive bunch of emotional and absorbing acoustic guitar ballads - including 'Diamond Eyes', 'Gin And Tonic Sky', and the obligatory 'Robinson Crusoe'. Some of the songs on 'The Orchard' also popped up in the 'Zimbabwe Ruins' audio-visual stage show which also focused on the troubles up north and wowed the Grahamstown Festival. 'The Orchard' is a brave album that matches catchy strummed melodies to Mann Friday's relevant and evocative modern Southern African minstrel tales. Fruit for thought. Buy at One World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=mann%20friday 21. Beyond The Blue - Steve Louw and Big Sky http://www.stevelouw.com 'Beyond The Blue' is Steve Louw's fourth studio album and, as always, is packed with good rocking songs including 'Flying', 'Chainsaw Blues', 'The Road Ahead' and 'The Story Of Vicky And Dan'. This incarnation of Louw's Big Sky backing band features a stellar line-up including drummer Anton Fig (ex-Hammak, Spider, currently with Paul Schafer's house band on the David Letterman Show in the USA), Keith Lentin (ex-Alpha Set, Hammak, Spider, bass), Blondie Chaplin (ex-Flames, Beach Boys, Rolling Stones, guitar, backing vocals), Pat Thrall (ex-Asia, Meatloaf, Hughes/Thrall, guitar), Adam Holzman (ex-Miles Davis, Chaka Khan, piano and keyboards), and Steve Louw on acoustic guitar and vocals. 'Beyond The Blue' was produced and mixed by Kevin Shirley (Steve's old SA chom who's been doing very nicely these days) at Hit Factory in New York City. It's got all the usual Big Sky ingredients - strong acoustic ballads, broad ideas, and a warm and positive feel. And it also has that cheeky little 'MP3' single that, well, says it all! Buy at One World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=big%20sky 22. Roadside Heretics - The Awakening http://rock.co.za/legends/90s/awakening.html As the Awakening's mainman (well, its only man actually!), Ashton Nyte has always allowed himself to be generously affected by many classic rock influences. So on this late-2002 opus we find old rockers like Bowie, Lou Reed and Iggy Pop jostling for pole position with Goth gods Sisters of Mercy, Bauhaus and The Mission. Mix all that up with the nu-metal feel of Rammstein and Linkin Park and you have come a little way in discovering the sound of 'Roadside Heretics'. This album will melt your heart and your speakers. Buy at One World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=awakening 23. Tap Into the System - Dorp http://rock.co.za/legends/90s/dorp_index.html 'Tap Into The System' sounds a bit like a record collection in a blender as the influences are many, varied and dotted around. A few DVD's have been thrown into this mixture as samples from movies pop up every now and then. The result is an intriguing sound of quirky, original and highly entertaining music. Wacky Beck-like lyrics are set against some funky guitar while a drum 'n bass rhythm blasts out. Samples fly around to great effect while the Bobby McFerrin-ish 'Badoum Badoum' is overdubbing at its best. Pieter Bezuidenhout and Kevin Kieswetter have been tinkering with the Dorp sound and line-up for a number of years, but seem to have struck gold here with probably their most accomplished work to date. This is underlined by the fact that the group signed a UK record deal during the year. However, being UK-based they are not getting much exposure in South Africa, so this qualifies as our under-plugged album of the year. Buy at One World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=dorp 24. Spergebied - Brixton Moord en Roof Orkes http://rock.co.za/legends/2000plus/bmro_spergebied.html On their debut album 'Spergebied' the Brixton Moord en Roof Orkes sing about the dark side of South Africa, based on their own very real experiences. There are songs about living and jolling in Brixton and Melville ('Brixton-Dae'), the merits of getting drunk on your own ('Dronk Op Jou Eie'), road rage (err, 'Road Rage') and a song for those that leave SA for greener pastures ('Geen Land'). 'Geraamtes In Jou Kas' is about the nightmares that are suffered by the soldiers that had to go into the townships to "maintain the peace". "Jy onthou die vure/ en die wiele van 'n Casspir/ en die reuk van brandende rubber/ deur die neus van jou gasmasker". This is not a very cheerful album on the lyrical side, but the music really rocks. So, to mis-quote Syd (Kitchen, not Barrett), this CD is not for sissies, but the brave listener who ventures into this Restricted Area will be rewarded with some very unrestricted Afrikaans Rock. Buy at One World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=spergebied 25. Icon - Jo Day Jo Day has the voice of a horny angel (apologies to Jim Steinman who was actually referring to a guitar when he said this). Her voice swoops and soars like an angel, but it drips with sexuality and lust that leaves the listener panting for more. Want proof? Look at these titles: 'Breaking Point', 'Down & Dirty', 'All The Way There', 'Confession' and 'Do You Want Me?'. Toxic Shame's Jon Buckley produced this album and his guitar riffs complement Jo's voice perfectly. Listen to this album hard and loud. Buy at One World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=jo%20day 26. Gypsy Soul - Roger Lucey http://www.rock.co.za/files/roger_lucey.html After his politically charged debut, 'The Road is Much Longer', the system moved swiftly to close Roger down. So, in a post apartheid South Africa, we are more than pleased to see the return of one of the finest folk rockers that this country ever saw. With contributions from Nico Carstens, Ray Phiri and Kech Sanchez, the album is given a sakkie sakkie, township pan pipe sound that wraps itself around Lucey's gruff vocals. Lyrically, these songs are cathartic and decidedly less angry than those on 'The Road is Much Longer' as Roger overcomes the pain and anger that apartheid brought. But there is still space for a bit of venting especially on 'The Night Harry J Went to War' where Brendan Jury adds some edgy viola to a hard-hitting song about the violence in the country. With album titles like 'The Road is Much Longer' and 'Gypsy Soul', we can possibly look forward to an album called 'I Wander'. 'Gypsy Soul' proves that Roger Lucey is still capable of making great albums, and no matter what he calls the next one, or how long it takes to arrive, we will look forward to it with great anticipation. Seems Lucey's road is much longer after all. A triumph of the spirit! Buy at One World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=roger%20lucey 27. dream hope fear - New World Inside http://rock.co.za/legends/2000plus/new_world_inside_index.html Bright stars in the emerging SA punk scene, these Cape Town low-trousered maniacs took the speed and exuberance of their debut EP and reworked it into an even more impassioned punk performance on this their first album proper on the Revolution label. You have to see these dudes bashing out a punk version of the Beach Boys' 'Barbara Anne' to fully understand the appeal of this new mixture of pure pop melodies beaten senseless by a sonic punk assault. In a year when it seemed like Will, Gareth, Heinz and the other Karaoke Kids Klub members were going to take over the ear-waves with all those over-produced bad covers, it is more than encouraging to see hordes of young, frenzied SA teens turning moshpits into jelly to the sound of the new young punks. Old Skool, New Skool, emo-punk, Ska-punk or punk-ska, whatever, it's short, fast, and you can scream along and shake to it. SA punk is flourishing and New World Inside have captured all that on this. Buy at One World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=new%20world 28. China - Tony Cox When your chinas include the likes of George Phiri, Sibusiso Victor Masondo, McCoy Mrubata, Ron "Bones" Brettell and Barry van Zyl, you know you're in for a great jam when they all come round. The style of 'China' is so relaxed that one could almost believe that Tony Cox had the tape running on one such evening. These are mostly instrumentals from the litling township sound of 'Kwe-Kwe' through the warm blues of 'Karoosin' to the jazzy 'Just One of Those Days' and quieter tracks like 'In the Distance' and 'Wintersong'. Tony Cox is a world class guitarist and 'China' is an album jam packed with bluesy, folky, jazzy guitar-led tunes that are firmly rooted in Africa, but still out of this world. Plucking Brilliant! Buy at One World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=tony%20cox 29. Hero Of Heroes - Brian Finch http://www.rock.co.za/brianfinch It had been a long, long, (and possibly lonely) time since Brian Finch's first solo album 'Bringing Back The Good Times' way back in 1974. Brian's rich, deep voice wraps itself around your soul on 'Hero Of Heroes' as he sings songs about living, leaving and loving. 'Hero of Heroes' is an album about moving... it moves from "his open sea and sky SAfrican roots, to his American-influenced country rock boots"... and it moves the feet, the heart, the mind and the soul. Fly on Brian, fly on. Buy at One World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=brian%20finch 30. Die Borrelbad Insident - Diff-Olie http://rock.co.za/legends/2000plus/diff_olie.html This debut 5-track EP from klank-rockers Diff-Olie grabs you by the scruff of the neck and shakes you up until your ears hurt. But this is not an unpleasant experience, because as soon as the last notes fade away you want to hear it all over again. Hard rock mixed with biting Afrikaans lyrics; "Afrikaans Met Attitude", indeed. Buy at One World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=diff%20olie --------------------------- SOME OF THE BEST TRACKS FROM THE BEST ALBUMS OF 2002 'Johnny Is Nie Dood Nie' - Frank Opperman (Kombuis Musiek) 'No Man's Land' - Breyten Breytenbach/Arno Carstens (Lady One) 'The Night Harry J Went To War' - Roger Lucey (Gypsy Soul) 'Brixton Dae' - Brixton Moord en Roof Orkes (Spergebied) 'Diep In Die Bos' - Valiant Swart (Maanhare) 'Glory Glory' - Dolly Rockers (Glory Glory) 'Hoenderman' - Kobus! (Kobus!) 'Extra Larry' - Sons of Trout (Odd Times) 'Gasoline' - Seether (Disclaimer) 'Karoosin'' - Tony Cox (China) 'Wrapped Around The Moon' - Koos Kombuis (Equilibrium) 'I Remember You' - Brian Finch (Hero Of Heroes) 'Rockpop' - Diff-Olie (Die Borrelbad Insident) 'I'm A Man' - Swamp Funk Quartet (Go Funk Yourself) 'Still Want You Back' - Off The Edge (Unfinished Business) 'Bring Vir Elvis Terug' - SAM (Bring Vir Elvis Terug) 'Remember' - Jo Day (Icon) ------------------------ 2002 - THE SA ROCK YEAR IN REVIEW JANUARY While the SA Rock Digest celebrated its third birthday, Saron Gas headed out to the US seeking fame and fortune after signing with Wind Up records. Locally it was the older generation who were making waves with a new release from Brian Finch ('Hero of Heroes'). Steve Newman turned 50, and Falling Mirror made their first live appearance in about 100 years at the Independent Armchair Theatre. The first Wondergig featuring Blk Sonshine took place at the SABC's Beach Road Studios in Cape Town (but was mostly lost due to a faulty something). On a sad note, we mourned the passing of Dave Tarr and Archie van den Ploeg. FEBRUARY On the international front, Senegalese superstars played at the Spier Festival, while the rest of the world slowly started waking up to Rodriguez as US rapper Nas sampled 'Sugarman' in his song 'You're da Man'. 'Sugarman' also featured on the David Holmes compilation 'Come Get It I Got It'. Arts and entertainment publicity company Smoke Signals was launched, as was Sastream.com, a web radio station playing only SA music. On the new releases front we saw a return of Sons of Trout with 'Odd Times' and Perez released their debut 'Picture Perfect'. Johnny Clegg played live in Kirstenbosch Gardens while Valiant Swart made some appearances in London at various Springbok Bars. MARCH March saw a host of new releases and festivals. The Dolly Rockers, Boo!, and Robin Auld all had new albums out. Two great compilations, 'Rocking Against the System' (from Retro Fresh) and a Koos Kombuis tribute album 'Kombuis Musiek', also hit the shelves. Oppikoppi, Kaktus op die Vlaktes, the North Sea Jazz Festival and the 5fm Easter Festival drew the crowds while Ernestine Deane from Moodphase5ive closed off the first series of the Wondergigs. International star Roger Waters kicked off his world tour in Cape Town, and we mourned the passing of comedian Spike Milligan who had performed and recorded with SA's Jeremy Taylor. We saw outrageous prices being offered for certain Juluka vinyl and cassettes and we also asked the question "Wie is Kobus?" for the first time. APRIL New band Kelvin Declined headlined the Stage Magazine Showcase Concert, while the up-and-coming Mann Friday won the Last Band Standing competition. Larry Amos celebrated his 50th birthday, and, had he lived, Neville Whitmill would also have been 50. New releases included Felix Laband's '4/4 Down the Stairs', Ian Henderson's 'Freefall', Not the Midnight Mass's 'Live at the Planetarium' and PJ Powers' 'Talk to Me'. The long awaited 'Voëlvry - die Toer' album was also released. On the live front UK dance band Faithless toured the country and the Mountain of Music charity concert organised by Venessa Nolan and Smoke Signals took place at the Jam. Artists included Venessa Nolan, the newly unveiled Kobus!, Karen Zoid and a debut for emerging Cape Town rocker, Natalia. MAY 'Equilibrium', the long awaited new album from Koos Kombuis, was released alongside two exciting eponymous debuts from Kobus! and Kelvin Declined. Breyten Breytenbach was back with some more poetry set to music in the form of 'Lady One', and Dagga Dirk Uys unleashed the 'Vloek van Die Kitaar' compilation tracing the history of Afrikaans rock music. On the RetroFresh front, Freedoms Children's 'Galactic Vibes' and Peach's 'On Loan for Evolution' gained a new CD lease on life. The SAMA awards saw Sunways winning best album for 'The Moon is a Spoon' and Anton Goosen winning best contemporary Afrikaans album for ''n Vis in die Bos'. The music industry was shocked by the murder of Nellie Shabalala, the wife of Ladysmith Black Mambazo front man Joseph Shabalala, and we mourned the loss of Via Afrika's Lukas Luislang. The Rodriguez website was renamed http://www.sugarman.org and the month ended with the startling discovery of reggae covers of his songs 'Silver Words' and 'Halfway Up The Stairs'. The Digest also started giving away exclusive mp3s. JUNE London was jolling to the sounds of Anton Goosen, Boo! And Not My Dog, while a benefit concert was held for Anneline Malebo who was a member of Joy who had a massive hit with 'Paradise Road'. Anneline had been diagnosed with HIV after having been raped at a party. Zen Arcade followed up 'Snowflake' with the 'Letter to a Friend' EP while Tribe after Tribe released 'Enchanted Entrance'. Battery 9 signed with Gallo records and the album 'Sondebok' was soon to follow . The first samp3 download chart appeared in the Digest. JULY New releases included Van der Want/Letcher's 'Bignity', Valiant Swart's 'Maanhare' and a 'Best of' from Henry Ate. We were also subjected to Pop Idol winner Heinz Winkler's debut single 'Once in a Lifetime'. Mauritz Lotz re-released 'Six String Razor'. But it was in the UK that everything was happening. Johannes Kerkorrel, Sons of Trout, Tony Cox, Wonderboom and Cutting Jade were playing gigs while the Ukkasie Kunsfees brought a number of Afrikaans artists to Stevenage. Perhaps the highlight for ex-pats was the week-long run of David Kramer at the Tricycle Theatre in London. For the first time on the Digest, the entire Top 20 Singles charts were available as mp3s. Despite not doing anything Rodriguez was having a high profile year as he turned 60 this month and an article about him appeared in UK music magazine Mojo. AUGUST During a month that included SA Music week, the Digest launched http://www.samp3.com, published the 100th singles chart, and extended the chart to a Top 30. Three classic albums were re-released on CD. Rodriguez' 'Cold Fact' was issued by PT Music while RetroFresh put Falling Mirror's 'Zen Boulders' and 'The Storming of the Loft' on a value for money two-for-one CD. Arno Carstens revealed his new band called New Porn. On a very sad note, Anneline Malebo from Joy passed away. SEPTEMBER Following the singles chart lead, the Digest albums chart expanded to a top 30 and featured Valiant Swart's 'Maanhare' at the number 1 spot. Valiant was also enjoying success after having appeared on the Big Brother show playing 'Eyeshadow'. Daniel Neville joined the Digest to cover the burgeoning punk scene in Cape Town while the old 'Springbok Hits' vinyl series was resurrected for a six CD series featuring new young sexy models, and new cover versions of old cover versions. Something like Pop Idols. OCTOBER Shawn Phillips toured the country while Falling Mirror's Nielen Mirror performed his one-man show entitled 'Johnny Calls The Chemist' at the Habeneros in Kalk Bay. Dorp signed a UK record deal and Wendy Oldfield released 'Holy Water' on the SAfm label. The African Dope label followed up the successful 'African Dope Volume 1' with another smokin' compilation, 'The Cape of Good Dope'. Folk legend Keith Blundell passed away while Derrick van Niekerk of punk band 4 Minute Warning was murdered in a hijacking. NOVEMBER November was overshadowed by the death of 2 prominent musicians within days of each other. John Mair of Sweatband was killed in a car crash, and before we could digest that, we were hit with the shocking news of Johannes Kerkorrel's suicide. On a brighter note, 5fm DJ Barney Simon was given a Half Time achievement award by sasounds.com for his services to local music. We saw a new release called 'Take the Good' from ex-Rabbitt Duncan Faure and the first Wondergig CD entitled 'A Moment in Cape Town' was released on the Wonder label. RetroFresh brought us a Helicopters 'Best of' CD and international act Usher toured the country and appeared at the international AIDS extravaganza at Green Point Stadium alongside Alicia Keys, P Diddy, Bianca la Grange, and Danny K. DECEMBER The rock world mourned the passing of Freedom's Children's Brian Davidson in early December. On a brighter note, Cindy Alter, Koos Kombuis, Johannes Kerkorrel, and Lloyd Ross were inducted into the SA Rock Hall of Fame (http://www.rock.co.za/halloffame). Cindy was the first woman to be inducted, while Johannes' induction was sadly posthumous. Wonderboom released 'Love Crash', a tribute single to Kerkorrel that eerily included a Clash reference, later given unintended significance with the sad death of Joe Strummer as the year ended. The Clash influenced a generation of rockers, not least the mysterious Janie Jones whose loud, rude debut demo on www.samp3.com would have made Joe (and JK) very proud! 2003! Bring it on... ------------------- SPRINGBOK RADIO CHARTS - THE END OF YEAR'S ROUND-UP http://rock.co.za/charts TOP 5 HITS OF 1972 (30 Years Ago) 1. I Can See Clearly Now - Johnny Nash 2. Beautiful Sunday - Daniel Boone 3. Sylvia's Mother - Dr Hook 4. Soley Soley - Middle of the Road 5. Imagine - John Lennon 'I Can See Clearly Now' had spent a record 12 weeks at the top and was deservedly the top hit of the year. Daniel Boone was not far behind with 10 weeks at the top, although this was made up of 3 stints at the top. Johnny Nash's run was uninterrupted. The highest SA hit was Jessica Jones' 'Sunday Monday Tuesday' which made it to number 12 for the year. Despite a 29 week run on the charts, Alan Garrity's 'I Need Someone' finished only 20th for the year. TOP HITS OF 1977 (25 Years Ago) 1. Mississippi - Pussycat 2. Don't Cry For Me Argentina - Julie Covington 3. Barracuda - Heart 4. Lucille - Kenny Rogers 5. Do You Wanna Make Love - Peter McCann In late 1972 Pussycat was one of only 3 acts ever to hold the top 2 positions in the same week. They then went on to be only 1 of 44 acts to have 3 top 20 hits in the same week in 1977. One of these 3 hits was 'Mississippi' which spent a total of 8 weeks at the top, straddling the Year-end at the top with 4 weeks in each year. The other 2 hits that Pussycat had in the charts were 'Smile' and 'Georgie' which finished 12 and 17 respectively. No SA act made the top 20 for the year, but possibly the biggest local hit was 'After the Fire is Gone' by Barbara Ray and Lance James. TOP HITS OF 1982 (20 Years Ago) 1. Baby Makes Her Blue Jeans Talk - Dr. Hook 2. I Don't Wanna Dance - Eddy Grant 3. Total Eclipse of the Heart - Bonnie Tyler 4. Up Where We Belong - Jennifer Warnes & Joe Cocker 5. Every Breath You Take - Police With the 3rd biggest hit in 1972 and the biggest hits in 1982, it seemed Dr Hook likes years ending in 2. Their only other top 20 hit was 'Sexy Eyes' which only managed 1 week at number 20 in 1980. Bonnie Tyler's Jim Steinman produced smash 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' also made it to the top of the US and UK charts that year. Jennifer Warnes & Joe Cocker's duet was featured in the movie 'An Officer and a Gentleman' starring Richard Gere. TOP HITS OF 1987 (15 Years Ago) 1. The Lady in Red - Chris de Burgh 2. Everything I Own - Boy George 3. All I Ask - Cliff Richard & Sarah Brightman 4. I Wanna Dance With Somebody - Whitney Houston 5. Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now - Starship 'Lady In Red' had started the year at number 1 and had spent 3 weeks at the top. The song had spent 6 weeks at number 1 in 1986. Ex-Culture Clubber Boy George took his cover of an old Bread hit to number 1 for 8 weeks and ended up as the number 2 hit of the year. Just as Dr Hook liked years ending in 2, Andrew Lloyd Webber liked those ending in 7. His 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina' was the 2nd biggest hit of 1977 for Julie Covington, while the 'Phantom of the Opera' hit 'All I Ask' was number 3 in 1987. --------------------------- SA ROCK DIGEST STAFF EDITORS mailto:editors@sarockdigest.com Brian Currin Stephen Segerman MAIN CONTRIBUTORS Tertius Louw Daniel Neville Shiloh Noone John Samson Kurt Shoemaker To unsubscribe, send mail to: mailto: unsubscribe@sarockdigest.com <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>