makepeace wrote:
hi guys,
upon seeing a book of the history of South African contemporary music for sale, and also reading the article in the new Rolling Stone about Bra Hugh, i realized that i have not given old South African artists their due appreciation. does anybody have any enlightenment to offer regarding must-listens (and where they can be found) and also interesting caveats about old South African artists? maybe your favorite bands from a time a while ago or whatever.
Firstly look out for Tony Cox or Steve Newman, or better still Tony Cox AND Steve Newman. Both fab players, and the duo show they have been performing of late is a marvellous thing indeed.
Larry Amos and Tim Parr played together in Baxtop in the late 70s. A sort of ZZ-Top/Blues/Boogie outfit. Both of them are fine players.
A pity Kenny Henson isn't around any more, he was a pretty good player.
Philip Tabane of Malombo is, I think, still playing.
For songwriting consider James Phillips - a truly South African rock voice. Look for his album "Sunny Skies" with Willem Moller playing guitar.
Bright Blue, had a big hit with "Weeping" in the early 80s and Tom Fox is a good player.
Johnny Fourie was a guitarists's guitarist. There's an album he released not long before he passed away of jazz standards for which he did the arrangements. A very sophisticated player with massive chops.
I recall being at a thing at a Barnyard not so long ago. Not my cup of tea but it was a fundraiser for a good cause. I was sitting there determined to be bored by it all when one of the guitarists took a solo and my ears instantly pricked up. Great solo, lovely tone, great use of dynamics and vibrato and the player clearly had considerable skill and taste. Turned out it was Ralph Martin, who I recall from the 70s playing with the Rag Dolls and Ballyhoo.
And, of course, there is Trevor Rabin.
