DCup mentioned that she hadn't heard Johnny Clegg, which led me on an obsessive YouTube search for the best videos. Of course, that's no more possible than choosing the best seven albums (see previous post.) So here are a few of my favorite songs.
Scatterlings of Africa
Asimbonanga (We saw him perform this one live. It was the absolute BEST concert I ever attended -- I can still say that 19 years later. The moment when the female singer joined in was so ... powerful.)
I Call Your Name
Third World Child
I could have posted 15 videos and honestly said that each one is a favorite song. This music makes my heart pound. If I had to choose just one artist to listen to, it would be Johnny Clegg.
(My kids are even fans. My daughter just mentioned that, whenever she goes to get her hair cut, the stylist always plays Johnny Clegg just for her.)
OK, enough gushing.
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8 comments:
That show to which you referred was definitely one of the best concerts I've been to.
Lest anyone thinks that Johnny Clegg is yet another Paul Simon type, it's important to be aware that he grew up in South Africa and is considered to be a Zulu by the Zulu themselves. He was playing this music long before Simon ever had the idea for Graceland. In the '80s Juluka (the band he was in before Savuka) was banned in his home country for being too political and for having both white and black band members.
Sorry, I know you were already aware of all that, but anyone who isn't familiar with Clegg might be interested.
Last year the guy who restored the Barrymore Theater was asked which concerts were the most memorable, and that one was top on his list. It was magical.
News to me too... I'll look up the you tubes, and buy a song or two on iTunes.... I love African beats, did he come out of the Simon journeys with Graceland?
Dave, actually he grew up in South Africa and is considered to be a Zulu by Zulus. He's been playing this music most of his life. During apartheid he was arrested for playing with black musicians and had his music banned from the radio. Then ironically, he was blacklisted in Europe for playing in South Africa (his home country)!
By all means check him out if you like African music.
One of the things that I love about Johnny Clegg is that he is unabashedly political -- something that at times has been downright dangerous in his country.
In South Africa and surrounding countries he is a superstar, by the way. In France as well. It's interesting that he is so little known in the U.S.
Had not heard of Johnny Clegg?
You have done a public service here! I love Johnny Clegg!
Oh Wow! This is great music! Now I know Johnny Clegg. I'm going to have to get some of these songs from itunes.
Thank you, Suzy. You've just expanded my horizons!
I haven't heard Johnny Clegg in years. Thanks for the reminder. Great stuff.
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