South African acts who floated my boat..
- Bright Blue (their "second phase" as a four piece
- The Genuines
- Louis Mhlanga
- Brian Finch and Kenny Henson
Bright Blue at the Bozolli Hall in (hmm... thinks... ) 1991? Was a gig that really sticks in my mind (though the date doesn't). Not a fancy show in terms of lighting or staging, but they played up a storm. They were so good live. The Genuines I saw several times. They were a versatile band who could play jazz sets at Kippies and get close to punk at Jamesons.
I saw Louis Mhlanga relatively recently - at one of Andy McGibbon's dos.
Amazing player. Struggled to hear him though because there was also the sound of lots of jaws hitting the floor.
Other live shows that stick in the memory banks....
- Bruce Springsteen in Harare 1988. They don't call him "The Boss" for nothing.
- Martin Carthy in London, July 2008. I was totally blown away. This is what live music should be like. I stopped paying attention to his technique etc etc and just let the emotion of the music wash over me.
- Richard Thompson at the Lewes Guitar Festival in 2007. Another gig that was memorable from an emotional point of view. Not because I got to see my own personal Guitar Idol in action, but because that performance left me so still and satisfied.
- Roger Lucey at some club whose name I can't remember in Jo'burg, circa 1990
I have been disappointed with many of the big name acts that I saw when they visited Southern Africa. Crowded House were an exception - great show with a lot of spontaneous wit and they didn't take themselves too seriously. Joan Armatrading in Swaziland in ... ermm.... 1990? 1991? was very good. She had an excellent guitarist in her band, but towards the end she strapped on a red Strat and showed off her own chops - which are considerable.
