Travelling Through The Wild Side – Ras Sheehama

Travelling Through The Wild Side – Ras Sheehama (Wonder if he met Lou Reed on the way)

Ras Sheehama

Usually when you talk reggae in a South African context, Lucky Dube is the name that comes to mind. But it is certainly worth checking out Ras Sheehama if you like your reggae laid back and smooth.

Born in Namibia, Ras spent time in Zambia, Angola and Nigeria before coming to Johannesburg where he hooked up with producer Ian Osrin of the now defunct Digital Cupboard and recorded the album Travelling. ‘Travelling Through The Wilderness’ was the opening track on the album and introduced us to this new reggae talent.

Steeped in the Rastafarian tradition, the song has religious references (‘Johnny the Baptist’ and Daniel in the lion’s den) and is a song of praise to Jah and all he provides. There is a lilt to the rhythm of the song that gives one a sense of travelling on horse (or perhaps camel) back and you may well find yourself rocking gently back and forth to the beat in a similar manner to a horse rider.

Although he has not scaled the heights that Lucky Dube did, Ras Sheehama is possibly the best reggae artists in Southern Africa since the passing of Mr Dube and ‘Travelling…’ is one of his stand out tracks.

Where to find it:

The Great South African Trip – Various Artists (2007), African Cream

Lyrics:

Guidance
Sitting in the evening
Watching the sun go down
But I know by tomorrow
It’s gonna rise again
And if the rain do fall
Before the Midnight hour
Jah lightning will be there
To see me through the darkness yes oh
Ain’t got no sword
Jah Jah is my shepherd
I’m ready for the next day
I’ve got to see the rainbow
Creation will defend I and I
From the season to the next season
I will be like a bird in the sky
I’ve got to feel the wind blowing
Across my wings
I’m like Johnny the Baptist
Coming from the wilderness
I man look so shaggy
Society dem a watching me

Travelling through the wilderness
Travelling through the wild side
Travelling through the wilderness
Lord have mercy
Travelling through the wilderness I a man say
Travelling through the wild side

When I wake up in the mornings
I’m glad to see the sun arising
I’ve got to bow down and say my prayers
Before the day is done
I’m not living in fear
There is no sign of despair
Almighty cares
And his love we shall share
I’m like Daniel
Who gets thrown into the lion’s den
But through the grace of the most high
The man just survived
I’m like Johnny the Baptist
Coming from the wilderness
I man look so shaggy
Society dem a watching me

Travelling through the wilderness
Travelling through the wild side
Travelling through the wilderness
Travelling through the wilderness I a man say
Travelling through the wilderness
I keep on travelling and travelling…
Through the wilderness

(written by Ras Sheehama)

Video:

Like You Madly – Just Jinger

Like You Madly – Just Jinger (Spice up your Like Life!)

Just Jinger - All Comes Round

Just Jinger were one of the biggest bands in South Africa during the late 90’s and early 00’s. With their grungy rock, they sparked with the public from their first album ‘All Comes Round’ and went on to tour with bands such as Counting Crows, U2 and Def Leppard.

One of the tracks off ‘All Comes Round’ was the popular ‘Like You Madly’. The song starts with a quiet refrain set against a bare guitar, but quickly builds to the thundering, yet catchy chorus that is largely responsible for its popularity. Art Matthews’ vocals soar and growl while drums pound and guitars howl and yelp in that special way that grunge guitars do.

One could say that the band lack commitment, but that would only be a comment on the lyric ‘I like you madly,’ which suggests that the singer cannot bring himself to admitting actually loving the person, but then, I guess that is part of the appeal of the song. The band later relocated to the US and changed the spelling of its name to Just Jinjer, but we will always have this wonderful gem to remember the start of something great.

Where to find it:

All Comes Round – Just Jinger (1997), Colossal, CDBSP 7011
Something For Now – Just Jinger (1998), Colossal, CDCLL 7020
Greatest Hits – Just Jinger (2001), BMG, CDCLL(CLM)7048
Lyrics:

You look to me like something new
And I wish that I could talk to you
But you seem tied up
So I’ll leave you
To make your mind up
Is it me or you
chorus(x2)
I like you madly, like you madly
All the same
I want you to take my
mind to someplace new
Perhaps not now I’m
not meant for you
Perhaps in time you’ll find a way
That I can call you
and see you again
chorus(x2)
Are you scared to look inside?
Are you scared to read my mind?
Are you scared of what you’ll find?
Don’t be scared, ‘cos I’m alright
I’m alright
chorus(x2)

(written by Art Matthews)

Video:

Grips Of Emotion – Lesley Rae Dowling

Grips Of Emotion – Lesley Rae Dowling (That Trapped Feeling)

Grips Of Emotion by Lesley Rae Dowling

Few artists announced themselves in such a dramatic fashion as Lesley Rae Dowling did. A scorching guitar intro followed by this sultry, enchanting voice and you were in the grips of emotion and of Lesley Rae. Written by Lesley and Tully McCully, produced by Tully, featuring the guitar skills of Jethro Butow, and with ‘The Spaniard’ as the other side of the single, it was no surprise that ‘Grips Of Emotion’ quickly found its way on to the Springbok Top 20. What was surprising
was that it peaked at a miserly number 11.

It is a further mystery that this was her only top 20 hit, despite 3 other songs (‘I Want To Dance With You’; ‘I’m A Woman’ and ‘Innocent Child’) charting on Radio 5 and (‘Give A Little’; ‘I’m A Woman’ and ‘When The Night Comes’) charting on the Capital 604 charts.

‘Grips…’ also seems to have become overshadowed by ‘The Spaniard’ as time has gone by with more people quoting the latter as Lesley’s best song, but for many of us, ‘Grips…’ was our introduction to Lesley Rae and, as good as ‘The Spaniard’ is, we will always prefer ‘Grips of  Emotion’.  Most of Lesley Rae Dowling’s back catalogue is now available on CD from Fresh Music and as Digital Downloads on Rhythm Music Store – woo-hooo!

Where to find it:

CD: Lesley Rae Dowling / Unravished Brides – Lesley Rae Dowling (2011), Fresh Music, FRESHCD 149
MP3: Grips Of Emotion – Lesley Rae Dowling (2011), Next Music
Video:

Rock ‘n’ Roll Lullaby – Waterloo

Rock ‘n’ Roll Lullaby – Waterloo (Rockin’ the baby to sleep)

Not much known about the band Waterloo. They could have been named after the battle, the station in London or a type of toilet. What I do know is that they took a cover version of a BJ Thomas song to number 9 in the SA Top 20 in 1972. BJ only managed to get to number 15 in the US with his version (although probably shifted loads more units in doing so)

This country tinged, laid back song is more lullaby than rock n roll and is about a young single mother (were we allowed single mothers back in 1972? I can’t remember) bringing up a child and would calm the child and herself by calling upon a fifties throw back bunch of greasers – ‘Sha-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na’.

There is not much to choose between Waterloo and BJ’s version. However Waterloo do add a nice backing vocal to the chorus which is slightly reminiscent of Charisma’s ‘Mammy Blue.’

Where to find it:

2nd hand singles bins

Lyrics:

She was just sixteen
And all alone when I came to be
So we grew up together
Our mama-child and me
Now things were bad and she was scared
But whenever I would cry
She’d calm my fear and dry my tears
With a rock and roll lullaby

And she’d sing
Sha-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na
It’ll be all right
Sha-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na
Just hold on tight
Sing it to me, mama
My, my, my, my, mama
Sing it sweet and clear
Oh mama, let me hear
That old rock and roll lullaby

[Instrumental Interlude]

We made it through the lonely days
But, Lord, the nights were long
And we’d dream of better mornin’s
When mama sang a song
Now I can’t recall the words at all
It don’t make sense to try
‘Cause I just knew lotsa love came through
In that rock and roll lullaby

And she’d sing
Sha-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na
It’ll be all right
Sha-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na
Just hold on tight
I can hear ya, mama
My, my, my, my mama
Nothin’ moves my soul
Like the sound of the good old
Rock and roll lullaby

(Written by Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil)

Video:

Waterloo:

BJ Thomas: