More About Erik

Seems I have a lot of catching up to do on the blog. I’ve not attended to the many comments posted since I’ve been away on my mid-year break, and my sincere apologies for this. I’ll get to it all in the next day or so. I’ve all but shunned social media, including this blog for a little over two weeks.

But first, more about Erik…

We took the little Viking dude to The Barnyard in Umhlanga on the Kwa-Zulu Natal North Coast on Sunday, for a tribute to Elton John, Pink, Freddie Mercury, Tina Turner and Michael Jackson. An odd ensemble you might think, but they were awesome, especially the Jackson character who had MJ’s dance moves down to T. From past posts, you’ll know I’m a big fan of The Barnyard, but who would have guessed that Erik would dig it too.

My previous experience with two year-old’s (and older kids) at live shows have been torturous. They’re not known for sitting still and watching – running around, screaming, throwing tantrums and just making a mighty old fuss is more the norm. Not Erik!

He just sat there mesmerised for nigh on two hours, with barely a word out his mouth, sipping occasionally on his fruit juice. He was perfectly appreciative, eyes all lit up. The little Viking sure loves his music. I’ll bet he’s hooked on live performances now.

And when he gets older his Uncle Lenny is going to take him to rock concerts. So be prepared, mom and dad…

The music of Route 66, more or less

The musical production Route 66 at the Barnyard Theatre Boksburg on Sunday promised a nostalgic trip down memory lane. And it most certainly did not disappoint.

Stage banner

The cast of 10 instrumentalists, singers and dancers were pretty accomplished, and produced an electrifying reproduction of the songs I grew up with. It didn’t matter that they presented songs from more than the recognized Route 66 states of Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California – it was an added pleasure to see songs from Tennessee and Kentucky thrown into the mix.

The drummer

What a pleasure listening to the music of Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers, John Denver, Dolly Parton, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Eagles, The Doobie Brothers, Shania Twain and The Dixie Chicks,  ZZ Top, Guns N’ Roses, Kid Rock and Bon Jovi, being performed right in front of you.

The violinist

South African artists rock!

Wish you were here…

It’s unlikely that I’m ever going to get the chance of seeing a live performance by Pink Floyd in South Africa, so the gals and I went to the next best thing – a tribute to them at the Barnyard Theatre last night.

Mel Botes, the local lead guitarist knows his stuff all right. He was simply awesome. The backup artists on rhythm, bass, drums, keyboard and sax were quite accomplished but Mel’s rendition of all the popular Pink Floyd songs since their first album was superb, and the historical information provided as commentary during the set was very informative and at times left me feeling sad at how talented artists have this penchant for destroying themselves.

My favorite Pink Floyd song The Fletcher Memorial Home was disappointingly not performed, but Wish You Were Here more than made up for it.

Lyrics – Wish You Were Here

So, so you think you can tell
Heaven from Hell,
Blue sky’s from pain.
Can you tell a green field
From a cold steel rail?
A smile from a veil?
Do you think you can tell?

And did they get you to trade
Your heroes for ghosts?
Hot ashes for trees?
Hot air for a cool breeze?
Cold comfort for change?
And did you exchange
A walk on part in the war
For a lead role in a cage?

How I wish, how I wish you were here.
We’re just two lost souls
Swimming in a fish bowl,
Year after year,
Running over the same old ground.
What have we found?
The same old fears.
Wish you were here.