MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

Why Dave Goldblum Makes me think of khaki and sand

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In the early 1980’s us Souties had to stick together in the land of Ses Naai – our English tones did not go down well in the land of Afrikaans, weapons, opfok and gevaar.

6th South African Infantry Battalion just outside Grahamstown was a hard and lonely place for a young South African in those days – 6 months of early rise, continuous running and exercise, no girlfriends, no parents but we learned a thing or two about life.

One of the best things to happen to me was young Dave Goldblum’s music – I am not talking about some bootleg tape but the actual man, in the flesh, banging out tunes when he got a chance and holding us enthralled with his ability to make his strings sing and groan and carry us poor bastards away on a dream of better and softer times. Dave was with us on our first trip to the border – six and a bit months in a hot spot called Eenhana – patrols in the bush alongside dusty roads being swept for mines made a man thirsty and moedig. Kicking back in the tent at base camp, sipping a cold Fanta Brown and listening to Goldblum and Wenty jam away the fear is what kept many of us going.

Music is what brought us together – soutie and dutchman, troep and majoor, Kaapse Kleurling Korps and 6 SAI. Young Dave had a part in restoring sanity and opening our eyes to the possibilities of a better South Africa.

Now nearly 30 years later Dave is still at it and on 7 December 2012 after returning from recording his latest album in Austria, he will be live in concert at Art on Target (2 Target Kloof Road – the former ACT Centre) from 7:00 pm.

Dave Goldblum has played extensively both locally and abroad in his musical career, and recorded five albums of his own with a variety of South African and international artists. His music can be described as a fusion of jazz, folk and African – a style that he has made uniquely his own.

His music is original, distinct and a truly South African experience.

Dave’s well-known song ‘Say Africa’ – a homesick ballad of a songwriter’s travels abroad – has recently been recorded by South Africa songster Vusi Mahlasela and features on Vusi’s 2010 album. ‘Say Africa’ was played live at the opening and closing concerts of the FIFA World Cup in 2010 and has had over 1.5 million downloads.

Dave Goldblum Live in Concert entrance is R80 per ticket including a light meal. For bookings contact Bretten-Anne Moolman: info[at]artwork.co.za or 041 373 3334

Dave Goldblum
Dave Goldblum

Discography:

  • Deep South, 1991 – Recorded with Cape Town band New Street, a collection of numbers from the mother city. Recoded by Mike McArthy in Port Elizabeth, released by Dave Goldblum.
  • Lucky Man, 1994 – Released by Dave Goldblum.
  • Valley Road, 1995 – Songs that reflect gigging in Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth. The geographical Valley Road in PE was the centre of South End, a multi racial area that was demolished in the 1960s. Has a distinctly PE jazz feel about it.
  • Cape to Cairo, 2000 – Released by Gallo – a faster and upbeat album, featuring Gerhard O’Brein on guitar and Dave’s brother, Louis, on Drums.
  • The Dave Goldblum Collection, 2003 – A complication of previous albums as well as a few new tracks.
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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.