1990
Dear Abbie (One Night Of Passion) – Little Sister (Bernie Millar / Debbie Lonman / Sandy Robbie / Ron “Bones” Brettell)
Jenni Lonmon: vocals, voice harmonica/ Debbi Lonmon: bass, vocals/ Sandy Robbie: guitars, vocals/ Marc Bentel: keyboards, vocals/ Johnny Burnett: drums, percussion
Produced by Ron “Bones” Brettell, Bernie Millar and Sandy Robbie.
Strong words from the Lonmon sisters on their debut album “Ready and Willing”. Rated as one of South Africa’s all-time greatest pop/rock songs, this “no-holds-barred” song of teenage pregnancy and angst is powerful and moving.
Waiting For The Dawn – Big Sky (Steve Louw)
Don Laka: piano/ Robbie McIntosh: guitar/ Jimmy Mngwandi: bass/ Steve Louw: acoustic guitar, vocals/ Godla Mgcinga: Drums/ Benmont Tench: piano/ Cape Town Highlanders (The 1000 Pipers): bagpipes
This, somewhat anthemic, track refers to the South African situation and includes the lines: “People suffer for so long now … We’re still waiting for the dawn / For the sea to wash the sins from our sands.” Good stuff.
Glynis O’Hara, The Star Tonight, September 1990
1995
Sex – The Pressure Cookies (Tonia Selley)
Tonia Selley: vocals, guitar/ Launa Nasser: bass/ Sheree Harrison: percussion, melodica, vocals/ Terri Cohen: drums, vocals/ Tom Fox: guitar/ Willem Möller: guitar
“Rock chick” angst from Tonia Selley and the Pressure Cookies. Raunchy lyrics and an incredible guitar solo from Willem Möller.
Video
Wild Warrior – Arapaho (N Tarboton)
Rapid-fire rock from this Durban 4-piece. Stunning.
1996
Sarajevo – Jack Hammer (Piet Botha)
Piet Botha: vocals, guitars, piano, harmonica/ Lanie van der Walt: guitars/ Paul van de Waal: drums/ Lowell Jeffrey: bass
Screaming and growling guitars — a strong song with powerful lyrics — not a song for those who want to hear about breakin’ up to make up. This song makes a big noise that demands to be heard.
Kurt Shoemaker, Sept 2000
1997
Goeienag Generaal – Piet Botha (Piet Botha)
Piet Botha: vocals, guitars/ Jonathan Martin: guitars/ Jorik Pienaar: drums/ Jason Phillips: bass
For all the guys that were in the army…
Piet Botha, live on stage, August 2000
A stunning hard-rock song about dying for your country but for what? “Toe ek weer so kyk, het ‘n AK jou fucked-up geskiet“. If this had come out ten years earlier it would have been banned outright! This song really tells it like it was … taken from the brilliant ‘Suitcase Vol Winter’ album.
Who Killed Kurt Cobain – Koos Kombuis (Koos Kombuis)
Koos Kombuis: vocals/ Anton L’amour: electric and acoustic guitars/ Chris Vermaak: acoustic guitar/ Doris Delay: bass/ Wikus Lombard: drums
A brilliant tribute to Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain … why wasn’t this song from the “Madiba Bay” album a huge US hit?!
1998
Cape Axe – Jorge Carlos (Jorge Carlos)
Jorge Carlos: all instruments
Dance music for people who don’t like dancing! Reminiscent of such musical geniuses as Jean-Michel Jarre, Vangelis & Tangerine Dream. Trance music with real percussion and real guitars – incredible sound – like Eddie van Halen and Joe Satriani. One section even sounds like “The Mule” riff by Ritchie Blackmore.
Incorrectly listed on Spotify as “Cape Ave” rather than “Cape Axe”.
1999
Judas – David’s Confession (Mel Botes)
Mel Botes: vocals, guitars, harmonica / Conrad Botha: bass / Andries Botha: guitars, mandolin / Philip Botha: vocals, drums, percussion / Adrian Hamilton: piano, keyboards / Melissa Wiggens: violin / Julian Wiggens: Celtic pipes, string arrangements / SABC choir led by Simon Lomberg
A driving, incessant fusion of Progressive Rock and Irish Folk. This song starts with a gentle acoustic introduction, and then builds momentum. The poetic lyrics are dense and complex and I discover something new on every listen. And I listen often.
Lyrics
Well it started the same way
as yesterday had ended
And you know she woke me up at
eight o’clock this morning
and told me that she’s leaving
She said I got to put a smile on
this sour face of mine
’cause the new sun is laughing out there
and I wonder
Whether I should be here
Now my friend gave me this book
and you know that I was reading
But the dust just gathered on the cover sheet
and the yellow fingered paper melted
before my eyes
and I tried to tell her not to interfere
and wondered if I’m still wanted here
With a hand full of monkey reason
I stumbled out the front door
And you know they pissed me off so badly last night
with their beer breath and nicotine
stained laughter
And I explained to them I ain’t got
no more answers
I told them I can take in no more
And it’s cold in here
I’m about to freeze in here
Do you know how long have I been in here
and did you know all this time
I’ve been waiting
for my ship in the sky to take me home
for my ship in the sky to take me home
Now I talked to Jesus one more
time in this monastery
and I begged Him for forgiveness
I told him I would never ever sin again
and I would play these songs forever
But that woman last night
she was so amazing
she was telling me over and over again
blue boy; you should never have come here
This verse is omitted from the recording
Now I saw mama in this zenboat
I could swear that she was screaming
There was always something wrong
about those paths
where you were dreaming
I thought she came down,
all the way down from hell
just to be my angel, and I asked her
if she’s for real
and she said baby you’re not even in here
And yes I walked the streets of Dublin
with Judas’ hand in mine
and spat out words of anger in relics
of a misfit childhood
and I tried to tell them it ain’t so bad in here
as long as you got somebody to hold onto
and all I ever wanted was to say
that I’m in here
I would reckon the band’s influences as early Genesis, Marillion, and maybe a little bit of Yes and Pink Floyd.
Neil Daya, SA Rock Digest Issue #30, 4 September 1999
This Spotify track credits only Mel Botes, however it appears to be the original David’s Confession version.
