Talk:Skokiaan

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I just wanted to point out that "Skokiaan" with that exact same spelling means Shocker in Afrikaans. Tsaba-Tsaba is also an area in south africa about 200 km from zimbabwe (Now a Nature Reserve). The style and feel of the song is quite common to the traditional Afrikaans music called Boeremusiek. This song was not written by anybody from Zimbabwe. (or Rhodesia if you insist...) The reason it was published under a black african's name? Psychological warfare against Apartheid South Africa. (Afrikaners are of European decent) Originally it would not have had any vocals. Now, back to the propaganda...

"Skokiana " ; "Sikokiyana" ; "Mahewu": originally a marimba solo recorded by August (Machon) Msarurgwa Sky in Southern Rhodesia back in 1952. One question: why did not Bill Kaley entile his rendition of the said tune as "Zimbabwean"? That's the question, indeed! 81.244.38.179 16:09, 28 May 2006 (UTC)

Because the song was known in the US as Skokiaan from the many previous hit versions! It doesn't get any simpler than that. 23skidoo 16:35, 28 May 2006 (UTC)

I don't get the think about "only vocal version to chart in the U.S." I'm aware of a vocal version by Louis Armstrong. Was the version by Louis Armstrong which reached #29 not vocal?

--I believe that is correct. I have two mp3 versions of the song by Louis Armstrong, one of which has vocals and the other is a shorter (but complete) version that doesn't. Migp 18:24, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

Can anyone here shed some light on the reason for the spelling variant "Skokian"? Is that an accepted/alternate spelling? Or is it an incorrect one that has somewhat taken root just because of the frequent appearance of the misspelling? Migp 18:26, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

I think it's just a frequent misspelling. 23skidoo 20:58, 30 August 2006 (UTC)
  • "Skokian" is probably a wrong spelling. I saw this spelling yesterday while I was looking for "new" info about Skokiaan's roots. This marimba intrumental was aka "Skokiana" and "Sikokiyana". Think we're not get out of the woods yet! Stephan KŒNIG 12:05, 7 November 2006 (UTC)

Contents

[edit] Back in the Forties...

...with African Dance Band of the Cold Storage Commission of Southern Rhodesia, leader : August Msarurgwa. Skokiaan was backed with KAREKWANGU issued on GALLO/Gallotone-JIVE GB.1152 in 1947!!! The B.S.R. Band could have already recorded it in 1950! August Msarurgwa marimba intrumental of the tune was released in 1952. Nhlapo viewed class division as an obstacle to African creativity, and wondered why tsaba-tsaba and other township styles could not be ‘polished and given to the world as the La Conga from Africa?’ 47. His suggestion was prophetic. In 1947, August Musururgwa and his Band of the Cold Storage Commission of Southern Rhodesia recorded the classic tsaba dance tune, Skokiaan. Stephan KŒNIG 15:33, 11 November 2006 (UTC)

  • At last! Quite terrific!!! Thanks for having corrected Skokiaan's origins. Best wishes. Stephan KŒNIG 23:58, 1 December 2006 (UTC)
  • Everything is definitively said...Stephan KŒNIG 00:05, 2 December 2006 (UTC)
  • Pérez Prado : Skokiaan / The High And The Mighty, RCA Victor 47-5839, September 1954. Stephan KŒNIG
  • Alix Combelle's version issued on the Philips label was probably the second one. The first one from 1953 had been issued on Polydor.

This label, Polydor, had been bought the same year by NL Philips. At the time, all Polydor Eps were re-issued by Philips with new catalog numbers. For example : French singer Jacqueline François En Avril A Paris (from Charles Trenet), Polydor 576.000 re-issued on Philips 432.078 NE in December 1955. Same singer : Polydor 576.010 (1954) then Philips 432.079 NE, 01/1956 and her last Polydor EP 576.019 NE, 1955 re-issued in 1956 on Philips 432.080 NE. Etc. Stephan KŒNIG 19:12, 2 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Skokiaan by Ralph Marterie charted...

...in the Dutch-speaking region of Belgium. Info taken from Sixties Hitparade Belgium. Stephan KŒNIG 21:43, 2 December 2006 (UTC)

Marterie, Ralph


Chicago, Illinois, US

Skokiaan / Crazy ‘bout lollipop Mercury 04/55 17

Guaglione (Bambino) / Carla Mercury 03/57 03 D

Shish-kebab / Bop a doo - bop a doo Mercury 09/57 04

Tequila / Popcorn Mercury 05/58 01

Torero / Cha-cha-cha

[edit] Mysteries Remain

Several mysteries remain about the early history of Skokiaan.

  • The first mystery concerns the number of times that Gallo recorded Msarurgwa playing Skokiaan, and where Hugh Tracey's recordings fit in.

Did Gallo record Skokiaan twice, once in 1947, and again in 1954? Or was the master recording re-used for the second record?

Where does Tracey's 1950-52 recording fit in? Tracey's African odysseys were, after all, partly sponsored by Gallo.

How did Gallo, a South African company, record Msarurgwa in Southern Rhodesia? I presume that Gallo sent someone to Bulawayo to record Msarurgwa, as Tracey had done. Was it Tracey himself? If not, did the band travel to Gallo's Johannesburg studio? Or did Gallo use a studio in Rhodesia?

One possible solution is that the "1947" record and the 1954 record is actually the same. I would be very interested in hearing from someone who can provide evidence that two records exist, one dated 1947, and another, dated 1954.

If both a 1947 and a 1954 record exist, was the 1954 recording a re-mastering of Tracey's 1950-52 one? Or did Gallo send someone (Tracey?) to Bulawayo to record Msarurgwa for a second time in 1954?

  • Andrew Tracey told me in an e-mail that Gallo did have a branch in Southern Rhodesia, but could not confirm when they started operating. DocDee 04:38, 8 December 2006 (UTC)

Where does the reported 1952 marimba recording fit in? Neither the 1947, 1952, or 1954 versions feature marimba.

Perhaps this reference is actually to the 1957 steel band version by the Southern All Stars?

  • The second mystery is whether Msarurgwa fronted two bands, or one that changed names.

The 1947 recording of Skokiaan is with his African Dance Band of the Cold Storage Commission of Southern Rhodesia.

The 1954 recording was of Msarurgwa with his Bulawayo Sweet Rhythms Band (London Records, catalogue #1491).

Did these two bands comprise the same musicians, or two different sets of people, both led by Msarurgwa?

If the band's name was changed, why was this considered necessary? Was it dictated by one of the two record companies?

On the recent compilation of Tracey's "Bulawayo Jazz" recordings (Sharp Wood SWP032) the name of both bands occur. The implication is that both bands existed by 1952. But I suspect that "Bulawayo Sweet Rhythms Band" was added to the sleeve to attract prospective buyers more familiar with that name, as none of the tracks are credited to them. Instead, ten tracks are credited to the Cold Storage Band [1].

The most plausible explanation is that there was only one band, recorded in 1947, which was renamed for the 1954 release of Skokiaan on the London label. This is certainly the conclusion reached by Stone (1999:346). DocDee 05:41, 3 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Skokiaan in 1947

I think it was nearly a miracle (*) to find this information because of the current stuffs on the Net~(for example : Galaxia's website). I spent this whole afternoon searching the 1952 version (a marimba solo instrumental) by August Msarurgwa Sky. Unfortunately, I didn't find anything. And yet, I saw the latter info twice a few months ago when I was working on the original versions of the songs recorded by Bill Haley during his Decca Sessions. Only two finger claps but what was my key? That's the question. Anyway, I haven't said my last word. Maybe one day or another...with a little bit of luck. Stephan KŒNIG 19:27, 3 December 2006 (UTC)

  • (*) Why? About 30 years ago (or more), I already knew that the original version had been recorded by A. Msarurgwa (yet I've never heard anything about the Musarurwa spelling). When for the first time I saw, on the Net, nearly 5 or 6 years ago, that the Bulawayo S.R.Band were "supposed" to have recorded the o.v., I was doubled up with laughter. Thanks to me (but it doesn't matter), we have finally discovered the good origins of this instrumental. Quite tremendous! Isn't it? Stephan KŒNIG 19:51, 5 December 2006 (UTC)
  • Do you think that our friend August was the leader of the "Bulawayo"? Playing marimba in a well known sax and trumpet version just like the Cold Storage? In my opinion, he had nothing to see with this band. There is nothing to prove it... Stephan KŒNIG 23:37, 5 December 2006 (UTC)
  • is there anybody who is quite sure that August Msarurgwa and August Musarurwa were the same person??? If yes, August was a multi-instrumentalist musician? Stephan KŒNIG 23:54, 5 December 2006 (UTC)
  • A Ray Templeton wrote in Music Traditions about the name change from the Cold Storage Band to the Bulawayo Sweet Rhythms Band, and speaks of the leader as August Msarugwa. He says the Bulawayo Sweet Rhythms Band's 1954 version was released on Decca (F10350) [2]. Professor Ruth M. Stone confirms the name change in her book (Stone 1999:346). DocDee 05:29, 6 December 2006 (UTC)
  • An Alastair Johnston wrote about the name Msarurwa in connection with the Bulawayo Sweet Rhythms Band [3]. As the record he refers to is actually Tracey's 1951 recording of the Cold Storage Band, it seems safe to assume that Msarurwa and Msarurgwa is the same person. There is also a photograph which is confusingly identified as being the "Bulawayo Cold Storage Rhythms Band" with its leader, August Msarugwa [4]DocDee 05:29, 6 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Musarurgwa's marimba version (1952)

I removed the sentence "Msarurgwa reportedly released a marimba version in 1952" as I cannot verify that this recording actually happened.

If someone can find a reference, or provided a scanned image of a label that confirms this, we can paste the sentence back in again.

I also removed the reference to Msarurgwa's marimba version from the list of recordings. DocDee 05:10, 6 December 2006 (UTC)

  • Recent facts confirm that it is highly unlikely that Msarurgwa recorded a marimba version of Skokiaan during the 1950s. Both Prof Andrew Tracey (Hugh's son) and Maria Minnaar-Bailey say that the modern marimba was only invented in Zimbabwe in 1960. Minnaar-Bailey grew up in Zimbabwe during the 1970's as the daughter of Olof Axelsson, director of Kwanongoma College of African Music. DocDee 04:33, 8 December 2006 (UTC)
  • What do you mean by "modern marimba" (made of bamboo and "calebasses"--->can't find the translation in English). I sent you a photo of a marimba from Southern Rhodesia a few hours ago. Not to be confounded to a balafon of Guinea. Stephan KŒNIG 18:35, 11 December 2006 (UTC)
  • According to Prof Andrew Tracey, the marimba was only introduced to Zimbabwe in 1960 [5] DocDee 20:06, 11 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Msarurgwa or Musarurwa? One person or more? One band or two?

  • Should we say Msarurgwa or Musarurwa?

The record label on the 1947 Gallotone recording identifies August Msarurgwa as the leader of the African Dance Band of the Cold Storage Commission of Southern Rhodesia.

Yet authoritative sources say that August Musarurwa was the leader of the African Dance Band of the Cold Storage Commission, including the websites of the International Library of African Music, and of Sharp Wood Records. Sharp Wood Records transferred Hugh Tracey's 1951 recording of the African Dance Band playing Skokiaan to CD [6].

It seems safe to assume that the August Msarurgwa who fronted the African Dance Band of the Cold Storage Commission for Gallotone in 1947, and the August Musarurwa who led the African Dance Band of the Cold Storage Commission in Tracey's 1951 recording, is the same person. All sources say he was the leader of the band.

Did Gallotone or Tracey misspell the name? I have come one Gift Musarurwa, whose internet site says that he is the brother of August Musarurwa[7]. If his claim is true, then Gallotone was at fault.

  • But did Msarurgwa/Musarurwa also lead the Bulawayo Sweet Rhythms Band of the 1954 London Records release?

Several sources say that the African Dance Band of the Cold Storage Commission changed its name to the Bulawayo Sweet Rhythms Band, including Ray Templeton, Alastair Johnston, and Ruth M. Stone. Professor Stone confirms the name change in her book (Stone 1999:346).

Templeton identifies the leader of the Bulawayo Sweet Rhythms Band as August Msarurgwa. He says the Sweet Rhythms Band's 1954 version was released on Decca (F10350) [8]. Johnston also speaks of Musarurwa in connection with the Bulawayo Sweet Rhythms Band [9]. Johnston is probably quoting the Sharp Wood catalog, as he includes the image from Sharp Wood's CD.

Msarurgwa/Musarurwa apparently also played for the Chaminuka Band, listed on Sharp Wood's CD[10].

I have found a photograph which is confusingly identified as being of the "Bulawayo Cold Storage Sweet Rhythms Band" and its leader, August Musarurwa [11]. While the author seems confused about the band’s name, s/he agrees with the other sources about who the leader was.

So Msarurgwa/ Musarurwa also seems to have led the Bulawayo Sweet Rhythms Band. DocDee 16:35, 6 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] the Bulawayo Sweet Rhythms Band

British Decca F10350 was released in 1954. The group's original name was the Bulawayo Cold Storage Band (*) but renamed for the US market.

[edit] Our friend August's surname : 2 other spellings :-)

  • MUSURURGWA and MUSARURGWA. Goodness gracious! Not kidding! Stephan KŒNIG 22:11, 10 December 2006 (UTC)
  • In my opinion, these spellings differ from the used Zulu languages (or dialects?). Afrikaans, Fanagalo, Tsonga/Changana and Venda???
  • You probably mean Shangaan and Venda. Bear in mind that Musarurwa was a Shona from Southern Rhodesia, not a Zulu from South Africa. 68.116.113.57 05:52, 11 December 2006 (UTC)
  • Nope : quite sure for Tsonga/Changana. Stephan KŒNIG 18:26, 11 December 2006 (UTC)
  • Yes it is Venda (not the "veda" I wrongly wrote - mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa). Stephan KŒNIG 18:49, 11 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Photo of the Bulawayo etc.

http://meltingpot.fortunecity.com/navarino/212/face/face004-mahubesound.html Stephan KŒNIG 18:55, 11 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] a marimba of Brazil

Do anybody still thinks that it is a balafon (of Guinea) ??? Stephan KŒNIG 21:18, 13 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Skokiaan issued in 1947 : the evidence is quite clear !!!

http://www.africultures.com/index.asp?menu=revue_affiche_article&no=4307&lang=_en Stephan KŒNIG 21:40, 13 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] http://www.originals.be/eng/main.cfm?c=t_new_show&id=8531

What to think of this ? 1947 or 1952 ??? Stephan KŒNIG

[edit] Fair use rationale for Image:Skokiaanlabel.JPG

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BetacommandBot (talk) 05:35, 24 January 2008 (UTC)