music

Published May 12, 2015

Wayne Hussey in Cape Town

No SLR allowed – cell phone pic – the best camera is the one in your hand :-)

Wayne Hussey played in Cape Town last night.

Who would have thought, Wayne Hussey with a ukulele! It is 15 years since he last played in Cape Town, I cannot believe that it is so long ago that we say the Mission playing at CBC in Town. But he is doing a pretty good acoustic set (and yes – there are a few backing tracks!). His voice is still fantastic.

He did a version of Martha’s Harbour by All About Eve on a keyboard; a really fantastic version. He is pretty good on the keys.

All the goths were at the gig; but this time older, balder and better behaved. We left at about 11:15pm, and from about 11 a lot of people started leaving. Even the old goths have to get home now to the kids and to be awake for work the next day!

But there were a surprisingly number of younger people there; people that probably were not even born when the Mission were playing.

A great evening!

Cape Town

cape town music

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Published February 20, 2015

Royal Opera House

The main staircase going into the auditorium of the Opera House. It is a beautiful old building.

HDR Travel

hdr music opera stairs vienna

Prague is a very musical city. We stayed right next door to the music academy, and many of the churches have evening concerts. And if you don’t want to pay anything just walk around and listen to one of the many buskers on the streets of Prague.

Travel

music prague

Robin Auld at De Waal Park

Yesterday afternoon Lois and I went to watch Robin Auld playing live in De Waal Park. Robin has been around forever (ok since the 80’s), but he is an integral part of Cape Town musical history. We had not seen him play for ages, so it was a treat. I think we last saw him at the Masque Theatre about 2 or 3 years ago. Anyway he has a few more gigs in Cape Town before he heads back to the UK, so head on down if you can.

De Waal Park has music every two weeks or so, and the best part (aside from an excuse to go and have a picnic on the lawns under the trees) is that the concerts are free. Just arrive and enjoy the afternoon (Arno Carstens is in two weeks).

Cape Town

bands cape town music scenery

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Published February 7, 2012

The Lentil Collective

On Friday evening, Lois and I went to see a band that we have been wanting to watch for a while, The Lentil Collective. They were playing at a small venue in Muizenberg called The Melting Pot. Yes, the Lentles were playing in the pot. Let the jokes begin.

Anyway, they are a rather eclectic band; a mixture of folk and acoustic pop, with a healthy amount of looping and sampling added into the mix. They describe themselves as “folktronica”, which is pretty accurate. But you can decide for yourselves, just go here and download their music (for free). I really enjoyed them, they are just some guys wanting to play some great music and have some fun. Fairly laid-back, fun and original. Really worth listening to.

If you see them playing, head down, you will hear some great music.

Cape Town

bands black and white cape town muizenberg music

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Published October 30, 2011

Interesting faces

These guys were with one of the bands playing at the Kite Festival. Like typical musicians (I know because I am one), they had no idea what time they were playing. So while I didn’t get to watch them play, they were quite happy to do an impromptu photo shoot.

I am totally baffled as to where they got their hats from, they were totally unique and artistic. Any ideas?

Cape Town

cape town faces lakeside music portraits

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Published September 5, 2011

Fremont Street

Fremont Street contains the world second biggest TV screen, reaching over 450m long over your heads, which shows a short show every hour at night. We saw a Queen show, showing live footage and music videos from Freddy Mercury and Queen. Quite fitting seeing as Freddy would be 65 today. When they do the shows, which are only about 10 minutes long, all of the surrounding lights are turned off.

The street contains the old Vegas signage which is featured in the old Vegas movies, TV series and music videos (think Elvis, James Bond and U2).

I am sure that you recognise this Cowgirl. And yes I know, in Vegas sex is everywhere.

In the past cars drive down Fremont street, but now it has been pedestrianized.

There are three stages, each paying different music, and they are all free, so grab a Margarita and head on down for some live music and entertainment.This was one of the 80’s pop band.

And here is a 80’s rock band (the theme for the month was 80’s). Situated about 5 miles from the main strip, it is just as busy, but far cheaper, even cheaper than a meal in Cape Town.

There are plenty of celebraties there, including stormtoopers and a suite of Disney characters. I doubt that any are official, but they all will swap a photo for some cash. 2-3 hours is probably long enough to take in the street, but a different experience to the main strip and worth a visit!

Travel

bands music

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Published August 4, 2011

Accordion (revised)

This shot is a tighter crop of a shot that I took a few months ago of a child’s accordion. I think I prefer this version, what do you think?

HDR

accordion hdr music

2 Comments

Published June 9, 2011

Happy Birthday Les Paul

One of my regrets is not going to see Les Paul playing in New York. Now it is too late (he would have been 96 today). Not only did Les Paul pioneer multi-track recording which is fundamental to any recording studio in the world, he invented the solid-body electric guitar. The Gibson Les Paul electric guitar is probably the most famous guitar in the world.

Gibson Guitar Wall, shot at the Hard Rock café, Times Square, New York

Just some of the bands and artists that have used the Les Paul are:

Led Zeppelin
The Doors
Nickelback
Jeff Beck
Eric Clapton
Pink Floyd
George Harrison
Brian Jones
John Lennon
Bob Marley
Garry Moore
Paul Mc Cartney
Mike Oldfield
Keith Richards
Carlos Santana
Pete Townshend
Muddy Waters
Ronnie Wood
AC/DC
Frank Zappa
And of course Mike from tuesday’s child (my old band)

So next time you listen to your favourite band, spare a though for the man that helped make it all happen.

Thanks to Sally for reminding me of his birthday.

HDR

birthday guitar music

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Published April 22, 2011

Music from Elephant Sun – my old band

I have been meaning to catalogue some of my old recordings, and finally I have got to it. I have converted about 5 hours of Elephant Sun music, which is the band that I played in during the late 90’s (me on bass), and the tuesday’s child stuff is still in the pipline. So head on down here to listen to my old band.

Cape Town

cape town music

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