SA ROCK DIGEST ISSUE #203 http://www.sarockdigest.com 2nd June 2003 Established 27th January 1999 ---------------- !!PLEASE NOTE!! ---------------- If you would like to contact us, please do not reply to this newsletter, but rather use the contact details at the very end. -------------- IN THIS ISSUE -------------- Bright Blue are back with 'Madiba 1990'... Benjamin Gate to close... Join the South African Music Quota Coalition... Swerve sings BB-Africa theme... new albums from Watershed, Phringe and Danielle Pascal... live reviews of Lilo, The Spindle Sect, Regatta 69, and Piet Botha... new mp3's... and all the recommended gigs at http://www.sagigs.com ---------------------------------- SOUTH AFRICAN ROCK DIGEST ONLINE ---------------------------------- For a colorful and clickable HTML version of the SA Rock Digest with images, please visit http://rock.co.za where the online version of the SA Rock Digest can be found. Updated every Tuesday. --------------------------------------- SOUTH AFRICAN ROCK DIGEST ON THE RADIO --------------------------------------- Digest co-editor Stephen Segerman presents his SA music slot on the Bruce Millar Show on SAfm (103-106fm) on Monday evenings between 9 and 9.30pm. ------------------------------------- THE SOUTH AFRICAN ROCK ENCYCLOPEDIA ------------------------------------- From Abstract Truth to Karen Zoid, from 'Astra' to 'Zen Boulders', from 'Ag Pleez Deddy' to 'ZX Dan'... visit the South African Rock Encyclopedia at http://www.ROCK.co.za ------------ SAGIGS.com ------------ The SA Rock Digest list of recommended gigs can be found at: http://www.SAgigs.com. ------------- SAKLANK.com ------------- Sluit aan by http://www.SAKlank.com deur e-pos te stuur aan mailto:intekenaar@saklank.com?subject=SAKlank Alle rasionele idees, gedagtes, bydraes, briewe en konsert-/CD-resensies is altyd welkom! ----------- ONE WORLD ----------- Selling South African Music to the World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 ----------- CONTENTS ----------- 1.NEWS: Bright Blue release 'Madiba 1990, Tribe, Swerve sings BB-Africa theme. 2.CHARTS: Top 30 mp3s & albums 3.NEW RELEASES: mp3s & CDs: Watershed, Phringe, and Daniel Pascal 4.USA FOR AFRICA: Mike Pilot 5.A NAARTJIE IN THE UK: Back next week! 6.HISTORY & TRIVIA: Springbok radio charts, birthdays, Vinyl Junkies 7.SOUND SOLUTIONS: A Readers Forum 8.LIVE MUSIC: Regatta 69, LILO, The Spindle Sect, Piet Botha 9.INFO: Subscriptions & contributions _____________________________________________ 1.NEWS -------- EXCLUSIVE! BRIGHT BLUE RELEASE NEW SONG - 'MADIBA 1990' ONLY ON SAmp3.COM - FROM TODAY! Bright Blue have just recorded and released 'Madiba 1990', the first new song in over a decade by the group's classic line-up of Tom Fox, Ian Cohen, Dan Heymann, and Peter Cohen. Although the Cape Town group's "Best Of" collection in 2001, 'Every Now And Then', included two new songs ('World Turns' and 'Can You Feel It'), those two songs were written and recorded without the New York-based Dan Heymann. Nic Hofmeyr wrote this piece, specially for the Digest, to coincide with world-wide international MP3 release of 'Madiba 1990'...... right here, right now, only at http://www.SAmp3.com BRIGHT BLUE'S GIFT TO NELSON MANDELA By Nic Hofmeyr It must have been late in 1989, when I heard Bright Blue play a new song at the Roxy in Melville, Johannesburg. The band hadn't even worked it up into a full arrangement. Dan Heymann just played it on his piano, and Tom Fox sung. The words carried the uncertainty of those times. The last few months of that year flew by so fast. I remember the Cape Flats black with smoke from burning barricades, raging defiance against farcical elections, purple rain and crowds taking back the beaches in Cape Town, De Klerk and Pik Botha all smug on television, a huge rally in Jo'burg as Sisulu and others were released, marches and more marches through the streets of the cities, culminating in a massive one in Cape Town where Bishop Tutu proclaimed the 'rainbow nation'. In the middle of it all, at the noisy rock 'n roll Roxy, I heard this song. 'Madiba' Tom Fox said, 'Madiba, Madiba' he sang. There was an intimacy, an excitement about using that name. It was coming, you just knew Nelson Mandela's release was imminent, and Bright Blue's Dan Heymann wrote this song, anticipating. February 1990 came and went. I remember the excitement of seeing the first photograph of Nelson Mandela in the newspaper. Now we all knew what the man looked like, and what he sounded like. Coming through strong in the crushed chaos at the Parade, Cape Town, but booming through officially, from FNB, Soccer City in Jo'burg, in that rapturous, super charged couple of days where the world scampered to catch every next appearance, as the man met his country again. But in the Bright Blue camp, years of hard work had taken their toll. The band didn't last out 1990. They went their separate ways for a while, and Dan Heymann, keyboard player, left for New York. I never heard the `Madiba song' again More than a decade later, September 11 2001 to be precise, Dan Heymann is a little late for his day job. His place of employment - the 96th floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center. The building is hit while Dan's still riding the subway. None of his colleagues survive. Dan told me in an email recently, "One thing that came out of September 11 for me, was the realisation of how quickly and easily one can become a victim. So when my former partners from Bright Blue called to see how I was coping, I had a whole `now or never' moment, regarding a couple of `never properly recorded' songs. I knew the other guys still collaborated, obviously I've followed what they've been doing since I've been living in New York. Turns out they'd been doing some writing too, and had a couple of their own brand new tunes on the boil. And in these digital times, it wasn't that big a stretch to email some skeleton instrumentation to each other, right before I was due to hit Cape Town for a hasty vacation. " While Bright Blue have continued to record and release music over the time that Dan has been away, this is the first time they've recorded with their talented keyboard player in more than ten years. They put down a couple of tracks with Dan, and they didn't forget the Madiba song. As band member Ian Cohen says, "Some songs just fight their way out, this one wanted to be heard." The song is called 'Madiba 1990.' "It's a gift from Bright Blue to Nelson Mandela for his 85th birthday (on July 18th), and to South Africa, and the world," says the band's Peter Cohen. Ian Cohen says, "We wish Madiba a very happy birthday, and really, this is just our little way of saying thank you for making our country great and allowing us the privilege of living through such amazing times, and coming out the other end... happy to be here." The song starts off the way it did back in '89. Quietly, with just Dan's piano and Tom Fox's vocals, like a pretty pop ballad. It ends in a rousing, rhythmical crescendo of jive guitar and marabi-style horns that sound so generically South African you know exactly where you are. Helping out the original band members are Buddy Wells on sax and David Langerman (mixing). Last year? Bright Blue released a compilation CD, 'Every Now And Then'. This year they're taking a different path. 'Madiba 1990' will be released on the Internet, through the SA Rock Digest/SAmp3 websites. Other songs will follow later in the year. "The world is in chaos and so is the record industry. The Internet allows us to get music to all corners of the world almost immediately without endless record deal negotiations, which are region by region. This appears to be the new way of delivering music, and we want all to hear it," says Ian. Nic Hofmeyr. 2003. Bright Blue fans can download 'Madiba 1990' free off the net, from: http://www.SAmp3.com Bright Blue website at: http://rock.co.za/brightblue Email: mailto:brightblue@rock.co.za?subject=BrightBlue ---------------------------- YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU!!! Join the South African Music Quota Coalition Tired of hearing nothing but American and British music on South African radio? Ever wondered how it is that countries like Australia and France can manage 40% local content while our 20% quota is totally ignored by so many SA stations? Or how much money the country loses every year by promoting overseas acts at the expense of the SA-owned industry? Join the South African Music Quota Coalition, by logging onto http://www.samqc.org.za where you can sign up, or just check out what it's all about. If you don't have access to the internet, you can call 021 7852281 with name and contact details, or write to SA Music Quota Coalition, PO Box 48259, Kommetjie, Cape Town 7976. It's our airtime. Where is our music? ---------------------------- TRIBE - NEW ALBUM AND DATES Tribe are Buddy Wells (saxophone), Marc Fransman (piano), Kesivan Naidoo (drums) & Charles Lazar (upright bass). The group began in Feb 2001, and soon reached what has been called cult-like status amongst the Cape Town Jazz audiences playing at their weekly sessions at the Armchair Theatre in Observatory from Feb 2001 till Feb 2002. In 2002 they were selected to perform at numerous festivals including, the North Sea Jazz Festivals in Cape Town and in Den Haag (where they received a standing ovation). But Tribe remained unsigned until Jan 2003, when they signed with Ready Rolled Records and are now about to release their debut album, 'Our Language'. The Cape Town Launch of the album will take place at the Armchair Theatre in Observatory, Cape Town, on the 4th June followed by a series of other Cape Town dates. See http://www.sagigs.com for details ---------------------------- THE BENJAMIN GATE TO "CLOSE" Top SA rock band, The Benjamin Gate, have decided to call it a day in November 2003. After releasing an EP and album in South Africa, the band were signed to Forefront Records and relocated to America in 2000, where they released their debut album ,'Untitled', and toured extensively to promote it. After Nick Volsteedt replaced ex-drummer Brett Palmer in 2002, they then released their follow-up album, 'Contact'. The band's official statement said: "As you may all be aware, Adrienne is engaged and will be getting married in December of this year (actually in our home town of Port Elizabeth, South Africa). The sad news is that she will be leaving the band, and that this will be The Benjamin Gate's last year." "The Benjamin Gate has been touring the USA for a little over two years now and we have seen great successes and made many friends. We are thankful for the time we have had in the USA and thankful for the opportunities we have had to play in very many states across the country, as well as having been able to play in the UK, Sweden and the Netherlands, and in our great home country, South Africa". Listen out for The Benjamin Gate's new single "Need" on UCT Radio 104.5 FM. (From the UCT Radio Newsletter) ---------------------------- SWERVE RELEASES NEW 'BIG BROTHER AFRICA' THEME SONG 'Big Brother Africa', the third in the SA "human fishtank" series, launched on DSTV last week with 12 house members representing 12 southern African countries. As always, the theme song is of relative importance as the first series turned 'Life' by Semisane into a hit, and the second series did likewise for Pop Idols' finalists Mel and Ezra with 'Cabin Fever'. Keeping it in the "family", this latest dance-pop theme song, 'Take It Up', is by Swerve (that's Irwin, the Lenny Kravitz look-a-like from 'Big Brother 1') who always had an eye on a music career after singing (and trying to play guitar) while in the House. Swerve's debut project was conceived along with Cazz and Neil Solomons, who co-wrote the song, and is released on the Sheer label. 'Take It Up' is influenced by ethnic tribal beats, urban pop and some R&B elements. The production was by Tessa and Robby "Funk" from Jazzworx and Shane Duke Wellington and features the additional voices of Shaluza Max and Prehesh. The single is due for release soon with a bonus track and an album to follow. ---------------------------- 'RIFFS ON A JAZZ FESTIVAL' Nigel Vermaas' take on the North Sea Jazz Festival, Cape Town 2003 SAfm - Sunday morning 8th June at 9:30. This year's festival produced some great music, attracted capacity audiences and saw the promoters, ESP-Afrika and MOJO Concerts, finally breaking even. It also saw Isaac Hayes cancelling, and journalist Chris Roper's immoderate attack on the organisers and audiences for shoddy conditions at Rosie's, the straight-ahead jazz venue. This programme brings you Rashid Lombard's response to the criticisms, Chris Roper's explanation of why he wrote as violently as he did, and also personal insights from Archie Shepp, Eric Vloiemans, Adam Rudolph and John Scofield with additional thoughts from Downbeat journalist, Dan Ouellette and Hotep Galeta. Hip groups Godessa, Pieces of a Dream, Relax and Bengeula have their say too. And, of course the festivalgoers. And we also look at the future of the Festival. 'Riffs On A Jazz Festival' in The Inner Ear on SAfm Sunday morning 8th June at 9:30. __________________________________________ 2.CHARTS ----------- TOP 30 SOUTH AFRICAN MP3s OF THE WEEK http://www.SAmp3.com 1. [2] (1) Awakening - HappyFourTwenty ('Awakening'/Go!Hemp Music) 2. [8] (2) Spook - Spinnekop ('Soet September'/Afrimusik) 3. [1] (1) Jy Is Opium - Valiant Swart ('Song Vir Katryn'/Rhythm) 4. [5] (4) A Man Like Me - James Stewart (Indie) 5. [12] (5) Wonderboom Sampler - Wonderboom ('Tell Someone Who Cares'/DGR) 6. [10] (6) Springbok Nude Girls Sampler (SonyMusic) 7. [13] (7) Push-up Bra - Uzo Blaker ('Volk Jou Ook'/Wildebeest) 8. [7] (5) Let Us Be Heard Sampler - Various ('Let Us Be Heard'/Wicked Rock) 9. [6] (6) Pretty Baby - KJ Stone ('In Different Voices'/Sonic Orange) 10. [23] (10) Shine - James Stewart (SAmp3.com/Street Level) 11. [3] (1) Tweak Sampler (Micassomix) - Tweak ('Dirty Sanchez and the Misfit Kidz'/BMG) 12. [17] (12) Mamba (demo) - Piet Botha (SAmp3.com) 13. [19] (13) Elungelo - RSL and Ladysmith Black Mambazo ('Re-Rooted'/FreshMusic) 14. [4] (4) Pre-Seether Sampler - Saron Gas ('Fragile'/Musketeer) 15 . [20] (15) The Mississippi Muthers Blues - The Mississippi Muthers ('The Mississippi Muthers'/Indie) 16. [21] (16) Die Gipsy In Jou Oë - Anna Davel ('Gypsy'/Rhythm) 17. [22] (17) Mooie Vrou - Kaal ('Blues To The Bone'/Indie) 18. [-] (18) Anything - Helen Desbois (Indie) 19. [11] (4) Onder In My Whiskeyglas (Live) - Koos Kombuis ('Tassenberg All*Stars'/Trippy Grape/Rhythm) 20. [9] (3) Braai Pack (Sampler) - Not My Dog ('Braai Vibes'/Sheer) 21. [24] (21) Moan In Blues - Akkedis with Albert Frost ('Husse Met Lang Ore'/Wildebeest) 22. [25] (22) Bleed - Loogaroo ('Loogaroo'/Indie) 23. [26] (23) Geraamtes - Ekstra Dik ('Uit Ons Koppe Uit'/Indie) 24. [4] (3) South Africa - Eden Brent ('Something Cool'/Rhythm) 25. [-] (25) Get Some - Soil 7t7 ('Soil 7t7'/Indie) 26. [30] (26) Pink Pork Noise - Benguela ('Digital Inability'/Rhythm) 27. [29] (27) Ek En Jy In Die Kaap - Lize Beekman ('Iemand Het Gesê'/Indie) 28. [-] (28) Mellow Drama Sampler - Phringe ('Mellow Drama'/USM) 29. [16] (2) Say Goodbye - Scarlet Host (Demo/Indie) 30. [-] (30) The Banded - The Narrow ('Selfconscious'/Intervention) -------------- TOP 30 SOUTH AFRICAN ALBUMS OF THE WEEK http://www.sarockdigest.com/charts This week [last week] (highest position) Title - Artist (Label) 1. [3] (1) Song Vir Katryn - Valiant Swart (Rhythm) 2. [4] (2) Wicked Rock: Let Us Be Heard - Various (Wicked Rock) 3. [2] (2) Dirty Sanchez And The Misfit Kidz - Tweak (BMG) 4. [1] (1) Tell Someone Who Cares - Wonderboom (DGR) 5. [11] (5) Teaching Afrikaans As A Foreign language - Buckfever Underground (Indie) 6. [8] (6) Gypsy - Anna Davel (Rhythm) 7. [13] (7) Selfconscious - The Narrow (Intervention Arts) 8. [5] (3) In Different Voices - KJ Stone (Sonic Orange) 9. [16] (8) Kaal - Blues To The Bone (Indie 10. [9] (1) Awakening - HappyFourTwenty (Indie) 11. [20] (11) Soil 7t7 - Soil 7t7 (Indie) 12. [7] (1) Ligdag - Laurinda Hofmeyr (Rhythm) 13. [6] (2) Something Cool - Eden Brent (Rhythm) 14. [14] (4) Khetha - Khumbula (African Cream) 15. [21] (15) Adam Tas - Nag Van Die Nerf (Wildebeest) 16. [12] (1) Luxury - Robin Auld (Free Lunch) 17. [10] (2) Sacrificial Etchings - The Awakening (Intervention Arts) 18. [17] (4) Motive For Breathing - PetFlyz (Intervention Arts) 19. [23] (19) Uit Ons Koppe Uit - Ekstra Dik (Indie) 20. [19] (1) Catfish - Albert Frost (Rhythm) 21. [15] (5) Elephant - Tim Wells (Indie) 22. [18] (1) Room2Breathe - Semisane (BMG) 23. [25] (23) Roger Lucey - 21 Years Down The Road (3eM) 24. [-] (24) Wrapped In Stone - Watershed (EMI) 25. [22] (2) Killing Time - Anika (Outbox/Rhythm) 26. [-] (26) Confessions In Dub - Jerome Arthur (Forest Moon) 27. [-] (27) Wicked Demos - Various (Wicked Rock) 28. [24] (2) Into The Night We Slide - Radio Rats (RetroFresh) 29. [26] (1) The Listening Room - Neo Muyanga (BMG) 30. [28] (1) Forest Moon - Forest Moon (Forest Moon) READ http://rock.co.za/legends/2000plus LISTEN http://www.SAmp3.com BUY http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 _____________________________________________ 3. NEW, RECENT AND UPCOMING RELEASES ----------------------------------------- ------ MP3s ------ Bright Blue - 'Madiba 1990' (see News above) Phringe - 'Mellow Drama Sampler' See full review of 'Mellow Drama' in New Releases below. The Narrow - 'Gracious Creature' Second hard-edged track off 'Self Conscious', the new album by this Not My Dog spin-off band. Soil 7t7 - 'Life Itself' More metal mayhem from the 'Soil 7t7' debut album. http://www.sarockdigest.com/soil7t7 Brian Finch - 'Never Look Back' Title track from Brian's stunning new album. http://www.rock.co.za/brianfinch and: Arcana XXII - 'Breathing In Me' Evolver - 'Push and Shove' HappyFourTwenty - 'Myrtleville' Idle Minds - 'Fragile' Kaal - 'Einde Van Die Dae' Mr. Mo & G-Steel - 'Elevated State Of Grace' Sacrifist - 'Bitter Endings' Download South African mp3's from http://www.SAmp3.com ----- CDs ----- WATERSHED - 'WRAPPED IN STONE'(EMI) There must have been a lot of pressure on Craig Hinds and Watershed as the recording of that dreaded, but contractually-required, second album approached. Second albums are notoriously tricky and exposing, unless you are Coldplay, whose second effort, 'A Rush Of Blood To The Head', not only earned them Grammys, Gwynneths, and an NME "Album Of The Year" award, but also gave new credibility to acoustic pop-rock bands with plenty of good songs. Coldplay and Watershed share the EMI label, so an expectant (corporate and fans') gaze fell on Watershed as they set out to record the follow-up to their very successful 'In The Meantime' debut. That impressive first offering had timeously arrived soon after Just Jinger had finished blazing their yearning ballad trail across '90's South Africa and had left for overseas glory, leaving all the SA labels searching for another similar SA rock band with a strong pop centre and a bag of hits. EMI and their new signings struck gold with 'In The Meantime', which yielded a string of radio hits - 'Shine On Me', 'Indigo Girl', 'Angel', and 'Yesterday Again' - and passed SA gold sales of 25 000 units on its way to platinum. 'In The Meantime' was then released in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, along with 'Indigo Girl', which was released in several territories as a stand-alone single. But with all that going on, Watershed - Craig Hinds (vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica, piano), Paul McIver (guitars), Tulsa Pittaway (drums), Vernon Hodgetts (bass guitar) and Lizzie Rennie (violin, keyboards) - got down to writing and recording 'Wrapped In Stone' with producer Brian O'Shea. The resulting 13-song (plus the obligatory hidden track, here called 'Lonely', shame) album removes all doubts that this band have the goods. It opens with five consecutive potential hits - 'Lovely Day', 'Crazy', 'Light Of The Moon', (first single) 'Closing Down' and (current personal favourite) 'So Far'. The album then dips slightly in mid-album with 'Hurricane' (which is a little too slow and close to 'Indigo Girl' - here she's his "brown-haired girl"?), 'How Was I To Know', and 'Don't Go Changing'. One or two of these songs could have been held back for future inclusion on the upcoming single EP's. But then it's back to their best with songs like 'All I Could Offer', 'Today', and the uptempo 'Fine Time To Leave', which should also be another radio cert. Although there is a richness of hits here, 'Wrapped In Stone' is best appreciated as a full album, an alien but still valid concept in these days of mp3 compilations. Brian O'Shea shows what he can do with some really strong material, as opposed to some of the drek he's been buffing these past few months. Here the arrangements work merely to enhance the core of these songs, finding relevant spaces for soft piano, a string section, a brass section, and plenty of acoustic guitars to surround Craig Hinds' distinctive and warm vocals - all combining to produce as fine and intelligent an SA pop-rock album as we have heard in ages. 'Wrapped In Stone' will yield a bucket of hits, impress a lot of people, sell plenty, and will undoubtedly establish Watershed as our outstanding SA pop-rock band of the moment - it's really that good! (SS) ---------------------------- PHRINGE - 'MELLOW DRAMA' (USM) The first independently produced and released version of 'Mellow Drama' arrived a while ago and immediately caught our attention with its fresh sound, diverse spread of styles, and memorable songs like the power rock anthem, 'New Heart', the soaring, emotional ballad, 'Need', and that addictive guitar riff on 'Dry'. Phringe - Bruce Dennill (v, g), Antony Adelaar (g) Kate Dennill (bv), Cliff Wright (b), and Nic Tudor (drums) - began in 1998, and recorded and released 'Window Seat', their debut six-track EP, a year later. After some extensive gigging, the group recorded this debut 13-track album during the first six months of 2002. The album was recorded at Barking Dog Studios in Johannesburg and produced, engineered and mastered by Ralph Martin. Then in March 2003, Phringe were snapped up by USM Records in Johannesburg and 'Mellow Drama' received a production upgrade, a track re-shuffling, and a general release. And 'Mellow Drama' is now even better. There's not a dud amongst these 13 diverse songs (all written by Bruce Dennill and Antony Adelaar), from new chilled opener, 'Park Bench' ("You've got to settle down, take it easy!"); through "mellow" acoustic ballads like 'Halo', 'Saved Again', 'Need', 'Come What May' and 'I'm Not Afraid'; to the band's harder, hooky guitar sound of 'Download', 'Dry', 'Fuel', 'New Heart', and a great old-style rock 'n roll ramble called 'Don't Tell Me You Are Not The One Because You Are'. They're not going to be "phringe" for too long! (SS) READ http://rock.co.za/legends/2000plus/phringe_mellow_drama.html LISTEN to the 'Mellow Drama Sampler' mp3 at http://www.samp3.com ---------------------------- DANIÈLE PASCAL - ' TYDLOOS' (CRAZEE RECORDS) This five-track EP, produced by Trevor Harper, features traditional and evergreen Afrikaans songs such as 'Die Oukraal Liedjie', 'Lisa Se Klavier', 'Al Lê Die Berge Nog So Blou', 'Suikerbossie', and 'Le Chant Des Alisées', adapted by Danièle from the Koos Du Plessis classic, 'Kinders Van Die Wind'- a token of love and appreciation to her Afrikaans public. Tydloos will be launched at Morgenhof Estate Stellenbosch on 6 June 2003* and will be available in record shops country wide as from 10 June 2003. * contact Helga on Tel: 021-889 5510 --------------- MORE REVIEWS --------------- More reviews can be found at: Open Record http://www.openrecord.co.za Amuzine http://rock.co.za/reviews.htm ______________________________________ 4.USA FOR AFRICA ------------------ Texas-based Kurt Shoemaker gives his unique views on SA music MIKE PILOT SALUTES THE KINGS OF ROCK I spent only R11 plus shipping to hear Mike Pilot's medley treatment of six of rock 'n' roll legends, and I've gotten way more than my money's worth. Mike's guitar work on medleys of hits by Elvis, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Bill Haley, Fats Domino, and Buddy Holly raises this neat little gem above novelty status. We all know these songs. That's how Chuck Berry can tour alone, just using pick-up bands in each city he plays because he can always find musicians who know his stuff. If Mike had made slavish instrumental copies of the originals (and what would be the point of that?) it would not play around here, but he invests each song's guitar lead with a sharper sound than used in the originals, while carrying the melody with six steel strings instead of vocal cords. Pilot is, after all, the ex-lead guitarist of Stingray (and numerous other bands), and these days a South African arranger, producer, and performer. What makes this more than a novelty item is the tone and feeling Pilot brings to the songs. In a rock 'n' roll way it's like a piano recital where what matters is the skill and feeling the performer brings to the performance, not the mechanical precision of an idiot savant. Or this might be like ancient Egyptian art where what made an artist was how well he painted motifs and symbols that had been painted thousands of times before. If it weren't for Pilot's little extras and his expression, this album would be studio hack elevator music. But he brings to it a love of rock 'n' roll and a perky energy. Not all the medleys work for me, like the one by Fats Domino, but his originals never grabbed me either, unlike Buddy Holly that closes this CD. So if you find 'The Kings of Rock' at R11 plus VAT, go ahead and take a chance that Mike Pilot's pleasant and fresh rock 'n' roll guitar works for you, too, that it makes this better than you might think, and more than a novelty. Kurt Shoemaker, Blanco, Texas mailto:kurt@sarockdigest.com _________________________________ 5.A NAARTJIE IN THE UK ------------------------ London-based John Samson gives his own twist on SA music John is currently in Ireland to catch Nick Cave in concert. Back next week. John Samson, London mailto:john@sarockdigest.com _________________________________________ 6.HISTORY & TRIVIA ------------------- SPRINGBOK RADIO CHARTS http://rock.co.za/charts This week [Last week] Title - Artist 30 YEARS AGO (01 June 1973) 1 [1] Can't Keep It In - Cat Stevens 2 [2] Never, Never, Never - Shirley Bassey 3 [3] We Believe In Tomorrow - Freddy Breck 4 [6] The Morning After - Maureen McGovern 5 [4] The Love In Your Eyes - Vicky Leandros 25 YEARS AGO (02 June 1978) 1 [1] Stayin' Alive - Bee Gees 2 [2] Make Love To Me - Kelly Marie 3 [3] Night Fever - Bee Gees 4 [4] It's So Easy - Linda Ronstadt 5 [7] I Can't Stand The Rain - Eruption 20 YEARS AGO (03 June 1983) 1 [2] Total Eclipse Of The Heart - Bonnie Tyler 2 [1] Up Where We Belong - Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes 3 [3] Billie Jean - Michael Jackson 4 [5] Let's Dance - David Bowie 5 [6] Der Kommissar - After The Fire 15 YEARS AGO (02 June 1988) 1 [1] Beds Are Burning - Midnight Oil 2 [2] Get Outta My Dreams - Billy Ocean 3 [7] Pop Goes The World - Men Without Hats 4 [3] I Think We're Alone Now - Tiffany 5 [5] My Arms Keep Missing You - Rick Astley Cat Stevens spent his 5th week at the top in 1973 closely pursued by Shirley Bassey who had spent 2 weeks at number 2. Someone should have told her to never say never. While the tragedy of Poseidon Adventure was sinking in at cinema's, music from the film was decidedly buoyant as Maureen McGovern climbed up the charts. The song also picked up an Oscar. 'Stayin' Alive' looked set to be joined at the top by 'Night Fever' giving the Bee Gee's a remarkable double double (having occupied the top 2 spots a few weeks earlier with 'How Deep Is Your Love'). All that stood in the way was Kelly Marie's 'Make Love To Me'. The latter hit had failed to chart in the UK and the US. 1983 saw Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes being eclipsed by Bonnie Tyler. Tyler had topped to UK, US, Radio 5, Capital 604 and Radio 702 charts with this song and now added the SA Top 20 to her growing lists of successes. 'Der Kommissar' was an English version of a German song by Falco. Falco scored a hit in his own right in 1986 with 'Rock Me Amadeus'. Midnight Oil were top dogs in 1988 with 'Beds Are Burning'. They joined Kylie Minogue, John Paul Young and Sherbert as being chart toppers from down under. Talking of Down Under, Men at Work could only manage number 2 with their paean to their homeland. Men Without Hats where riding high with their poppy 'Pop Goes The World'. They, however, were from Canada. South African's at number 1 this week: Spider Spider - Tidal Wave (1970) Michael Row The Boat Ashore - Richard Jon Smith (1979) South African New Entries this week: 01-Jun-73 I'll Never Be The Same Again - Letta Mbulu 02-Jun-67 Olie Kolonie - Boet Van Wyk Orkes 03-Jun-77 Tanya - Leigh Ashton 03-Jun-77 Stone Walls - Dennis East 04-Jun-71 Boom Sha La La Lo - John Edmond 07-Jun-80 Day Oh / Island In The Sun - Richard Jon Smith --------------- VINYL JUNKIES --------------- This section is for collectors of vinyl, both South African and International. MABU VINYL 34 Kloof Street, Gardens, Cape Town Mike Makhalemele - 'The Peacemaker' (LP) Bright Blue - 'The Rising Tide' (LP) The Manhattan Brothers - 'Emergent Voices' (LP) Miriam Makeba - 'The Magic Of Makeba' (LP) Miriam Makeba - 'The Many Voices Of' (LP) Tribe After Tribe - 'Tribe After Tribe' (LP) Johnny Kongos - 'Kongos' (LP) Various - 'Voelvry' (LP) Cash paid for records in saleable condition. Jacques Vosloo (+27 21) 423 7635 mailto:vinyl@sarockdigest.com ----------- BIRTHDAYS ----------- 05 - Jonathan Handley (1954, The Radio Rats) 06 - Billy Forrest (born William Broadman, 1940) 11 - Nielen Mirror (born Nielen Marais, 1951, Falling Mirror) 19 - June Dyer (1942) If you info on any South African artists date of births, please send them to brian@rock.co.za?subject=birthdays ______________________________________________ 7.SOUND SOLUTIONS A Readers Forum ----------------------------------- A selection of the email requests, questions, searches, and other pieces of random info we receive each week at the Digest. Sometimes we can assist, other times we look to you, our collectively well-informed readers to contact these writers and help out as well. Thanks! ------------------------------------ PIP FREEDMAN, THE LEGENDARY SA COMEDIAN, PASSED AWAY RECENTLY I am very sad at the news about Pip Freedman (who passed away on the 19th May)... and my warmest wishes are with the family. If you wish to write a letter of condolence, or if you wish to share any of your memories of Pip Feedman... please forward them to me at mailto:kiwikatz@yahoo.com I will collect and forward your condolences and memories appropriately on to the family. In addition you may be aware that there is an official fansite website on Pip Freedman. Please bookmark the link off page as: http://www.geocities.com/kiwikatz/ If you are able to contribute any memories... or photos... or music... please let me know so that we can all share in the life and music of this beautiful and legendary man. Thank you Sheri mailto:kiwikatz@yahoo.com Ed. - Our condolences to Pip's family as well! A very funny man who will be sorely missed by all his SA fans. ---------------------------- MORE ON NOA NOA Hi Jason, I saw your query on the SA Rock Digest regarding Noa Noa. I signed the band to Tusk Music in early 1996 after hearing their demo of 'Falling', with which they won the Cape Town leg of a demo competition that the label was running. As you know by now they comprised Marisa and Sergio Barbosa (their brother Nelson also played on the album) and Koos Turenhout. The album was produced by Andrew Coote who was the trumpet player for Mango Groove. We had great hopes for the band - the first single, 'Remember', was a big radio hit, as was the follow-up, 'Falling'. But there was a certain reluctance on the part of some of the members to tour or do live dates. So, despite all the attention from radio and press the band didn't back it up live-wise so subsequently the interest petered out and shortly thereafter the band broke up. Sergio apparently still plays around in Cape Town and Koos? Well I have no idea, last I heard he was working in a music shop. That`s pretty much it, wish I could tell you more. It`s a real pity as I thought the band wrote amazing songs, we put a lot of money and work into Noa Noa with videos etc... but that old SA music syndrome kicked in! Best regards, Benjy Mudie Fresh Music http://www.freshmusic.co.za ---------------------------- TWO ABOUT PRIME CIRCLE 1) Do you know where I can find the mp3 of Mean Mr Mustard's 'Buttercup' and Prime Circle's 'Hello'? Thanx Tarryn mailto:tarrynm@global.co.za 2) Does anyone know who manages the new SA band "Prime Circle"? Contact details would be great too! Thanks, Schwepps Ed. - I don't think either of these are available as (authorised) mp3's, but you can buy the Mean Mr Mustard album, 'Secret Places' (which includes their version of the Foundations 1968 hit 'Build Me Up Buttercup') at http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=mustard Prime Circle are on the David Gresham label. Contact details for their JHB and Cape Town offices are in the "SA record company" section at http://rock.co.za ---------------------------- BAND O' GYPSYS I'm looking for a copy of the 90's CD that Band O' Gypsys recorded, called 'She's Like A Mermaid'. If anyone has one to sell contact me privately. Thanks George Fazakas mailto:musgsf@puknet.puk.ac.za ---------------------------- RABBITT AND CLOUT HUNT Hi, Could anyone out there tell me if 'A Threat And A Promise' by Clout, and 'A Croak And A Grunt In The Night' by Rabbitt, are available on CD? Charles Vorster. mailto:charlesvorster@hotmail.com Ed. - These albums have not yet been released on CD. ---------------------------- CONFESSIONS? Where can I order a copy of Jerome Arthur's new album, 'Confessions In Dub'? Thanks, Jeff Ed. - You can order the album directly from Jerome Arthur's website at: http://www.jeromearthur.co.za ---------------------------- NAME THAT SONG! I used to live in SA a couple of years ago, and there was this one song that they used to play on East Coast Radio (Durban) back around 1998-1999. I don't know the name of the song, and I'm sure it's South African. Here goes my attempt at deriving the lyrics: Chorus "and she dancing with the world, while he stands watching and the tears burn in his eyes, you know he would die....for her love" Pretty corny on my part if you ask me. Well, that was my attempt. I hope the song triggers something. Thanks Marcel Michael mailto:mmichael@fit.edu ---------------------------- NAME THAT ARTIST I know 'I Drove All Night' by Celine Dion is a cover version, but I can't remember by who? Can you help, please? Andrew Ed. - 'I Drove All Night' was a big hit in the US & UK in 1989 for Cyndi Lauper. ---------------------------- NEEDS SOME LITHIUM I am desperately seeking 2 of SA Band Lithium's albums - 'Zennon Supertroopers' and the 'Take Out' EP. I live in the UK and have asked almost every Saffa I meet but no luck (although I did find someone with 'Broken'). Could you possibly assist. I've also tried Musica on-line and millions of independent stores in SA with no luck. Dave Bannister mailto:mygrain2000@yahoo.com ---------------------------- KEEPING TABS ON AFRIKAANS MUSIC I have a website dedicated strictly to Afrikaans guitar tabs. These tabs aren't only your average Volksliedjies stuff, but also songs fromValiant, Koos, Johannes etc. Website: www.geocities.com/kitaarmykruis If you want to contribute, please email me at: mailto:jaspervanzyl@mailbox.co.za Thanks, Jasper van Zyl ---------------------------- 'JAN SKOPGRAAF' I am the author of a book called 'Music Inspired by Art: A Guide to Recordings' (Scarecrow Press). I am preparing the 2nd edition now, and I plan to include Piet Botha's CD, 'Jan Skopgraaf'. I was fascinated to read that the cover painting inspired the title song. I am looking for a copy of that CD? It would help me document the recording and write a thorough description of the music. "Jan Skopgraaf" will be a fine addition to my book. Thanks very much, Gary Evans 226 Arthur Circle Ferrum, Virginia USA 24088 mailto:gevans@ferrum.edu ---------------------------- STINGRAY I'm looking to purchase a copy of Stingray (1979) but I'm unable to find it anywhere. Can you help me or recommend a lead to find it? Thanks, Kerry Roosmalen mailto:kroosmalen@cox.net ---------------------------- JOHN IRELAND I have been looking for the music of John Ireland for a long time - on CD or vinyl. I would like to buy as much of the range of his music as possible. Thanks Trevor Thomas mailto:thomastt@wyeth.com ---------------------------- BALLYWHO? I once resided in South Africa and whilst there I was a big fan of Ballyhoo's 'Man on The Moon'. After many years of travelling and working in different countries I lost my copy. I have been try to track down a copy for many years now, can you help me? Best Regards, Peter mailto:peterbur@fwp.co.nz ---------------------------- THAT LOTTO SONG I am looking for the lyrics to Vicky Sampson's 'African Dream', can you pls help me? Many Thanks Geraldine mailto:geryw@psygro.co.za ---------------------------- HARMONICIST? Who did the excellent harmonica work on SA band India's 'Hot Blooded Woman? Is the band still operative? Don Bryce mailto:donb@buffalocity.gov.za ---------------------------- LOOK HERE YOU BASTARDS! The Bastard Media site has been updated for the 2nd quarter of 2003, so please take a look. This edition features photographic stories by Toast Coetzer and Sam Reinders. There are also new additions to the site which include a fiction section (with stories from Toast and Clive E Smith) as well as several photographic portfolios that have been added to the contributors' section. www.bastardmedia.co.za ---------------------------- THIS WEEK'S RIDDLE? my name is steph. i am looking for a song i herd was song bye bongo maffin and up to beat song they do a line dance too but i dont know the name? Thanks mailto:ladybug1@worldpath.net Ed. - huh? -------------------------- GOT A QUESTION? Please email any musical questions to mailto:soundsolutions@sarockdigest.com This section is sponsored by: SOUND SOLUTIONS Sound Solutions is a private music library in Cape Town that offers music searches, and the sourcing and recommending of songs and music soundtracks for television, film, and radio productions and commercials. Contact: Stephen Segerman - (021) 461-9541 mailto:sugar@rock.co.za ______________________________________________ 8.LIVE MUSIC --------------- ------- EVENTS: ------- TRAVELLERS IN PIETERMARITZBURG IS LOOKING FOR BANDS I have recently negotiated Friday nights at Travellers (old Zappas) in Theatre Lane in Pietermaritzburg as a new Alternative evening and band venue (something very lacking in Pietermaritzburg) and am looking for bands who may be interested in playing. It is quite a small venue but used to be a popular live bands venue and is a start to get live bands back into Pmburg. See http://www.sagigs.com for upcoming events at Travellers Any interested parties can contact us at mailto:travellerspmb@yahoo.com or alternatively can contact: Jason on 0724165942 for more information. ---------------------------- EMERGING SOUNDS IN PRETORIA Where have all the Pretoria bands gone? If you play in a band based in Pretoria then we have good news for you. There is now a Pretoria leg of the RP Studios Emerging Sounds Competition taking place on the last Saturday of every month. Each month three Pretoria bands perform on the same day as the finals of the Johannesburg leg of this competition to determine which Pretoria band proceeds along with two Johannesburg bands to the regional finals taking place at Caesars Gauteng. Pretoria bands - here is an opportunity for you to prove your musical worth,at the same time having the opportunity of winning some great prizes. They range from studio time to a paying residency (where you have the chance to earn between R4000 and R5000), as well as the extra possibility of being selected to have one of your songs appear on a compilation CD due out near the end of this year. To book your band or for further information contact Simon "Squire" Foulds on 082 770 7524. See http://www.sagigs.com for dates -------- SA PUNK -------- THE REGATTA 69 SHOW Regatta 69/Hog Hoggidy Hog/Rudimentals at The Mercury Live in Cape Town I was a bit pissed off getting to the gig and finding out that it was R40 to get in. Then, after speaking to one of the guys from Hogs afterwards, apparently they played the gig for free. So I'm assuming that the Rudimentals played for free as well, and that Reggata 69 got all the money, which was a bit unfair as the Hogs & Rudies were much more worth the money. The Rudimentals were on first and these guys are really a great band if none of you have ever seen them before. I only got there halfway through, but after grabbing myself a beer I skanked my ass off to the remainder of their set. My favourite song of theirs is 'Big Boss'. Hope they will bring out a recording soon. My only problem is that all their stuff all sounds pretty much the same, and, if I hadn't only come halfway through their set, I might have got a bit bored. Anyway I love them none the less. Regatta 69 played second. What a disappointment! The band was really good, good musicianship, nice arrangements, but they weren't anything special at all. They sounded exactly like every other typical American ska band like. Reel Big Fish, Mustard Plug... etc. except there was no distortion, no originality, and not a single good song! Aside from that, their whiny Yank accents got a bit irritating too. The HHH boys went up next and really saved the day. From the moment they walked on stage the whole atmosphere in the club improved. It was so cool to hear some heavy guitars after all that ska, although Hogs did play their fair share of ska. T-Bos of the Rudimentals came up and did a song with them too. They had their new drummer who had apparently only been with them for three practices, but I didn't notice the difference. In fact they seemed to rock even more. Can't wait for the Hogs' new album. (Phate) SA Punk gigs at http://www.sagigs.com -------------- LIVE REVIEWS: -------------- PIET BOTHA Live in Westdene by Carina Laubscher It's May. That old winter hag skulks around every corner, breathing down your neck. If you seriously crave some blues-rock heat, catch Piet Botha in Back 2 Basics. Whether it's an acoustic set or one of those jammin' Jack Hammer sets, it really doesn't matter. This man, together with Tertius and Jonathan, transforms any guitar into a schizophrenic tool with a voice that can talk to the dead. So here they sit, lightly stubbled and stylishly crumpled. Piet grins, pulls on his smoke and jokes about Joburg's terrible highways. They do a lot of things from the new CD, 'Die Mamba'. It's freaky - the way Piet Botha lets stories and strange places materialise through guitar and hands. 'Man met Kitaar' has no end. "Beaufort Wes en Kimberley, was nie lank gelede nie, oorlog kom en oorlog gaan, maar myle hou net aan en aan, so as jy vir Jakob soek maar jy kan hom nie kry, en jy wonder waar is die ou siel nou - hy sit in die son met sy kitaar, die plaas se naam is Goedvertrouw." A hungry soul in the back pleads for 'Die Mamba' but Piet chuckles and gives us 'Die Gemmerbroodman'. A rather nippy piece of sardonic art. "Haai ek is tog te oulik, met my bakkies blink poleer, whatever jy verdien, ek verdien tog meer, en ek maak my bek oop - elke kans wat ek kry, want ek is so belangrik - die wêreld moet weet van my." Oh my. Oh yum. The bitch called winter slips through the door and out into the night. Tonight the sound is exceptionally sharp and clear. It is also rather difficult to follow Piet Botha's fingers. Yes, of course you can stare until your eyeballs detach themselves, but not during 'Russian & Chips' because you will not see the hands. Jonathan and Tertius bob their heads in dilly unison, the hair long and free. They knock us flat with 'Bordello', an Afrikaans version of 'House of the Rising Sun'. This one's good. Very good. "Daar is 'n huis in Johannesburg waar die rooi lig brand elke aand en baie siele het hier alles verloor - dobbel, slegte vrouens en drank." Never before did a warning sound so hot. Followed by 'Skielik Somer' and the stunning 'Herfsgedagtes' - "As jy dan moet gaan, laat die son en die wind en die maan jou altyd terugbring na my, ek ken van die reën, en dit maak nie saak waarheen die pad jou vat - ek sal jou kry." And now Piet and the guys give us 'Kitty'. An achingly beautiful song. Strong. Humming with a restless rhythm and soundless tears. I want to bawl, it's stuck in the back of my throat, but this song is so bloomin' deep, it hurts. That dark rough voice with "Ek was nog baie myle weg van Leeudoringstad" and the femme fatale materialises in "En sy kom met die sekelmaan, hierdie een maak die lug blou, hierdie een het al 'n leeu geskiet sonder 'n scope..." The restaurant listens. Red wine swirls into glasses. And 'Kitty' settles like a sigh between the flickering candles and quiet tables. They end with 'Die Mamba'. It's met with raucous applause, this kick-ass drawling tune that's just plain HOT. "Hulle roep my die mamba, en ek looi die kitaar, op die lang pad gebore - ek en my vriend adder loop by die nag, al daai heerlike diertjies wat wag, jong bokkies, bokkies om te byt." G'night Piet Botha. We're ready for winter. (Carina Laubscher) READ LISTEN BUY http://www.PietBotha.com ---------------------------- LILO The Winston Pub, Durban - May '03 Sinning with Wicked Mike With a beginning statement that most of the set is off the forthcoming CD, Alex Sudheim (lead singer) continued, "we thought that we'd inflict them on you. In the absence of cover charge, you can't get your money back." LILO have their detractors and supporters. For me, they're for a specific mood like a depression bout (thankfully, I have those so I get to listen to LILO) but my underlying motive is appreciation of the extremely clever and sarcastic lyrics of Alex. Occasionally there is beauty like in 'The Balcony' when "someone has screwed a silencer into the night". The set found Alex reading lyrics that he hadn't learnt and because of that, referring to himself as "Dumbo the magick elephant". I wouldn't call the new material more upbeat (and newcomers would never understand "upbeat" in the context of LILO) because although the instruments were occasionally meatier, the mood remained invasively dark. I can't claim that LILO are brilliant but they're certainly interesting so stock up on some razor blades and candy wrappers whilst we await the new CD. (Wicked Mike www.wickedrock.co.za) ---------------------------- THE SPINDLE SECT Gabi Muller was at The Independent Armchair Theatre in May to see if the buzz about this Cape Town band is accurate. "This isn't hip hop, this is science fiction". Straight from the horse's mouth, as it were, and there isn't a better description for this band. This Cape Town-based five man, one woman, hip hop act are recently back from their stint at the Cause Festival, and are guaranteed to have you on your feet and dancing gangster style to their smooth grooves. The group's recent intimate gig at the Armchair Theatre in Obs was filled with a diverse and expectant crowd, all completely absorbed in the music from the second the group stepped on stage, fashionably late of course. With lots of sweat, mind-blowing vocals, and a zombie-like attitude (these dudes have it down), it is obvious that this band has something (whisper it!) different. Mzconduct, their female vocalist, has a Bjork-like voice and her haunting vocals are the superglue of the band, and contrast well with the other MC's. This venue is relatively small, so the acoustics were great, and we were able to clearly hear every chord (especially from their new bassist, Shaun Ou Tim, of Godessa and Max Normal fame), and all the words - normally so hard to hear. With the imminent performance of 'Numnimah', one of many crowd favourites, the huddle of fans at the base of the stage grew, all tapping feet and nodding heads. They ended to huge applause, but unfortunately no encore. Even so, the crowd was thrilled. With future gigs lined up in Johannesburg (scheduled for mid-June), the fan base of this phenomenal group is going to spread quickly. (Gabi Muller) ---------- GIG GUIDE ---------- The SA Rock Digest list of recommended gigs can be found at: http://www.SAgigs.com. Please send all gig info to mailto:sugar@sagigs.com?subject=gigs in a plain text e-mail. ___________________________________________ 9.INFO ------- ------ LINKS ------ Links to artists, gig guides, resources, record labels, recording studios, music trivia and more at: http://www.sarockdigest.com/links --------------- SUBSCRIPTIONS --------------- To subscribe - please send e-mail to: mailto:subscribe@sarockdigest.com?Subject=NewSubscriber Address changes - please send an e-mail to: mailto:subscribe@sarockdigest.com?Subject=SubscriberAddressChange To unsubscribe - please send a blank e-mail to: mailto:unsubscribe@sarockdigest.com?Subject=Unsubscribe ------------ BACK ISSUES ------------ http://www.sarockdigest.com/archives Online and keyword searchable ------------------------------- PRESS RELEASES & CONTRIBUTIONS ------------------------------- Please submit all press releases, contributions, reviews, gig & festival dates, requests, searches and comments to mailto:sugar@sarockdigest.com?subject=SARockDigest -------- EDITORS -------- Brian Currin & Stephen Segerman mailto:editors@sarockdigest.com?subject=SARockDigest ------------- CONTRIBUTORS ------------- Don Bryce Carina Laubscher Tertius Louw Daniel Neville John Samson Kurt Shoemaker Wicked Mike Proofed by Ronx SA Rock Digest Computer Systems maintained by Karl Hansen. Karl is highly recommended for home and office PC repairs in Cape Town. mailto:karma@iafrica.com <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>