Jump to content

Skokiaan: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Line 58: Line 58:
In the [[United Kingdom]], vocal versions were recorded by South African singer [[Eve Boswell]] and [[Alma Cogan]]. The recording by [[Alma Cogan]] was released in [[1954 in music|1954]] by [[HMV]], with "[[This Ole House]]" on the flip side.
In the [[United Kingdom]], vocal versions were recorded by South African singer [[Eve Boswell]] and [[Alma Cogan]]. The recording by [[Alma Cogan]] was released in [[1954 in music|1954]] by [[HMV]], with "[[This Ole House]]" on the flip side.


A six-member band called Skokiaan that formed in Liverpool in 1995 to play South African township jazz also recorded a version of the song <ref name=Greenleft>[http://www.greenleft.org.au/1999/349/19455 Soweto via Liverpool]. Cultural Dissent, Green Left Weekly issue #349, 17 February 1999. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.</ref>.
A six-member band called Skokiaan that formed in Liverpool in 1995 to play South African township jazz also recorded a version of the song <ref name=Greenleft>[http://www.greenleft.org.au/1999/349/19455 Soweto via Liverpool]. Cultural Dissent, Green Left Weekly issue #349, 17 February 1999. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.</ref>. The Liverpudlians are not the only band with a Skokiaan-related name. A South African township jazz band, led by Sazi Dlamini, is called Skokiana, <ref name=Ingede>[http://ingedej.ukzn.ac.za/include/getdoc.php?id=95&article=69&mode=pdf Bräuninger, Jürgen and Sazi Dlamini.] 2005. Yinkosi Yeziziba (2002). ''Ingede: Journal of African Scholarship'' Vol. 1, No. 3. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.</ref>


===United States===
===United States===

Revision as of 18:32, 7 February 2008

"Skokiaan"
Song
A-side"Skokiaan"
B-side"In the Mood"

"Skokiaan" is a popular tune originally written by Zimbabwean musician August Musarurwa (d.1968) (usually identified as August Msarurgwa on record labels) in the tsaba-tsaba big band style that succeeded marabi. Skokiaan (Chikokiyana in Shona [1] refers to an illegal self-brewed alcoholic beverage typically brewed over one day that may contain a dangerous ingredient, such as methylated spirits [2] [3]

Variations on the tune's title include Sikokiyana, Skokiana, and Skokian.


History

Skokiaan was first recorded as a sax and trumpet instrumental by the African Dance Band of the Cold Storage Commission of Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) under leadership of Musarurwa (possibly in 1947)[4] [5] Several tunes played by the Cold Storage Band was recorded by ethnomusicologist Hugh Tracey in June 1951 [6]. On Tracey's recording Musarurwa also apparently played for the Chaminuka Band [7]. Musarurwa copyrighted the tune, probably in 1952.

In 1954 Gallotone Records released a version of Skokiaan by Musarurwa and the Bulawayo Sweet Rhythms Band [8] The Bulawayo Sweet Rhythms Band's version was issued in the United States by London Records and, after being played four times by a Cleveland disk-jockey, took off and reached #17 on the Billboard magazine chart [9]. Whether this was a new recording, or a re-release of the old recording under a new name, is uncertain. Possibly the band's original name was changed for easier Western consumption [10], perhaps by the record company or by the band itself.

Since then the song has been recorded many times, initially as part of a wave of world music that swept across the globe in the 1950s, spurred on in Africa by Hugh Tracey and in the United States by Alan Lomax, to name two. Skokiaan gained popularity outside Africa at the same time as the indigenous South African export, Mbube (Wimoweh). The sheet music was eventually released in 17 European and African languages.[11] Performers recorded Skokiaan in France (Alix Combelle), Finland (Kipparikvartetti), Germany (James Last), South Africa (Soweto String Quartet), Sweden (Lily Berglund), Trinidad and Tobago (Southern All Stars), the United Kingdom (Alma Cogan), and the United States (Louis Armstrong), among others. Marimba arrangements of Skokiaan are particularly popular among groups playing Zimbabwean music, as the Dandemutande website shows.

Despite its Zimbabwean origins, record companies frequently added "South African Song" in brackets to the song's title, as was the case with Louis Armstrong's 1954 recording. This may have been due to misunderstandings about the difference between what was then Southern Rhodesia, and South Africa, two countries in the Southern Africa region. As described in the introduction, Skokiaan was composed by a Zimbabwean, who was recorded by a South African record company. The lyrics were later added by an American, Tom Glazer. Similarly, misled by Glazer's lyrics, some have interpreted "Skokiaan" to mean "happy-happy." Again, as stated earlier, the term actually refers to a type of illicitly brewed alcholic beverage (i.e. "moonshine").

Why the tune was associated with "a Zulu drinking song"[12] is unclear. The Zulu is an ethnic grouping found in South Africa; composer August Musarurwa was a Shona from Zimbabwe. The term skokiaan does occur in both Zulu and Shona. Both are part of the Bantu language grouping and so share similar roots. An early identification of skokiaan as a Zulu word which circulated in Johannesburg's slums is found in a scholarly article by Ellen Hellman, dated 1934.[13] Musarurwa himself did not call his tune "a Zulu drinking song". The scanty fragments of his life history does not reveal that he spent time in South Africa, either. [14] There is in South Africa no popular association of Skokiaan with a Zulu song. Was Musarurwa's tune influenced by a putative Zulu song? It seems unlikely, although not impossible. Zimbabwean migrant labourers moved back and forth between their home country and the mines of South Africa, located mostly around Johannesburg. Such journeys, often by train, led to the emergence of the song Shosholoza. While Shosholoza has become very popular among South Africans, who often sing it to encourage their sports teams, its origins may be Zimbabwean.

Outside the music world, the name "Skokiaan" has been applied to various artifacts other than songs; the relation between these appelations and Musarurwa's music is unclear:

Notable cover versions

France

In France in 1955 the orchestra of Alix Combelle recorded a cover of Skokiaan on the Phillips label [17] [18]. Jacques Hélian also recorded a version.

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, vocal versions were recorded by South African singer Eve Boswell and Alma Cogan. The recording by Alma Cogan was released in 1954 by HMV, with "This Ole House" on the flip side.

A six-member band called Skokiaan that formed in Liverpool in 1995 to play South African township jazz also recorded a version of the song [19]. The Liverpudlians are not the only band with a Skokiaan-related name. A South African township jazz band, led by Sazi Dlamini, is called Skokiana, [20]

United States

78 RPM record of Louis Armstrong's 1954 "Skokiaan" recording (part 1 of 2).

Covers of Skokiaan appeared in the United States in 1954 by Ralph Marterie (reaching #3 on the Cash Box chart) [21], by Ray Anthony (whose version reached #18)[21], and by Cuban-Mexican Perez Prado (whose version reached #26)[21]. During the same year Louis Armstrong recorded a Dixieland version that reached #29.[21]

English lyrics were added in 1954 by American Tom Glazer, known for On Top of Spaghetti (1963), for the Canadian group The Four Lads. On August 4, 1954 the Four Lads recorded with Columbia Records the only vocal version of Skokiaan that reached the United States charts, peaking at #7.[21] In line with the spirit of the times, Glazer's lyrics contain what Time arts columnist Richard Corliss describes as jovial "ethnographic condescension:"[22] "Oh-far away in Africa / Happy, happy Africa / ...You sing a bingo bango bingo / In hokey pokey skokiaan." [23] The condescension seems to have been lost on Louis Armstrong, who recorded a version of Skokiaan entitled "Happy Africa." Armstrong met Musarurwa in November 1960, during the former's tour of Africa. Whether the two musicians jammed together [24], or whether Armstrong just gave Musarurwa a jacket [25], is unclear.

Skokiaan became the theme song at Africa U.S.A Park, a 300 acre theme park founded in 1953 at Boca Raton, Florida by John P. Pedersen. The song was played all day long in the parking lot as guests arrived and was sold in the gift shop. The park boasted the largest collection of camels in the United States. After it closed, the site was converted to the Camino Gardens subdivision [26] Other urban areas in the United States apparently influenced by the name of the song is Franklin, Ohio, which boasts a Skokiaan Drive [27], and Skokie, Illinois, which has a Skokiana Terrace [28].

Bill Haley & His Comets recorded an instrumental version in 1959 that reached #70 on the American chart in 1960. Except for reissues of "Rock Around the Clock", this would be the band's final chart hit in America.[21]

An instrumental version by Hot Butter was released in 1973 on the album "More Hot Butter."

Spike Jones and the City Slickers recorded a "Japanese Skokiaan" in 1954, written by band member Freddie Morgan, a banjo player and vocalist (RCA VICTOR 47-5920).[29] [30]

In 1978 Herb Alpert and Hugh Masekela recorded the song as a brass duet with a disco flavor [31].The tune put "Alpert on the R&B chart for the first time in his career" [32].

The song appears on Kermit Ruffins' 2002 album "Big Easy". A number of reggae versions of the song also exist.

On the Cash Box best-selling record charts, where all versions of the song were combined, the song reached #2 on October 16, 1954[33].

Chronological list of all versions

2

Release dates unknown

See also

References

  1. ^ Kutema Musasa, by Musekiwa Chingodza. Dandemutande Catalog, Track 2. Retrieved online 5 February 2008.
  2. ^ Saungweme T, Khumalo H, Mvundura E, et al. 1999. Iron and alcohol content of traditional beers in rural Zimbabwe. The Central African Journal of Medicine 45(6):136-40. Retrieved online 5 February 2008.
  3. ^ Muponde, Richard. 2006. Granny fined for brewing kachasu. Chronicle, March 18. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  4. ^ Coplan, David B.. 2006. Sophiatown and South African Jazz: Re-appropriating a Cultural Identity. Africultures, April 1. Retrieved online 5 February 2008.
  5. ^ OneHitWonder Central). Subject: Forgotten Music. Retrieved online 5 February 2008.
  6. ^ Hugh Tracey, 1903-1977. SWP Records. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  7. ^ Various: Bulawayo Jazz - Southern Rhodesia. 2006. Music and Words. musicwords.nl Retrieved online from internetarchive.org 5 February 2008.
  8. ^ Music from the Hugh Tracey archives. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  9. ^ New Pop Records.. 1954. Time Magazine, Sept. 13. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  10. ^ Highlife Piccadilly. African Music on 45 rpm records in the UK, 1954-1981. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  11. ^ Stone, Ruth M. 1999. The Garland Handbook of African Music. Routledge, p. 346.
  12. ^ 1954. New Pop Records. Time Magazine, Sept. 13. Retrieved on 7 February 2008.
  13. ^ [Hellman, Ellen]. 1934. Beer Brewing in an Urban Yard, Bantu Studies 8, p.55.
  14. ^ 2006 Musarurwa: Composer of 1951 mega-hit song Skokiaan. The Herald, December 6. Retrieved 7 February 2008.
  15. ^ Kraft, Detlef. 2001. Skokiaan. Bronze, 207 x 85 x 50 cm. Bildhauerpreis der Darmstädter Sezession für junge Künstler. Retrieved on 6 February 2008.
  16. ^ Antill, P. 2001. Centurion Main Battle Tank (UK). Military History Encyclopedia on the Web. Retrieved on 6 February 2008.
  17. ^ Dansez avec Alix Combelle et son grand orchestre. Retrieved 5 February 2008.
  18. ^ Dansez avec Alix Combelle et son grand orchestre. Album cover. Retrieved 5 February 2008.
  19. ^ Soweto via Liverpool. Cultural Dissent, Green Left Weekly issue #349, 17 February 1999. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  20. ^ Bräuninger, Jürgen and Sazi Dlamini. 2005. Yinkosi Yeziziba (2002). Ingede: Journal of African Scholarship Vol. 1, No. 3. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  21. ^ a b c d e f Cruz Ayala, José G. no date. A brief research on the historical background of "Skokian [sic] á go go". "Bill Haley Tribute, Part II, from "La Historia del Rock 'N' Roll". Retrieved on 6 February 2008.
  22. ^ Corliss, Richard. 2001. That Old Feeling: Yesterday When We Were Young. Time Magazine, May 18. Retreived on 5 February 2008.
  23. ^ International Lyrics Playground. Skokiaan. August Msarurgwa/ Tom Glazer. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  24. ^ Pan African Network Trust. Mahube Sound. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  25. ^ Musarurwa: Composer of 1951 mega-hit song Skokiaan. The Herald. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  26. ^ AfricaUSA>Lifshitz, Ken. 2006. Down By Our Vineyard. Excerpt. PDf file. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  27. ^ Warren County Ohio Website. Unclaimed Funds. PDF file. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  28. ^ Skokie.org Village Map. PDF file. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  29. ^ cdBBQ Jones, Spike.1954. 7" Single: I want Eddie Fisher for Christmas/ Japanese Skokiaan. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  30. ^ Answers.com. Freddie Morgan. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  31. ^ tijuanabrass.com. Herb Alpert/Hugh Masekela. A&M/Horizon Records CD-0819. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  32. ^ herbalpert.com. Herb Alpert Chronology. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  33. ^ The Cash Box Best Selling Singles. 1954. Week ending October 16. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  34. ^ The Shytans. 1954. Skokiaan / Tea For Two Mambo. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  35. ^ Isaacs, Bud. Skokiaan/Yesterday's waltz. RCA. Retrieved on 6 February 2008.
  36. ^ Edwards, David, Patrice Eyries and Mike Callahan2005. Waldorf Music Hall Album Discography. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  37. ^ Norgran Records Catalog: 78 rpm 100 series. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  38. ^ Olavi virta. www.yle.fi. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  39. ^ Skokiaan Afrikkalainen laulu -nuotit suom Reino Helismaa. Antikvariaatti.net. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  40. ^ Decca Singles & Rarities. Ted Heath and his music. cdUniverse.com. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  41. ^ Vian, Boris. Dansez avec Alix Combelle. 33 tours 25cm. De Vian la Zizique - une discographie...chansons, textes et apophtegmes. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  42. ^ Combelle, Alix. 1955. Dansez…avec Alix Combelle - Sélection 2. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  43. ^ Live In 1954-55 Best Of Dixieland. Chris Barber. cdUniverse.com. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  44. ^ Kipparikvartetti. 1955. Skokiaan. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  45. ^ Skokiaan. Jonny Gomes & Orchestra. Recording details. Smithsonian Global Sound. Calypso. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  46. ^ Taylor, Lori E and Leah Gross. 2005. Cook Recordings Inventory. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  47. ^ Ivo Robić uz Kvintet Nikice Kalogjere Zagreb. Barikada - World Of Music. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  48. ^ (Decca 9-31030)Gordon, Terry. Rockin' Country Style. A discography of Country Rock and Roll and Related Records. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  49. ^ (Decca ED 2671) Gordon, Terry. Rockin' Country Style. A discography of Country Rock and Roll and Related Records. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  50. ^ Carstens, Nico. Goue Plaat. Columbia. Retrieved on 6 February 2008.
  51. ^ Carstens, Nico. 1959. Goue Plaat. Columbia. Retrieved on 6 February 2008.
  52. ^ Holz, Charlie The Fayros. The Online Guide to Singles. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  53. ^ Good Life Music von Bert Kaempfert. A Swingin’ Safari & Safari Swings Again. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  54. ^ The Oliver Nelson Verve/Impulse Big Band Sessions (#233). Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  55. ^ We Got Records The Untouchable Sound of the Bill Black Combo. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  56. ^ Anka, Paul. 1963. Our Man Around the World. RCA. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  57. ^ Holz, Charlie] H.B. Barnum. The Online Guide to Singles. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  58. ^ Matsubayashi, Kohji. PPS-6030: African Sounds / Carl Stevens. Mercury Records Collection. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  59. ^ Rato Records Blog Hammond à gogo, Vol. 2. James Last und seine Hammond Combo. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  60. ^ The Shangaans...frontiers of Afrocentric rock. Discography: Jungle Drums. South African Rock Encyclopedia. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  61. ^ The Shangaans. Jungle Drums. discogs.com. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  62. ^ [1]Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  63. ^ Blind Hog. Rockin' Pneumonia/ Skokiaan. Way Kool Records.Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  64. ^ Carstens, Nico. Boere Brass. Columbia SCXJ 11188. South African Rock Encyclopedia. Retrieved 5 February 2008.
  65. ^ Callahan, Mike, Dave Edwards and Patrice Eyries. 2006. Hot Butter - Moog Hits. Musicor Album Discography, Part 3: Main Series MS 3200 to MS 3275 (1970-1975). Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  66. ^ Gitlin, Alex. Jack Jersey. Alex Gitlin's Music Site. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  67. ^ Ankeny, Jason. Josh Graves: Alone at Last. Midomi Fan Club. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  68. ^ Lambert, Gerard. Josh Graves. Site perso de Gerard "Rocky" Lambert. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  69. ^ Kuusla, Matti. Skokiaan. Paita paita ja peppu. Retrieved on 6 February 2008.
  70. ^ Snowmen Skokiaan. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.
  71. ^ Brave Combo. 1984. World Dance Music. Four Dots. Retrieved on 6 February 2008.
  72. ^ Vesa-Matti, Loiri.1986. Skokiaan. Retrieved on 6 February 2008.
  73. ^ Boka Marimba.1992. Dance Music of Zimbabwe. Retrieved on 6 February 2008.
  74. ^ Chaia Marimba.1994. Chaia Marimba. Retrieved on 6 February 2008.
  75. ^ African Jazz Pioneers. 1996. Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival. Jelly review. Retrieved on 6 February 2008.
  76. ^ Lehtonen, Sauli. 1996. Mun aika mennä on. Retrieved on 6 February 2008.
  77. ^ Boka Marimba. 1996. Boka Marimba Live: Weaving the Rhythms. Dandemutande 143. Retrieved on 6 February 2008.
  78. ^ Kushinga Marimba Ensemble. 1997. Kushinga Mambo. Retrieved on 6 February 2008.
  79. ^ Zimbira. 1998. One for Juan Fife. Retrieved on 6 February 2008.
  80. ^ Goldmark, Joe. 1999. All Hat, No Cattle. Retrieved on 6 February 2008.
  81. ^ Boereqanga.2000. Made In South Africa. Featuring Nico Carstens (accordion) and Dave Ledbetter (piano). Nebula Bos Records. Retrieved on 6 February 2008.
  82. ^ Bowers, Jack 2002. The African Jazz Pioneers: The Best Of The African Jazz Pioneers. Review. All About Jazz. Retrieved on 6 February 2008.
  83. ^ Fessor's Big City Band. 2002. Kobophelo. Retrieved on 6 February 2008.
  84. ^ Ruffins, Kermit. 2002. The Big Easy. Basin Street Records. Retrieved on 6 February 2008.
  85. ^ Kutsinhira Cultural Arts Center. 2002. Musimboti. Retrieved on 6 February 2008.
  86. ^ Boka Marimba. 2003. Serevende. Dandemutande. Retrieved on 6 February 2008.
  87. ^ Soweto String Quartet. 2003. Our World. BMG Africa. Retrieved on 6 February 2008.
  88. ^ Rickert, David. 2005. The Fantastic Jimmy Smith. Review, All About Jazz. Retrieved on 6 February 2008.
  89. ^ Kuzanga Marimba.2005. Living Happily, Free From Fear. Dandemutande. Retrieved on 6 February 2008.
  90. ^ Masanga Marimba Ensemble. Masanga Marimba Ensemble. Retrieved on 6 February 2008.
  91. ^ Binnsmead Marimba. 2006. A Shadow's Reflection. CDBaby. Retrieved on 6 February 2008.
  92. ^ [2] Retrieved on 6 February 2008.
  93. ^ Zinindika Mirimba. 2006. Zinindika. Dandemutande. Retrieved on 6 February 2008.
  94. ^ [3]. Noch Mehr Zum Tanzen Träumen Und Verliebtsein. Retrieved on 6 February 2008.
  95. ^ Chikoro Marimba. Dare You Not to Dance. Retrieved on 6 February 2008.
  96. ^ Larson, Gayle. Shake,rattle&roll/Skokiaan/This old house/If I give my heart to you. Retrieved on 6 February 2008.
  97. ^ Donegan, Lonnie. The Early Years. Xtra. Retrieved on 6 February 2008.
  98. ^ The Pasadena Roof Orchestra. The Pasadena Roof Orchestra. Transatlantic Records. Retrieved on 6 February 2008.
  99. ^ The Titans. Free Flight: Unreleased Dove Recording Studio Cuts 1964-'69. Retrieved on 6 February 2008.
  100. ^ The Vikings. Rock Party At The Club Pepsi. RCA Victor. Retrieved on 6 February 2008.

Audio

  • 2007. 78s fRom HeLL: The Bulawayo Sweet Rhythms Band - In The Mood (1954). I'm learning to share. Tuesday, April 10. Blog with extensive visual material on Skokiaan, including newspaper clippings, record label, and full mp3 download.
  • Full audio recording of 1954 version of Skokiaan by the Bulawayo Sweet Rhythms Band at Beat the Devil blog by Brain Nation, May 2, 2005. [4].
  • Recordings of Musarurwa (Msarurgwa) and other Zimbwabwean jazz artists between 1950 and 1952 by ethnomusicologist Hugh Tracey on CD[5].
  • Audio versions of the song by the Four Lads, Perez Prado, Bill Haley, and Louis Armstrong and Hugh Masakela [6] (requires RealMedia, registration).
  • MP3 sample of Kutsinhira Cultural Arts Center's 2002 Zimbabwean marimba arrangement of Skokiaan (Sikokiyana). Opens sound file directly. [7]

Visual

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Skokiaan&oldid=189776788"