Date : 30th August 2004
Allenby Campus
Attendance : 30
Apologies : D.Broido, D.Lalouette

Present: Martin Simpson, Gerrie Lubbe, Johann Kruger, Greg Gibb, Philip Raath, Palesa Sibeko, Lereko Ntshona, Piers Steenkamp, Kai Horsthemke, Graeme Currie, Kerry Hiles, Doggit, Danie Burger, Nick Cook, Bevan Gauld, Barbs Kasl, Peter Ypenburg, Dawie Beukes, Luke v/d Merwe, George Hakim, Wade Williams, Marlise Botha, Jason Green & girlfriend, Judy Foxcroft, Dave Jenkins, Gary Potter, Colin Deacon, Mike Besseling and Dave Askes

The first joint meeting of the SABPC and the SAGPA, which actually took place a week later than originally scheduled, happened in the shape of a recital evening on 29th August 2004 at Allenby. The attendance was a little disappointing but the musos present were too eager to get the evening going to worry much about that. Proceedings began fairly close to the advertised time of 18h30, the changeovers from act to act were swift, and the whole (excellently organized) event finished well within the stipulated time frame of two and a half hours.

First up were the LNLs, featuring Gerrie Lubbe of SAGPA on guitar and vocal, backed by Marius Liebenberg on bass guitar and Martin Nel on drums. The opener, If I can change the world, set the tone for the set, a bluesy, Claptonesque affair (albeit with more chords) that showcased Gerrie’s Strat and high voice and also included versions of Before you accuse me and Sunshine of your Love.

SABPC’s Phil and Dawie were on next, on guitar and bass, backed by Martin Nel. The old guitar had a South African Ventures-type vibe, and Ressano Garcia was all Stratty reverberant surf-pop.

Going all-original was Kerry Hiles, on bass guitar and vocal, backed by fellow SABPC member Doggit on steel-string acoustic guitar and backing vocal. Bartholomew Street (dedicated to Kerry’s aunt and a Grahamstown street) and Lover’s Knot (featuring a swing feel and bass intro) were from Kerry’s recently-released mini album (or ‘quickie’), to which Doggit also made a substantial contribution. Kerry sings like she speaks (which is meant as a compliment!): effortlessly and naturally, with a voice that is reminiscent of Fairground Attraction’s Eddi Reader, with shades of Edie Brickell and Portishead’s Beth Gibbons. The lyrics are intelligent and the music is sunny. Responding to calls for more, Kerry rightly suggested that those interested purchase the album. (Which I did.)

Summersalt’s Bevan Gauld played his Gibson Les Paul over backing tracks (‘because the band couldn’t make it’). Boogie Solo was ‘old school’, while Hendrix Vibe (‘hopefully a newer kind of thing’) was conceptually closer to Satriani than to Hendrix.

After a blues jam, in which Martin Simpson, Gerrie Lubbe and Martin Nel were joined by Piers on harmonica, it was time for the first real bass feature. SABPC’s Martin Simpson presented The Quarterican, tapping his four-string (hence the title) bass that was ‘capoed’ with a hairband that acted as a string dampener, in this all-too-brief feature.

Officially last up were bassist, luthier and SABPC member Johann Kruger, who played his own fretless and fretted basses, and his Opportunity Band, featuring guitarist Luke van der Merwe (a personal favourite of mine for almost a decade now) and drummer George Hakim. Penned by Johann, Part B came first (clearly), sounding like Manfred Eicher had commissioned some left-of-centre spaghetti western music for his ECM label, and was followed by Part A (clearly), which was more reminiscent of Jeff Beck and featured some blistering interplay between the three musos. A thoroughly enjoyable set!

The evening ended with another blues jam, featuring Mike Besseling’s Tele work and fine vocal, backed by Marius Liebenberg and Martin Nel.

The evening’s events were recorded and it is possible that a CD will be made available in the near future, for those who are interested.

Bring on the next evening of this kind!
xx
Kai