Bill Haley & His Comets- Skokiaan (South African Song)

[55102]

good why they don t put them on the radio anymore

[ginger1959able]

Super track by the KING

[cloningprocess]

SamWilliams13 , the song was written by a Zimbabwean, so your title is incorrect.There's a DIFFERENCE between South Africa,the country and Southern Africa, the region of which Zimbabwe and South Africa(the country) are part of of.

[sturdle]

that is wonderful Thanks.....

[basak83a]

Beautiful song, makes me wana dance everytime I hear it:)

[ginger1959able]

versatile Bill again comes up with the goods

[hazelha251264]

This was the first dance my parents had together - at the Kursaal in Southend- and they named their house "Skokiaan" after it. That's romantic!

[1272E49]

BTY, this track (and the rest of the 'Strictly Instrumental LP) was arranged by Johnny Grande.

[shadowpapito]

Its got that Reggae dance all beat! Gotta Love music!

[elvischevy]

rockin tune more more

[sturdle]

Happy days....

[JerryLee1956]

Well, I heard it over and over the last few days, from the original album, and now I'm not so sure about the '2nd, but still I hear a rhythm gtr, but perhaps it's actually only in my ears. I know, that Bill didn't play on the studio version of Florida Twist, but it's new to me that he didn't play on the sessions or at least on some songs of 'Strictly Instrumental'. But I think that Mr Beecher will have the answer...

Best wishes and a happy new year to you

Ulli (Jerry Lee)

[7rundle]

Cheers Ulli - and a happy new year to you too.

C.G.'s session notes suggest that Bill only played "percussion" on this number, but unfortunately they're no more specific than that. Also, I have a feeling that Franny is playing split rhythm on the old Gibson, hence the confusion over guitars. Anyhow, I'll be sure to ask him (though there's no guarantee he'll remember much about it) and I'll post any response up here, as and when.

Kind regards, 7rundle.

[7rundle]

Forgot to mention that it's Ralph Jones we can hear on drums, and Al Rappa on electric bass. Nuff said.

[7rundle]

Open your ears, boy, and you'll hear that there is NO rhythm guitar. Furthermore, Joey quit years before they cut this track! Rudy was on sax, Franny played lead, Billy played steel, Johnny was on piano. Bill supposedly played percussion - I assume this is the faint rhythm stick sound that can be heard throughout. Recorded at the Pythian Temple, 23rd Sept. 1959 for the Decca label. I don't know for sure, but I'd say the side was probably produced by the mighty Milt Gabler, as per the norm...

[Labaron26]

Go Bill Haley...He made the Spit Curl famous.

[mungwaru]

Actually the song was composed by a Zimbabwean and therefore it is more accurate to change the title at the top to Southern African song. There is a difference between South Africa (a country) and Southern Africa (the region that also includes Zimbabwe).

[pantherpawed]

I snapped up a very cheap CD Hayley collection and was amazed how much of it had a latin/ska feel, mostly remakes and instrumentals. Absolutely fantasic guitar - can someone point me in the right direction to find out more about this side of Hayley's music? His music is very underrated.

[sturdle]

@pantherpawed yes, so very.........

[LarryGeeLewis]

Well, what's Haley doin' on this recording?

[7rundle]

I don't think he's doing anything actually. He did play acoustic rhythm guitar on a lot of the tracks, but the only guitar I can hear on this one is Franny Beecher's. Chris Gardner's web site has the answer to just about every Haley related question you can think of. It'd probably even tell you the name of the bloke who delivered pizza to The Comets between takes! The point is, it's a great track whoever played on it.

[mkl62]

A good instrumental by the man known as The Father of Rock and Roll. Thank you for your contributions, Bill.

[C6A6O6s]

vintageeeee!!!!!! que buen tema!!!!

[Weidenberg]

Pretty nice song.

[saskabush2006]

Just a little background, this was a recording from Haley's final album for Decca Records in 1959, which was all instrumental recordings, made during a time when Haley was experiementing with new musical directions. This hit the US charts in 1960 and, not counting later reissues of Rock Around the Clock, was the last new Haley recording to make the US charts. He continued to score hits in Mexico and other countries well into the 60s, however.

[SamWilliams13]

thanks saskabush,im so glad i finally know more about this amazing track!