A man like me...

This is the title of his album that I got to know so well... A man like me - one of the honey-sweet voices of the SA industry. Plus he is a piano-playing muso, writing beautiful songs of romance, love and appreciation...

James Stewart at Backsberg

He is none other than James Stewart - the brush-cut blonde guy from the 90's band The Usual. These days, his usual hang-outs include wine farms and fire-side restaurants in the Franschoek region which he calls home.

And so, beneath a breezey tree, James entertained us beautifully last Sunday on the gorgeous green lawns of Backsberg wine estate as part of the kykNet Backsberg Picnic Concerts.

"So I thank my lucky stars each night... because they're the only reason I can see, why a woman like her could ever love a man like me..."

Without fail, James dedicates this 'A man like me' song to his lovely wife Lauren, serenading her every time! And as their two blonde TV ad-perfect kids ran around the lawn that afternoon, you can see why James Stewart thanks his lucky stars. He is both talented and blessed with an amazing family, living in the fabulous surrounds of Franschoek and with a dedicated fan following of his piano ballads.

He also does a cover show of The Police on occasion, so we were treated to some such tracks, as well as a few Bob Marley interpretations! James did a few more of his classics, including Gravity, Beautiful Lies, Shine and The Usual's big track, The shape that I'm in.

It was a very chilled picnic vibe and perfect for a Sunday afternoon. It even came complete with imaginary percussion. Alas, Barry van Zyl - James' drummer as well as the dummer for Johnny Clegg - had come through to play the gig, only to find out that the drums had not arrived. Oh well, its always interesting knowing the behind the scenes happenings, but the audience would never have known otherwise!

Chris Tait and I chilling summer picnic style (and Gill's foot!)

I was also told by my fellow picnic'ers (who have worked with James over the years), that not only did James Stewart open for Ronan Keating in South Africa (of which I course remembered the date and location of the gig - 2 January 2005, Kirstenbosch, sad sad sad I know). So I was told by Gill Strawberry, that she had in fact met my Ronan (read 'Some of my favourite boys' to get the full story). And she too confirmed that Ronan wasn't very tall, but again, I've been so close and yet so far...!

I'd also chatted to Mr Backs himself (the man of Backsberg that is) - and asked about the Jax Panik, Goldfish, Locnville, Die Antwoord Sonic Summer Tour that took place at Backsberg on 18 December that I'd missed (and yes, am still kicking myself for!) Apparently it pulled a two and a half thousand crowd and was a fabulous show! Locnville even arrived, and left, in a helicopter one of the waitresses told me!

Now that's how to rock the winelands, perhaps there is a market in helicopter rides to these wine farm summer picnic concerts. Then we could truly enjoy the full wine farm experience and actually indulge in decent amounts of wine, and not just of the quaffing kind!

For more wineland picnic concerts, you can catch Laudo of aKING this Sunday 16 January, followed by Albert Frost, Robin Auld and more in weeks to come! (Karen Zoid, Koos Kombuis and Hot Water have already played!) Alas, I shall be leaving the warm and open surrounds of our Western Cape next week and heading back to London's buzz to see what SA music I can blog about there...

Rock on wine farm summer concerts, and James Stewart's piano ballads,
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