The legendary, ever popular and much loved South African singer,
music producer and songwriter, Anton Goosen, is back in the
spotlight with a brand new single that hits deep.
BLY BY MY, (MY LIEF)– a poem by Antjie Krog which he set to music
in his special way for the Woordfees – is a love song in an “Afrikaans
soft blues genre”.
“We had to choose two of Antjie Krog’s poems for the Woordfees’
tribute program, Al om Antjie. Bly by My (Stay with me) is one of her
most famous. There are other tunes with the same title and so I
changed it to BLY BY MY, (MY LOVE), and because it’s not written as
lyric, I added the chorus part,”explains the gifted musician.
The single was produced by Anton and Peter Pearlson, with Illimar
Neitz, Anton’s guitarist, also providing input. It features excellent
Hammond organ and guitar solos by Simon Orange and Illimar
respectively, with enchanting backing vocals by Lise Swart.
Bly by my, (my Lief) forms part of Anton’s new album, Sirkels, which
will be released soon. The album, which contains nine new songs –
including three tunes and two duets –and is a listening album that
includes ballads, stories, dance, protest and rock music.
Anton, who is generally regarded as the father of Afrikaans rock, was
born in 1946 in the Karoo and grew up in Kroonstad. Kruidjie-roer-
my-nie was his first single to achieve commercial success. His first
album, Boy van die suburbs, was also an instant success in 1979.
Over the years, he has collected more hits to his credit than any
other South African Afrikaans composer, including Silver de Lange,
Boy van die Suburbs, Byeboerwa, ‘n Brief vir Simone, Kruidjie-roer-
my-nie, Jantjie, Waterblommetjies,Harlekyn, Hanoverstraat, Trein na
Matjiesfontein, Ta’ Mossie se sakkie-sakkie Boeredans,
Geelperskereën, Pampoene Oppie, Dancer (with Lucky Dube) and
many more.
This living legend has released more than 20 albums, written the
music for several films – including Harlekyn (1980), Jantjie (1984), Die
Laaste Tango (2013), ‘n Pawpaw vir my Darling (2015) and
Siembamba (2017), as well as songs for famous artists including
Laurika Rauch, Carike Keuzenkamp, Richard Clayderman and Koos
Kombuis.
He was also honored with several awards during his decades-long
career as a songwriter and singer, including Sari’s, Ghoemas, Geraas,
Vonk, and then SAMA, Innibos, the FAK and the South African
Academy of Arts and Culture awards for his lifelong contribution to
music. In 2023 he is one of 5 artists inducted into the South African
Gallery of Legends.
In 2022, he launched his own two series of vellies, Jantjie and
Pasgetroud velskoene, in collaboration with Vellies Boutique. Jantjie
was inspired by his hit recorded and popularized by Sonja Herholdt in
1976 and Pasgetroud from his album Lappiesland 1985
Anton Goosen:Liedjieboer, his biography penned by renowned
journalist Hanli Retief, was published by NB publishers in 2020.
Apart from the release of his new album, Anton is working on several
concert performances this year. Film producer Niel van Deventer is
currently working on a four-episode documentary about Anton’s
career.
When he is not busy with his music, he enjoys time – and a glass of
Cape red wine – with his beloved wife, Estie, and their four dogs,
walks on the beach, conversations with friends, reading and watching
series on Netflix or Britbox.
BLY BY MY, (MY LIEF)is a masterful setting of the work of an
exceptional poet by an iconic Afrikaans artist. It is definitely a song
that will leave deep traces in the Afrikaans music industry, just like
Anton has been doing for years.
