Time flies when you have music!

Last week was an earful of heaven, starting with the soothing sounds of graceful guitar in the hands of two masters. Guy Buttery and Nibs van der Spuy played the acoustic haven of the Halfmoon...

Guy Buttery bewildered an entire audience with his magical fingers fulfilling sounds never before self-witnessed possible from a straight-forward guitar. Wow, goosebumps and new appreciation for the gift of guitar playing. They say nearly everyone can play. (Myself excluded 'cos I've owned one for nearly 2 years and never progressed from my Std 2 teachings of 'Hush Little Baby...'), but to see the guru of Guy elicit and elaborate sounds from the guitar that could be a multitude of instruments if your eyes were closed, was amazing!

Following Guy's set, we were blown away by the subtle power and presence of Nibs van der Spuy who is currently promoting his new album Beautiful Feet. Combining delicate and detailed guitar with soulful and intense song lyrics, the resulting package was immensely powerful and I found myself feeling lighter and in tune with each song.

I love it when an artist gives the background of how a song came to be, and with each of Nibs songs, it seemed almost a beautiful story woven by the songs, a story of special souls, souls who have left this world, and simple love.

Nibs spoke and sang of Gito Baloi, a musician from the 80s SA band Tananas. Not knowing of them myself, and not knowing of Gito before.. it was with a strange soul connection that when Nibs sang a song about Gito and told us the preamble of its sad birth... that a larger picture of Southern African music started to piece together.

We come from such a rich country, diverse in nature, people and music. Gito Baloi, who is from Mozambique and has sung in Shangaan on Nibs' latest album, was murdered one night after Nibs had played a gig with him. The story is a sad one, and further to know of interest that Gito is now forever honoured at OppiKoppi with a stage named after him!

Amazing to hear how music touches and teaches on so many levels! Dont miss the chance to see Nibs live next in October!

Following Tuesday's magic, Thursday was a night of fun with Joburg rockers Prime Circle hitting the good ol' Shepherds Bush Walkabout. Between outside smoke breaks since the new law, people sang along to PC favourites - My Inspiration, Hello! and Live This Life - at the top of their voices! Songs of anthemic altitudes! A great night out!

And cleverly displayed on the bar counters, between Savannas and beers being bought were the flyers for the next big SA band to hit London earwaves... JUST JINJER! 

(It wasnt long before the flyers became human advertising too!)

Hopping the pond in early August, Just Jinjer will be here for one show only at the Walkabout on 8 August! For me, its my birthday night and so celebrations have been pre-decided! Its a Wednesday, so consider taking Thursday off! Its gonna be huge!

Watch out for an interview of what life is like in LA for the Just Jinjer boys! Also in next week's Live Music SA section of the South African paper will be the story behind Mann Friday and their "Gone Fishing" going ons! More of that to follow soon. It will be sad to let the MF guys take a break, especially since London-based South Africans and Zimbos have grown so used to a regular hit of the good menn! But more on Mann Friday to follow.

Rock on,
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