Oct 19/04
No struggle here
Lately I’ve been on Zimbabwe kick if you haven’t noticed. While indulging in this latest craving I stumbled upon George Sibanda, arguably the first music star in sub-Saharan Africa. He was famous from South Africa to Kenya during the late 40s and early 50s. In newly industrialized African countries he spoke to labourers with his simple lyrics about common problems sung over folky, jangling acoustic guitar.
What’s really funny (or sad) about this “superstar” is that no one ever took his photo and no one is exactly sure when he was born or when we died. If you look at the liner notes of a recently released collection of his music you’ll find pictures of the things he sings about but none of the man himself.
George Sibanda plays really, really happy music. Cute, even. Despite all this happiness, however, he managed to drink himself to death by the late 50s (like any good music star). Before this unfortunate end he played innumerable gigs up and down southern Africa for cash and drinks. During his travels he bumped into Hugh Tracey, a white Rhodesian passionate about recording African musicians, and put down a bunch of tunes, two of which you’ll find below.
The Hugh Tracey recorded album I’m referring to, The Legendary George Sibanda, is highly recommended. It’s well produced and perfect for a Sunday hangover or a Wednesday-night poker match.
George Sibanda – Guabi Guabi
George Sibanda – Dali Ngiyakuthanda Bati Ha-Ha-Ha
this guy has a nice, easy-going approach; to me a lot in the same way mississippi john hurt brought happiness and hope into the blues. this is a cool site, it’s always good to find music i wouldn’t otherwise get a chance to hear, so thanks.
[...] the thousands recorded by Hugh Tracey all over Africa during the 1950s. (I mentioned Tracey in an earlier post about George Sibanda and 1950s South African [...]
[...] always had a thing for southern African, mid-20th century music. George Sibanda and The Forgotten Guitars of Mozambique compilation were early [...]