Arno Carstens – A not so ‘tjoepstil’ evening

Philip Moolman hanteer, soos ouder gewoonte al die formaliteite & verwelkoming onder andere ook ‘n hele paar ‘eerstelinge’ in die gehoor vanaand. Sy weergawe van “Forever in Blue Jeans” breek die spreekwoordelike musikale ys, voordat hy vir Dawie de Jager voorstel.

Dawie is een van die stigterslede van “Klopjag” & was lid van die groep “Tuindwergies”. Hy het ook die klankbane van verskeie Afrikaanse films op sy kerfstok: onder andere die van “Roepman”, “Musiek vir die agtergrond” & “Stroom Op”. Deesdae tree hy gereeld saam met Roan Ash op. Met sy kitaar, deel hy vanaand sy oorspronklike liedjies: “Weightless”, “Stroom op my meisie”, “Beyond Infinity” (wat hy vir sy vrou geskryf het) & “Eendag as jy groot is”.

The legendary South African born Arno Carstens, was originally the frontman for the international acclaimed “Springbok Nude Girls”. Accompanied by fellow Capetonian Werner von Waltsleben on electric drums, Arno starts his programme ‘taking it easy’ on the acoustic guitar. “Perfect Day”, “Life is forever”, “Feel it”, “Dreamer”, “Note of Bliss”, “Two dogs” “Lift my spirit” & “Genie” all form part of this segment of the evening. As promised, Arno starts to build it up with “Empire of the night”, “Out of the Blue”, “Little”, “Hole Heart” & “Another Universe”. His rendition of “Blue Eyes” inspires a couple to a private dance on the top floor of the theatre.

Once again Arno changes the pace with a surprise & invites Refentse to join him on stage. “Chemikalieë” was apparently inspired by 2 sisters who lived in Worcester – where Arno was raised – and had a chemical imbalance. With “Spook”, Refentse’s infectious joyfulness gets the crowd to participate once more. “Tjoepstil” & “The hole of the moon” – one of Arno’s personal favourites – rounds off an evening of exceptional talent.