South African Music Week

You may have not noticed that it is South African Music Week … that’s probably because, unless by some strange coincidence it IS South African Music Week where you are it is not something that exists in any official capacity as far as I know… However, I am pleased to report that it IS Sth African Music week where I am…

The reason it is South African Music Week (henceforth referred to as SAMW ) here is twofold… Monday was Jonah practice and I am delighted to report that we are singing 3 African melodies at the concert on April 2nd (which I won’t be at… *sniff*) and today I received 2x cds from Red to showcase every good thing about South African music, seeing as she is a South African herself.

As long as I can remember I have loved African music. Muvver had “The Lion Sleeps Tonight (Wimoweh)” on vinyl as I was growing up and I loved it… When Paul Simon released Graceland I fell in love with Ladysmith Black Mambazo and was privileged to hear them 3x when I was living in England in the ’80s. And finally, my all time favourite African music album is the soundtrack to “The Power of One.” Sometimes I shut all the doors, turn out the lights and play Mother Africa at full bore. Let’s face it, I am a harmony junkie.

Imagine my joy at rehearsal on Monday when I heard we will be learning
Senzenina. Rapture – and torture that I will not be in Australia to perform it… Still getting it in rehearsal is enough to give me goosebumps… I get so excited sometimes I embarass myself with the happy deeleea dance or a whoop at inopportune moments.

Still… people get used to me eventually…

Anyway, the other reason this week is SAMW is the cds that Red sent me. They have been a long time coming but Red is up there with Jack in the procrastination stakes… Happily, she is as good as her word (which would make her an ideal employee if you were looking for someone to hire) and [just quietly] any kind of music from alien places (even Africa via Baltimore) is totally worth the wait…

I haven’t had a chance to hear them yet, I only cleared the mail just prior to bedtime… but I can’t wait… it is all I will be playing in the office tomorrow that’s for sure!!!