In today’s poli/music world, in which most bands/artists rarely spout anything that doesn’t seem straight from the Democrat/Modern Liberal talking points , it’s fortunately not so hard to remember a time, 25 years ago, when a well-represented group from the music community actually stood for promoting freedom, with Little Steven Van Zandt’s Artists United Against Apartheid Sun City album. Something extra to note with this project is that unlike the well-intentioned We Are the World, Band Aid and Live Aid humanitarian efforts, Little Steven didn’t ask anyone to dig into their pockets. All he wanted to do was educate and encourage the world to stand up to racism not only in South Africa, but globally.
Sure, the dopey “Why are we always on the wrong side?” line makes little to no sense at all, and notably forgets too many years of U.S. history which involved bloodshed in the defeating of tyranny. Keeping in the mid-80s time-frame, while I believe Reagan was wrong to primarily practice constructive engagement with South Africa’s white-majority government — OK, so the greatest President of the 20th century was only almost perfect, no shame in that — he was obviously more than supportive in freeing Eastern and Central Europe from Soviet-enforced communism. On this note, I’d also like to know where the surviving members of AUAA stand on President Obama’s “quiet diplomacy.” Back then, natch, it was nothing but a joke.
Another, and I think superior, track on the Sun City album, with hilarious and pointed narration from Gil Scott-Heron throughout, plus my all-time favorite white rapper, Peter Wolf. Hall & Oates above and Peter Wolf right here, Rufus. What more could we need?
Superior version of “Silver and Gold,” featuring Keith Richards and Ron Wood backing Bono with a blues-stomp that’d do John Lee Hooker proud.
Just because (Danny Glover, thank God we hardly knew ye):
In conclusion, with the World Cup commencing at the end of the week, let’s go Team U.S.A. — beat those limeys and/or just move onto round two and beyond!!!
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Hello? South Africa?
Great post otherwise. I completely agree about this song/album. Motivate to action fine. Beg for dough. Not so much.
It’s Mr. F.!
>>>I believe Reagan was wrong to primarily practice constructive engagement with South Africa’s white-majority government<<>>OK, so the greatest President of the 20th century was only almost perfect, no shame in that<<<
I'm pretty sure Teddy Roosevelt was a better president. And Reagan himself always felt inferior to FDR. FDR was his hero.
Teddy’s my close #2 and as for Reagan’s hero worship of FDR, like I said, no shame in being almost perfect.
Apropos to absolutely nothing in this article (other than its title, which includes squirrels and nuts but not zippers):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdAt4qWvz_8
Funny you said that – my first thought was SNZ, too
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMt4XIS68vI
I heard they got back together, and were working on new stuff, but that was several years back, and not a peep out of ‘em.
Whether or not great minds think alike, apparently they do think Chapel Hill nostalgia sounds!
Was hoping someone would head in that direction. Been a fan of SNZ since “Hell” was used by the director in a production of Aeschylus’ “The Frogs” I was in back in my acting days.
The Squirrel Nut Zippers did a good job of using acoustic guitar as a rhythym instrument in the traditional “jazz” sense. Also, loved the heavy use of the baritone sax; an instrument that unjustly fell out of favor in the late ’50′s. Music hasn’t been the same since
Buddy Hollythe Big Bopper died.That was my first guess, also, when I saw the title. I very fun group!
Any group that spells out “Damnation” in a song has my vote!
“Lose your face, lose your name and be fitted for a suit of flame.”
E.P., you forgot I am also a big Gil-Scott Heron fan. You hit the trifecta, there!
[...] the latest installment of Turn It Up Tuesday, had some fun calling Little Steven to the curb, albeit 25 years after the fact, over not knowing [...]
[...] the latest installment of Turn It Up Tuesday, had some fun calling Little Steven to the curb, albeit 25 years after the fact, over not knowing [...]