SA ROCK DIGEST ISSUE NUMBER 25
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The South African Rock Music Digest
is a weekly, free subscription e-mag,
delivered direct to your e-mailbox.
Subscription and back issue
information at the end.
Established January 1999.
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INTRODUCTION
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The SA Rock Digest is a discussion forum for Rock music;
South African and International; past, present and future.
Read it, digest it, enjoy it, send in your comments
and tell your friends....
"Rock" is a very general term encompassing rock and roll,
pop, folk, rock, ethnic-rock, prog-rock, jazz-rock, country-rock,
soul, R&B, metal, indie, alternative, new wave, reggae, etc, etc.
Don't get hung up...if you want to say something about the music
YOU like, go ahead, say it.
Contributions and comments:
http://www.rock.co.za/files/contactme.html
or...
mailto:brian.currin@new.co.za
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NEWS
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JOSH SITHOLE MEMORIAL CONCERT
The Barleycorn Music Club and Sterra Promotions are staging a "Josh Sithole
Memorial Concert" which will be held at the Riverclub in Cape Town on
Sunday 1 August 1999.
Tickets will be available at the club or at Paul Bothners
or Soundworks or from Steve Murdoch.
There are limited tickets available at R35.
Line up as follows:
Alpha Set
Blues Connection
Brenton Blue
Gabriel Shai
Saber
Sudan
Time: 5 pm till late.
Comperes : Alvon Collison & Andre Fourie (Fine Music Radio)
All proceeds to the family.
All musos are giving their services free.
See you there...
Steve Murdoch
Tel: +27 21 6836144
Cell: 083 448 7292
mailto:murdoch@mweb.co.za
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NAKED LIVE @
| Mystic Boer |
84 Kelner Street |
|
July 24th |
| 206 |
|
206 Louis Botha Avenue |
August 14th |
| Pancho Villa's |
Witbank |
|
|
August 27th |
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MUSIC FOR FUNERALS
RADIO RATS WILL BE RELEASING "MUSIC FOR FUNERALS" IN OCTOBER...
LIMITED RELEASE...ONLY 3,000,000 WILL BE PRESSED INITIALLY.
NICK TAYLOR AND LULU VAN DER WALT WERE THE TWO PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE FOR STARTING OFF RADIO RATS. NICK RECORDED 5 OF MY SONGS AT HIS HOUSE IN JHB FOR FREE. HE AND LULU THEN SAID .." ..FORM A BAND."
SO I DID.
THE BAND WAS CALLED RADIO RATS. AND THE REST IS A MYSTERY.
THANK YOU NICK AND LULU!
-- jonathan rat
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JUST JINGER
No, not a new solo album from the errant Spice Girl, but...
South Africa's hottest rock quartet is coming to London!
Just Jinger is comprised of Art Matthews (lead vocalist), Brent Harris (drums), Denholm Harding (bass guitar) and Danie Janse van Rensberg (lead guitar). Having successfully toured the US, Canada, Australia and Germany, Just Jinger are now heading for the UK to introduce their distinctive sounds of modern rock, folk and funk to London.
The band touches down at Heathrow on July the 26th, signalling the start of the most eagerly awaited South African tour of its kind in the world's rock music capital.
The tour kicks off at the Borderline on Monday the 26th of July 1999, to be followed by the second show at the Garage on Tuesday the 27th of July. The tour then moves to the Mean Fiddler (Harlesden, London) for two shows on Friday the 30th and Saturday the 31st of July.
Tickets can be purchased through the Ticketmaster hotlines on 0171 344 - 0044 (Garage/Mean Fiddler) / 0171 344 - 4444 (Borderline).
-- Neil Rawlinson, SAPRO
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REQUESTS
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TOM JASUIKOWITZ
Can anybody help me make contact with Tom, the co-author
of The History Of Contemporary Music Of South Africa?
-- Brian Currin
mailto:brian.currin@new.co.za
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FORUM
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CLASSIC SONG OF THE WEEK:
Reflections (The Good, The Bad & The Ugly) Of My Life - Neil Cloud (Campbell/McAleese/Morricone) [17.38]
Neil Cloud: drums, percussion, vocals/Johnny Boshoff: bass, keyboards/
Lionel Martin: keyboards/
René Veldsman: vocals/Malcolm "Funk" Watson: guitars/Erwin Keiles: guitars/
John Galanakis: synthesizers/Ashley Kelly: bass/Israela Weisser: violin/
Chris Boyle, Lofty Schultz, Hansel van Brugham, Eric Norgate and John Davies: brass
An interesting mix of the Marmalade's 1970 UK chart-topper "Reflections Of My Life" and Ennio Morricone's theme from the Clint Eastwood spaghetti western "The Good, The Bad And The Ugly". Works for me. This track took up the whole of one side of the St. Cloux album which came pressed on yellow see-through vinyl. An extracted single edit of this track was played on Radio 5 during 1978/79.
More at...
http://www.rock.co.za/files/st_cloux.html
Track available on the recent Disco Fever compilation CD from Gallo.
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NO MAN SHOULD FALL
This is a brilliant song from Little Sister from the early 90s.
Available on their recent Greatest Hits CD "While No-One
Was Looking".
Debbi Lonman wrote:
We had hopes for airplay on No Man Shall Fall,
but Dear Abbie took preference.
We recorded a video of No Man Shall Fall that was
instantly banned by the SABC due to content,
it was fun at the time (being banned and all)
but alas didn't draw any attention to the song.
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SISTERS ARE DOING IT FOR THEMSELVES
THE AMAZONS
SA's first all-girl group was formed
in Johannesburg in 1962.
The original line-up was...
Cynthia Fourie: Vocals, guitar
Rochelle Fourie: Vocals. guitar
Josephine Levine: Guitar
Carole Stein: Bass
Leonie Levine: Drums
By 1964 the line-up had changed dramatically,
except for Carole who remained, but changed to lead guitar.
Carole Stein: Guitar
Ilene du Preez: Vocals
Margaret Barkett: Rhythm guitar
Jill Pollard: Bass
Lee Conrad: Bass (replaced Jill in 1967)
Gill Marshall: Drums
Group split in 1967, some members re-appeared in another all-female band, the Valentines.
Lee Conrad (now Tomlinson) went on to join that very successful South African group, Clout.
More here...
http://www.rock.co.za/files/sa_amazons.html
Another all-girl group was...
PANTHA
Pantha was formed in 1979. We had a fairly good run but being an
all girl group in the shadow of Clout,
we never managed to secure a record deal.
P.J. Powers was the fronting singer then known as Penelope Jane Dunlop.
-- Debbi Lonman (Little Sister)
{Editor: PJ was only about 17 or 18 at the time}
More next issue on Clout and The Working Girls
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SA GUITARIST
We are avid guitarists in the process of designing
an on-line guitar magazine for South Africa only. The design is complete but
we have a slight problem finding content - especially for our "classics" section, any
info on old South African guitarists, even pictures would be a great help.
We are actually looking for contributors on a monthly basis any help would be great.
thanks
Marcus
SA Guitarist
{Editor: Well I play a brilliant air guitar solo, does that count?}
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BAND HUMOUR
A guy walks into a shop.
"You got one of them Marshall Hiwatt AC30 amplificatior thingies
and a Gibson StratoBlaster geetar with a Fried Rose tremulo?"
"You're a drummer, aren't you?"
"Yeah. How'd you know?"
"This is a travel agency."
Q: What happened when the bass player locked his keys in the car?
A: He spent an hour trying to get the drummer out.
Q: How does a lead vocalist change a light bulb?
A: He just holds on and the whole world revolves around him.
Q: How many jazz pianists does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Screw the changes, we'll fake it.
Tatti Ostling from Sweden and from another mailing list that I belong to,
pointed me in the direction of the source of these jokes...
If you go to the following link
http://www.roadie.net/links.htm
and look at the bottom of the page there is a list of links to musician
jokes, drummer jokes etc.
-- Tatti
http://welcome.to/tattis-tavern
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DID YOU KNOW?
The sax solo on Bright Blue's Weeping was played
by Basil Coetzee.
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ON THE NET
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TOP 10 THINGS EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT MP3
1) MP3 is not illegal, it is simply an audio compression format.
2) MP3 is the standard for high quality music and will soon be on every PC.
3) MP3 gives artists and labels freedom to market and sell their music anyway they wish.
4) Hundreds of companies are building businesses around MP3.
5) Thousands of artists are distributing content in MP3 today.
6) MP3 is the most cost effective and easy way for artists to explore online music.
7) MP3 can be as secure as any current audio format.
8) The music industry is not losing billions to MP3.
9) Artists and labels can make money employing MP3 technology on the net.
10) MP3 users should respect copyrights.
-- Michael Robertson
Source: http://www.MP3.com
Visit http://www.digitalcupboard.co.za/
for more info on MP3s and the South African music industry.
South African musicians have MP3s available at:
http://www.mp3.com/regions/africa/south_africa/
For more info on the format:
http://www.mp3music.co.za/mp3faq.htm
For a list of MP3 players:
http://www.rock.co.za/files/mp3software.html
Another MP3 site:
http://www.mp3sound.com
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WOODSTOCK 99
http://www.woodstock.com
Woodstock 99 takes place from 23-25 July.
This is the 30th Anniversary of the original
Woodstock Festival...not to be confused with
the Cape Town suburb.
Highlights will be broadcast on SABC 3 from 22.00 to 01.00
on Saturday, Sunday and Monday evenings.
Talking about 30th anniversaries, the 20th July 1969 was Neil
Armstrong's historic first step on the moon...
"One small step..." and all that.
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IMAGES OF ROCK
http://www.imagesofrock.com
Digest member, Craig Ballen, has a new website at the above address.
Take a visit if you are interested in rock memorabilia and the like...
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REVIEWS
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BEST OF THE 90s
I am an old rocker at heart, and I grew up on a diet of
Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Jethro Tull, etc. (Also the Chipmunks,
Jeremy Taylor, Des and Dawn, Peter Vee, Victor Borge, Stan Freberg,
church hymns and The Goons...but that's another story....!)
There are a number of recent South African albums that have
appealed to my rock tastes. This is not a definitive list, merely
some 90's SA albums that I think deserve more recognition...
Ghosts On The Wind - Jack Hammer (1994)
Piet Botha and friends produce some superb
blues-based rock on this album. Adding their own
brand of South African angst to the blues, Jack
Hammer play hard and heavy. Blistering guitar work.
The Pressure Cookies (1995)
"Rock chick" angst from Tonia Selley and
the Pressure Cookies. Quirky, tuneful,
thoughtful songs with an SA flavour.
References to Durban and Neil Johnson,
for example, give the album that homegrown feel.
This album includes the song "Sex",
with raunchy lyrics and an incredible guitar solo from
Willem Möller. The Pressure Cookies opened for Meat
Loaf in Cape Town in 1996 which is where I first saw
them perform. I was hooked and bought this CD the
next day.
Famous Curtain Trick (1996)
Acoustic rock featuring the vocal talents of Nadine
Raal. Fleetwood Mac with more attitude. This
Durban-based band opened for Bryan Adams on his
May 1999 SA tour. New album due out soon.
Death Of A Gypsy - Jack Hammer (1996)
More blues-rock from the band that opened for the
Gauteng leg of the Uriah Heep/Deep Purple Masters
Of Rock tour of SA in March 1995. The guitar solo on
"Sarajevo" is one of my magic moments in music.
'n Suitcase Vol Winter - Piet Botha (1997)
Biting Afrikaans commentary with the musical style of
Eric Clapton, Mark Knopler, Chris Rea, etc. "Goeie Nag
Generaal" is a brilliant hard-rock song about dying for
your country but for what?
"Toe ek weer so kyk, het 'n AK jou f****-up geskiet"
If this had come out ten years earlier it would have
been banned outright!
Taxman - Lucky Dube (1997)
Lucky Dube is very well-known in SA (and in some
other regions), but not really as a "rock" musician.
"Taxman" is an album that really rocks! This is
rock-reggae at its best...great guitar, wonderful
organ, soaring vocals, wailing sax...excellent.
Fetish - Fetish (1998)
Fetish have a dynamic approach to epic rock as they
mix the stunning voice of Michelle Breeze with superb
musicianship and powerful musical images. A classic.
Fetish have 2 websites...the one is
http://www.listen.to/fetishmusic and
the other is http://www.fetishmusic.co.za.
{The first one is the official site (done by our drummer)...
and the other one is a site by a fan - Michelle}
Trip Of Africa - Jorge Carlos (1998)
Dance music for people who don't like
dancing. Wonderful trance music with
South African sound FX, real percussion
and even a real guitar on my favourite
track "Cape Axe".
One Day Soon - Karma (1998)
Great debut album solo album from
Henry Ate's Karma-Ann Swanepoel.
Buy it, you won't be sorry.
Back Stabbers and Money Grabbers -
Black Eyed Susan (1998)
South African Indie melodic grunge-rockers Black Eyed
Susan recorded the album "Back Stabbers & Money
Grabbers" in January 1998 and released it in May
1998. Included on this album is an uptempo remake
of the classic Rodriguez song, Hate Street Dialogue.
Not actually written by Rodriguez, this song of urban
decay and loneliness fits perfectly on Black Eyed
Susan's album of otherwise original material. A great
song on an even greater album. If you like your rock
modern-but-retro, grungy-yet-tuneful, this album is
for you.
Homegrown - The Homegrown Band (1998)
Eric Clapton meets Joe Cocker...works for me. Great
rock from Steven Baker and the boys.
On The Run - Off the Edge (1999)
Polished guitar-based rock with soaring
female vocals. Rock with a capital R.
Influenced by bands like Boston and
Trevor Rabin-era Yes, guitarist Pete
Hanmer weaves guitar solos to die for.
http://listen.to/offtheedge
Witches Brew - Bewitched (1999)
Distorted guitars and some other rock clichés, gravelly
vocals and yet another version of The House Of The
Rising Sun...I love it!
Not to be confused with the 4 Irish lasses who
dominated the charts recently!
Fairy Tales And Wishes - Mr.Jones (1999)
Taking their name from
the Counting Crows song (I guess),
Andrew Williams and friends play some
great grungy rock. The title track is
brilliant.
617 - November 5 (1999)
"Otis" is a song that will give you a lift.
Great moody (blues?) music from Braam (ex-The Led).
Few new albums bear back-to-back
listenings these days, but this one does.
It must be love...
-- Stephen Segerman, June 1999
Classified - Government Car (4 track EP, 1999)
The spirit of Nirvana lives in this powerful "grunge
metal mixed with melody" outing. Try it and if you
like it, then give their earlier EP "Autobiography" a
listen as well. Great harmonica on "Little Lucy".
Recommended, but not for the faint of heart.
Quick Hey? - The Blasting Scones (1999)
SA punk rock with wit and melody. Great vocals from
Pierre Pressure (love that name), and some wonderful
keyboard work and guitaring. If you enjoy the UK
bands from the early 80s bands like The Alarm, The
Stranglers, etc you are sure to enjoy The Blasting
Scones.
Primitive Nania - Nani (1999)
Debut album from Jonathan "Radio Rat" Handley's
latest discovery, Nani. Martie Tinanie van Niekerk
was born 21 years ago and she is currently doing Art
(photography, film, painting) at the Art Academy in
Klerksdorp (Cortina Interceptor City). Nani has an
incredible voice, similar to that of a Kate Bush or
Stevie Nicks. This is a great CD with some powerful
folk-rock, hard-edged songs. Musicians include
Jonathan Handley, Riaan Esterhuizen and David
Pickover. Released by Radium Wreckords, home of the
Radio Rats, The Glee Club, the Chauffeurs and the Pop
Guns.
African Meadow - RAM (1999)
A demo CD from Reini Adelbert & Tony Drake with
some drumming help from Ivan Bell. These eight
songs sound like they could have been written by
somebody like Sting, Eric Clapton or Phil Collins, but
they are imbued with an African spirit, similar to
Johnny Clegg. Reini has a rich, strong voice and his
guitar-picking style is incredible.
Songs like "Big Town" (referring to Jo'Burg), "Blood of
Africa" and "Low Country" reflect a love and an
understanding for Southern Africa and its people that
can only come from a child of Africa. The lyrics from
"Low Country" are aimed at all those who have left,
but long for home...
"When the snow is falling, you will
try to warm your soul. The fire in your heart will burn
the trees of Africa."
These songs deserve to be heard.
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NEW RELEASES
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SPRINGBOK NUDE GIRLS
Last issue:
Tell us how the Springbok Nude Girls got their name and you could win a copy of the new Springbok Nude Girls CD "Surpass The Powers" courtesy of Paul Thackwray of Sony Music South Africa.
Answer:
The original Springbok Nude Girl first appeared in 1970 on the first Springbok Hits album. Remember those albums you loved to hate? The albums were intended to give people cheap and easy access to the hits of the day as played on the Springbok Radio Top Twenty broadcast on Friday nights and hosted by David Gresham.The Springbok Hits albums were recorded by various session musicians, including some very well-known artists like Mike Pilot, and released by MFP.
The series continued up to number 64 or so, according to someone I know who has a huge selection, but who prefers to remain nameless!
The first few releases featured a cardboard cut-out type Nude Girl and then somewhere around number 10 or so changed to real woman.
Visit: http://www.rock.co.za/files/sa_springbok.html to see a cover scan and track list for the first album in the series.
The lucky winner of the new Springbok Nude Girls CD "Surpass The Powers" is Jason Marshall from Newcastle. Thanks to Paul from Sony Music South Africa.
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A NAARTJIE IN OUR SOSATIE
Anybody remember this album? This classic collection of SA anarchists
is now available on CD at One World as a special limited edition.
Buy it now while stocks last.
http://www.oneworld.co.za
Tracks:
1.The Promise - Timothy
2.International News - National Wake
3.Cara Monia - Stan James
4.Darky - Corporal Punishment
5.Uhuru - Sankomota
6.Storms and Fires - Roger Lucey
7.Spies - Joe Azania And The Chameleons
8.Survival - Desert Moves
9.Hou My Vas Korporaal - Bernoldus Niemand
10.Prayer for Civilization - Kalahari Surfers
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VOTING BOOTHS
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Visit these voting booths and cast a vote for YOUR favourite...
SA Rock albums, from the 60s to the 90s and beyond...
http://www.freevote.com/booth/sarock
All-time Great SA Pop and Rock songs
http://www.freevote.com/booth/sapop
McCully Workshop albums
http://www.freevote.com/booth/mccully
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LINKS
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SOUTH AFRICA'S ROCK FILES
The online archive for the History of South African Rock
http://rock.co.za/sarock/
TOO GOOD TO BE FORGOTTEN
Message Board for SA Rock
http://www.insidetheweb.com/mbs.cgi/mb311757
AMUZINE
African MUsic magaZINE
http://rock.co.za/
ONE WORLD
Selling South African Music to the World
http://www.oneworld.co.za/
5% discount for Digest members!
Type "Digest Member" in brackets
after your name when submitting info.
POWERZONE
The Hub of South African Music
http://www.powerzone.co.za/
INDIE MUSIC EXPLOSION
The Ultimate Independent Music Site in South Africa
indie.co.za/
GALLO MUSIC
Supporting South African Music
http://www.gallo.co.za/
BACKSTAGE
The Musician's Resource
backstage.co.za/
THE GIG GUIDE
Whats on in Cape Town
http://www.gig-guide.co.za/
ZA@PLAY
What's on in Cape Town and around South Africa
http://www.mg.co.za/mg/art/music/listing/music-ct.htm
SLY
Online magazine
http://www.sly.co.za/
STREET LEVEL RECORDS
Cape Town's Independent Record Label
http://www.streetlevel.co.za/
MUSICADS
Free musical equipment classifieds ad website
http://www.twisted.co.za/musicads/
SA MUSIC DATABASE
Over 100 links relating to South African music
http://members.xoom.com/samusicd/links.html
RIESTER INTERNATIONAL RECORDS
South African independent record company
http://www.riester-records.co.za/
JOL
News, updated daily
http://www.jol.co.za
FRESH MUSIC
Independent multi-faceted music group
http://www.fresh.co.za
AFRICAN INVASION OF ROCK
News, reviews and opinions
http://www.air.org.za
MOUNTAIN RECORDS
Music from and about Africa
http://www.mountain-africa.com
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ADVERTS
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ONE WORLD MUSIC
http://www.oneworld.co.za
One World has an extremely wide range of CDs including Afrikaans Volksliedjies, African Traditional music, music of the Kalahari Bushmen, Sounds of Nature, Kwaito, Johnny Clegg and a host of other genres, styles and artists.
Also unique releases like Chris de Burgh's "Live In South Africa" and the "Cosmos" TV series soundtrack CD which are very difficult to find anywhere else in the world.
SA Pop/Rock compilations like Benjy Mudie's Sharp Cuts series or the ultimate SA music collection, the 6-CD The Best Of SA Pop, are all available from One World.
If its Made In South Africa and its on CD, then its available at One World.
One World has also started introducing videos now as well.
Visit http://www.oneworld.co.za and remember SA Rock Digest members get a 5% discount off their purchases. Just put "digest member" in brackets behind your name when filling in the secure order form and they will do the rest.
Or e-mail your requests to mailto:sugar@rock.co.za and he will sort you out.
One Stop, One Shop, One World
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SPLASHY FEN BOOK
Chris Chapman
(031) 3036466
mailto:chris@artworks.co.za
http://www.splashyfen.co.za
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QSOUND
Makes your computer sound better if you listen to MP3's, WAV files, music samples, web radio, on-line concerts and much more.
Visit http://www.rock.co.za/files/mp3software.html and click on QSound banner.
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VIBES MUSIC - N1 CITY, CAPE TOWN
An extensive selection of vinyl and CDs. Big supporters of South African music.
Speak to Neil or Alan on 021-595 3220 or email Neil at: mailto:vibes@fast.co.za
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OUTLAW RECORDS, CAPE TOWN
Vinyl and second-hand CDs. Always something new.
Plenty of South African stuff.
Branches at:
Cape Town Central:
55 Castle Street (off Long Street), Cape Town
Wynberg:
3 CHB Building (opposite the entrance to Wynberg Hospital),
Maynard Road, Wynberg
10% discount for Digest members!
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RADIUM WRECKORDS
Looking for Radio Rats, Popguns, Chauffeurs or Glee Club recordings?
Contact Johathan Handley for a catalogue at:
Radium Wreckords
Suite 207
Postnet
Private Bag X10
Flamwood
2572
Klerksdorp
mailto:jhandley@aghs.co.za
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JEFF BECK: CRAZY FINGERS
by Annette Carson
The first and only definitive biography of Jeff Beck - published in South Africa in January 1999 and available by mail order from the author. Trade paperback format,
256 pages, with a comprehensive discography.
SA price R85,00, or R100,00 including registered p&p. International orders
by surface mail US$18.00 or 13 British pounds, by airmail US$30.00 or 20
British pounds. E-mail mailto:carson@global.co.za or call (011) 883 3619.
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BACK ISSUES
-------------
All Digest back-issues can now be downloaded as one
small zip file (less than 300kb).
Go to: http://www.rock.co.za/files/sarockdigest.zip
__________________________________________
INFO
-------
Editors:
Brian Currin and Stephen "Sugar" Segerman.
For the basic rules of the Digest please visit:
http://www.rock.co.za/files/sa_rock_digest.html
or we can e-mail them to you.
_____________________________________________
SUBSCRIPTIONS
-----------------
Reading someone else's copy of this e-mag?
Firstly thank the person who sent it to you, for being someone of
incredible good taste and perception...
...and then subcribe yourself by sending an e-mail to
mailto:brian.currin@new.co.za with any words or phrases that vaguely
indicate acceptance.
Y'know, like "I'm in", "That's great", "OK", "Here's R1000 send me a
copy"...whatever.
Or...visit http://www.rock.co.za/files/contactme.html and fill in the form.
--------
Want to unsubscribe from this e-mag?
Surely not, but if you really must, then just send me an e-mail,
saying "I hate SA music", "I'm bored" or "get my out of here" or
"I've had enough" or whatever, I'll get the idea, eventually.
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