Music has a unique ability to unite us. It truly is, I believe, a gift from God. Many great minds have, over centuries, pondered the significance of music to our human existence.  Let’s listen to some of what has been said by these illustrious characters. Perhaps one will inspire us.

“If music be the food of love, play on! Give me excess of it.” –Duke Orsino, Twelfth Night. But can one really deal with an excess of Toni Braxton, Richard Marx or Eric Benét (bluzaring music, as we call it)? Really?!  Naw, fam. Deep depression would surely ensue. The Duke himself was testament to that fact. Next!

“Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.”—Victor Hugo. That is certainly true. There are many times when I am rendered speechless by a beautiful melody, where the music carries an emotion, a yearning, I cannot articulate. Mr Kirk Whalum is usually the purveyor of such fine melodies. I like that quote.  I think I’ll keep it. Next!

“Music, at its essence, is what gives us memories. And the longer a song has existed in our lives, the more memories we have of it.”—Stevie Wonder. Right on, Mr Wonder. I couldn’t have said it better myself. Which brings me to the purpose of this particular post.

I grew up in a household that loves music, pathologically so. And because of this fact, there are certain albums that are deeply entwined with vivid childhood memories. This blog post is my tribute to the music that has existed longest in my life: the music of my childhood. In no particular order, my top 5:

1. The Barrett Sisters—What Shall I Render Unto God

Y’all don’t know about this old school gospel right here. I only know about it because of the music ‘club’ my Dad had joined when we still lived in North Carolina. It was a ridiculous offer: something like 6 CD’s for 99c (US cents, in 1992, but still). One such package delivery contained the aforementioned Barrett Sisters CD. The open piano chords thrill me to this day. The compositions are simple, but the vocal delivery powerful. I used to steal it from Dad’s stash if I wanted to remember our apartment on Mason Farm Rd, but 2 years ago, I did the honourable thing and bought my own copy.

Standout track: What Shall I Render Unto God.

2. Mariah Carey—A Vision of Love

“Treated me kind/Sweet destiny/Carried me through desperation/To the one who was waiting for me”.  Those are the opening lyrics to that iconic album. A new star was born. Her name was Mariah Carey. We were never ready. This vocal powerhouse with her ‘whistle register’ went on to dominate the 90s. When I had my first proper crush later (at the grand old age of 9), she provided the best bluzaring music for my young heart (kindly refer to her Music Box album). But in 1990, she was the soundtrack of our 2 hour grocery-shopping road trips to Nelspruit (now Mbombela), Mpumalanga. In the family VW Passat. Where we would occasionally be treated to KFC rounders on our way home.

Standout track(s): Vanishing, Vision of Love.

3. Gregory Abbott—Shake You Down

I don’t know where Gregory Abbott came from, or where he went after this album, but “Oooh! I’ve been watching you/From so far across the room now baby.” I also don’t really know what “Shake You Down” means, but that’s beside the point. The song is there, in my memories. I also purchased it in my adulthood, for nostalgia’s sake. Don’t cry for me, fam, it only cost R33.00.

Standout track: Shake You Down, because, eish, he was kind of a one hit guy (sorry, Mr Abbott! I still love your work!).

4. Sankomota—The Best of Sankomota

Because what South African family emakhaya did not have a Sankomota recording in their household? I dare you to find one. Sankomota was a favourite on those family roadtrips I mentioned above. These legends! Obviously, I am too young to have been intimately familiar with their entire body of work; therefore, I procured for myself their greatest hits. From the opening notes of “Papa”, to the horns of “Tough Talk”, ending off with the acapella of “Obe”, this album is pure deliciousness. It has aged extremely well, and would still be on my playlist for any gathering/celebration.

Standout track: All of them. But my favourite is “Now and Never”. BoNtate were straight preaching to us on the importance of getting up and doing something for ourselves: “Hey wena Afrika/Kgale u dutse hae/Tsamaya lo ipatlela tsa bophelo/Tsoha o iketsetse.” Roughly translated: “Hey you, Africa/You’ve been sitting too long/Go and find your living/Wake up and do it for yourself”.

Disclaimer: I am not a linguist.

5. Paul Simon—Graceland

Questions of cultural appropriation aside, this album sounds like home. Perhaps because Mr Simon’s band was made up of seasoned Southern African musicians like Bakithi Khumalo on bass guitar, Ray Phiri on guitar, and he also collaborated with Ladysmith Black Mambazo. I don’t know what it is. That bass on Graceland though! I well up with tears every time I hear it. This album is one of the reasons that I know music connects in a deeply emotional place with all of us. Of course, as I grew up, I learned that all was not quite graceful in Graceland, and there were disputes about royalties…so, there’s that.

Standout track: Graceland.

There we have it: my top 5 musical memories from childhood, in no particular order. What music left an indelible mark on your childhood? Let a sister know.

P.S. I couldn’t leave without a word from Mr Bob Marley: “One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.”

P.P.S. The term ‘bluzaring’ refers to ‘pining for someone, often to a soundtrack; being emotional with the aid of music’. You’re welcome.

Copyright reserved Gugulethu Mhlanga 2018