SOUTHERN SOUL

Musical revue by Hamish Kyd deals with Atlantic Records and soul music.

Devised and directed by Hamish KydSouthern Soul is a new music revue to be seen at the Catalina Theatre.

In 1952 a young and frenetic “Jew Boy” became a partner in Atlantic Records because owner Ahmet Ertegun recognized that he had a unique manner of identifying Black Talent. Soul Music had found Jerry Wexler.

Wexler took Atlantic Records to the South of America because he discovered that the artistes there staged their songs with church fervour encapsulating the most intimate emotions, such as the need to be loved, the frustration of not being loved, and the ecstasies of being loved. Wexler’s aim was to capture these emotions on Record. His efforts gave rise to Soul Legends such as Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Otis Redding, Percy Sledge and Wilson Pickett.

The revue Southern Soul highlights the music of these greats from a South African perspective: with hair-raising harmonization, dance and original comedy. Narration is by Hamish Kyd as Professor Gopal and the revue stars Sli Nodangala, Rory Booth and the new singing and dancing sensation Zzzing! Zzzing! will launch their debut Album on opening night (January 27).

Southern Soul runs at the Catalina Theatre on Wilson’s Wharf from January 27 to March 1.