SKOKIAAN
Created on 15/06/2004Latest update on 16/04/2024
Artist: African Dance Band Of The Cold Storage Commision Of Southern Rhodesia
Author: August Msarurgwa
Label: Gallotone
Year: 1952
All members worked in a coolhouse in Bulawayo, second largest city in Zimbabwe (former Rhodesia). Zulu song about the local moonshine (pineapple beer), strong (holding gun powder!) and prohibited. Reissued on cd Jazz Offerings From South Africa (Gallo). First recorded in '51 as a sax and trumpet instrumental by ethnomusicologist Hugh Tracey. Licensed by Eric Gallo, a new recording was made in '52 and released on Gallotone. Eric Gallo was the African equivalent of Alan Lomax, trying to record as many unspoiled African music as possible. Him and Lomax knew each other well (see: Mbube).
Covers:
- 1954:
Bulawayo Sweet Rhythms Band [same recording on Decca (UK) and London (US), where it entered the top 20]
- 1954:
Ralph Marterie [n°3 US]
- 1954:
- 1954:
Four Lads [lyrics by Tom Glazer]
- 1954:
- 1954:
- 1955:
- 1959:
Bill Haley [his final hit; in Mexico as Skokian A Go Go in '66]
- 1962:
- 1965:
- 1965:
- 1969:
- 1973:
- 1976:
- 1978:
- 1984:
