The band in rehearsal

I’ve been rehearsing for the past month with a talented bunch of musicians for a show called “Don’t Forget The Lyrics”. We’ve been rehearsing at the Bassline in Newtown, Johannesburg and are flying to Lagos, Nigeria to shoot the series.

It’s been a rather demanding rehearsal period for a number of reasons, namely:

1. The amount of songs we’ve had to learn - Over 300 in the space of a month.
2. There was no sheet music (as promised) and the CDs with the repertoire kept arriving late. This meant that we often heard the songs for the first time at the rehearsal and had to “workshop” most of the songs.
3. We were supplied with some rather dodgy equipment & had a lengthy process of negotiating to get it (sort-of) sorted out.

A bit about the musicians:

Four South Africans: Me on guitar, Bheki Khoza on guitar, Melvin Peters on piano (& musical director), Godfrey Mgcina on percussion.

The Nigerians (I’m ashamed to say I only know their first names!): Ike on drums, Emmanuel on keyboards and Noel on bass. We will be joined by two backing vocalists in Lagos I believe. Noel has also been acting as our rehearsal vocalist and personal music encyclopaedia. None of the Nigerians read music, but all have an enormous repertoire of songs memorised. Noel knows by far the most – he is able to play basslines, while singing relevant parts to members of the band! He has sung entire guitar solos to me, brass & string parts to the keyboard players and even knows intricate drum grooves. All from memory (and I’m talking over 300 songs and counting!).

We leave South Africa for Lagos tomorrow (15 February 09) where we will spend two weeks rehearsing and shooting the first half of the series. It will be my first time in Nigeria and I have no idea what to expect. Watch this space for more updates….in the meantime, a few photos from rehearsals:

       

Technorati Tags: rehearsal,musicans,newtown,johannesburg

Why I’m still single?

Technorati Tags: internet dating,funny quotes,being single

I tried out internet dating for about a year. I met a couple of girls who I was totally crazy about (they weren’t interested in me), a couple who were crazy about me (I wasn’t interested in them) and then there were the rest. The girls whose photos were ten years old, the desperate, the boring, the weird (not to mention the stalker), the sweet, the beautiful, the lonely, the ugly….I’ll stop here. I went out with them all, at least once. At times I had a repeat date, just in case I missed something…but no, those first impressions were usually spot on.

The thing that I did get out of that year though is a fantastic list of quotes from the dating site. I think they shed some light on the reason I’m still single.

So here they are, as they appeared, with no alterations other than the names removed:

1. The 2 things I love most in life is animals and Jesus. I like people who knows how to smile! Someone who isn`t nagative all the time, likes to having FUN and wears nice shoes.

2. A HONEST FAITHFUL MAN WHO ENJOYS CHILDREN NATURE FUN AND DOES NOT LOOSE HIS TEMPER QUICKLY.

3. He must be patient, loveable. Must love children. Must be understandable and reasonable. I like a man who dress neatly

4. I'm looking for a honest and reliable partner. Someone who will except my two boys

5. She describes her ideal match thus: NOt fussy, must be able to have an intellegant conversation with them,

6. sexy but totally sofisticated

7. Why should you get to know l……? Working as a Secretary, do nothing at spare time, still confused what to do, I am attractive enough, have long black hair, nice figure, very hairy, but very scared of disappointments again.

8. Be interesting to be with. And be able to can hold a conversation.

9. …..i am not very fuzzy i just whant to be happy.

10. I would like to meet a male who has a wam personality without heirs and graces.

11. I am easy going and love to mingle, Intoverted yet Impulsive, Interlectual yet free sprited... Wouldnt you rather get to know me

12. I'm a good listener, but please don't bore me with info that sound really not intelligent..

13. As jy aan die volgende of meer voldoen, hou maar verby:
Ateiste
Alkoholiste
Skisofrene
Vroueslaners
Pedofiele
Wel dit elimineer omtrent 99% mans, die ander 1% is welkom om kennis te maak :-)

14. She describes her ideal match thus: friendly and anyone who can talk about daily problem and children and any other stuff and any countries that is interesting

15. Enjoy the oudoors meaning, picknick, hicking, just appreciating nature and everything in it.

16. Born-again christian women looking for a born-again men

17. Single lady sicks for love

18. Im a no fuzz kinda girl

19. Im free spiritet and fun to be with. I love a good indepth conversetion, but a great joke or a good chuckle is what I enjoy most.I believe its not who you sit next to but how you leafe them feeling when you exit the room... (im quoting some actress...). i am honest and would apreshiate it if the people who mail me would be too. I get easilly ticked off when people underesstimate my intelligense.

20. Anyone is welcome to chat to me. Favourite topics: Horses and the all important question: Who is God?

21. i like metting new people, & im outgoing like doing shopping, cooking not forgetting that im a romentic
you want roments, just came to the right place

22. Enjoy intellegient conversations. Looking for romance, companionship and trust with another sole.

23. be fun loving,confendins of him self,must engouing life at the fulles,must not thake ganges,and must now what he whant in life.

24. I'm fun loving and advenchers. Love traveling and meet people. Will try to try anything ones lol.
a Homey person, that needs pease and love at home.

25. would like someone to like the life and like the open live outside. He must like children and cooking and cleaning.

26. Adventure should be my first name, because I get board very easily. Love going out, but also appreciate an evening in at home with a glass of whine.

27. My friends would probabaly say that I am incredible loyal and a witty conservationalist.

28. Outdoor lover, Great sport, Fun Loving, Caring, Friendly, Loving, Soft Harded, Honest, Adventurios

29. No coach potatoes!! Must love the outdoors!!!

30. IF U WANT TO MEET SOMEONE SPECIAL,FUNNY,EASYGOING,SOCIAL,LOVING,AN D ALL THAT THINGS U LIKE ABOUT WOMAN.....IM YOUR MAN

31. attractive with sexy breast and eyes

32. A bit longly at this stage. Would like to get someone to chart to, share ideas and advises with.

33. I am jest me a nice anest loving girl. I do lick my self and would love if you lick me to.

34. Nothing Too Loose

35. I am confidant, sophisticated and loads of fun. I can diverse at any level.

36. I believe patients is a virtue

37. I am sincere,and a straight forward kind of girl with no hidden agenders

38. I have so much life and energy inside me that it bubbles out. I am 50% naughty and 51% fill of life.