When I arrived at my children’s school sports day two years ago I was greeted by the news that Andy Brown had died. My first emotion was that of regret that my friends and I had agreed that we would attend his live performances but we never got round to do it. We were busy doing something or the other until he passed on. This year’s sports day reminded me of Andy’s passing on and then it occurred to me that I had not paid tribute to the man whose music had been such an important part of my life. Then I was overcome with sadness that cannot be expressed in words; which is a surprise because I usually easily express myself.
You see, we had enjoyed ourselves at his performance at the Zimbabwe International Film Festival (ZIFF) 2011. He was the opening act before one of the film shows. Our husbands looked on as we danced the night away and I am sure, felt younger once again. I remember very well ‘Mawere Kongonya’ was one of the popular songs that night. Even when I got home the song was ringing in my head ‘Gudo rakwira mawere kongonya, ha ha mawere kongonya.’
I have always enjoyed Andy Brown’s music; there was just something about it. His songs could transport me to a world where I somehow felt all was alright or that all would be alright. From “Mapurisa’’, which reminded me so much of my pre- school days right down do ‘Zindoga’ I have an Andy Brown song for all moods. When I cook during the weekends I will definitely play ‘Tichangoshaina.’ Some of the words ‘...vakaba vachadzorera...’ (those who have stolen will return what they have stolen) always makes me think someday this will happen. It may not be in my lifetime but I believe it will happen. Call me an eternal optimist but sometimes it helps me to deal with the world.
One could say I grew up with Andy’s music. He was after all, a member of arguably one of the greatest musical groups this country has ever seen- Ilanga. On weekends people in my neighbourhood would blast the latest hits and none of us could escape the music. At Malahle’s shebeen they played ‘True Love’ over and over again until I could sing it verbatim. When the group went their separate ways I still followed their music with interest. Andy seemed to have something special that I could not put my finger on. And that guitar! I could always tell it was Andy’s guitar. (The first time I heard ‘Shaina’ by Alexio Kawara I was sure I had heard Andy’s guitar but I could not recognise the voice. It was only a week later that a DJ confirmed that it was indeed Andy’s guitar).
When my husband and I were still dating we attended an Andy Brown concert at Amakhosi Centre in Bulawayo. The crowd demanded that he perform ‘Mapurisa’ again. I enjoyed every minute of that performance. And of course the solo guitar act was out of this world. One could not afford to remain still; we all danced: some in rhythm but others not so much but that did not matter. What mattered was that in those few hours a human being united us. We were all one in our appreciation of that human being’s God-given talent. And how he used that talent!
It is remarkable, shocking perhaps that someone could have touched people’s lives to that extent. I am not sure that even he understood the power that he had. I doubt he understood what his performances meant for people who would dedicate Friday or Saturday nights to listen to that guitar. I recall a performance at the old Book Cafe a few years ago. As usual, it was out of this world. Andy was consistent; he never disappointed his audiences. I always got the feeling that he was at home on stage. That if there was only one thing he could do, it would be to play his guitar and sing till dawn. He came alive on stage. I wonder if he realised what an impact his music had on people. I felt like Andy was a friend who always made sure I was happy no matter what the circumstances. But he did not know me. But then again, I do not think that matters at all. What matters is that he left something for me to remember him by. His music speaks to me even today.
When I am feeling low ‘Tichangoshaina’ does the trick. It encourages me to go on: ‘Kutambura kwedu, kana tiritese tichanghoshaina vakomana’ (Loosely translated: In all our suffering, if we stand together we will shine/ overcome). ‘Fiona’ and ‘Daisy’ are playful tunes that can be interpreted as love songs in a way. And of course ‘Shungu’ is a serious party tune. It allows me to dance (and exercise). And Zindoga tells me that it is ok to be alone sometimes and reflect. Sometimes, I have to let go. So, I have an Andy Brown song for all occasions!
This was my attempt at paying tribute to a human being who touched my life in a very substantial way. I cannot believe that it is two years since he passed on. If only he had known how much his music meant to me. And that guitar...
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
You see, we had enjoyed ourselves at his performance at the Zimbabwe International Film Festival (ZIFF) 2011. He was the opening act before one of the film shows. Our husbands looked on as we danced the night away and I am sure, felt younger once again. I remember very well ‘Mawere Kongonya’ was one of the popular songs that night. Even when I got home the song was ringing in my head ‘Gudo rakwira mawere kongonya, ha ha mawere kongonya.’
I have always enjoyed Andy Brown’s music; there was just something about it. His songs could transport me to a world where I somehow felt all was alright or that all would be alright. From “Mapurisa’’, which reminded me so much of my pre- school days right down do ‘Zindoga’ I have an Andy Brown song for all moods. When I cook during the weekends I will definitely play ‘Tichangoshaina.’ Some of the words ‘...vakaba vachadzorera...’ (those who have stolen will return what they have stolen) always makes me think someday this will happen. It may not be in my lifetime but I believe it will happen. Call me an eternal optimist but sometimes it helps me to deal with the world.
One could say I grew up with Andy’s music. He was after all, a member of arguably one of the greatest musical groups this country has ever seen- Ilanga. On weekends people in my neighbourhood would blast the latest hits and none of us could escape the music. At Malahle’s shebeen they played ‘True Love’ over and over again until I could sing it verbatim. When the group went their separate ways I still followed their music with interest. Andy seemed to have something special that I could not put my finger on. And that guitar! I could always tell it was Andy’s guitar. (The first time I heard ‘Shaina’ by Alexio Kawara I was sure I had heard Andy’s guitar but I could not recognise the voice. It was only a week later that a DJ confirmed that it was indeed Andy’s guitar).
When my husband and I were still dating we attended an Andy Brown concert at Amakhosi Centre in Bulawayo. The crowd demanded that he perform ‘Mapurisa’ again. I enjoyed every minute of that performance. And of course the solo guitar act was out of this world. One could not afford to remain still; we all danced: some in rhythm but others not so much but that did not matter. What mattered was that in those few hours a human being united us. We were all one in our appreciation of that human being’s God-given talent. And how he used that talent!
It is remarkable, shocking perhaps that someone could have touched people’s lives to that extent. I am not sure that even he understood the power that he had. I doubt he understood what his performances meant for people who would dedicate Friday or Saturday nights to listen to that guitar. I recall a performance at the old Book Cafe a few years ago. As usual, it was out of this world. Andy was consistent; he never disappointed his audiences. I always got the feeling that he was at home on stage. That if there was only one thing he could do, it would be to play his guitar and sing till dawn. He came alive on stage. I wonder if he realised what an impact his music had on people. I felt like Andy was a friend who always made sure I was happy no matter what the circumstances. But he did not know me. But then again, I do not think that matters at all. What matters is that he left something for me to remember him by. His music speaks to me even today.
When I am feeling low ‘Tichangoshaina’ does the trick. It encourages me to go on: ‘Kutambura kwedu, kana tiritese tichanghoshaina vakomana’ (Loosely translated: In all our suffering, if we stand together we will shine/ overcome). ‘Fiona’ and ‘Daisy’ are playful tunes that can be interpreted as love songs in a way. And of course ‘Shungu’ is a serious party tune. It allows me to dance (and exercise). And Zindoga tells me that it is ok to be alone sometimes and reflect. Sometimes, I have to let go. So, I have an Andy Brown song for all occasions!
This was my attempt at paying tribute to a human being who touched my life in a very substantial way. I cannot believe that it is two years since he passed on. If only he had known how much his music meant to me. And that guitar...
May his soul rest in eternal peace.