SA ROCK DIGEST ISSUE NUMBER 24
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The SA Rock Digest is a weekly,
free subscription e-mag, edited
by Brian Currin and delivered
direct to your e-mailbox.
Subscribe, unsubscribe and
back issue information at
the bottom.
Established January 1999.
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INTRODUCTION
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The SA Rock Digest is a discussion forum for Rock music;
South African and International; past, present and future.
Read it, digest it, enjoy it, send in your comments
and tell your friends....
"Rock" is a very general term encompassing rock and roll,
pop, folk, rock, ethnic-rock, prog-rock, jazz-rock, country-rock,
soul, R&B, metal, indie, alternative, new wave, reggae, etc, etc.
Don't get hung up...if you want to say something about the music
YOU like, go ahead, say it.
Contributions and comments:
http://www.rock.co.za/files/contactme.html
or...
mailto:vagabond@rock.com
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NEWS
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THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC
by Sharon Gill and Steve Murdoch
JOSH SITHOLE, one of Cape Town’s best-loved musicians and a favourite of many South African music-lovers, died at his Gugulethu home on Sunday 20 June.
Sithole, a self-taught lead guitarist, began busking with the Kwela Kids in 1959 in Cape Town. In 1978 he went solo and played in venues around the country, thrilling audiences with his distinctive style. During the eighties he became known to Durban audiences through his various residencies at places like the Lonsdale and Westville Hotels.
Sithole was born in Rylands, but his family moved to Gugulethu during the era of forced removals. He was committed to his family and to passing on his skills to others. He turned down several overseas offers of contracts.
Everybody who knew him will miss him. Other musicians and people in the industry sang their praises of Sithole.
Music producer Henry Shields described him as a very influential and original player. "He is going to be missed by many people in the music industry. He was part of the musical landscape of Cape Town."
Jazz vocalist Joe Schaffers described Sithole as a people’s person and a musician. "He could get through to everybody -even before people started talking about the ‘rainbow nation’. He could touch your feelings with his music and he was very original. It’s unfortunate he died before realising his dream of building a recording studio in Gugulethu where he planned to teach township youngsters music. He was very unselfish."
Third Ear Music’s Dave Marks says that Sithole was possibly the hardest working musicians on the circuit, and one of the few true professionals. "The amazing thing about him was that he was the only non-white at the time gigging within the cocktail lounge and bar room circuit. It was unique. Blacks weren’t even allowed in those clubs, but when they tried to take Josh off the circuit, there was an uproar from the patrons. He played the kind of music that appealed to city folk."
C & G Studios’ Don Clarke, says, "I think Josh probably missed his finest hour. Only now, with the focus on World Music, are we starting to attract international interest, and Josh would have been a perfect candidate for this."
Sithole was supporting three disabled brothers at the time of his death. He leaves his wife and two daughters. He was buried at his Gugulethu home on July 4.
Article taken from the AFRICAN INVASION OF ROCK website
http://www.air.org.za
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JOSH SITHOLE MEMORIAL CONCERT
The Barleycorn Music Club and Sterra Promotions are staging a "Josh Sithole
Memorial Concert" which will be held at the Riverclub in Cape Town on
Sunday 1 August 1999.
All bands that play have offered their services for free and all Money
raised will go to his family.
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COUNTING CROWS - LIVE IN SOUTH AFRICA
TOUR ITINERARY
August 4 Cape Town Bellville Velodrome
August 6 Durban Westridge Park Stadium
August 8 Sun City Superbowl
August 9 Johannesburg Standard Bank Arena
BOOKING EXCLUSIVELY AT TICKETWEB
http://www.ticketweb.co.za
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FETISH
2nd full length album is due for release mid - September......
recording starts July 17.
future GIGS :
OPPIKOPPI
Sunday 8th August, main stage
Monday 9th August, jazz stage
FETISH
mailto:fetish@iafrica.com
http://www.listen.to/fetishmusic
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SKYMINER
We're also playing at The Planet this Friday the 16th, so haul out the moth-eaten jersey and check us out. "The Wax Tadpoles" (Ben Amato et al) are playing with us on Friday so you'll get more for your money! The first band will start at 9.30 and the covert should be +/- 8 SA ront.
Cheers,
Cameron
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SONS OF TROUT
Sons of Trout will be performing @ diamonds and pearls
Friday 16th
corner lower main and station rd
Observatory - Cape Town
"Son of Trout"
mailto:info@sonsoftrout.co.za
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REQUESTS
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CHRIS PRIOR
one of the guys I spoke to said that Chris Prior is apparently
with Radio 702. Rumour has it anyway ...
Ciao
Jon
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METALLIC SUNN
I'd like to know if there is anybody out there who used to follow a band
called Metallic Sunn? (they later became Museum).
The line-up was first:
Patrick Canovi (Guitar)
Adrian Bekker (Keyboards)
Henry Zedras (Bass)
Gary Smith (Drums)
They won the Cape Battle of the Bands with this line-up as "Metallic Sunn".
The band then changed the name to "Museum". This was about mid 1974.
That line-up was as I can remember it:
Patrick Canovi (Guitars)
Gary Smith (Drums)
Henry Barenblatt (Keyboards)
Henry Zedras (Bass) ????????
I'd like to try and get hold of Patrick Canovi, as I have something that he
might be interested in.
Cheers,
Peter
mailto:phanmer@mweb.co.za
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FORUM
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CLASSIC SONG OF THE WEEK:
Locomotive Breath - Rabbitt (Ian Anderson)
Trevor Rabin: vocals, guitars
Errol Friedman: guitar
Fransua Roos: keyboards
Lou Forer: bass
Cedric Samson: drums
This Jethro Tull classic, from their 1971 "Aqualung" album, was re-recorded in South Africa by a session band and released in 1972 as a single under the name "Rabbitt".
The flip-side was an instrumental titled "And The Planets Danced".
"Locomotive Breath" was number 96 in the LM Radio top hits of 1972.
I guess you could say it was a runaway smash!
Patric van Blerk had engaged Trevor Rabin (then only 18 years old) on a session to play guitar on a version of Jethro Tull's Locomotive Breath he had wanted to do. The recording session had Errol Friedman playing guitar (Ronnie Robot's brother), Fransua Roos on keyboards (who did the arrangement), Lou Forer (from Suck) on bass and Cedric Samson on drums. The lyrics were "cleaned-up" for the SA censors: "his woman and his best friend" were now "travelling to the sun" and "the all-time winner" had got him by..."the hands"!
When Rabbitt re-recorded this track in 1975 for their debut Boys Will Be Boys! album, the original Jethro Tull lyrics returned; a very brave move at the time!
More at: http://www.rock.co.za/files/rabbitt_boys.html
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ON THE NET
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SOUTH AFRICA'S ROCK FILES
New additions to the SA Rock Files website include
cover scans for Freedoms Children's Battle Hymn Of
The Broken-Hearted Horde and Simply Otis Waygood,
thanks to Mike Greeff.
Andrew King has supplied some info on In The Arena by Circus
and Searching by Third Eye. All additional information is most welcome.
Visit: http://www.rock.co.za/files/sarock_whatsnew.html
to see these updated webpages.
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RODRIGUEZ
New information continues to flow into the
Climb Up On My Music website on this "American Zero,
but South African Hero".
Recently discovered is an album from 1972 by The Family Dogg
titled The View From Rowland's Head featuring no less than 5 cover
versions of songs from Cold Fact including I Wonder and Crucify Your Mind.
The Family Dogg included among its members, one Albert Hammond...the old
"Peacemaker" himself.
Visit: http://www.rock.co.za/files/rodriguez.html
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CLASSIC REVIEW
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FREEDOMS CHILDREN - BATTLE HYMN OF THE BROKEN-HEARTED HORDE
Introduction [2.34]
Season [3.03]
Judas Queen [3.54]
Mrs. Browning [3.06]
Country Boy [2.58]
Your Fathers' Eyes [2.26]
Eclipse [3.19]
10 Years Ago [5.55]
Kafkasque [3.25]
Boundsgreen Fair [3.16]
Mrs. Wendy's Dancing Eyes Have Died [4.34]
This album released in 1968 has all the wonderful excesses of early progressive rock; the deep "meaningful" poetry, spoken words, majestic organ-playing, sound effects, choirs, long guitar solos, etc. I love it!
The unusual Scottish/South African accent of Ramsay MacKay guides us through this album of contrasts. From the country sounds of "Country Boy" to the Traffic-style rock of "Judas Queen" this album does not let up for a moment. It rocks, it soothes, it challenges, it refreshes (thanks to the inclusion of an old Pepsi advert!).
A great album, yet to see the light of day on CD, if ever.
Visit:
http://www.rock.co.za/files/battlehymn.html
for more info and cover scans.
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NEW RELEASES
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DEEP PURPLE - TOTAL ABANDON
The new live CD and video recorded live in Australia in April this year is only available
on-line.
Go to: http://www.cybermusic.net/deep_purple/
and place your order.
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DISCO FEVER
Derek Smith from Gallo has compiled a 2CD set called Disco Fever which features some great South African disco/dance tracks from the 70s. These 2 discs are filled to the max with music...over 150 minutes of music, memories and magic.
Artists include HOT RS, Buffalo, People Like Us, Disco Rock Machine, Rouge, John Ireland and Neil Cloud.
Buy this CD, put on your platforms, grab your cherrie and take yourself on a magic carpet ride with the delta queen to the garden of Eden.
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STEVE KEKANA - THE ENGLISH ALBUM
A compilation by Derek Smith with liner notes by Malcolm Lombard. Includes all Steve's great hits like "The Bushman", "I Feel So Strong" (with PJ Powers), "Raising My Family" and "All I Need Is Here In Africa".
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SPRINGBOK NUDE GIRLS - SURPASS THE POWERS
The new Springbok Nude Girls album, ‘Surpass The Powers', has now been released. This 11-track album, which was produced by Kevin Shirley, is also being set up for an international release with some of the earlier Nude Girls’ singles tacked on. The previous Nude Girls' single, ‘Blue Eyes’, is already on this album along with the new singles, ‘Giant Love Affair’, ‘Again, and ‘Un-Ez’.
-- Stephen Segerman
WIN A CD!
Tell us how the Springbok Nude Girls got their name and you could win a copy of the new Springbok Nude Girls CD "Surpass The Powers" courtesy of Paul Thackwray of Sony Music South Africa.
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RADIO RATS - INTO THE NIGHT WE SLIDE
Jonathan Handley, in association with Andy Harrod of the One World online CD store, has re-released the seminal debut Rats album, ‘Into The Night We Slide’ on CDR. This limited edition CD with bonus tracks and revised artwork is available online at http://www.oneworld.co.za.
More at: http://www.rock.co.za/files/radiorats_night.html
Also coming soon is the Radio Rats 5th album Radio Ketamine...watch out for it.
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ONE WORLD MUSIC
http://www.oneworld.co.za
Andy Harrod (Mad Andy to his friends), announced recently that One World Music
now includes cover scans and track listings on their extensive website.
One World Music has everything from the new Springbok Nude Girls "Surpass The Powers" to the classic "Into The Night We Slide" by the Radio Rats.
One World has an extremely wide range of CDs including Afrikaans Volksliedjies, African Traditional music, music of the Kalahari Bushmen, Sounds of Nature, Kwaito, Johnny Clegg and a host of other genres, styles and artists. Also unique releases like Chris de Burgh's "Live In South Africa" and the "Cosmos" TV series soundtrack CD which are very difficult to find anywhere else.
If its Made In South Africa and its on CD, then its available at One World.
Visit http://www.oneworld.co.za and remember SA Rock Digest members get a 5% discount off their purchases. Just put "digest member" in brackets behind your name when filling in the order form and they will do the rest.
Or e-mail your requests to mailto:sugar@rock.co.za and he will sort you out.
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VOTING BOOTHS
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Visit these voting booths and cast a vote for YOUR favourites....
SA Classic Rock albums
http://www.freevote.com/booth/sarock
All-time Great SA Pop and Rock songs
http://www.freevote.com/booth/sapop
McCully Workshop albums
http://www.freevote.com/booth/mccully
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LINKS
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SOUTH AFRICA'S ROCK FILES
The online archive for the History of South African Rock
http://welcome.to/sarock
TOO GOOD TO BE FORGOTTEN
Message Board for SA Rock
http://www.insidetheweb.com/mbs.cgi/mb311757
AMUZINE
African MUsic magaZINE
http://rock.co.za/
POWERZONE
The Hub of South African Music
http://www.powerzone.co.za/
ONE WORLD
Selling South African Music to the World
http://www.oneworld.co.za/
5% discount for Digest members!
Type "Digest Member" in brackets
after your name when submitting info.
INDIE MUSIC EXPLOSION
The Ultimate Independent Music Site in South Africa
http://www.indie.co.za/
GALLO MUSIC
Supporting South African Music
http://www.gallo.co.za/
BACKSTAGE
The Musician's Resource
http://www.backstage.co.za/
THE GIG GUIDE
Whats on in Cape Town
http://www.gig-guide.co.za/
ZA@PLAY
What's on in Cape Town and around South Africa
http://www.mg.co.za/mg/art/music/listing/music-ct.htm
SLY
Online magazine
http://www.sly.co.za/
STREET LEVEL RECORDS
Cape Town's Independent Record Label
http://www.streetlevel.co.za/
MUSICADS
Free musical equipment classifieds ad website
http://www.twisted.co.za/musicads/
SA MUSIC DATABASE
Over 100 links relating to South African music
http://members.xoom.com/samusicd/links.html
RIESTER INTERNATIONAL RECORDS
South African independent record company
http://www.riester-records.co.za/
JOL
http://www.jol.co.za
FRESH MUSIC
Independent multi-faceted music group
http://www.fresh.co.za
AFRICAN INVASION OF ROCK
News, reviews and opinions
http://www.air.org.za
MOUNTAIN RECORDS
http://www.mountain-africa.com
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ADVERTS
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SPLASHY FEN BOOK
Chris Chapman
(031) 3036466
mailto:chris@artworks.co.za
http://www.splashyfen.co.za
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QSOUND
Makes your computer sound better if you listen to MP3's, WAV files, music samples, web radio, on-line concerts and much more.
Visit http://www.rock.co.za/files/mp3software.html and click on QSound banner.
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VIBES MUSIC - N1 CITY, CAPE TOWN
An extensive selection of vinyl and CDs. Big supporters of South African music.
Speak to Neil or Alan on 021-595 3220 or email Neil at: mailto:vibes@fast.co.za
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OUTLAW RECORDS, CAPE TOWN
Vinyl and second-hand CDs. Always something new.
Branches at:
Cape Town Central:
55 Castle Street (off Long Street), Cape Town
Wynberg:
3 CHB Building (opposite the entrance to Wynberg Hospital),
Maynard Road, Wynberg
10% discount for Digest members!
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RADIUM WRECKORDS
Looking for Radio Rats, Popguns, Chauffeurs or Glee Club recordings?
Contact Johathan Handley for a catalogue at:
Radium Wreckords
Suite 207
Postnet
Private Bag X10
Flamwood
2572
Klerksdorp
mailto:jhandley@aghs.co.za
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JEFF BECK: CRAZY FINGERS
by Annette Carson
The first and only definitive biography of Jeff Beck - published in South Africa in January 1999 and available by mail order from the author. Trade paperback format,
256 pages, with a comprehensive discography.
SA price R85,00, or R100,00 including registered p&p. International orders
by surface mail US$18.00 or 13 British pounds, by airmail US$30.00 or 20
British pounds. E-mail mailto:carson@global.co.za or call (011) 883 3619.
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BACK ISSUES
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All Digest back-issues can now be downloaded as one
small zip file (less than 300kb).
Go to: http://www.rock.co.za/files/sarockdigest.zip
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RULES
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The SA Rock Digest is compiled by Brian Currin from the
"Too Good To Be Forgotten" internet message board, e-mails from
Digest members and other varied sources.
For the basic rules of the Digest please visit:
http://browse.to/sarock
or I can e-mail them to you.
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SUBSCRIPTIONS
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Reading someone else's copy of this e-mag?
Firstly thank the person who sent it to you, for being someone of
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...and then subcribe yourself by sending an e-mail to
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Y'know, like "I'm in", "That's great", "OK", "Here's R1000 send me a
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Or...visit http://browse.to/sarock and fill in the very simple form.
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Surely not, but if you really must, then just send me an e-mail,
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