‘Sing Along Gig’ is on!

Prayzah.
Dubbed “Sing Along Gig” the show brings back a lot of memories when Mtukudzi used to draw huge crowds backed by a full band and when Macheso had some of his talented guitarists and dancers. Back then, Sulu was still a member of the Orchestra Dendera Kings fronted by his uncle Allan Chimbetu.

It was during those days when Jah Prayzah was still bubbling under and would curtain raise free of charge trying to get recognition.

Almost everything has changed since that time. Mtukudzi who is known as a granddad of music has trimmed his group to just a quartet – without female vocalists, no lead guitarists and no keyboardists. At 60, Tuku as his fans lovingly call him, his group is getting smaller and smaller with each outing. However, fans still love him for who he is – a superstar.

As for Macheso, he just had a rude awakening after some of his key band members ditched him. As he takes to the stage tonight, Macheso is likely to parade new band members. How is he going to do it without chanter Jonas Kasamba, drummer Obert Gomba and the rest of the members who were with him since the good old days?

Is he going to sound the same? Has anything changed and will the fans love him more now that he has new members? These are some of the questions that will draw huge crowds to the show.

Obviously, expectations are high from fans who will are yet to see the new-look Orchestra Mberikwazvo. Word doing the rounds is that Macheso has vowed to continue with his music with or without his former members. This is in contrast to his band manager William Tsandukwa, who has taken the blame for the problems in the band.

Interestingly, Tsandukwa on the other hand has pledged his support for Extrabasso. What this means is that Tsandukwa is either playing politics or just confused. Any serious band manager would not let things blow out of proportion in the manner that Orchestra Mberikwazvo did.

An astute manager should be prepared to listen to advice first and then act. At this point, we wonder if Tsandukwa or “Yellow” as he is affectionately known listened to any of the advice from fans. In fact, he has always had the last say and for that he paid the price for his complacency.

But the show that goes on tonight will give fans a rare opportunity to see what sort of stuff Extrabasso is made of. This is a sing along gig which means organisers want everybody to join the artistes in song and dance.

A lot of thrills are expected when Tuku joins either Extrabasso, Sulu or Jah Prayzah on stage. Of course, this has happened before but it is not every day that top musicians come together on one stage.

Sulu seems to be doing well with his music as well as a new clothing line. Besides this, he has formed a privately owned company which is running the band and clothing line professionally.

Without a doubt there is no way he will leave the stage before playing the hit “Sean Timba”. The song which he says is about piracy though critics think otherwise, has endeared him to both the young and old.

“Sean Timba” features Jah Prayzah and it is one of the hit songs for 2013. Apparently Jah Prayzah is also doing well with his song “Tsviriyo”.

The dreadlocked singer who usually sports army fatigues on stage has won the hearts of many with the release of “Tsviriyo”. He is getting better with each show and commands a huge following.

Partson “Chipaz” Chimbodza, the show promoter, urged fans to come in their numbers saying it was a show with a difference.

“It is a must attend show where fans will be spoilt for choice. If you love Zimbabwean music this is one for you and it will be music non-stop. There is so much in the offing at the show but to avoid disappointment fans should buy their tickets in advance. Fans will be pleased to see the artistes singing each other’s songs,” he said.