SA ROCK DIGEST ISSUE NUMBER 35
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The South African Rock Music Digest
is a weekly, free, subscription e-mag,
delivered direct to your e-mailbox.
Edited by Brian Currin and
Stephen "Sugar" Segerman.
Subscription and back issue
information at the end.
Established January 1999.
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INTRODUCTION
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This e-mag is a discussion forum for rock and pop music --
South African and International -- past, present and future.
Read it, digest it, enjoy it, send in your comments
and tell your friends....
Contributions and comments:
http://www.rock.co.za/files/contactme.html
or email Brian Currin:
mailto:brian.currin@new.co.za
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CONTENTS
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In this issue:
News
Whats on
Forum
Review
Hidden gems
On the net
Voting Booths
Links and ads
Back Issues
Rules
Subscriptions
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NEWS
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DIGEST ARCHIVES ON-LINE
The SA Rock Digest back issues are now all archived on-line at:
http://www.crosswinds.net/~sarockdigest/
There are all in plain text, so unfortunately the links aren't clickable...sorry!
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MELT2000
http://www.melt2000.com
MELT2000 has concluded a new distribution deal with BMG,
so all those great titles are now on the shelves including Moses Taiwa
Molelekwa's 'Gene's And Spirits' and 'Finding One's Self',
Busi Mhlongo's 'Urbanzulu', Deepak Ram's 'Flute For Thought'
(great pun, Deepak!), Amampondo's 'Drums For Tomorrow',
Burungwa's 'The Messengers', Square Window's '10 Songs For Boys And Girls'
and Sipho Gumede's 'Ubuntu Humanity'.
Read reviews of most of these CDs (and a host of others) at Amuzine
http://rock.co.za/reviews.htm
MELT2000 has kindly supplied copies of the Amampondo, Moses Taiwa Molelekwa and Deepak Ram CDs to give away to 3 lucky subscribers.
Answer this question: what does M.E.L.T. stand for?
Send your answers to mailto:sarockdigest@crosswinds.net
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NEW RELEASES
Based on the success of the first 'Sound Offerings From South Africa' double CD, a second double CD set has been released, titled 'Sound Offerings From South Africa - Volume 2'. This 37-track collection has songs by a cross-section of SA talent including Big Voice Jack Lerole, Jabu Khanyile ('The Prince'), Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse" ('Burn Out'), Mango Groove ('Special Star') and newcomers Jungabeez ('Circle'). Gallo has also released a 'Jazz Offerings From South Africa' double CD set which has an equally good selection of our finest SA jazz artists and tracks including The Mankunku Quartet's 'Yakal 'Inkomo', Spokes Mashiane's 'Chobolo', and Tananas' 'Funky Bumpkins'.
Apart from the new Just Jinger album, 'Here's To You' (reviewed in last week's issue), there's a new album (and direction) from master-guitarist Mauritz Lotz ('Earthtones') and a new full length offering from the underated SA rock group, Amersham ('Revolving Doors'). Dave Birch and Squeal have also released their new album 'Civilised?' to a lot of interest and some positive opening reviews. Tananas have a new CD out titled 'Seed' which will serve to enhance this bands already excellent reputation.
The new Fetish album, 'So Many Prophets' is finally on its way. The date for the launch of this, their first album on the Virgin label, is scheduled for the 17th October. For a full tracklisting and other info, try Fetish Music website <http://www.fetishmusic.co.za >
This must be one of the best unofficial band websites we have ever seen.
Big Sky will be releasing a greatest hits collection - 'Best Of The Decade' - through Epic Records very shortly. The 14 track "Best Of" album has been produced by Steve Louw and Kevin Shirley and covers a decade of Big Sky, with tracks from all three previous Big Sky albums - 'Waiting For The Dawn', 'Horizon' and 'Going Down With Mister Green'.
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FAMOUS CURTAIN TRICK
Nadine Raal (vocalist for FCT)
The good news is we have finally released our album. I think it went to
the retailers today. 'Land Of No Cadillacs' should hit the shelves in the
next week or so. We are very pleased with it.
We will be promoting the CD in late October and November. We'll be playing
Jo'burg, Cape Town and possibly Port Elizabeth. We really are looking
forward to getting back on the road again.
{Editor: and I am looking forward to seeing them live again. Famous Curtain Trick opened for the Bryan Adams SA tour and really blew the audiences away with their powerful acoustic rock songs}
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WHATS ON
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RIESTER INTERNATIONAL RECORDS PRESENT:
THE CAPE TO RIO SHOWCASE '99, featuring:
Late Final, The Mike McCullagh Band (new show) and Kiss The Sky.
Saturday, November 13th 1999 at THREE ARTS THEATRE, CAPE TOWN
Doors Open: 7:00 PM, Showtime: 8:30 PM - 1:30 am
Tickets R59 (incl. all fees) at COMPUTICKET.
{Editor: sounds like a great "Rock Show", judging by the bands listed above}
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WOODSHED TO PERFORM AT INDEPENDENT ARMCHAIR THEATRE
Cape Town original quartet, Woodshed, will be performing new material
from their upcoming independent release at the Independent Armchair
Theatre, Lower Main Road, Observatory, this Friday October 8th.
Music starts at 10 PM. Couvert charge is R10.
For more info, contact Ted Baumann at:
mailto:tedb@iafrica.com
Tel/fax: +27-21-788-2311
Tel: +27-21-788-6380
Cell: 082-602-4330
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DOGFLY TOUR
On 26 November the Fruit Fly Navigators (Durban) and Not My Dog (Pretoria) will be embarking on the DOGFLY tour. The tour will start in Jhb through Pretoria and then head to the coast via Bloemfontein for Durban and Pietermaritzburg. The two bands have been building solid fan bases in their respective towns and have now joined forces to pick up the pieces in the rest of the country.
The tour will also mark the launches of the two bands new CD releases.
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REVIEWS
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REVOLVING DOORS - AMERSHAM
Stephen Segerman
Amersham are the Wimbledons of the SA Premier (Rock) League. Many
doubted they would survive in the top SA rock division since the release
of their debut album, 'Pickled', but survive they have. This they have
achieved through a combination of solid rock traditions, consistently
fresh songwriting, an inexhaustible dedication to dynamic live
performances, and a cheeky sense of humour. As a result, Amersham have
accumulated a devoted core of followers and an impressive catalogue of
albums. The 14 songs on this mostly "Best Of" compilation are drawn from
their previous three studio albums - 'Pickled', 'Wearing Thin' and
'Upside Downside'. They've thrown in three new tracks ('Schizophrenic',
'Drive On', and 'Supermanic') as well as a great live version of one of
their crowd-favourites, 'Green Is For Go'.
These 14 songs feature the classic Amersham line-up of Adam Lomas
(guitar and vocals), Nathan Waywell (bass and backing vocals), Tim
Trotter (drums, percussion and backing vocals), and Marc Bentel
(guitars, keyboards, programming, and backing vocals). Marc Bentel has
recently left the band and been replaced by his predecessor Sasha
Sonnibichler, who can be heard on the 'Pickled' tracks - 'Monkey',
'Birthday', and 'Tinman'. But the Amersham sound remains intact with the
band supplying fresh, energetic and varied arrangements to Adam Lomas's
wistful and pure-pop vocals. 'Abduction' covers the subject of alien
abduction while in the loo, 'Borne Again' is an emotional ballad dealing
with the "pseudo-religious aspects of awe-inspiring sex" (truly!), and
'Schizophrenic', the new track, is a radio-friendly pop classic with a
killer chorus. So, no relegation fears for the Amersham "Crazy Gang"
just yet. 'Revolving Doors' should give their careers a timely boost and
will add more convertees to their no-nonsense SA fun-pop sound.
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THE BEST OF SA POP VOLUME 2, DISC 2
Kurt Shoemaker
Last night and this morning I listened to the second disc of The Best of
SA Pop #2 again and I am struck by how seamlessly the songs flow from one to
the next. Partly due to be being, as you say, all radio-friendly tunes, but
in large part due to Derek Smith's selection of tunes, while the order seems
to be chronological. Side by side, up-tempo and ballad make this one easy
to listen to as an up front listening or in the background for the soundtrack
of my life.
Here are some thumbnails of my reactions to these songs:
"Venus" -- Instrumentally and vocally better separated than the original
hit, nice bass and better ending. Ultimately, more listenable over and over
than the original -- which tune I skip these days when I play a Shocking
Blue CD.
"Charlie" -- Is my memory flawed (well, despite my memory being flawed, then), did you say this was a song about his dog, like The Beatles' "Martha My Dear"? and McCartney's "Jet"? Knowing Rabbitt was a hard rock group, I found myself listening for the instrumental touches that have power. Another in a long line of hard rock groups that have hits with ballads: Kiss, Alice Cooper, and even, I think, Nazareth.
"Take My Heart" -- If I had grown up in SA, this tune would probably be
loaded with teenage memories for me.
"Let Me Into Your Life" -- Begins slowly, but by the end, I'm with the
singer in the emotion he's trying to convey.
"Blue Water" -- I'll bet this song makes many expatriate South Africans
pause and reflect when they hear it. Very pleasant dance tune, also.
"Buccaneer" -- With "ZX Dan" and "Weeping" my favorite song on the second
disc. McCully Workshop's new album is on my short list of SA CDs to acquire
from One World in the near future. I'd buy their others if I could. Does
the "42nd Squadron" reference have any South African significance, or is it
just a number that fit the lyric? To use a rock critic's cliche, as
mentioned before, "a killer tune".
"Substitute" -- Fortunately, in this case, my knowledge of The Righteous
Brothers is limited to their oldies radio airplay, so I was able to hear
this song as a new one, with fresh ears. I like it. A rocking pop song.
"So You Win Again" -- Another song that would resonate in me every time I
heard it if I had grown up in SA -- it would always remind me of a certain
girl, so much so that during the day I'd change radio stations when it came
on, but at night, if retrospective and melancholy, I'd sing along.
"Better the Devil You Know" -- Shaking off that melancholy, here's an
excellent mix of hard rock guitar with melodic vocals. This song just does
not seem five minutes long.
"Man On the Moon" -- This song becomes prettier each time I listen to it.
The lead singer pronounces the word "book" like my grandfather did, whose
grandmother came from Germany, but the liner notes say Derek Drain came from
Ireland.
"Elvis-Astaire (King of Swing)" -- Perhaps the song the least to my taste
on the disc, a bit too much of a crooner, but it doesn't jar and has a flow.
"Hey Boy" -- I remember these days. Though I didn't dress the part I
went to a few discos. This one bounces along nicely.
"Shadows" -- Interesting lyrics, arty yet danceable.
"Here We Are" -- This song doesn't get in the way, in fact I don't really
notice it when it plays -- which is okay for a ballad belonging to that
righteous genre: make-out music.
"ZX Dan" -- Fun tune, I look forward to hearing the long version (I think
it is, again bringing faulty memory into play) on the album that is winging
its way to me at this very moment from One World of SA fame. My expectation
that "Into the Night We Slide" is going to be a fun disc.
"It Was the Wind" -- Big hair and big shirts, definitely working in a
certain style and doing it well. Grows somewhat repetitive at first, but
the singer does raise his intensity after the break, bringing it all to a
suitable big finish by the fade.
"My Kind of Girl" -- Well, it the set is called "The Best of SA Pop after
all, and this is pleasant pop, competent (almost too competent, too slick
for my taste), and bordering on fluffy.
"Weeping" -- I've said it before, I'll say it again, a powerful song.
The day after I played it for my students and we discussed the lyrics as a
warm-up to beginning Cry, the Beloved Country, I had it on the CD player at
the beginning class as the students came in and one said, "Oh, no, and I had
this song in my mind all night last night!" So far, this song has not
failed to move me. Also, as an English teacher, I'm enjoy metaphorical
lyrics that I understand.
All in all, CD #2 of The Best of SA Pop #2 can be put on and played all the
way through and have many high points of pleasurable music, and no
objectionable lows or jarring bits. And it was actually fun to write these
comments while listening to the music.
{Editor: Kurt has never been to South Africa, and therefore never grew up here, so his comments above cast a new light on songs that local fans may have forgotten...}
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A SOUTH AFRICAN IN NEW YORK
Rui de Sousa meets Roger Waters (briefly)
I'm not particularly known for acting on impulse but the moment that the US
buyways (an inter company informational brochure) arrived on my desk announcing the Roger Waters 'In The Flesh' US tour, I immediately had to go. This was the first time that Roger has toured the US in 12 years (and who knows it might also have been the last - after all Roger is not Ozzy Osbourne or David Bowie who are guaranteed to quit after their next show!!!)
Getting to the venue proved to be as difficult as finding the money to buy the
plane tickets (but what the hell my bank manager and I don't get on anyway!!). A bus trip to Baltimore from New York should take 3 hours but obviously on the day that I take it - traffic is backed up so that it takes me six and a half. I get
to Baltimore only to find that I have to take an additional cab to get to the
Baltimore Arena and that it happens to be the same day as a baseball match which once again delays the traffic.
I eventually arrived at the show with 15 minutes to spare. The arena is similar
to Standard Bank Arena, except that the sound quality is much better. The first
thing I do is to buy the obligatory poster/T-shirt/program. So there I am
backstage with all the paraphernalia of a fan until I get spotted by security.
They were'nt quite convinced when I told them that I had come over 12 000 miles to see the show. Eventually things were sorted out and I made my way to my seat. On my way Roger comes out, so I stick out my hand, mumble something about coming a long way to see him, blah blah blah and leave him looking rather perplexed thinking to himself "who the hell was that fool". Last thing I wanted to sound like was as another Roger Waters fan, which is probably exactly the way I came across!!
So there I was. Four seats from the stage thinking to myself "I am gonna just
sit down and watch the show". So what happens, I get rednecks in front of me.
Not just ordinary rednecks but ten foot rednecks getting pissed on Bud Lite (if
that is possible) screaming everytime somebody plays a solo. Just my luck - and
here I thought that it was only South African audiences who have to shout
throughout a concert!!.
Anyway to the good stuff - what a show!! 3 hours long and consisting mainly of
Pink Floyd material (even though I would have personally preferred more of his
solo work). The stage was simple, spacious and featured a back drop from which
various images were reflected during the show. The quality of the musicians were
of the first grade. It was an unexpected treat to see such class muso's such as
Snowy White, Andy Fairweather Low, Jon Carin, PP Arnold, Andy Wallace, Katie
Kisson, Graham Broad and, of course, Roger Waters. In the middle of my favourite Floyd track "Dogs", when there is "keyboard noodling and funny sounds", the band all sat down on a sofa and played a hand of cards!!
The surprise of the show for me was PP Arnold. She featured on Roger's last
album 'Amused To Death' and not only sounded but also looked stunning. The
interplay between herself and Roger during 'Perfect Sense' was spot on. Some of
the songs performed were 'Pigs On The Wing', 'Wish You Were Here', 'Perfect Sense', 'The Powers That Be', 'Money', 'Take Your Filthy Hands Off My Deser't, 'Comfortably Numb',' Mother', 'What God Wants', 'Time', 'Another Brick In The Wall Part 2'....
All in all, a fantastic show - good songs, great musicians, a good time had by
all. Now all that's left is for me to repay the damn 'fly now, pay later' bill!!
Would I do it again? Definitely - no questions asked!
While in New York I also saw a new band called Cork which features Corky Laing
(drummer of Mountain), Eric Schenkman (original guitarist for Spin Doctors) and
Chris Whits (original bassist for Spin Doctors) and was treated to an incredible
display of three piece rock n roll. Corky Laing is a drummer in the Keith Moon
driving style and the band played new material as well as some Spin Doctors
material. The new material is great southern rock n roll boogie. Try to check
out their debut album 'Speed Of Thought' which includes the follow up to
Mississippi Queen's 'Sin City' as well a killer track called 'Hail Mary' which opens
up with the killer line "It's a small step from the limo to the gutter, and if
you don't Hail Mary it don't really matter" .
PS - update on Roger Waters:
Marianne Faithful covers an unreleased Pink Floyd song written by Roger in the
60's on her new album which features Roger playing bass. There is a new Roger Waters song 'Lost Boys' which features on the soundtrack to the new Tim Roth movie 'The Legend Of 1900'. The song was composed by Ennio Moricone, with vocals and lyrics by Roger Waters and featuring Eddie Van Halen on lead guitar!! What a combination. Sounds similar to Roger Waters' previous movie collaboration 'When The Wind Blows'.
Roger is also scheduled to release a brand new album 'Ca Ira' in January 2000.
The album is a classical album in French and English! Something definitely worth
looking out for.
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FORUM
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WORLD CUP SONG FESTIVAL
Stephen Segerman
Amuzine has added its voice to the stream of protest and criticism that
surrounds the SA selectors' decision to appoint Ladysmith Black Mambazo
as its official entry in the Rugby World Cup Opening Ceremony
International Song Contest. With the Welsh stadium looking like a set
for a Nationalist Government's 'Rooi Gevaar' commercial, the Mambazo's
naff version of 'Shoshalozzzzza' was beaten into obscurity by Cerys
Matthews and Catatonia's 'International Velvet' ("Everyday I wake up and
thank the Lord I'm Welsh").
Bok coach Nick "Pick-a-Boks" Mallett was quoted as saying that it was the equivalent of him selecting Naas Botha for the SA squad, never mind
Gary Teichmann and Andre Joubert.
The pre-tournament favourites, the Springbok Nude Girls, were very
disappointed that their version of 'Hier Kom Die (Kaal) Bokke' was not
chosen. PJ Power's 27th remix of 'World In Union', the Soweto String
Quartet's 'Stamp Out Rugby Violins', and Just Jinger's '(Skin)Stad In
Your Way' were not considered, even though Art Matthews (no relation to
Cerys) offered to temporarily change the band's name to "Joost Jinger"
for the occasion.
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NEWS FROM NEW JERSEY
I first contacted you after seeing your Rock Digest page and have encountered
your name on a number of occasions whilst looking for stuff on the Web. The
most recent being Ramases' "Space Hymns" <http://rock.co.za/ramases>.
Wow! It's quite amazing to find someone else out there with similar musical interests. Of course it all made sense when I realised that it was a person in South Africa who knew of Ramases. Haven't met anyone over here who has. Another artist who is relatively unknown over here is Rodriguez. I've had to re-educate the masses.
I am presently living in North Bergen, New Jersey - about 40 minutes from New
York City. I was born in Johannesburg RSA and lived in Kempton Park,
Pietersburg and most recently Newcastle in Northern Kwa-Zulu/Natal before
moving over here with my wife in March last year.
Don't know whether you're familiar with "Fields of the Nephilim"? I
encountered it whilst living in RSA but battled to find anything over here at
first. After finally getting my hands on a couple of their CD's I've
discovered that they have suddenly re-emerged on the shelves of HMV and
Virgin Megastore in NYC. A similar thing happened with Strawbs. I'd managed
to find "Hero & Heroine" in South Africa but there was nothing available over
here for quite some time. Last week I was in HMV and noticed about three
different Strawbs CD's available - two of which I am unfamiliar.
I battled to get hold of anything by Pavlov's Dog but finally hit the jackpot
about a week or two ago.
Regards,
Charles Sheblom
{Editor: I have noticed over the years that South African collectors often latch on to obscure overseas rock artists, that, more often than not, get ignored elsewhere... Ramases, Greatest Show On Earth, Gravy Train, Shawn Phillips, Sweet Smoke, Magna Carta, Golden Earring, Pavlov's Dog, Budgie, to name just a few...
visit my Vagabond Music Trivia website for more about some of these artists... <http://rock.co.za/vagabond>}
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OFF THE EDGE
Peter Hanmer
I've teamed up with Dave Sharp again and we've been working on an epic instrumental (written by Dave). This time it's back to the good old Hammond and Leslie combination. I'm really excited about it. The only thing is that the next Off the Edge album is going to be as radio "unfriendly" as you can get. There will be more instrumental songs on this one that vocal songs. I'm not too fussed as I really couldn't give a damn about radio play or anything else. We're doing this for ourselves.
I did see Tony (Groenewald) last month and he seems to agree with the new direction and he loved what he heard. We have finished one song with Judy (Marshall) on vocals and there will be some more with her involved, but essentially the next CD is going to be a self indulgent one for serious listeners only.
Off The Edge on the web at:
http://listen.to/offtheedge
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GROUPIE
I am guilty of being a groupie - Rabbitt mad, adored Clout, Julian Laxton, Radio Rats (Welkom), Diamond Dogs, eVoid, Fantasy, Ballyhoo, Petit Cheval, Helicopters (Bernard Binns) - all those people. Have forgotten some of the bands names who used to be at Zippers in Germiston.
Pity we cannot get these bands to perform again and bring the good times
back. Living in the UK and only have access to a few CD's from back home.
Best regards,
Charleen Lowe (nee McIntosh)
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THE LEGENDS OF SA ROCK
http://rock.co.za/legends/
RABBITT RULES, OK?
I remember hitch-hiking (those were the days!) from Benoni to the Boksburg Hypermarket to see Rabbitt do an in-store appearance....
Visit my Rabbitt webpage and relive some of your memories of Rabbitmania.
RABBITT
http://www.rock.co.za/files/rabbit_index.html
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SPOKEN WORD SONGS (continued...)
How could you possibly forget Telly (Kojak) Savallas' spoken rendition of
'If' (Bread's old heartbreaker from the early 70's)? Ha, ha. Isn't
Jennifer A. from Friends his niece? Nice niece!
Gearoid;)
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TRICYCLE
During the good old days of the Cape Times Battle of the Bands, Lucifer (the band I was fronting with at the time) was invited to play at . . . wait for it . . . The Navigators Den night club in Cape Town. We decided to visit the "joint" the night prior to our show to sus out the place and to also see the people that we were to cater for the following night. The band that was playing the night of our initial visit blew us right out of the water and left an indelible mark on all of us. The band was called Bicyle and included Duncan MacKay on keyboards, Mike Gray (from P.E.) on drums and Leslie Kleinsmidt on vocals. They late expanded the group to an additional member namely Reggie Edwards on Bass to be called Tricycle. What a band and what a keyboard player in Duncan.
We went on to play the following night to a jam packed audience which consisted of our band of regular fans, a navy of matlows and a pack of hookers even Linda Lovelace would have been proud to meet. Had a great time and Steve Newman our guitarist (now of Tananas) refused to leave because of the "action" i.e. the wall-to-wall attempted copulation of drunken sailors and equally intoxicated ladies of the night.
Oh how I miss the old Cape Town, the seventies and the nights one could walk about until six in the morning without having to be afraid of being bumbed off by some glued up knife wielding prick!
Myles Wakeham
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REQUESTS
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KAROO
Anyone know what happened to the South African band Karoo?
They were one of the few South African bands I like but none of my mates back in Durban seem to know what happened to them.I've got the album 'Sticks and Stones' but I'm not sure if they released anything since.
Cheers
Stef
mailto:stef@eidosnet.co.uk
{Editor: Their most recent album is 'Serendipity' released in April this year by Gallo.
Order it from One World <http://www.oneworld.co.za> ....and remember 5% discount for Digest members!}
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AN ASYLUM KID
Howzeet whoever reads this! I need your help locating a CD. I played drums with the Asylum Kids in the early 80's and we released 2 albums on vinyl (R.I.P.!!) Sometime in the mid 90's both albums were re-released on a CD called "Black Poem Jugglers". I was promised a copy of this release by the company that released it, and I'm still waiting! Friends bought copies in some stores but my searches were fruitless. I left SA 2
years ago and I am now living on a tropical island in the western Pacific, surfing, diving, playing drums and working the rest of the time! I am emailing with a desperate plea
for help in locating and obtaining a copy of the CD. I know it was released
by Tusk, Benjy Mudie was the person and he is now Fresh Music. There must be
a copy somewhere in their vaults or in some weird little, (or big), store
somewhere. Anyway, hows things back home? Life is pretty cool here but we
miss SA and all it's beautiful places, people, music, animals and the jol!
Steve Howells
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BRAHM MALHERBE
I was interested in Brahm Malherbe's ramblings in a recent digest - is this
the first of a series by him? I'd be particularly be interested in a demo
track featuring him singing with Snakeshed, around about the mid-80's - I think it's called "I've got news for you"?
Stephan Forster
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DAGGAFONTEIN
I have a question about a South Africa town, a question for which there
is no answer. On the Radio Rats page of the history of their gigs, there is
mention of a club in...I think Daggafontein? Jonathan, I think, made a
comment about the great name of the place and hoped they didn't change it.
On the Battery 9 page, Unofficial, the band is posed in front of the city
limits sign for the town. Is this a meaningful town or funny town name in
SA? Or merely coincidence?
Kurt Shoemaker, Texas, USA
{Editor: anybody care to explain the significance...I'm laughing too much to type...}
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SA FOR UK
I'd be interested to hear, via the Digest, of any SA artists/bands playing
in the UK. I'm sure ex-SA's like me would be keen to go along and support
the "local lads and lasses" - e.g. I know that e'Void regularly play at the
Springbok Bar in Covent Garden?
Kind regards
Stephan
mailto:Stephan@forstersd.freeserve.co.uk
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JUST GINGER?
I have a question for you...
What's the latest on veteran Jazz/Rock drummer Ginger Baker? Since his
relocation to KwaZulu-Natel from Colorado, USA, there's been very little news.
Bob Hagemier.....Salinas, CA USA
mailto:Rphagemier@aol.com
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HIDDEN GEMS
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HOLD YOUR HEAD UP - THE BATS
Hidden away among commercial pop tracks like 'Shabby Little Hut' and 'Weltevrede Stasie' on 'The Best Of The Bats' CD compiled in 1996 by that guru among South African pop compilers, Malcolm Lombard, is this reworking of the Argent song 'Hold Your Head Up' which achieved number 5 in both the US and UK charts in early 1972. The Bats also recorded this track in 1972 and it was actually released as a single in SA in that same year. Full of Hammond organ, phased vocals and thumping bass sounds this track is classic psychedelic prog-rock. Groovy, man!
SITTING - TOXIC SHAME
Toxic Shame (Deon du Toit and Jon Buckley) are hoping to get a record deal with Universal Music for their 'Full Circle' CD and then everybody will be able to hear this brilliant song. 'Sitting' needs to be played in front of 50 000 bic-waving fans - its that kind of song. This 6-minute plus track builds slowly into an epic stadium crowd pleaser. The chorus of "I'm tired and take me home" would make an ideal show closer. This is a song that I could quite easily imagine Bon Jovi, the Scorpions or Aerosmith singing...lets hope it doesn't stay a 'hidden gem' for much longer.
More "hidden gems" (old and new) in future issues...feel free to send in your suggestions.
mailto:brian.currin@new.co.za
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ON THE NET
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BACKSTAGE
backstage.co.za
The resource site for the South African musician. Owned by Gareth Sherwood, musician and computer nut! Take a look, add a link to your site, get your own website, whatever...
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VOTING BOOTHS
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Visit these voting booths and cast a vote for YOUR favourite...
SA Rock album, from the 60s to the 90s and beyond...
http://www.freevote.com/booth/sarock
All-time Great SA Pop and Rock song
http://www.freevote.com/booth/sapop
McCully Workshop album
http://www.freevote.com/booth/mccully
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LINKS AND ADVERTS
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ARCHIVES:
THE LEGENDS OF SOUTH AFRICAN ROCK
Where the SA rock legends still live
http://rock.co.za/legends
SOUTH AFRICA'S ROCK FILES
The online archive for the History of South African Rock
http://rock.co.za/sarock/
MESSAGE BOARD:
TOO GOOD TO BE FORGOTTEN
Post your message on the SA Rock message board
http://www.insidetheweb.com/mbs.cgi/mb311757
NEWS:
AMUZINE
News, views, reviews and interviews
http://rock.co.za/
AFRICAN INVASION OF ROCK
News, reviews and opinions
http://www.air.org.za
ARTSMART
arts news from Kwazulu-Natal
http://www.artsmart.co.za
JOL
News, updated daily
http://www.jol.co.za
POWERZONE
News, classifieds and much more...
http://www.powerzone.co.za/
WALL OF SOUND
Up-to-date news on the International music scene
http://www.wallofsound.com
WHATS ON:
THE GIG GUIDE
Whats on in Cape Town
http://www.gig-guide.co.za/
ZA@PLAY
What's on around South Africa
http://www.mg.co.za/mg/art/music/menu-music.htm
SHOPS:
ONE WORLD
Selling South African Music to the World
http://www.oneworld.co.za/
5% discount for Digest members!
OUTLAW RECORDS, CAPE TOWN
Branches at:
Cape Town Central (021) 4238145
Wynberg (021) 7972482
Claremont (021) 6717887
10% discount for Digest members!
VIBES MUSIC - N1 CITY, CAPE TOWN
Phone (021) 5953220
mailto:vibes@fast.co.za
RECORD COMPANIES, LABELS & STUDIOS:
BMG
Home of Just Jinger, Amersham and others
http://www.bmg.co.za
FRESH MUSIC
Independent multi-faceted music group
http://www.fresh.co.za
GALLO MUSIC
Supporting South African Music
http://www.gallo.co.za/
INDIE MUSIC EXPLOSION
The Ultimate Independent Music Site in South Africa
indie.co.za/
MELT2000
http://www.melt2000.com
MOUNTAIN RECORDS
Music from and about Africa
http://www.mountain-africa.com
RADIUM WRECKORDS
The home of the Radio Rats, The Glee Club, the Chauffeurs
and the Pop Guns
Radium Wreckords
Suite 207
Postnet
Private Bag X10
Flamwood
2572
Klerksdorp
mailto:jhandley@aghs.co.za
RIESTER INTERNATIONAL RECORDS
South African independent record company
http://www.riester-records.co.za/
STRANGER THAN FICTION PRODUCTIONS
http://www.strangerthanfiction.co.uk
STREET LEVEL RECORDS
Cape Town's Independent Record Label
http://www.streetlevel.co.za/
TEQUILA MUSIC
The Home of African Music
http://www.tequila.co.za
RESOURCES:
BACKSTAGE
The Musician's Resource
backstage.co.za/
VAGABOND MUSIC WEB
web design and music research consultant
http://www.rock.co.za/files/
SA MUSIC DATABASE
Over 100 links relating to South African music
http://members.xoom.com/samusicd/links.html
SHOW VILLAGE
sound - lights - dance
http://www.showvillage.co.za
MAGAZINES:
SCREEN AFRICA
broadcast • film • commercials • video • music • interactive
http://www.screenafrica.com
SLY
Online magazine
http://www.sly.co.za/
STAGE
SA Music magazine
http://www.stage.co.za
BOOKS:
THE HISTORY OF CONTEMPORARY MUSIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
Garth Chilvers and Tom Jasiukowicz (TOGA, 1994)
http://www.rock.co.za/files/book_order.html
JEFF BECK: CRAZY FINGERS
Annette Carson
mailto:carson@global.co.za
phone: (011) 883 3619
CLASSIFIEDS:
MUSICADS
Free musical equipment classifieds ad website
http://www.twisted.co.za/musicads/
TRIVIA:
CLIMB UP ON MY MUSIC
A site dedicated to Rodriguez, the Sugar Man
http://www.rock.co.za/files/rodriguez.html
IMAGES OF ROCK
Your Ultimate Rock And Roll Experience
http://www.imagesofrock.com
SPACE HYMNS
The only known website for Ramases
http://rock.co.za/ramases
VAGABOND'S WORLD
a rock music trivia site
http://rock.co.za/vagabond
PIOTR'S GREEN PAGES
Discographies and lyrics for the legends of rock
http://orion.venco.com.pl/~piotrus/greenpages/
FESTIVALS:
SPLASHY FEN
The festival, the CD, the book, the website
http://www.splashyfen.co.za
OPPIKOPPI
http://www.oppikoppi.co.za
MUSIC ON-LINE:
CDDB
CD Database Online
http://www7.cddb.com/
CDMAX
CD player for accessing the online CD database http://www.mindspring.com/~clark_tisdale/CDmax/
DIGITAL CUPBOARD
African music, MP3s and more...
http://www.digitalcupboard.co.za
MP3.COM
Listen to MP3s of South African artists
http://www.mp3.com/regions/africa/south_africa/
MP3 SOFTWARE
http://www.rock.co.za/files/mp3software.html
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BACK ISSUES
------------
A complete on-line archive of Digest back issues is at:
http://www.crosswinds.net/~sarockdigest/
__________________________________________
RULES
------
For the basic rules of the Digest please visit:
http://www.rock.co.za/files/sa_rock_digest.html
or we can e-mail them to you.
_____________________________________________
SUBSCRIPTIONS
----------------
Reading someone else's copy of this e-mag?
Firstly thank the person who sent it to you, for being someone of
incredible good taste and perception...
...and then subcribe yourself by sending an e-mail to
mailto:brian.currin@new.co.za with any words or phrases that vaguely
indicate acceptance.
Or...visit http://www.rock.co.za/files/contactme.html and fill in the simple form.
--------
Want to unsubscribe from this e-mag?
Surely not, but if you really must, then just reply to this e-mail,
saying "I hate SA music", "I'm bored" or "get me out of here" or
"I've had enough" or whatever, I'll get the idea, eventually.
"unsubscribe" has been known to work too...
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