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Johnny Clegg.
 Johnny Clegg's reputation as one of the foremost South African musicians, if not one of the most important South Africans of his generation, has been won over several decades of struggle and hard work. A cursory glance over his biographical details will reveal a remarkable story; the formation of multiracial bands Juluka and Savuka in his apartheid-ridden country showed great courage. The incorporation of Zulu lyrics into his songs must have frustrated his government as much as it delighted those with minds open enough to appreciate the cultural subtext, and ears open enough to enjoy the rhythmic and powerful music he has created through the years.
Even in a post-apartheid world Clegg finds plenty to focus on and sing about, especially in the field of genetics. Nearly ten years ago there were rumours of his first Australian tour but now in 2005, his debut Antipodean performances are confirmed. He explains, "I live so far away from the centre of the universe: I'm at the tip of Africa and if I do a tour in Europe I have to do a minimum of, like, ten or fifteen shows to make it worthwhile. It's not the same as living in France and doing some shows in England, where you just hop across the road. "
A new CD is nearing completion but won't be ready in time for the tour. Instead, the 'Best Of Live' CD, recorded with the same band, will be the main focus. The new material is near enough to completion for Clegg to describe it in detail, however. "There's about four or five songs tied in, and they are a mixture of hip-hop rhythms but also very much within the traditional music I grew up with as a war dancer, because we did a lot of call-and-response singing, and the harmonies there are always for me very powerful. So those pentatonic or fifth harmonies are a trademark of the vocal chanting that I use."
Lyrically, the new songs range from nostalgic looks at traditional African life to the present day issue of child soldiers, but all with a strong emphasis on his home country. One of Clegg's best-known songs is Cruel Crazy Beautiful World, and I had to ask: if he was writing that song today, would he add any other adjectives to the title? He laughs, "I'd probably mention environment. In the last Savuka album it was already appearing, where we're talking about snow in the summer and all the seasons are upside down. Referring to the fact that there is some hidden hand which is changing our world but the real problem is that we're the one driving that hand."
The 'Johnny Clegg Live And More' DVD is still a personal favourite, clearly showing the energy and enthusiasm of his live performances. He assures me that is still the case. "I'll be dancing off the walls. I've got three new young guys plus two old cohorts of mine from Savuka; Andi [Mandisa Dianga], she's been with me 18 years now and Andy [Innes] the guitarist who joined Savuka in '93 and then we stopped a year later. He's basically been with me for 14 years now."
For a tour so eagerly awaited it's probably a redundant question, but I ask Clegg to explain exactly why people must come to the show. "I think they must be there because otherwise they will miss a smorgasbord of culture and anecdotes and stories that they will feel enriched by. You know, it's really rare to go to a movie or to a play or to a moment of music where you come out with three or four very powerful moments which you take away with you and which may even be moments of very deep reflection and enable you to get into a particular style of music, or genre of movie.
"I think we've catalysed a lot of interest in other people's mythologies, their ideas, their world views, stemming out of Africa but also I talk about genetic engineering; I talk about a lot of issues which are close to my heart at the moment. There's a certain amount of anthropology as art, there's a certain amount of discussion about dance movement, what the movements mean, all that kind of stuff. For the audience, it's an exposure to a perspective on music and dance and origins and culture which will be very novel for them."
I'll also add that the music's great too.
Michael Hunter
 | Johnny Clegg plays at Thebarton Theatre on Sat 3 Dec. |
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