[FA Worldmusic] Johnny Clegg - concert Shepherds Bush Empire, London last night - sharing the vibe

[debbie golt]

Greetings anew
  This is just to burst with delight at the concert Trenton Birch of Black Mango Music gave me a surpise guestie for last night: (Thank you Trenton! A treat!  And so nice to be out at a gig where it isn't work!)
   
  Johnny Clegg supported by Inemo
   
  Inemo are a really rock solid UK afro beat / funk band led by the eponimous Nigerian born Inemo who is a bold and experienced performer and composer who really does know how to mix afro beat and funk masterfully with no seams. He completely won over the capacity predominantly South African crowd with a skilful combination of his own and wider tracks - including an excellent African vibes version of Knocking on Heaven's Door which even raised a lighter or two. Check out Afro Funky Beats on Black Mango Music.
   
  AND then Johnny Clegg - 2 hours on stage and rising and he still had even more to give - high Zulu kicks, high energy bush dance -swirling round the stage jazz style and use of at least 3 different guitars notwithstanding! I had forgotten how good he is. How he leaves any questions about what is world music at the gate - Mbqanga, Marabi, Rock - Chimurenga beats on one song: a real plea and indictment about how things are in Zimbabwe - good humoured anecdotes that go somewhere and give both political and very personal insights into the man - whether you agree entirely with him or not - more rock and more clear understanding of how music works. How you can be born in England and grow up an African. Towering rhythm section - fabulous use of those unique south african harmonies - driven by his long time vocal colleague Mandisa Dlanga whose worked with him for 20 years (and is a producer in her own right) and musical arranger, of 15 years standing, Andy Innes. And he featured
 the first French, Afrikans, Zulu fusion! 
   
  The set was a superbly paced mix of  (both brilliant and need time to grow on you) tracks from Johnny Clegg's new album and full house sing along favourites retaining their potency) which eventually he gave full vent to in the last part of the gig and when finally the capacity crowd really started dancing too - jumping and girating and not even treading on toes despite the place being packed! In the two upper tiers it was standing ovation time which lasted a good four minutes before the generous encore. And the thing I really took away from it was both Johnny Clegg's sheer pleasure in still sharing his music after a lifetime on stage and the value he gives his musicians - even giving them full biogs on his website.  
   
  Debbie
   
  Debbie Golt Outerglobe +44 7939564103 www.outerglobe.com : new rosta; new style

African Essence : Resonance FM 104.4fm London www.resonancefm.com worldwide 
Archived with playlists & competitions in www.african-essence.com Back Weekly in January 2007. NB: GO TO THE WEBSITE FOR GREAT COMPETITION

FRI DEC 1st: OUT OF THIS WORLD presented by OUTERGLOBE & MAGIC FINGERS present THE PHOENIX ROSE (Curry flavoured indie) + JUDITH SEELIG (wild and wise rock diva cum shaman) + SYLVIA POWELL (Acoustic lyricism) + DJ ASIF (desi 'n oriental dance vibes) + DJ DEBBIE (feisty eclectic global beats).
MUSIC 8pm - 1am #8 / #4 concs adv #10/#5 door: THREE COURSE MEAL + MUSIC 6pm ADV ONLY #30 . Wonderful evening guaranteed - guest list only by email: debbie at outerglobe.com 






 
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