Splash backing band shows class at Lion Park

CHIPPA LEGODIMO
Correspondent | Tuesday November 30, 2010 00:00

 

This one was a Splash show with a difference featuring yesteryear stars like Phumi Maduna, Sidney Mogopodi and No Maphaka of CJB.

Well Splash instrumentalists are known for their stage antics, but very few expected them to shine the way they did.  Performing some songs, which were formulated way before most of the boys were born.

Msizi Madiba is a seasoned keyboard player who unlike the rest of the guys is never carried away by the shouting crowds always keeping his concentration like an accountant balancing his or her books.  He led the youngsters with distinction on Saturday night.  Thando Zinto, Stanley Tshiloane, Nicolus Tjale, Mpho Madzhiga and Clifton Moalusi were just in their element.

Most had thought they could only play Splash tunes with perfection since they grew up together at the disco outfit, but they proved to be versatile musicians whose talents go beyond just Splash music.

The highlight of the show was when Mogopodi did his all-time hit song, Mama's Babe.  The anticipation from the fans just seemed to spur the band to put up a sparkling performance when the chance finally came.

The elderly musician was also clearly enjoying the attention from the predominantly young fans.

The song was just a step back into the past as the crowd sang along and it was clear even those who came into this world after the song just fell in love with it the first time they heard it.  Both Mogopodi and Maphaka, who had not graced our shores in the last 15 years, clearly impressed the fans judging by the screams even after they had left the stage.  But not the same thing can be said about Maduma who used to lead Cheek-to-Cheek.  She definitely has to up her game the next time around.

Two musicians who also took fans out of their breath were Slindile and her boss Tshanda who lead Splash with yet another set of golden oldies from albums such as Khoma Khoma.

Slindile is fast becoming a crowd-favourite with her hit track Uyinkosi and of all those in the Dalom Music stable only Tshanda enjoys more attention than her.  She is definitely on her way to the top of the music ladder.

There could have not been a better way of introducing her than teasing the fans with Uyinkosi melodies, which suddenly went dead once she appeared on stage.  Either by design of default, while the fans were still so excited by those melodies and waiting anxiously for the band to continue, the young musician chose the track Siyabonga, a slow gospel number with an authoritative bassline.

The fans liked all the tracks, but none would make its day than Uyinkosi and when she finally closed her performance with the hit, it was like the fans were now possessed with demons as everyone just wanted a piece of her.

Mercy M and Linda got another chance to show fans what she has to offer and once again that Mercy's track, Lorato Le Ya Bolaya, left most fans emotional.  It is a track about 'passion killings' and if it is not its mid tempo instrumentation then it should be its touching lyrics, which often make people want to hear more and more of it.

Shirley Mokoka surprised many coming on stage clad in a short white dress instead of her usual traditional attire with a bare back.  They were left in awe as the lanky musician narrated a love story in a pop reggae track sung in Zulu. Remember, she was once tipped to join Dalom Music and perhaps this is it.