Global A Go-Go presents:
Vusi Mahlasela’s grandmother Ida ran a shebeen (an illegal tavern or what Americans might call a speakeasy) in South Africa’s Mamelodi township, outside of Pretoria. She home-brewed beer and made a place for the township’s residents to gather after another day’s hard labor.
Ida’s grandson went on to become an internationally successful musician, albeit one who still lives in Mamelodi. As a tribute to the woman who “was and still is my greatest hero,” Vusi threw a big party on the street where Ida’s shebeen used to be and performed a night of the music he used to hear there.
That’s the story behind Vusi’s new live album Shebeen Queen. You’ll hear a track from it this week on Global A Go-Go, along with some of the township sounds of that era: mbaqanga and soul jive.
Also this week (Labor Day Monday September 7, 3:00-5:00 PM on WRIR, for two weeks afterwards at wrir.org/listen, check your local listings for airing on other radio stations, and any old time at my podcast site): Jamaica’s rockers-steppers sound, a healthy dose of Turkish psychedelia featuring the electric baglama saz, quick visits to three Lusophone countries, a set of Ethio-jazz and dance music therapy from Colombia.
Podcast: radio4all.net/index.php/program/106552
All the podcasts: radio4all.net/index.php/series/Global+A+Go-Go
Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros, “Global a GO-GO”
from Global a Go-Go
BMG Rights Management (US) LLC - 2001
England UK
Keith Hudson, “Nuh Skin Up 12" mix”
Jusic International Label - 1979
Jamaica
Udokotela Shange Namajaha, “Awungilobolele”
from The Indestructible Beat of Soweto - Volume One
Earthworks - 1985
South Africa
Pedrinho, “Nanda”
from Synthesize the Soul: Astro-Atlantic Hypnotica from the Cape Verde Islands 1973-1988
Ostinato Records LLC - 1983
Cabo Verde
Mulatu Astatke & Black Jesus Experience, “Kulun Mankwaleshi”
Agogo Records - 2020
Ethiopia-Australia
Kussima, “Despeluque En Palenque (remix)”
from El Vacile Efectivo De La Champeta Criolla: A New African Music From Colombia
Palenque - 1998
Colombia
Joe Arroyo & Juan Carlos Coronel, “Simula Timula”
Discos Fuentes - 2001
Colombia
Abelardo Carbono Y Su Tribu Canibal, “El Cucaracho”
Palenque - 2020
Colombia
Bill Lupoletti Global A Go-Go September 7th, 2020
Posted In: Music Shows