SA ROCK DIGEST ISSUE #78
The South African Rock Music Digest
is a free, subscription e-mag, edited
by Brian Currin and Stephen Segerman
and delivered direct to your e-mailbox.
Established January 1999.
To unsubscribe: reply to this issue
with "unsubscribe digest" as subject
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CONTENTS
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1.WHAT'S NEW - SA Rock Files, Retro Fresh, Roger Waters Live CD, Albert Grey, Jesse Jordan, Digital Cupboard, Just Jinger
2.CHARTS - Top 10 CDs, Top 20 SA songs, Top 20 Rock Albums, Top 10 SA MP3 downloads, This week 30 years ago
3.ON STAGE - The Flames, Vusi & Selaelo @ The Baxter
4.NEW RELEASES - Johannes Kerkorrel, Albert Grey, Jack Hammer, Nick Taylor...
5.USA for SA - Disco Fever
6.CLASSIC ROCK - Electric Petals
7.SHILOH REMEMBERS - Johnny Winter
8.FORUM - Ramsay MacKay
9.REQUESTS - Johhny Clegg, Coastal Music, The Staccatos
10.ON THE NET - Studio Tan
11.WHAT'S ON - Benguela, Fetish, Wonderboom, Sugardrive, Shhhh, Little Sister, Jesse Jordan...
12.LINKS AND ADS
13.BACK ISSUES
14.CONTRIBUTIONS
15.SUBSCRIPTIONS
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1.WHAT'S NEW
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DIGEST BACK ISSUES
Download all back issues of the Digest as a zip file (just over 1MB).
http://www.rock.co.za/files/sarockdigest.zip
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SOUTH AFRICA'S ROCK FILES WEBSITE
http://www.rock.co.za/sarock
8 October: Added 'A New Day' gospel album from Colin Pratley and Kenny Henson, released in 1990 under the Freedoms Children name. Thanks to Andrew King.
7 October: Added a page for The Dynamics
7 October: Added a work-in-progress page for the late James Phillips
7 October: Archived lastest issues of the SA Rock Digest e-mag
6 October: Started work on a charts archive, thanks to John Samson
Go here...
http://www.rock.co.za/sarock
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RETRO FRESH
RETRO is a new label in the Fresh family that concentrates on the remastering and repackaging of classic South African Pop and Rock albums from the late 60's through to the 90's ...many of the projected releases have never been available on CD before.
All the albums have been carefully remastered using the latest audio technology and in many cases this process has been overeseen by the groups themselves. The original artwork has been extended to include extensive liner notes, interviews with the original members and rare photos, poster art and visual collectables. There will also be a limited edition CD sampler with key tracks from each artist for promotion at radio and retail level plus a full colour poster highlighting the albums and retail header cards for in store promotion.
There will also be extensive Internet marketing via the soon to be available new Fresh Music site <http://www.fresh.co.za> as well as links with likeminded SA music sites worldwide. Attractively priced the RETRO series is an ongoing project that hopes to bring the best of quality South African music to the discerning listener and fan thoughout the world.
October 2000:
éVoid - éVoid (freshcd 106)
Via Afrika - Via Afrika (freshcd 107)
November 2000:
Hawk - African Day (freshcd 108)
Otis Waygood Blues Band (The "Black" album) (freshcd 109)
Lesley Rae Dowling - Conspirare (compilation) (freshcd 110)
January 2001:
The Dynamics (freshcd 116)
February 2001:
Falling Mirror - Johnny Calls The Chemist (freshcd 112)
Benjy Mudie
Place your orders now with One World
mailto:info@oneworld.co.za
More info on all these artists can be found at the SA Rock Legends website:
http://www.rock.co.za/legends
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IN THE FLESH - NEW ROGER WATERS LIVE ALBUM
http://www.roger-waters.com
On December 5, Columbia Records will release the eagerly anticipated 'In The Flesh', a two-CD recording of the entire live show (drawn from performances in Phoenix, Arizona, Las Vegas, Nevada, Irvine, California, and Portland, Oregon) and Waters' first full-length release since 1992's 'Amused To Death'. A deluxe DVD version of 'In The Flesh' -- featuring a Hi Definition live concert video with 5.1 Dolby Digital and LPCM Stereo music mixes, a 30-minute behind-the-scenes documentary, band biographies, still photographs, projected images, lyrics, and more -- is currently in the works with a release date TBA.
Appearing with Roger Waters (guitar, vocals, and bass) on 'In The Flesh' is his band of top-flight musicians including Andy Fairweather-Low (guitar), Snowy White (guitar), Doyle Bramhall II (guitar and vocals), Graham Broad (drums), Jon Carin (keyboards), Andy Wallace (keyboards), Katie Kissoon (vocals), Susannah Melvoin (vocals), and PP Arnold (vocals).
Tracks:
1. In The Flesh (from 'The Wall')
2. The Happiest Days Of Our Lives (from 'The Wall')
3. Another Brick In The Wall, Part 2 (from 'The Wall')
4. Mother (from 'The Wall')
5. Get Your Filthy Hands Off My Desert (from 'The Final Cut')
6. Southampton Dock (from 'The Final Cut')
7. Pigs On The Wing, Part 1 (from 'Animals')
8. Dogs (from 'Animals')
9. Welcome To The Machine (from 'Wish You Were Here')
10. Wish You Were Here (from 'Wish You Were Here')
11. Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts 1-8) (from 'Wish You Were Here')
12. Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun (from 'A Saucerful Of Secrets')
13. Breathe (In The Air) (from 'Dark Side Of The Moon')
14. Time (from 'Dark Side Of The Moon')
15. Money (from 'Dark Side Of The Moon')
16. Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking Part 11 (aka 5:06 a.m. - Every Stranger's Eyes) (from 'The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking')
17. Perfect Sense (Parts I and II) (from 'Amused To Death')
18. The Bravery Of Being Out Of Range (from 'Amused To Death')
19. It's A Miracle (from 'Amused To Death')
20. Amused To Death (from 'Amused To Death')
21. Brain Damage (from 'Dark Side Of The Moon')
22. Eclipse (from 'Dark Side Of The Moon')
23. Comfortably Numb (from 'The Wall')
24. Each Small Candle (new song)
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PARANOID EYES - THE VERY BEST OF ROGER WATERS
An imaginary compilation from the mind of Brian Currin
Disc One:
PINK FLOYD
Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun
Julia Dream
Cymbaline
If
Money
Brain Damage
Eclipse
Welcome To The Machine
Have A Cigar
Wish You Were Here
Pigs On The Wing (the complete version featuring Snowy White)
Another Brick In The Wall, Part 1
The Happiest Days Of Our Lives
Another Brick In The Wall, Part 2
Another Brick In The Wall, Part 3
When The Tigers Broke Free
In The Flesh
Disc Two:
PINK FLOYD
Nobody Home
Hey You
The Post War Dream
The Gunner's Dream
Paranoid Eyes
Get Your Filthy Hands Off My Desert
Southampton Dock
Not Now John
ROGER WATERS
5.01am (The Pros And Cons Of Hitchhiking)
Towers Of Faith
Folded Flags
Radio Waves
Who Needs Information
The Tide Is Turning
What God Wants
Three Wishes
This imaginary double CD is part of a series of imaginary compilations, where official CDs are non-existent or inadequate in my opinion. They are not available on tape or CD-R... so please don't ask, sorry... (BC)
Pink Floyd on the net:
http://www.rock.co.za/files/pink_floyd_bio.html
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WORLD - ALBERT GREY
In June of 2000, Albert Grey completed his new solo album, 'World', in South Africa. This will be his first solo CD, to be released through Independent South African record label, AIR Music, based in Cape Town.
"World's" sound is perhaps reminiscent of seventies rock, ala Ian Anderson meets 4 Non Blondes playing New Romantics while listening to some nineties House and World funk {um... yeah - ed}.
On 'World', Albert Grey rips across his message in a vibrant debut canvas of sound and emotion. One can't help thinking the thought, "Hell, every song sounds different," and for 14 tracks, that's not too shabby.
The album opens with 'Coming Home', a warm adventure of spiritual contentment. Close on its heels is the raunchy 'Do you want', a scathing aural assault on the senses with a hint of Carlos Santana in the rhythm. This is followed by the all out pop/ rock frenzy of 'Rock & Water', a message of the day, no more, no less.
Next start off the block is the gentle 'The Rain's Fell', offering sanity and a peaceful lull. 'Crank' then chews up the peace with a toe-tapping instrumental ode to the volume control. 'Gearhead' is a 80's rocker, resplendant with Gothic keyboards and Def Leppard buzz-saw guitar, while 'Time' pokes it's tongue at relationships in general. Albert calls 'Time" the goofy song.
'Love & Gifts' is a message melody, complete with tribal overtones, while 'Reality' brings the pace back to a gentle acoustic soppy. 'Salesman' re-starches ones shirt with lovely riffs and ambietic taps. 'Starchild' is the perhaps most 'styled' song on the album, with backing vocalist Candida Cohn adding her powerful harmonies to an already powerful, soulful track. Paul Kennard on Guitar and Mandolin and Warrick Hawkins on Bass, along with Rusty Du Plessis on Drums, give the track a well-rounded balance. Evert du Munnik completed the final mix on 'Starchild'.
'Zero' takes a look at world music meeting hardcore seventies rock, not unlike Ginger Baker style drumming. 'Xmas Tree' - was recorded live at Johannesburg Zoo, with Paul Kennard on guitar and Warrick Hawkins on Bass. Young Craig Nielson on Drums is rhythmic and driving. The album concludes with 'Rock & Water - The Jungle Remix', an instrumental version put together for the end, as Albert felt that there were so many ways to play that song, this being one of them.
A video is in the planning stages for the album, and will hopefully be available before mid 2001.
For more information on Albert Grey, contact AIR Music:
Website:
http://www.air.org.za
Tel: (27 21) 425-0245
Email: mailto:webmonster@air.org.za
(Press release: AIR Music)
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LATELY WHEN SHE CRIES - JESSE JORDAN
Tuneful and emotional pop/rock from a powerful, new young SA voice.
Jesse Jordan is the confident teenage Cape rocker who walked the
pop/rock section of the Shell Road to Fame competition in 1999. The
stirring rock ballad that won it for him, 'Eastern Bridge', kicks off
'Lately When She Cries', his impressive debut album which has just been
released in South Africa. Jesse has clearly grown up on a steady rock
diet (although he may have binged a bit on the Bruce Springsteen, Bryan Adams and Bon Jovi food groups) and is a competent and solid rocker with a tough, gravely-edged vocal style that indicates a maturity beyond his years.
Along with Alex Power, his co-writer and producer, they have crafted an album's worth of emotional ballads built on the style and success of 'Eastern Bridge'. There are some very strong moments among the other 11 songs on 'Lately When She Cries', but none immediately emulates the simplicity, sincerity and sheer salted peanuts hookery of 'Eastern Bridge', but then again, not many songs will!
But after a while certain songs begin to emerge from the chasing pack.
In the epic 'Tears In Her Eyes', Jesse's vocals merge with the surging
guitar, and second single status beckons. The title track also reveals
itself as a slow-burning and tuneful ballad and 'Reason With The Wind',
'Wendy', 'Didn't Understand', and 'Feeling Wanted' indicate a rich and
varied songwriting seam. The closing track, 'Mary-Anne', allows its
verse to borrow a little too heavily from Tom Petty's 'Free Falling',
and 'Who Killed Biggie' could be about the late, notorious rapper (with
its coy use of a few swear words), but its confusing lyrics give no
further clues ("And I don't know, how you grow, Simple funny colours in
the Rainbow"... huh?) and its jaunty, naff rockiness is out of place here.
There is also far too high a quotient of lyrics (and song titles) about
sad women and "crying", "tears", and "leaving" for a debut album by such a young gunslinger. Woman are crying, woman are leaving, and sometimes they do so in the same sentence - "She didn't wanna leave them, 'cos they might all cry" ('Didn't Understand It'); "And she cries when she's leaving" ('She's Leaving'); "And I don't wanna leave this town, She cries for me sometimes" ('Lately When She Cries') - which gives the album a slightly melancholy feel all the way through and which tends to dilute the album's tough and confident rock vocals, guitars and attitude.
But it's still important that this album got made at all, despite its
minor flaws, as the recording deal part of the Road To Fame prize never
materialized and the album was self-financed and independently produced. In light of that it's a commendable effort, and it does have 'Eastern Bridge' whose soaring sing-a-long quality spells assured chart success. 'Lately When She Cries' definitely signals the timely arrival of Jesse Jordan, an exciting new star in the SA rock firmament. (SS)
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DIGITAL CUPBOARD RELEASE FIRST ALBUMS ON NEW CD CATALOGUE
Despite being one of the foremost pioneers of MP3 culture in .ZA,
Digital Cupboard have clearly indicated that the old traditional ways of releasing music are still as valid as their new cyber cousins. Digital Cupboard’s website MP3 download stats continually throw up interesting multi-requested favourites, and this info becomes invaluable when deciding which new albums and artists to release in to the "offline" CD market.
Among the first titles released on the Digital Cupboard label are Yvonne Chaka Chaka with her ‘Yvonne And Friends’ collection including the sure hit single ‘Slow Down’; the eponymously-titled debut from the a-capella group Amaryoni; a gospel EP from Redeemed; and a House outfit called Mjojo whose ‘Version 1’, and specifically the opening track ‘African Dance’, are destined for widespread dance appeal. There’s ‘Bayakhuluma’ from the group Khulumba who otherwise perform as part of Lucky Dube’s backing group. This new style of music on their ‘Bayakhuluma’ album is called "Fuse-Mas", and can be described as a combination of Maskanda and Fusion with a North African Twist! Could be a new trend in African Music.
Ian Osrin, who is Digital Cupboard’s studio head and acclaimed
producer/engineer/svengali, worked on most of these albums and has also
indicated that the eagerly-awaited debut album from the Aquarian
Quartet, which will be a collection of live recordings from their
performances in The Cathedral at the 2000 Grahamstown Festival, is
almost upon us. In the meantime there’s Aquarian member Greg H.
Georgiades alongside Ashish Joshi with their intriguing range of ouds,
bazoukis, tablas and nylon guitars on the duo’s new World album,
‘Strings ‘N Skins’. Finally, those who love their SA reggae, and who
have been exploring beyond Lucky Dube, will surely have already
discovered a minor gem by Ras Sheehama called ‘Traveling’ (sic), which
until now has only been available on hard-to-find cassette.
So the opening salvo from this new Digital Cupboard record label is an
eclectic bunch of current SA styles, similar to the MP3 charts at their
http://www.digitalcupboard.co.za site. The success of these titles will go a long way to establishing the positive and workable link between the music industry of the past and that of the future. (SS)
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NEW JUST JINGER SINGLE AND ALBUM AND SMASHING SUPPORT SLOT IN NOVEMBER?
Arguably SA Rock’s strongest contenders for international glory, Just
Jinger have been living and working in London for most of this year. The group headlined the recent Amabala Festival in London and showcased the fruits of all that small fish experience, soaked up English magical muse dust, and creative writings from Art Matthews and his slightly-altered gang, which will also soon be unveiled on their third album ‘Strange World’. Until that arrives, all we can do is marvel at their new single ‘Your Song’, the first release off ‘Strange World’.
‘Your Song’ is not that early Elton John ballad (they only do Rodriguez covers), and could be the first big summer pop hit of 2000. Chart success in SA is guaranteed, as with all their previous releases, but if the right ears in the UK get to hear this (maybe someone important who wandered into the Amabala Festival), it can surely have a crack at doing the business on the British pop charts. These charts, as evidenced by the wacky weekly parade on the Top of the Pops TV half-hour, consistently throw out an eclectic selection of styles and sensations, perfect company for this new single.
‘Your Song’ has that special eccentric quality that elevates certain
songs above other chart contenders. It still has all those popular Just
Jinger ingredients - wry and wrenched Art Mathews lyrics, big drums,
guitar solos, slow bits and fast bits. But what is new in the JJ mix is
that manic piano that seems to have accidentally walked into the wrong
studio and decided to hang around and help turn a reasonable tune into a wild party romp. This could be due to the fresh approach from their new "International" producer (that just means he’s not from SA) Andy Scarth, who worked on the first two Skunk Anansie albums.
So expectations are understandably high for the new ‘Strange World’
album and the boost it could bring to Just Jinger’s attempt at
international success. The other news is that Just Jinger will be doing
a shortish mid-November SA tour to launch the album. Very good timing as the SA bands who will fill the highly-prized supporting slots on the
upcoming Smashing Pumpkins tour (also in mid-Nov) have not been
announced yet. So it’s "probable" that Just Jinger will grab one of
those slots after their competent handling of a similar support slot for U2’s SA concerts in 1998. The other SA spot has the Springbok Nude Girls name all over it, as they too will be promoting their new ‘Relaxzor’ album. The battle for SA rock supremacy is about to enter an exciting phase. Art or Arno - place your bets! (SS)
Just Jinger on the net:
http://www.justjinger.co.za
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2.CHARTS
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TOP 10 SOUTH AFRICAN CDs
This week [last week] Artist - Title
1. Mandoza - Nkalakatha
2. Not My Dog - Dogumentary
3. Brasse Vannie Kaap - Yskoud
4. Various - Tassenberg All Stars
5. Positive K - Plus 8 Various Mixes
6. Oleseng - Oa Lebona Naa?
7. Steve Hofmeyr - Beautiful Noise - The Music Of Neil Diamond
8. Brenda Fassie - Memeza
9. DJ Nasty - 2
10. Blk Sonshine - Blk Sonshine
Supplied by One World
http://www.oneworld.co.za
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THE SA ROCK DIGEST TOP 20 ROCK ALBUMS OF THE WEEK
This week [last week] Title - Artist (Label)
1. [2] The Instrumentals - Off The Edge (Independent)
2. [3] Lately When She Cries - Jesse Jordan (Universal)
3. [1] A Life Less Strange - Semisane (BMG)
4. [4] Tassenberg All Stars (live) - Various (Rhythm)
5. [6] While No One Was Looking - Little Sister (Gallo)
6. [5] Something To Believe - Liesl Graham (Gallo)
7. [-] In Concert with the LSO - Deep Purple (Spitfire)
8. [11] Sherry Lee - Sherry Lee (demo)
9. [7] The Best Of Robin Auld Vol. 1 (TicTicBang)
10. [10] Yvonne and Friends - Yvonne Chaka Chaka (Digital Cupboard)
11. [9] Just Another Band - Off The Edge (Independent)
12. [18] Almost Human - Even Flow (demo)
13. [12] Bushrock 1 (live re-issue) - Wildebeest (Wildebeest)
14. [16] "Experience" Original Soundtrack - Jimi Hendrix (Brilliant)
15. [13] Physiognomy of The Soul - Bernard Binns (Hedonist)
16. [14] Anthology - Jack Hammer (Wildebeest)
17. [16] In The Meantime - Watershed (EMI)
18. [-] Die Ander Kant - Johannes Kerkorrel (Gallo)
19. [-] World - Albert Grey (AIR)
20. [20] The Best Of Juluka/ Savuka featuring Johnny Clegg (EMI)
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THE SA ROCK DIGEST TOP 20 SOUTH AFRICAN SONGS OF THE WEEK
This week [last week] Title - Artist (Album/ Label)
1. [-] Your Song - Just Jinger (off album ‘Strange World’/ BMG SA)
2. [2] Eastern Bridge - Jesse Jordan (off album 'Lately When She Cries'/ Universal)
3. [1] Slow Down - Yvonne Chaka Chaka (off album ‘Yvonne And Friends’/
Digital Cupboard)
4. [19] Northern Sky - Jonathan Martin (off album ‘Tassenberg All
Stars’/ Rhythm Records)
5. [7] Dr Malombo - Tananas (off album 'Seed'/ SonySA)
6. [6] My Hope Is In You - Youssou N’Dour (off album ‘Joko’/ SonySA)
7. [5] Kwaito Right - Paul Hanmer (off album ‘Playola’/ Sheer Sound)
8. [10] Hoelykit? - McCoy Mrubata (off album ‘Hoelykit’)
9. [9] Sea Waves - Sipho Gumede (off album ‘New Era’/ Sheer Sound)
10. [8] All Roads - Liesl Graham (off album ‘Something To Believe’/
Gallo)
11. [3] Right Here - Semisane (off album 'A Life Less Strange'/ BMG)
12. [12] Fundal - Lungiswa (off album 'Lungiswa'/ MELT2000)
13 [13] Satisfy - Dreamshop (off EP 'Satisfy'/ BMG)
14. [20] Dreams - Sherry Lee (demo)
15. [15] Underoverture - Off The Edge (off album 'The Instrumentals'/
Off The Edge)
16. [18] Fiesta - Tim Hoare (off album ‘Cape Mystique’/ Gallo)
17. [17] 69 Tea - Saron Gas (off compilation ‘Showcase 2’/ Sony SA)
18. [16] Sonny Boy - Sibongile Khumalo (off album ‘Immortal Secrets’/
SonySA)
19. [4] Inner City Blues - Lungiswa (Xhosa version off album 'Lungiswa'/ MELT2000)
20. [14] Don't Lie To Me - Watershed (off album 'In The Meantime'/ EMI)
Sponsored by Networld
http://www.new.co.za
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TOP 20 SOUTH AFRICAN MP3 DOWNLOADS
This week [last week] Title - Artist (Style)
1. [1] Margarida - Choppa (Latino Kwaito)
2. [3] Wena U Bani...? - O'Da Meesta (Kwaito)
3. [12] Get Me a 303 - MantratraX (Dance)
4. [2] Hypnotic - Benguela (Instrumental)
5. [-] Captain Cash - oom (Pop)
6. [-] Libertine - Absinthe Love (Industrial Pop)
7. [7] Party On - Ashaan (African Hip Hop)
8. [-] I'll Breathe - Mia (Pop Ballad)
9. [8] Say-Grin - THC (Modern Tribal)
10. [11] Beautiful Thing - E'smile (African R&B)
11. [20] Motherhush - Fetish (Alternative)
12. [5] Nekwa Lyatsima (Live) - Ras Sheehama (Reggae)
13. [-] Happy Mzanje - Katrina Fountain (African Jazz)
14. [15] Toyi Toyi - oom (Reggae)
15. [10] Stagefright - Boo! (Munki Punk)
16. [18] Hey Mama - Ndilimani Cultural Troupe (African Reggae)
17. [-] Hayehala - Seabata (Sotho Traditional)
18. [19] Peace Ina De Land - Moshoeshoe (Reggae)
19. [-] Mamalo - Seabata (Sotho Traditional)
20. [-] Is Is Chisa - DJ Chepad (Kwaito)
Supplied by Digital Cupboard
http://www.digitalcupboard.co.za
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SPRINGBOK RADIO CHARTS: 30 YEARS AGO
9 October 1970
This week [last week] Title - Artist
1. [1] Brown Eyes - Chris Andrews
2. [4] Mademoiselle Ninette - Mike Holm
3. [19] Burning Bridges - Mike Curb Congregation
4. [2] Neanderthal Man - Hotlegs
5. [3] Lola - The Kinks
6. [12] I (Who Have Nothing) - Tom Jones
7. [5] Lady D'arbanville - Cat Stevens
8. [10] Push Mr. Pride Aside - Percy Sledge
9. [7] Love Of The Common People - Nicky Thomas
10. [16] Looking Out My Back Door - Creedence Clearwater Revival
Supplied by John Samson
mailto:Thesamsons@aol.com
______________________________________________
3.ON STAGE
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THE FLAMES RE-UNION
I was at the Shongweni Music Festival at the weekend (22-25 September). Tears welled in my eyes as Ricky, Steve and Blondie took the stage after 30 years. They were as tight as ever and played their hearts out. Steve's daughter, Tara, sang with the band and did great renditions of 'Restless' and 'When somethings wrong with my baby'. Blondie did 'Knock on Wood' and blew the crowd away.
Fazal Dawood
{Ed: Fazal has promised a much longer review of this concert and maybe even an interview with Steve Fataar... watch this space!}
The Flames on the net:
http://www.the-flames.com
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VUSI MAHLASELA & SELAELO SELOTA
The Double Bill of the Year - Live @ The Baxter
Two of Africa’s most compelling musical creators are set to storm Cape Town as they team up for a double bill of sensational shows at The Baxter’s Concert Hall on 26 & 27th October 2000.
Acclaimed Mamelodi troubadour VUSI MAHLASELA and rising young Jazz star SELAELO SELOTA will appear with their respective backing bands, and this potent double bill will treat fans to a display contemporary African musical sophistication and allure. Vusi last appeared at The Baxter Concert Hall alongside guitarist Louis Mhlanga in late 1999, and Selaelo is well known to Cape fans after spending some years studying music at UCT’S Jazz School.
Vusi Mahlasela has just released his brilliant new solo album MIYELA AFRIKA. Vusi was also recently announced as the only support act for 2000 double Grammy winning global superstar Sting on the South African leg of his ‘Brand New Day’ world tour. Selaelo’s debut CD ‘PAINTED FACES’ has caused a sensation since it’s early 2000 release. Both these worldclass performers will highlight material off these albums, and a whole lot more, ensuring a treat for Cape fans.
Fellow dynamic BMG Africa recording act, the acclaimed brass and marimba ensemble PHAMBILI will be the opening act for both these shows.
Vusi & Selaelo’s Baxter performances are brought to you exclusively by BMG Africa, Siemens Cellular Phones and P4 Radio Cape Town.
BMG
http://www.click2music.co.za
Martin Myers 021 447 3422
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4.NEW, RECENT AND UPCOMING RELEASES
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JOHANNES KERKORREL - DIE ANDER KANT (Gallo)
Latest offering (his 7th CD) from Ralph Rabie, better known as Johannes Kerkorrel ("John Church Organ" to those who don't speak Afrikaans)
WORLD - ALBERT GREY (AIR music)
Debut solo CD from Albert Grey
THE INSTRUMENTALS - OFF THE EDGE (Off The Edge)
An album of instrumental guitar rock from Peter Hanmer
BOOTLEG - JACK HAMMER (Pofadder)
Live CD due out very soon
FREE WHITE AND AFRICAN - NICK TAYLOR
New album due in a few weeks
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5.USA FOR SA
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DISCO FEVER (GALLO, 1999)
{Ed: Due to an illness in the family, Kurt was not able to submit a review this week. We have decided to re-run Kurt's 'Disco Fever' review from Issue #67 as part of our new series on recommended compilations.}
Even if one did not care overmuch for disco, he or she should be able to find enough songs on this double CD to make at least a 90 minute tape. In Texas we spend much time in our cars so road tapes, for me anyway, are important. This is good music to use to thump one's way across Texas. When done South African style, and that's with a bit more rock thrown in, one wonders if the disco genre is undervalued. Here are the songs of Disco Fever: all disco or dance, though some do rock:
'Magic Carpet Ride' by Buffalo is a strong open, and in its way, "Ooh,
ooh, carpet ride!" is a fine basic rock lyric. Nice musical frills here, the song is imaginative despite the dominant disco beat that can easily become moronic if not decorated creatively, as it is here. I hear a couple of lyrics differently on the original, but this is really a strong song.
'Living for the City' by Disco Rock Machine {which featured Trevor Rabin - ed} is a nice disco-fied cover of Stevie Wonder's song, and one faithful enough to the original, yet different and so eminently danceable that I can imagine Stevie himself might like it.
'House of the Rising Sun' by Hot R.S. A good version of one of my favorite rock standards, though the young lady singing really over-emotes how glad she feels, and she carries on disturbing
the neighbors for quite a while.
'Hiroshima' by People Like Us has nice singing and is interesting
lyrically, more than I-love-you-baby lyrics, yet it is a more
straight-forward disco song than the first two songs on this double CD set.
'Eloise Concerto' by Rouge starts out as a readily recognizable disco
song, with horn accents, and moves into a lo-o-ong and rather mellow
interlude. The song is pleasant, with several movements, and comes across more as listening disco than dancing disco. If I were to hear it in a club I might think differently, though. The pleasantness of the song is borne out by the fact that it does not seem to last 17 minutes and 32 seconds.
'Time of the Season' by Neil Cloud {Rabbitt's drummer - ed} has the same eerie mood of the original, but with a more obvious beat. The original was a favorite song, this version is too.
'Living Inside My Head' by John Ireland is my favorite song on 'Disco
Fever'. Maybe early in childhood I was entranced by 'Greensleeves', which I feel sure Henry the VIII did not write, despite his claim. Anyway, John Ireland does a much better job than Henry could have with this beautiful melody and original lyrics. Absolutely lovely.
'In-a-Gadda-da-Vida' by Hot R.S. rocks, or is it that maybe the original wasn't too far from being a disco number itself? Whichever the case, this is a good version of a classic song that everyone pokes fun at, but one which everyone knows nonetheless.
That's disc one, some good pure disco, and some disco with a definite
rock edge.
Disc two:
'You Really Got Me' by Disco Rock Machine (featuring Trevor Rabin) is only barely disco. It's disco in a hard rock mode, go-ahead rock with a cranking guitar. This is a loud disco cover of The Kinks song with a disco beat in the back and a wailing guitar up front in the lead.
Medley: 'Born to Be Wild', 'Gimmy Gimmy Good Lovin'', 'Mony Mony', and
'Born to Be Wild' by Buffalo works, flowing from one song to another.
Inspirational rock in that it lifts me up like good music is supposed to do. Nice and long at 14 minutes and 7 seconds, too.
Medley: 'The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly' and 'Reflections of My Life' by Neil Cloud also mixes different songs and it works, moving from the
universally known "Good, Bad, and Ugly" theme to lyrics of Marmalade's
reflective song to disco dance rhythm and back to the two pop songs -- it really works. Also nice and long at 17 minutes and thirty-eight seconds.
'Delta Queen' -- Another song with a vocal woman disturbing the
neighbors. This starts out dance-worthy with a nice yearning mood, then it mellows to become a softer disco song, with a build meant to symbolize something going on. This is a disco song of movements and parts, good to listen to aside from the young lady's histrionics, which in the song, as in real life, are distracting.
'Time to Love' by Disco Rock Machine is a good disco song with a moderate beat and some electronic fills. Pleasant and acceptable, but it doesn't really stand out.
'Give' by Harari is not what I'd call a disco song, but rather it is a
timeless dance number, and a catchy and good one. The few songs I've heard by Harari make me want to hear more.
'Money Runner' by Hot R.S. combines disco, horns, and hip lyrics in an
anthem to the almighty buck. This song has a driving tempo and in a club was likely to cause everybody to move in unison.
'Loving Styles' by Disco Rock Machine is a quirky song, slow in tempo
with a stop-start rhythm. While I can see where some might enthuse over
this one it's another that didn't hit me. It's not obvious disco, but
definitely a song to dance to. Okay, it has interesting guitar
extrapolations.
'Burn Out' by Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse is a nice and gently chugging dance song, and another without the obvious disco beat. The melody and beat work precisely together here. The vocals carry the tune but are not dominant, they work with the instrumentation. A pretty song, appropriate for a closing set for lovers to dance close to before going home together.
My take on over 150 minutes of South African disco music, untinged by
nostalgia, is to wonder: can it be that South Africa improved on disco? I conclude: Yes.
About a third of the musical contents of these two discs is disco for rock fans, so rockified that one might ask, "Disco? What disco?"
Many of the songs are untypical of an undervalued genre. The couple of
songs that I didn't respond to as strongly as others most certainly don't detract from the whole. All in all, another case of my Dollars-into Rands being well-spent.
Kurt Shoemaker, Blanco, Texas
mailto:kbshoe@hotmail.com
{Ed: 'Disco Fever' is a 2CD compilation of tracks from the late 70s and early 80s and in most cases the full-length album versions have been used. This CD is available online from One World http://www.oneworld.co.za }
Websites:
Disco Fever
http://www.rock.co.za/files/sarock_various_artists.html#disco
Buffalo
http://www.rock.co.za/files/buffalo.html
HOT R.S.
http://www.rock.co.za/files/hotrs_index.html
John Ireland
http://www.rock.co.za/legends/johnireland
Neil Cloud
http://www.rock.co.za/files/st_cloux.html
Rouge
http://www.rock.co.za/files/rouge_eloise.html
Trevor Rabin and Rabbitt
http://www.rock.co.za/files/rabbitt_index.html
Harari
http://www.rock.co.za/files/harari.html
____________________________________
6.CLASSIC ROCK
----------------
POLYNATION - THE ELECTRIC PETALS
Released in the wake of the historic 1994 election in South Africa, this album is a politically charged piece of white SA rock, from the harsh image of the topless albino against a background of black bodies on the cover through the threads of 'Nkosi Si'kelele' weaved into the opening track to the timely reminder in the closing track that there is a long way to go. It's an album mixed with anger (at the past) and hope (for the future.)
A host of additional musicians add to the depth of the album. Chris Chameleon (listed as Christiaan de Chameleon) and Ampie Omo from Boo! comtribute vocals and trumpet, while Vusi Mahlasela delivers a "one in a million vocal" on 'Maid in Africa'. No Friends of Harry, Magic Cactus, Minds Astray, Sarsippians, Instant Karma, Blue Chameleon and Sugardrive join the "hooligan choir" on '(This isn't) Walt Disney'.
Strong tracks are 'Sister Love', 'Thank you for the Book James' (the single off the album) and 'Maid in Africa'. The latter, probably being the jewel in the crown. It's funky, it rocks, has a great chorus and as mentioned above features and all too short, but brilliant vocal from Vusi Mahlasela. It could quite easily have been recorded by Bright Blue as it has a similar feel to 'Weeping.'
There are 2 cover versions on the album. The first is of Lennon & McCartney's 'I Got A Feeling' which rocks along with a great Hammond organ adding to the feel good factor of the song. "Everybody saw the sunshine - 27 April 1994" per the sleeve notes.
The other cover is of Dylan's 'Rainy Day women #36'. "Everybody must get sampled!" is what the sleeve notes exclaim and they do that with samples of a Petal/ Chameleon conversation, Koos Kombuis, David Peel & Lower East side, James Phillips and Bright Blue, but not only in the physical samples, but a variety of styles are sampled. The majority of the songs is funky, but then they break into a ZZ Top blues style, then bring in some great jazzy organ and fade out to some quiet piano.
'The Land (Rows and Rows)' shows off the acoustic guitar skills of Angus Rose and is a quiet breather from the rest of the album. It is a beautiful piece of music almost in the style of Tony Cox & Steve Newman.
The last track '(This isn't) Walt Disney' features some cleverly sampled lines from well know rock songs including Peter Gabriel's 'Biko', U2's 'Pride (In the name of Love)', the Velvet Underground's 'I'm waiting for the Man' and Talking Head's 'Psycho Killer' and is a call to remind us that we have had "forty years of manipulation" and it's not the happy Walt Disney ending just yet.
Overall this is a solid rock album featuring some great electric and acoustic guitar work. The lyrics are intellectual and convey a message for the time. There are a few weak tracks but not sufficient to detract from the overall effect of the album. Recommended listening.
John Samson
mailto:Thesamsons@aol.com
This and any other South African CD is available online from One World
http://www.oneworld.co.za
______________________________________________
7.SHILOH REMEMBERS...
----------------------
JOHNNY WINTER
Johnny Winter grew up in Beaumont, Texas, with his earliest recordings in 1959 when he was still in his mid teens. Johnny effectively started out in country blues with this brother Edgar as an Everly Brother style duo. His first record was recorded at the age of fifteen, 'School Day Blues'. He started out playing country guitar on the Nashville sessions and thanks to Texan record man Roy Ames, he was introduced to blues entrepreneurs such as Calvin Loudmouth Johnson, Isaac Sweat and The Everly Brothers. During his early days he recorded under fictitious names in order to get airplay by the ignorant DJs of the time.
One particular album under the name Neal and the Newcomers broke forth with three hit singles - 'Night Ride', 'Lost Without You' and 'How do you Live a Lie?'. His brother Edgar on the keyboards and Jan Faggard on the vocals. The singles were released under Faggard's name. Many would believe that due to the brothers being albino, a certain amount of discrimination led to them performing under alias names. In the early sixties he formed his own band Black Plague with his younger brother Edgar, but continual session work caused ongoing personal problems which resulted in Johnny breaking away.
By 1969 he was the highest paid session musician in the sixties after signing to Columbia for a six figure sum. He became a top live attraction in the seventies, but his full potential was curtailed due to recurring drug addiction. His close association with Muddy Waters gave him world wide recognition along side his greatest studio release in 1969, The Progressive Blues Experiment. The full power of Johnny Winter is only experienced at live concerts.
The album 'Second Winter' won ecstatic raves and was most likely his biggest cash cow to date. After that album, Winter assembled a new band, including McCoy's guitarist Rick Derringer but due to heroin problems retired for a short time and then made a come back in the seventies with a album called 'Alive and Well'. Without a doubt Johnny Winter is still one of the greatest slide and lead guitarists to come out of the United States and could well be placed alongside Duane Allman, Mike Bloomfield, Harvey Mandel and Jimi Hendrix.
Shiloh Noone
Fine Music Radio
Blues and Variations
______________________________________________
8.FORUM
---------
RAMSAY MACKAY
For two years now Ramsay Mackay (formally of Freedoms Children) and Henry Dennis have been in Scotland working on new material, they are coming to the end of the project and soon will be selecting songs to be put towards an album to be released sometime next year. The music has strong influence from Ramsay but has been engineered co-written and produced by Henry Dennis.
Angus Gough
___________________________________________________
9.REQUESTS
-------------
OZILA
Surely someone must have heard of the 1985 South African township pop group called Ozila... they produced an amazing song titled 'Wola Wola'... if anyone has heard of this group, or has an interest in township music of South Africa please contact me.
Sheri
mailto:kiwikatz@quicksilver.net.nz
------------------
COASTAL MUSIC
Please could you see if Geoff Kearns and family still own Coastal Music in Cape Town. Please would you give him my email address and tell him I was asking after them
Margie
Salisbury England
mailto:amhalliday@supanet.com
------------------
THE STACCATOS
I am trying to find where Richard Crouse of The Staccatos now lives, and would appreciate any info that may help me get in touch with him.
Howard Ipp (Toronto)
mailto:hipp@home.com
Ex EMI and CCP records (Clive Calder Productions)
------------------
JOHNNY CLEGG
Fabrice Feitussi in Paris and me Don Compton in London, we are both
looking for a rare version of Juluka's 'Ya Vuka Inkunzi', its a 13 track version, but all in Zulu and with musical variations. Anyone wishing to sell their copy please contact us.
Don Compton
mailto:don.compton@daiwasbcm.co.uk
Fabrice Feitussi
mailto:fabrice-feitussi@wanadoo.fr.
____________________________________________
10.ON THE NET
---------------
STUDIO TAN
http://www.studio-audio.co.za
Studio Tan supply & import professional studio and recording equipment.
______________________________________________
11.WHATS ON
--------------
AUTHENTIC GIGS
Friday 13 October
Sugardrive - 206 Live, 206 Louis Botha Ave, Orange Grove
Tweak - Hunters, Cnr Conrad and Hillcrest rd, Blairgowire
Ethel My Love - Roxy Rhythm Bar, Main Rd, Melville
Wonderboom - Bargo's, Durban
Saturday 21 October
Wonderboom, 57, Watershed - Rhythm and Brew, Farramere Centre, Benoni
AUTHENTIC IDEAS: 011-646-6467
EMAIL: mailto:gigs@authentic.co.za
----------------
SSHHH
Bassline, Melville
Tues 10 Oct 9pm
Kerry Friedmann (Management)
cell: 082 455 3447
email: mailto:dewberry@iafrica.com
--------------
FETISH
unplugged tour
13 OCT The Rivets Bar, Hilton Hotel DURBAN
17 OCT The Blues Room JOHANNESBURG
18 OCT The Mystic Boer BLOEMFONTEIN
24 OCT Chilli & lime, Somerset rd CAPE TOWN
mailto:fetish@iafrica.com
http://www.fetish.org.za
---------------
JESSE JORDAN
BIG TREE - Strand
Friday November 10 21:30
Friday November 17 21:00
Friday November 24 21:30
Wednesday December 6 Rock Festival Sponsored by Bavaria 20:00-02:00
4 bands for R20
Tuesday December 26 Rock Festival Sponsored by Bavaria 20:00-02:00
4 bands for R20
----------------
BENGUELA
Sat 21st Oct - Indie Armchair with Black Milk
-------------
HARBOUR MUSIC CLUB
Troubadour, Kalk Bay
mailto:harbourmusic@kalkbay.co.za
Every Wednesday @ 8.30pm
-------------
LIESL GRAHAM
http://www.lieslgraham.com
11 October 2000 21h00 - Rivets - Durban
--------------
LITTLE SISTER
http://www.littlesister.co.za
13 October
"Who Cares", Burnette street, Hatfield, Pretoria tel: 012 362 58 25
14 October
Upington "Raisin Festival" time 20:00
20 October
Up the Creek, Hatfield, Pretoria tel. no 012 362 3712
27 October
"Who Cares", Burnette street, Hatfield, Pretoria tel: 012 362 58 25
----------------
FRUIT FLY NAVIGATORS
14 October - The Bat Cafe (Durban) with Jane Doe
Management: Dave Campbell
Cell: 082-8998729
Management: mailto:daveca@fedsure.co.za
Fan Mail: mailto:fruitflynavigators@mweb.co.za
____________________________________________
12.LINKS AND ADVERTS
-----------------------
VARIOUS ARTISTS:
SA ROCK LEGENDS
http://www.rock.co.za/legends
SA MUSICIANS ON THE NET FROM A TO Z
http://members.tripod.lycos.nl/Rembrandt/SAArtists.html
ARTISTS:
PIET BOTHA & JACK HAMMER
http://www.rock.co.za/legends/pietbotha
FOUR JACKS AND A JILL
http://www.fourjacksandajill.co.za/
LIESL GRAHAM
http://www.lieslgraham.com
KOOS KOMBUIS
http://www.kooskombuis.co.za
JULIAN LAXTON
http://www.at.artslink.co.za/~julian_laxton
LITTLE SISTER
http://www.littlesister.co.za
OFF THE EDGE
http://www.rock.co.za/offtheedge
ARCHIVES:
THE LEGENDS OF SOUTH AFRICAN ROCK
Where SA rock legends still live
http://cd.co.za/legends
SOUTH AFRICA'S ROCK FILES
The online archive for the History of South African Rock
http://cd.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://www.rock.co.za/
WHATS ON:
BARLEYCORN
Cape Town's Music Club
http://twisted.co.za/barleycorn/
THE BIG TREE
Gant's Centre, Strand
http://www.icon.co.za/~diner/gigs.htm
HARBOUR MUSIC CLUB
The Troubadour, Kalk Bay
Every Wednesday night 8:30
Entrance R15 - bar available
Rob Anderson (021) 7891021
mailto:anderson@botzoo.uct.ac.za
Nadia Scaillet (021) 4489834
mailto:noid@netactive.co.za
SHOPS:
ONE WORLD
Selling South African Music to the World
http://www.oneworld.co.za/
RECORD COMPANIES, LABELS & STUDIOS:
3rd EAR MUSIC
http://www.3rdEarMusic.com
BMG
http://www.click2music.co.za/
CAVEMAN PRODUCTIONS
Kevin Shirley's virtual cave
http://www.cavemanproductions.com
FRESH MUSIC
http://www.fresh.co.za
GALLO MUSIC
http://www.gallo.co.za/
INDIE MUSIC EXPLOSION
http://www.indie.co.za
MELT2000
http://www.melt2000.com
MIGHTY MUSIC PRODUCTIONS
http://www.mightymusic.co.za/
MOUNTAIN RECORDS
http://www.mountain-africa.com
MUSIC FOR THE MASSES
Off Centre * Tic Tic Bang * Season To Taste * Shrapnel
mailto:tictic@iafrica.com
mailto:tasty@iafrica.com
RADIUM WRECKORDS
Jonathan Handley
Suite 89 Postnet
Private Bag X335
Cape Town
8000
mailto:capetowncentral@postnet.co.za
(attention: Jonathan Handley)
Phone: (021) 426 0179/80
Fax: (021) 426 0078
SHEER SOUND
http://www.sheer.co.za
STREET LEVEL RECORDS
http://www.streetlevel.co.za/
STUDIO TAN
http://www.studio-audio.co.za
SUNSET RECORDING STUDIOS
Stellenbosch
http://www.sunsetrecording.com
TUERK MUSIC TECHNOLOGIES
http://www.tuerkmusic.co.za
TL MASTERING
Digital Mastering, Editing and Remastering
http://www.tl-mastering.com
mailto:prozak@iafrica.com
082 701 5096
RESOURCES:
BACKSTAGE
http://www.backstage.co.za/
PEDRO THE MUSIC MAN
Music teacher
http://users.iafrica.com/m/mu/musicman
SHOW VILLAGE
sound - lights - dance
http://www.showvillage.co.za
MAGAZINES:
AMUZINE
African Music Magazine
http://www.cd.co.za
STAGE
http://www.stage.co.za
TOP FORTY
http://topforty.worldonline.co.za
RADIO:
DINOSAUR DAYS
The radio show, the CDs, the website
http://www.dinosaurdays.co.za
CAPITAL RADIO 604
http://www.Capital604.com
SAFM (104-107KHz)
Sugar, Digest co-editor, chats to Bruce Millar every Wednesday at 10.30am
http://www.safm.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
KOOS se SONGS
Koos Kombuis
http://www.oneworld.co.za
SEX, DRUGS AND BOEREMUSIEK
Koos Kombuis
http://www.oneworld.co.za
TIGHTLINES
Robin Auld
http://www.robinauld.co.za
RHYTHM OF THE HEAD and DRUMMERCISE
Drumming books by Georg Voros
http://www.georgvoros.com
TRIVIA:
CLIMB UP ON MY MUSIC
A site dedicated to Rodriguez, the Sugar Man
http://www.rock.co.za/files/rodriguez.html
SPACE HYMNS
Ramases
http://www.rock.co.za/ramases
VAGABOND'S WORLD
Rock Trivia
http://cd.co.za/vagabond
PIOTR'S GREEN PAGES
Discographies and lyrics for the legends of rock
http://www.zetosa.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
RUSTLERS VALLEY
http://www.rustlers.co.za
MUSIC ON-LINE:
DIGITAL CUPBOARD
African MP3s
http://www.digitalcupboard.co.za
MP3.COM
MP3s of South African artists
http://www.mp3.com/regions/africa/south_africa/
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13.BACK ISSUES
---------------
BACK ISSUES
http://www.rock.co.za/sarockdigest
Online and keyword searchable
__________________________________________
14.CONTRIBUTIONS
-----------------
This e-mag is a discussion forum for rock and pop music --
South African and International -- past, present and future.
All contributions are welcome, send them to:
http://www.rock.co.za/contact
or email Brian Currin at:
mailto:sarock@new.co.za
All contributions in plain text e-mail format with no attachments, please.
________________________________________
15.SUBSCRIPTIONS
----------------
Send an e-mail to mailto:sarock@new.co.za with any words or phrases that vaguely indicate acceptance or... visit http://www.rock.co.za/sarockdigest and fill in the simple form.
--------
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Surely not, but if you really must, then just reply to this e-mail,
saying "I'm bored" or "get me out of here" or "I've had enough" or whatever. I'll get the idea, eventually.
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