7/24/2007 Dig Up The Roots

An all to brief listen in to the sounds of South African Jazz, Vaudeville and Rock ‘N’ Roll pioneers. The recordings ranged from 1930 to 1965; from the polished Elite orchestras of the cities clubs to rural village street recordings. Zulu miners phonetically singing in English trying to sound like Elvis (who was trying to sound like a Delta Blues man anyway – weird), tight vocal group harmonies, penny whistles galore, big band Latin and ska sounds. An incredible amount of diversity of influences, yet, one can plainly hear the distinct qualities of this region of the world.

An early example of ‘World Beat’ was the first recording heard which included yodeling and Hawaiian steel guitar! We also heard music from some of the later giants of South African music: Hugh Masekala, Miriam Makeba the Mahotella Queens. Many of these recordings have little to no documentation so we will need to listen.

There is a wonderful book called Marabi Nights: Early South African Jazz and Vaudeville by Christopher Ballantine. It is on Raven Press and came with a cassette with some of the featured music on this show.

Playlist Tracks:

Griffiths Motseieloa and Ignatius Monare – Aubuti Nkikho (Brother Nkikho)
Album: Marabi Nights: Early South African Jazz and Vaudeville; Label: Raven Press

Snowy Radebe Company – eBhayi (In Port Elizabeth)
Album: Marabi Nights: Early South African Jazz and Vaudeville; Label: Raven Press

Amanzimtoti Players – Sbhino (Sponono)
Album: Marabi Nights: Early South African Jazz and Vaudeville; Label: Raven Press

Nkandla Guitar Players – Evelina
Album: Marabi Nights: Early South African Jazz and Vaudeville; Label: Raven Press

Unknown – Lammandi Ugolohlano
Album: Siya Hamba: 1950’s S. African Country and Small Town Sounds; Label: Original Music

Royal Players – (Cry Until The Tears Dry Up)
Album: The History Of Township Music; Label:

Nancy Jacobs Her Sisters – Meadowlands
Album: The History Of Township Music; Label:

Nancy Jacobs Her Sisters – Baby Are Yeng
Album: Township Jazz ‘N’ Jive; Label: Music Club

Bogard Brothers – That’ll Be The Day
Album: Flying Rock: Early South African Rock ‘N’ Roll; Label: Global Village Music

Benoni Rocket – I’m Gonna Rock
Album: Flying Rock: Early South African Rock ‘N’ Roll; Label: Global Village Music

Willard Cele – Penny Whistle Boogie
Album: Flying Rock: Early South African Rock ‘N’ Roll; Label: Global Village Music

Solven Whistlers – Something New In Africa
Album: The History Of Township Music; Label:

Lenny Special Mabuse – Kwela Blues
Album: Township Jazz ‘N’ Jive; Label: Music Club

Manhatten Brothers – Thabu Tseu
Album: Township Jazz ‘N’ Jive; Label: Music Club

Petersburg Melodians – We Are Going Home
Album: The History Of Township Music; Label:

The Black Mambazo – After Muchacha
Album: Flying Rock: Early South African Rock ‘N’ Roll; Label: Global Village Music

Bogard Brothers – I’m In Love
Album: Flying Rock: Early South African Rock ‘N’ Roll; Label: Global Village Music

Nelson Siboza Montanas – Bayilami Selmavukuvuku
Album: Siya Hamba: 1950’s S. African Country and Small Town Sounds; Label: Original Music

Dark City Sisters – Shala Shala Twist
Album: Flying Rock: Early South African Rock ‘N’ Roll; Label: Global Village Music

Allen Kwela – 500 Guitar Rock
Album: Flying Rock: Early South African Rock ‘N’ Roll; Label: Global Village Music

Blue Notes – No Doli Wami
Album: Siya Hamba: 1950’s S. African Country and Small Town Sounds; Label: Original Music

Jazz Revellers Band – Sponono
Album: Marabi Nights: Early South African Jazz and Vaudeville; Label: Raven Press

W.P. Zikali – Ntebejana
Album: Marabi Nights: Early South African Jazz and Vaudeville; Label: Raven Press

The Merry Blackbirds – iChain Covers / uMajaji / Woza we Mzala (Come on, everybody)
Album: Marabi Nights: Early South African Jazz and Vaudeville; Label: Raven Press

Hot Lips Dance Band – Marabi No. 2 Jive
Album: Marabi Nights: Early South African Jazz and Vaudeville; Label: Raven Press

Jazz Dazzlers – De Makeba
Album: Township Jazz ‘N’ Jive; Label: Music Club

Orlando Seven – Loafer’s Corner
Album: Township Jazz ‘N’ Jive; Label: Music Club

Father Huddlestone Family – Ndenzeni Na?
Album: Township Jazz ‘N’ Jive; Label: Music Club

The Young Stars – A Loafer
Album: The History Of Township Music; Label:

Jury Mpelho Band – Isicatula
Album: Siya Hamba: 1950’s S. African Country and Small Town Sounds; Label: Original Music