Being Frank

Most winter afternoons I spend with the incredible Frank (Frank Ocean, to you). One of my favourite tracks is "Thinking About You". I bumped into these ladies on You Tube and I enjoyed the cover of the song.

---Dear Frank

Your music is a Gift and I am a believer

Nolundi

Take what you need

All that Jazz

Gretchen Parlato - Holding Back The Years

This Bar in Paris.

I went to a bar in Paris on the coldest night__ and I was in Paris I had to see what her nights are like. The cold was insane and we gave up the pleasures of pub crawling for any ‘room-that is warm -and has a drink’. I won’t remember its name but I knew as soon as I walked in that I was in great company. There they were -some of my heroes, between cigarette smoke and bar broil were these pictures. It felt like an old friend’s house, a place I would usually talk politics and the state of the world -over wine on winter nights and something colder on summer days. This is what a great bar is, I'll go back soon and this time I’ll remember to write down the name. I always miss Paris and this is probably one -in part - of my series of Love letters to her.

The One to Watch | Bongeziwe Mabandla

I saw Bongeziwe for the first time at 88 in Norwood Johannesburg, about two years ago. I can’t remember what I wore or who else was on stage that night. It must have been someone I really liked because I remember the electric energy. Two things are clear in my mind though -a certain Mr Mpye, for reasons I only refer to here as ‘moving’ (the insecurities of youth, I could have said 'Hi', sigh). But nothing could have prepared me for Bongeziwe, it seems he had walked out of a musical dream. He is delicate yet commands such sway and allure.  He is an important musician and I hope the world hears him.

Uyinkwenkwezi.

"Apho Ukhona, Londwawo ukuyo uyintyatyambo.
Ndibona wena Ezinkwenkwezini ndiyathemba uyinkwenkwezi." _Simphiwe Dana.
It is so hard to translate such poetry but here is an attempt.
'Where ever you are, you are a flower. I see you among the stars and i trust you know that you are a star.'

This is Simphiwe Dana featuring Mthwakazi - INkwenkwezi, taken from DVD "An Evening with Simphiwe Dana". The song was originally released on album Kulture Noir.
Miss Dana is a consummate musician and poet she gives me such great insight into to my native language _IsiXhosa and I am grateful for that. This song blew me away, it is incredible and has a beautiful message, I hope you are moved and inspired as I am.

Umkhonto We Sizwe.

The African National Congress (ANC) celebrated its 100th anniversary today, 8 January 2012.
South Africa has come a long way from passbooks, state murders, arrests, tortures and brutal racial laws. We still carry so many scars but today we stand to celebrate and give Thanks to everybody who contributed to the liberation of South Africa.


A video about Music and the liberation struggle.

 
"I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter. I have made missteps
along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only
finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a
view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I
can only rest for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for
my long walk is not ended."
_Nelson Mandela