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John Kongos ~ Kongos
vinyl LP front cover
cover illustration by Peter Schaumann
photo by Styrous®
Today is the birthday of South African-born singer and songwriter of Greek ancestry, John Theodore Kongos who is best known for Tokoloshe Man and He's Gonna Step on You Again; both Top 10 Hits singles.
date & photographer unknown
His album, Kongos, is at the very top of my "Top 10" albums list and is definitely on my "desert island" list (link below)!
I loved it so much I bought two copies of it because I knew I'd wear it
out. Actually, it was this album that started me recording albums I
liked for that reason.
I have been wanting to write about Kongos since I started the vinyl LP section, twelve years ago last month (Doris link below),
but because it is one of my very favorite albums, I wanted it to be as
well done as possible and I wanted to say everything about it that is
important to me. Also, it has given me lots of time to research him and his album.
John Kongos ~ Kongos
vinyl LP back cover detail
photo by Spud Murphy
detail photo of album cover by Styrous®
I
love every single song on this album, which is saying a lot; usually
there is at least one song on an album I'm not so hot for. I feel this,
everything about it is perfection, the writing, performance, instrumentation and the personnel is astounding (list below)!
But
there are two songs on it that hold a very special place in my heart. I
have never been able to decide which one I like better; both are
ballads, however, totally different from each other. I Would Have Had A Good Time
is a song of aging and regret for missed opportunities one has in life and
although it is a sad song, it is beautifully written and performed with a nice instrumental break.
Everyone regrets something, I certainly do and completely relate to the
lyrics.
The second song is Tomorrow I'll Go, a song of conditional love but slowly and ultimately resolves in
the realization that the one being sung to is THE love that will last
forever. The transition is exquisite and my heart melts every time I
listen to it! It has a sublime cello accompaniment by Claire Denize who also performed with Gentle Giant, Steve Gibbons and the Strawbs.
It is one of the most beautiful love songs ever
written.
The messages in both songs are so dear to me I have put the lyrics for them on the Viewfinder (link below). I have a link to the lyrics for the entire album online (link below).
From Wikipedia [edit]:
Tokoloshe refers to a mystical beast in African mythology which is thought to terrorise and eat people at night. In Zulu and Xhosa mythology, Tikoloshe, Tokoloshe, Tokolotshe, De'Avion or Hili is a dwarf-like water sprite. It is considered a mischievous and evil spirit that can become invisible by drinking water or swallowing a stone. Tokoloshes are called upon by malevolent people to cause trouble for others. At its least harmful, a tokoloshe can be used to scare children, but its power extends to causing illness or even the death of the victim (links below).
He's Gonna Step on You Again was covered by the English band Happy Mondays in 1990, with the title, Step On, and a bit watered down. It was originally intended as a contribution to the Rubáiyát: Elektra's 40th Anniversary, a 1990 compilation album released by Elektra Records, but they decided to save it to release as a single, and instead covered Tokoloshe Man by Kongos for the compilation. Step On
became their biggest-selling single, peaking at No. 5 in the UK and
even making it on to the Billboard Hot 100 chart at No. 57.
(not so happy!)
date & photographer unknown
Jubilee Cloud is my favorite dance song from the album; it regards a train ride without a stereotypical train beat but you feel it anyway.
it has a terrific bouncy beat that rocks on with a nice chorus backup,
tambourine, great piano playing and an echoey guitar riff at the begining I LOVE by Caleb Quaye. You just can't help moving to it and I remember dancing my head off every time I played it!
Lift Me from the Ground
is pretty good as well as it has a moderately fast beat but can be
slow danced, a great instrumental break and Quaye on piano again.
date & photographer (Jackie?) unknown
In addition to the above mentioned ballads is Gold, a gentle song with a nice guitar and piano intro, it has congas played by Ray Cooper and a great chorus backup. It tells of the search for . . . ?
John Kongos ~ Kongos
vinyl LP back cover detail
photo by Spud Murphy
detail photo of album cover by Styrous®
Kongos was born in Jo’burg (Johannesburg) on 6 August 1945 to Greek parents. He formed his first group, The Dukes, when he was 15 years old and began playing at his mother’s club, the Fireplace in Boksburg a city on the East Rand of Gauteng province of South Africa. He had success in South Africa in the early 1960s with his band Johnny and the G-Men. As a solo artist, he went to the UK in 1966,
to pursue his musical career. His first UK based group, Floribunda Rose, formed in April 1967, with British musicians, Jack Russell (bass, vocals), Pete
Clifford of Freedom’s Children (guitar) and keyboard player, Chris Demetriou from Cyprus (where Tom White and I had a performance in 2000 (link below) from the group, John E Sharpe and the Squires.
In
late 1963, Kongos made his first visit to the UK, however, despite
auditioning for a couple of major labels, failed to make an impact. But
in 1966 he wrote one of the most beautiful love songs ever, I Love Mary! The chord progressions and fretboard work are case studies for aspiring guitarists (link below).
A little after the single’s release, he found The 004 and
asked them to help him cut his planned album. This was a popular act
with lead guitarist, Pete Clifford, former member of the backing group
for Dusty Springfield. He assembled a brilliant group of session musicians: Ray Cooper, Caleb Quaye, Gus Dudgeon, Lol Coxhill and Mike Moran.
The sons of John Kongos,
Johnny, Jesse, Dylan, and Danny now perform under the name Kongos. The
band was officially formed in 2003. They live and work out of their
studio in Phoenix, Arizona, and record on their own label, Tokoloshe Records.
Johnny, Jesse, Dylan, and Danny Kongos
(not necessarily in that order)
date & photographer unknown
date & photographer unknown
There is is a really terrific site, Garage Hangover,
with tons of information and wonderful, historical photos about all of them (links below).
Peter Schaumann, illustrator for the front cover of Kongos, also did the cover for The Soft Parade by the the Doors. Schaumann also illustrated the cover for the fantasy novel by American writer Patricia A. McKillip, The Forgotten Beasts of Eld.
cover illustration by Peter Schaumann
The vinyl LP album also included an 11" x 11" sheet that contained all the lyrics for the songs overprinted on the cover illustration by Peter Schaumann in sepia. It is paper but with age (almost fifty years) it has taken on the feel of Parchment and is beautiful in itself.
Tracklist:
Side 1:
Side 1:
A1 - Tokoloshe Man
Arranged By [Brass and Choir] – Robert Kirby
Congas, Bells – Ray Cooper
Electric Guitar – Caleb Quaye
Electric Guitar, Talking Drum – John*
Maracas, Percussion [Bicycle Bell, Asses Jawbone] – Gus Dudgeon
Percussion [Clapper Board] – Mike Noble
Soprano Saxophone – Lol Coxhill
Written by Kongos* - 5:20
A2 - Jubilee Cloud
Lead Guitar, Piano – Caleb Quaye
Synthesizer – Mike Moran
Tambourine – Ray Cooper
Written by Kongos*, Leroy* - 4:06
A3 - Gold
Acoustic Guitar – Caleb Quaye
Arranged By [Brass and Choir] – Robert Kirby
Backing Vocals – Mike Noble, Peter & Alex
Congas – Ray Cooper
Written by Demetriou*, Kongos* - 4:28
A4 - Lift Me From The Ground
Electric Guitar – John*
Lead Guitar, Piano – Caleb Quaye
Written by Kongos*, Bailey* - 4:04
A5 - Come On Down Jesus
Brass – David Chambers*
Guitar [Electric Rhythm] – John*
Lead Guitar – Caleb Quaye
Piano – Mike Moran
Tambourine – Ray Cooper
Written by Kongos*, Moran* - 3:38
Arranged By [Brass and Choir] – Robert Kirby
Congas, Bells – Ray Cooper
Electric Guitar – Caleb Quaye
Electric Guitar, Talking Drum – John*
Maracas, Percussion [Bicycle Bell, Asses Jawbone] – Gus Dudgeon
Percussion [Clapper Board] – Mike Noble
Soprano Saxophone – Lol Coxhill
Written by Kongos* - 5:20
A2 - Jubilee Cloud
Lead Guitar, Piano – Caleb Quaye
Synthesizer – Mike Moran
Tambourine – Ray Cooper
Written by Kongos*, Leroy* - 4:06
A3 - Gold
Acoustic Guitar – Caleb Quaye
Arranged By [Brass and Choir] – Robert Kirby
Backing Vocals – Mike Noble, Peter & Alex
Congas – Ray Cooper
Written by Demetriou*, Kongos* - 4:28
A4 - Lift Me From The Ground
Electric Guitar – John*
Lead Guitar, Piano – Caleb Quaye
Written by Kongos*, Bailey* - 4:04
A5 - Come On Down Jesus
Brass – David Chambers*
Guitar [Electric Rhythm] – John*
Lead Guitar – Caleb Quaye
Piano – Mike Moran
Tambourine – Ray Cooper
Written by Kongos*, Moran* - 3:38
Side 2:
B1 - I Would Have Had A Good Time
Electric Piano, Organ – Mike Moran
Piano – Caleb Quaye
Written by Kongos* - 4:20
B2 - Try To Touch Just One
Lead Guitar, Piano – Caleb Quaye
Maracas – Ray Cooper
Synthesizer – Mike Moran
Written by Kongos* - 6:45
B3 - Tomorrow I'll Go
Cello – Claire Denize*
Guitar [Finger Style] – Ralph McTell
Synthesizer – Mike Moran
Written by Kongos* - 4:48
B4 - He's Gonna Step On You Again
Electric Guitar – Caleb Quaye
Electric Guitar, Bass, Bells, Castanets – John*
Percussion [Chair Squeak, Rusty Tin, Earth Drums] – Gus Dudgeon
Synthesizer, Talking Drum, Drum [Handdrum] – Mike Moran
Written by Demetriou*, Kongos* - 4:47
Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Trident Studios
Recorded At – Air Studios
Recorded At – Mortlake Studios
Mixed At – Trident Studios
Printed By – Shorewood Packaging
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Elektra Records
Pressed By – Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Santa Maria
Copyright © – Essex Music International Ltd.
Copyright © – Chrysalis Music Ltd.
Copyright © – Carlin Music Corp.
Copyright © – Enquiry Music Ltd.
Published By – Tro-Essex Music International, Inc.
Published By – Noma Music, Inc.
Credits:
Acoustic Guitar – John* (tracks: A1 to A4, B1 to B3)
Art Direction – Robert L. Heimall
Backing Vocals – Sue & Sunny (tracks: A2 to B1)
Bass – Dave Glover* (tracks: A1 to B2)
Drums – Roger Pope (tracks: A1 to B2, B4)
Illustration – Peter Schaumann
Photography By – Spud Murphy (3)
Producer – Gus Dudgeon
Remix – Roy Thomas Baker
Supervised By [American Production Supervisor] – Jac Holzman
Vocals – John*
Notes:
Columbia, Santa Maria pressing denoted by "S" etch in runouts.
Insert with lyrics and information provided.
Recorded at Trident, Air London and Mortlake Studios, London.
Remix at Trident (Roy Baker)
Shorepak-U.S. Patent No. 3,301,467
Baoi ᓬᓬ Etch is on unknown list https://www.discogs.com/forum/thread/743281?page=11#7499213
© 1971 Essex Music International Ltd. London, England
TRO-ESSEX MUSIC INTERNATIONAL, INC., New York, controls all publication rights for the U.S.A. and Canada (exc. A3: Essex Music International Ltd. & Chrysalis Music Ltd., London, England; B3: © 1969 Carlin Music Corp. and Enquiry Music Ltd. All rights administered by Noma Music, Inc.)
Barcode and Other Identifiers
Matrix / Runout (A Side label): EKS-75019-A
Matrix / Runout (B SIde label): EKS-75019-B
Matrix / Runout (A Side etched, variant 1): EKS-75019 A-1-RE ᓬᓬ S
Matrix / Runout (B Side etched, variant 1): EKS-75019 B-1-RE ᓬᓬ S
Matrix / Runout (Runout A etched, variant 2): 1 EKS-75019 A-RE ᓬᓬ A3 Ƨ
Matrix / Runout (Runout B etched, variant 2): 1 EKS-75019 B-1-RE ᓬᓬ A5 S
John Kongos – Kongos
Label: Elektra – EKS-75019
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Santa Maria Pressing
Country: US
Released: 1972
Genre: Rock
Garage Hangover ~
Styrous® ~ Friday, August 6, 2021
Label: Elektra – EKS-75019
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Santa Maria Pressing
Country: US
Released: 1972
Genre: Rock
Viewfinder links:
Net links:
Genius ~ Kongos (complete album lyrics)
Musicians Olympus ~ Kongos, Quaye, Pope, Dudgeon & Moran
An Overdose Of Fingal Cocoa ~ John Kongos
YouTube links:
Happy Mondays ~ Step On
John Kongos ~ I Love Mary
John Kongos ~ Kongos
Kongos (complete) (20 mins. 48 secs.)
Tokoloshe Man
Jubilee Cloud
Gold
Lift Me From The Ground
Come On Down Jesus
I Would Have Had A Good Time
Try To Touch Just One
Tomorrow I'll Go
He's Gonna Step On You Again
Jubilee Cloud
Gold
Lift Me From The Ground
Come On Down Jesus
I Would Have Had A Good Time
Try To Touch Just One
Tomorrow I'll Go
He's Gonna Step On You Again
"It's not the things you do
it's what ya never get round to
that makes ya sad."
~ John Kongos
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