The Crossing – Johnny Clegg

The Crossing – Johnny Clegg

Written for Dudu Ndlovu, one of Clegg’s dancers who was killed during the violence of the early 90’s, ‘The Crossing’ is a moving song and one of the standout tracks on ‘Heat, Dust & Dreams’ his album from 1993. On the face of it the song could be about crossing over from the land of the living to be with the ancestors, but, given the time this song was released, it was also a metaphor for the crossing the country was making from apartheid to democracy.

This is argueably one of Clegg’s most polished songs and possibly one of his best vocal tracks. That’s not to diss the rough folkiness of his other stuff, that’s what gave it it’s charm. But the sombre subject of this song demanded this be a polished affair. The more subdued verses talk of loss and violence but they are offset with the rousing chorus of ‘O Siyeza, o siyeza, sizofika webaba noma’ (We are coming, we are coming, we will arrive soon). The heartfelt delivery is the kind of stuff that can bring a lump to the throat and a tear to the eye.

Roll on 15 years after Johnny recorded the song and in 2018, about a year before his death, a group of leading South African musicians recorded a moving version of the song in honour of Johnny. This conglomeration included among others Johnny’s son Jesse, Karen Zoid, Vusi Mahlasela, David Kramer, Kahn Morbee from the Parlotones, Patricia Lewis, Zolani Mahola from Freshlyground, Arno Carstens and a special guest appearance of Peter Gabriel. It is not only the power of the song that reflects Clegg’s genius, but the mix of people from all colours of the South African rainbow working together that makes this a fitting tribute to him. It honours his music and his values.

But perhaps it is the line ‘Oh, it’s funny how those once so close and now gone can still so affect our lives’ that really gets one when listening to this. Johnny has now made his crossing, but his music and legacy lives on in his music. We will be listening to ‘Scatterlings’, ‘Impi’, ‘Asimbonanga’ and many others for a long time to come. I think that ‘The Crossing’ will also be one that people turn to when remembering Johnny and as one comment on the page for the Friends of Johnny Clegg version says ‘If you watched this and didn’t get tearful are you even South African?’

Where to find it:
Heat, Dust & Dreams – Johnny Clegg (1993), EMI,  CDEMCJ(WF)5499

Video:
Johnny Clegg:

Friends of Johnny Clegg version:

Asimbonanga – Johnny Clegg

Asimbonanga – Johnny Clegg

The phrase ‘stirring anthem’ is sometimes used by music critcs to describe songs that reach into our minds and finds exactly the right buttons to press to envoke a emotion so strong it sends shivers down our spines, tears down our cheeks or what ever physical reaction you experience when you are completely moved by a song. And ‘Asimbonanga’ is one of those great stirring anthems. Even the rather tame version that Joan Baez recorded (tame in comparison to Clegg’s that is) still does something to one.

‘Asimbonanga’, the plaintive cry that kicks off the song, means ‘we have not seen him’ and the song then goes on to name who we have not seen – Mandela. Back in 1987 when the song appeared on the international version of ‘Third World Child’ (we locals had a different track listing), sightings of Mandela were limited pretty much to those on Robben Island. The strange thing about this song is that if you take out the Ladysmith Black Mambazo-esque harmonies, this does not show too much of an African influence. It is practically pure western rock and yet you know it was made in Africa just from its feel.

However, if you are still not convinced by Johnny Clegg’s version, listen to the Soweto Gospel Choir’s version they recorded as a flashbmob at Woolworths 2 days after Mandela died (see Youtube link below), and feel the power of this masterpiece. It worked as a protest song back in 1987 and it worked just as well (if not better) as a suitable farewell to a man whose life was a stirring anthem.

Where to find it:
The Very Best Of Johnny Clegg & Savuka – Johnny Clegg & Savuka (2002), EMI, I-8575762
The Great South African Trip – Various Artists (2007), African Cream

Videos:

Johnny Clegg:

Soweto Gospel Choir flash mob:

Joan Baez version:

Great Heart – Johnny Clegg

Great Heart – Johnny Clegg (The Spirit Of A Grey Tart)

Johnny Clegg & Savuka

People often try and describe what is fantastic about Africa and invariably these efforts resort to clichés about blue skies, open plains and bushveld. Few people have really managed to capture the spirit and greatness of the continent as Johnny Clegg did in ‘Great Heart’ and even less have done so to such a catchy tune. Full of imagery and loaded with high kicking, foot-stomping beats. This is one song about Africa that never fails to excite and delight.

The song was used in the movie version of Sir Percy Fitzpatrick’s book ‘Jock Of The Bushveld’ (most of the rest of the soundtrack being handled by Neill Solomon) and was also in the closing credits of Disney’s ‘Whispers: An Elephant’s Tale’. Jimmy Buffet did a cover version of it which had a Caribbean sound. While it’s great that international stars are covering a local artist, I’m afraid this version doesn’t work for me, it seems to lack hands on experience of the subject matter and tends to be a little bland in comparison to the original.

In more recent times, Johnny Clegg joined up with the elite of South Africa’s rock scene (Karen Zoid, Parlotones, Chris Chameleon to name a few) to re-record the song in aid of the Starfish charity. This version is well worth seeking out as it remains true to the spirit of ‘Great Heart’ but at the same time brings an updated slant to it.

Where to find it:
The Very Best Of Johnny Clegg & Savuka – Johnny Clegg & Savuka (2002), EMI, I-8575762
Videos:
Johnny Clegg & Savuka:

Johnny Clegg & Friends:

Hog Hoggidy Hog

Jimmy Buffet

Lyrics:

The world is full of strange behaviour
Every man has to be his own saviour
I know I can make it on my own if I try
But I’m searching for a Great Heart to stand me by
Underneath the African sky
A Great Heart to stand me by

Chorus:
I’m searching for the spirit of the Great Heart
To hold and keep me by
I’m searching for the spirit of the Great Heart
Under African sky
Sometimes I feel that you really know me
Sometimes there’s so much you can show me

There’s a highway of stars across the heavens
There’s whispering song of the wind in the grass
There’s the rolling thunder across the savannah
A hope and dream at the edge of the sky
And your life is a story like the wind
Your life is a story like the wind

Chorus
I’m searching for the spirit of the Great Heart
To hold and stand me by
But I’m searching for a Great Heart to stand me by
Underneath the African sky
I’m searching for the spirit of the Great Heart
I see the fire in your eyes
I’m searching for the spirit of the Great Heart
That beats my name inside
Sometimes I feel that you really know me
Sometimes there’s so much you can show me

Guk a ‘mzimba (body grow old)
Sala ‘nhliziyo (but heart remain behind)

(Written by Johnny Clegg)

Cruel, Crazy Beautiful World – Johnny Clegg & Savuka

Cruel, Crazy Beautiful World – Johnny Clegg & Savuka (Song Son Blue (skies))

Cruel Crazy Beautiful World - Savuka (1989)

When Steve Irwin dangled his young child in front of a crocodile there was a huge outcry. When Johnny Clegg sang to his son Jesse that he has to ‘wash with the crocodiles in the river’ no one seemed to care. Well, they did care about the songs, but no one took the lyrics literally.

Despite the lack of protest, this song to his son made a few international charts, peaking at number 86 in the UK, number 25 in Sweden and number 5 in Switzerland. It also helped to propel the album of which it was the title track to number 123 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart in the US.

The song is pumped full of feel good vibes which reflects the message that despite the cruelty and craziness of the world we live in, there is still beauty. Maybe Johnny was overdosing on the joy of fatherhood when he wrote this, but his joy is infectious.

Where to find it:

Cruel Crazy Beautiful World – Savuka (1989), EMI, CDP 7934462

Lyrics:

You have to wash with the crocodile in the river
You have to swim with the sharks in the sea
You have to live with the crooked politician
Trust those things that you can never see
Ayeye ayeye jesse mfana (jesse boy) ayeye ayeye

Chorus:
It’s a cruel crazy beautiful world
Every time you wake up I hope it’s under a blue sky
It’s a cruel crazy beautiful world
One day when you wake up I will have to say goodbye
Goodbye — it’s your world so live in it!

Beyond the door, strange cruel beautiful years lie waiting for you
It kills me to know you won’t escape loneliness,
Maybe you lose hope too

Ayeye ayeye jesse mfana ayeye ayeye

Chorus

When I feel your small body close to mine
I feel weak and strong at the same time
So few years to give you wings to fly
Show you the stars to guide your ship by

Chorus

It’s your world so live in it

Video:

Yekanini – Shiyani Ngcobo

Introducing – Shiyani Ngcobo

There was once a musician who made some brilliant music but was not really recognised for it at the time. However, much later in his life, he was suddenly noticed and ended up travelling abroad to perform his songs. Sound familiar? It may well do, but this is not the story of Rodriguez. It is the story of Shiyani Ngcobo, a master of the Maskandi style of guitar playing, a kind of Zulu Folk music.

Shiyani was a migrant worker, moving around South Africa. In 1989 he won a Maskandi competition at the University Of KwaZulu Natal and would end up teaching Maskandi at the university for the rest of his life. However, he got very little recognition of his music outside this small circle. Then he performed at a Rainforest World Music Festival in Malaysia one year and came to the notice of producer Ben Mandelson who helped him record his one and only album, ‘Introducing Shiyani Ngcobo’. The album was picked up by the UK World Music magazine ‘Songlines’ and they championed it. This led to a trip to perform in the UK and he would also perform in various countries in Europe and would play at Carnegie Hall in the US.

Musically, those familiar with the early works of Juluka would not find themselves discovering new sounds as Johnny Clegg and Sipho Mchunu also played the Maskandi sound in those early days. The sound features a frantically plucked guitar and Zulu bow harp, giving it that rural Zululand feel. ‘Yekanini’ is the opener to the ‘Introducing…’ album and it races along as Shiyani’s fingers dance over his guitar strings. His voice is gravelly and fits in with the roughness of this rural sound.

I must admit that listening to the whole album in one can be a bit much for ears raised on western rock music but listening to the tracks in isolation is a rare treat, taking one out of the cities and into the wide open spaces of the Drakensberg Mountains during winter when the grass is brown and the place is a little dusty. It is an injection of the rural that is life affirming.

Where to find it:
Introducing Shiyani Ngcobo – Shiyani Ngcobo (2004), World Music Network, INTRO101CD

Video:

African Trilogy – Samson

African Trilogy – Samson

Cedric Samson (no relation) was a stalwart of the 80’s music scene in South Africa and even spent some time presenting the TV show ‘Pop Shop’ (which was the closest thing we had to a few minutes of MTV a week back then). He was a member of an early incarnation of Rabbitt and also featured in Morocko who brought us the awesome ‘Bow-Tie Boogaloo’.

However, one of his lesser known bands was one simply called Samson which produced, as far as I can tell, one solitary album called ‘African Trilogy And Other Curios’. The ‘African Trilogy’ in the title refers to an eight and a half minute epic track made up of ‘Sun Dance’, ‘Rain Dance’ and ‘Fire Dance’. Samson joined forces with Neville Paulson and a pre-Via Arika Renee Veldsman for the vocal force on the album and the track was written by Rodney Canes and Hilton Rosenthal. Rosenthal rose to fame producing most of Johnny Clegg’s work and this shows through in the African feel to the track. However, it’s not in the same vein as Juluka, but rather more akin to Hawk’s ‘African Day’ stuff. It is like an 80’s version of Hawk. It has the stomping African drums rhythms, but this is merged with a more synth sound.

This epic track could get one out there and dancing and singing along to it. It has a catchy tune and rhythm, and given the components of the song, you can dance to it in any weather – sun, rain or fire. If you enjoy the syncopated sound of Africa, then you would want to search out this not very well know track.

Where to find it:
Vinyl: African Trilogy And Other Curios – Samson (1980), WEA, WBC 9005

Woza Friday – Juluka

Woza Friday – Jonathan & Sipho

Way back in the day, before Juluka was invented, a guy called Jonathan and another called Sipho recorded a song called ‘Woza Friday’. Later on, when Juluka came into being, the band recorded a cover of that early Jonathan and Sipho track. Of course, you will all be telling me that Jonathan and Sipho were Juluka, so what the hang am I on about. Well, yes, the Jonathan and Sipho in question were Jonathan Clegg (Johnny to his fans) and Sipho Mchunu who were the mainstay of Juluka. However, in 1977, before they became famous, they released a single called ‘Woza Friday’ under the name Jonathan and Sipho. It was only the following year that they released the seminal album ‘Universal Men’ under the name Juluka and it took 5 years before ‘Woza Friday’ had an outing under the Juluka brand name when it appeared on their ‘Ubuhle Bemvelo’ album.
That early 1977 recording of the song was a beautiful rough diamond. It has that sort of urgency and racing quality of township jive with a natural rhythm allowing one to visualise Johnny doing that dance where he skitters to one side then the other. It also features a more prominent vocal from Sipho and was a joyful introduction (which most of us never heard) to what would become one of the most important bands the country has ever seen. The later version has 5 years of experience to draw on and is a more polished one, showing off Johnny’s western rock sensibilities.
However, both versions are life affirming affairs and how can they not be when they sing ‘Woza, Woza Friday, my darling’ (‘Come, come Friday, my darling’). The lyrics tell of the hardships of work, the yoke of poor wages, but the joy that arrives with Friday and the weekend. It’s time to party and enjoy life, freed from the shackles of work. How can a song about this subject not brighten anyone’s day?
The Easybeats sang about ‘Friday On My Mind’ (a cover by the band Chilly made the Springbok charts), the Cure said ‘Friday I’m In Love’, the Specials had a song called ‘Friday Night, Saturday Morning’ and in 2011 Rebecca Black became a Youtube sensation with her song ‘Friday’. All of these look at the one workday a week when life doesn’t seem so bad.

Jonathan and Sipho tapped into that great ‘Friday Feeling’ and put it to music in a way that has you jiving round the office, or shop floor, or down in the mine or wherever it is that one may work. We all love Fridays, in fact we sometimes give thanks to God for the day like it is some sort of divine gift. A listen to ‘Woza Friday’ (either the 1977 or 1982 version) does feel like you are listening to something God given. Thank God for Fridays, without it we would never had had this song.

Where to find it:
Anthology – Johnny Clegg (1999), Rhythm Safari, VE150683

Video:

Africa – Juluka

Juluka

Way back in the 80’s when Juluka were recording their early stuff, the internet had not yet spread to the common man, so recording a song called ‘Africa’ and then one called ‘Scatterlings Of Africa’ did not take into account the trouble one would end up having when Googling ‘Africa Juluka’ and then having to go through all the results for ‘Scatterlings Of Africa’ before finding a link to the one you are actually looking for (Oh and Johnny Clegg also went on to record ‘Africa (What Made You So Strong)’ with Savuka). But we can’t really blame Johnny and Sipho for that, now can we. Apart from the fact that not many could have foreseen the growth of the internet and search engines, Juluka would not have been the Juluka we came to love and know had they not sang about Africa.

The song simply entitled ‘Africa’ appeared on Juluka’s debut album ‘Universal Men’ in 1979, an album that was groundbreaking and probably could lay claim to being the springboard from which bands like éVoid, Hotline and Via Afrika took off from. Like many of the early Juluka songs, ‘Africa’, is a simple song which has Robbie Jansen’s flute fluttering gently around Johnny’s singing and Sipho’s guitar culminating in the catchy chorus of ‘Afrika kukhala abangcwele’ which Google translate tells me means ‘Africa Cries For Saints’.

‘Universal Men’ introduced us to a band and a talent in Johnny Clegg that would go on to become one of the biggest and most respected acts in the land. Their rootsy take on local sounds mixed with Western ones showed us what could happen if black and white worked together. ‘Africa’ is just one of many Juluka tracks that you should hear before you go deaf. It’s gentle, its powerful, its catchy, you can dance to it and it relates to the greatest continent on the planet. Sorry if you think otherwise, but you probably haven’t visited Africa (the continent or the song) if you disagree.

Where to find it:
The Best Of Juluka / Savuka Featuring Johnny Clegg – Juluka/Johnny Clegg & Savuka (1999), Primedia Record Company, CDVM(WL)22

Video:

Hie’ Kommie Bokke – Leon Schuster

Hie’ Kommie Bokke – Leon Schuster

Okay, so I’m about 5 months too late with this one, but hey we’re World Champs and it still feels good. I am sure that Leon Schuster’s ‘Hie’ Kommie Bokke’ was played more than a few times on 2 November 2019 when Siya Kolisi and the boys took to the field and blew the English Rugby team away. Some, like me, may even have been singing Johnny Clegg’s ‘Impi’ and changing the words to ‘Mapimpi’. But one thing is for sure, South Africans love rugby.

Leon was not the first to sing about rugby, there are many examples out there of rugby songs, The Bats’ ‘Groen en Goud’ and David Kramer’s ‘Hak Hom Blokkies’ immediately come to mind. But there are other rugby references in local song with Laurika Rauch’s ‘Stuur Groote Aan Mannetjies Roux’ and Roger Lucy’s band Tighthead Fourie & The Loose Forwards being 2 examples. And then their’s Gé Korsten’s ‘Liefling’ which is indelibly linked to the game.

Schuster first released this sing-a-long song back in 1995 when South Africa played in their first ever Rugby World Cup (and I don’t need to remind you that we won it!) and the song, like Kramer’s ‘Hak Hom Blokkies’, has entered the national psyche. It’s not his singing voice that makes the song, neither is it his pretty good rapping that does it. It’s the joy and catchiness of it that made it what it is. The chorus is easy to sing along to and the song is easy to dance to. I am sure that Schuster and his heirs will continue to enjoy royalties from this song for a long time to come as long as the Bokke continue to be a world force in the game.

Where to find it:
Hie’ Kommie Bokke – Leon Schuster (1995), RPM, CDRPM1436

Video:

Come With Me Now – Kongos

Come With Me Now – Kongos

‘It’s boere musiek, I’m not interested,’ is something one might say if you listened to the first few seconds of ‘Come With Me Now’ by Kongos as it is just an accordion playing, although, one may also think that it is something out of the township, or the start of a Johnny Clegg track as it has that feel to it too.

But after those few second introduction you realise that this is neither, it’s a thumpingly thuddingling stompingly stonkingly great tune from the sons of Johnny. The Kongos Kids know how to make big songs and ‘Come With Me Now’ is them at their best. It’s catchy, you can dance to it, you could head bang to it (if that’s your thing). And it became an international hit as it went to number 7 in Canada, number 31 in the US, 94 in Australia, 65 in Austria, 36 in New Zealand and 47 in Spain. In the UK is made it to 125, but was far more popular in Scotland than the rest of great Britain as it went to 58 on the Scottish charts.

And its international success is no surprise as their dad, John Kongos had seen international hits with ‘Tokoloshe Man’ and ‘Step On’ so they were just following in his footsteps. If you took a rumble of thunder and beat it with a hammer on an anvil till it took the shape of a tune, you would get ‘Come With Me Now’. This is a juggernaut of a track that deserved all the success it got.

Where to find it:
Lunatic – Kongos, Tokoloshe Records (2012)

Video: