Close Encounters of the Musical Kind

Tonight’s choice was an easy one.
Prime Circle has played a truly special role in both Jayden’s life and mine. I first connected with their music when Jay was just two years old. One song in particular swept me into that heady space of “early love” — the butterflies, the thrill of meeting someone who leaves you breathless. It felt like Ross had somehow climbed into my thoughts and turned them into music.

Why Prime Circle? There are so many reasons.

Because I didn’t just get to see them live — I met them.
Because the very first time I did was at Lusito Land, where they gave their time and talent freely to raise funds for Jayden’s special needs school, Lusito.
Because that fundraiser meant I could pay a quarter of what I would have as a single parent — giving my son access to the kind of education he deserved.
Because they were the real deal. They didn’t just perform once and vanish. They came to the school. They sat in a circle with the kids, played guitar, learned their names. They showed up.
Because to this day, when I play their music or say their names, Jayden lights up.
And because later in life, I met the MadPorra and his bestie — two incredible humans whose favourite band just so happened to be Prime Circle. And just like before, the band treated them like family, remembering fans by name, showing up with heart.

So tonight, I choose Prime Circle — for all of this, and so much more.

Ahhhh hun. That was his birthday and it was a surprise and he had no idea. Well …. We “rocked” ???? up at Scarlet Ribbon and he was still asking “What the hell are we doing at an events company premises?” And then he heard this innocent voice right behind us going “Hey howzit guys!”. It was Dale Schnettler, the band’s drummer! Well …. He didn’t know what was going on or what to say. He wasn’t sure whether he was there by accident until he realised they were playing – and the rest of the night was history! He got hammered (obvious by the pics) and we had an absolute blast. Thanks for the joint memories hun – wow! ❤Ahhhh hun. That was his birthday and it was a surprise and he had no idea. Well …. We “rocked” ???? up at Scarlet Ribbon and he was still asking “What the hell are we doing at an events company premises?” And then he heard this innocent voice right behind us going “Hey howzit guys!”. It was Dale Schnettler, the band’s drummer! Well …. He didn’t know what was going on or what to say. He wasn’t sure whether he was there by accident until he realised they were playing – and the rest of the night was history! He got hammered (obvious by the pics) and we had an absolute blast. Thanks for the joint memories hun – wow! ❤Ahhhh hun. That was his birthday and it was a surprise and he had no idea. Well …. We “rocked” ???? up at Scarlet Ribbon and he was still asking “What the hell are we doing at an events company premises?” And then he heard this innocent voice right behind us going “Hey howzit guys!”. It was Dale Schnettler, the band’s drummer! Well …. He didn’t know what was going on or what to say. He wasn’t sure whether he was there by accident until he realised they were playing – and the rest of the night was history! He got hammered (obvious by the pics) and we had an absolute blast. Thanks for the joint memories hun – wow! ❤

As you heard from Liezel, my friend and I got to meet the Prime Circle guys a few times.

What amazing guys they are, it was our favourite band. And hey – don’t forget there’s a Porra in the mix (Marco Gomes)!
What nice guys, it would not have been possible to have met them if they didn’t always do the Meet-and-Greets after their shows.

I was also fortunate to meet some other locals bands Like Parlotones. Oh, and did you know that Liezel knew Art from Just Jinjer? He was her brother’s mate. Huh!

Anyway, my choice is from another band. It was the first ever live concert I went to. I think I went alone, and boy did I have an absolute blast!

Although I did not get to meet the band face to face, we saw them around quite a lot in those days.

The band is Mango Groove, and they are just my Special Stars that shine!!

Ok mense, I’m almost ready to post a tune.
As may may know, I’m old enough to have attended the Elvis concert when he sang in the Dome in 1968.
But I didn’t, because my mother said all that gyration stuff was sonde, and immediately averted her view of said offending arts.

What i did do was attend a wonderful evening at a restaurant in Rosebank years ago, where Laurika Rauch sang. I sat in the restuarant, but not near the stage. Not like Paul who got drunk with the singer, or Wilfred who got into a fight with the singer.
I love her voice and beautiful interpretations of songs in Afrikaans. She always puts her soul into her songs.

“Ne me quitte pas” (“Don’t leave me”) is a 1959 song by Belgian singer-songwriter Jacques Brel. It has been covered in the original French by many artists and has also been translated into and performed in many other languages. A well-known adaptation, with English lyrics by Rod McKuen, is “If You Go Away”.
Brel wrote “Ne me quitte pas” after actress and dancer Zizou ended their relationship. He called it “a hymn to the cowardice of men,” not a love song.

Here is Laurika singing her Afrikaans version of the song, Moenie Weggaan Nie.

In the early 80s, just after we were married, Liz and I went to my friends wedding in cape town. Graham, my friend bought me to play guitar and was and still is well known in the cape music scene. He introduced us to Lesley Rae Dowling whose music I absolutely loved. She made 5 albums and several big singles.
She was offered a record real in the states but turned it down because she would have had to do a 3 month road trip, but she hated live performing. She is a tiny beautiful girl with this big deep voice. Wrote all her own stuff and an accomplished pianist.

Had a couple of beers with him.