That song
Jeremy Taylor, fortunately, doesn't need an introduction. He's the guy that wrote that song. But, even then, the old Englishman who came here in the 1950s is deserving of more from modern critics and the like. His show comes highly recommended, from more than just myself. This could very well be very well be his last show.
Dressed in brown flannels and a simple white shirt, Jeremy Taylor actually appears nervous. It's been nearly 50 years to the day since Ag Pleez Deddy got him in trouble with the old South African regime. The SABC refused to air it for 20 years. Next to him is a table. On it a glass of water, carafe, capo, guitar and a guitar case with evidence of many travels.
Earlier, I asked Christine Skinner, Kalk Bay's resident publicist, what Jeremy is going to do tonight.
"I don't know. He said he's going to go on stage and see how he feels."
At first, Jeremy talks a bit about Ag Pleez Deddy, the one-hit wonder that's been haunting him. And everyone wonders if the guitar is a prop or if it will be played. Eventually he picks it up and starts with: "I wrote this song ... " This formula is repeated several times, as almost every song was accompanied by an amusing and enlightening anecdote. It's always a crowd pleaser when artists are so willing to share the secrets of their creations.
But then it's on with the show. His old and wizened voice caressing the songs like a guilty glove. Eyes glazed, staring into the void as if his mind's looking over the past from a life that's come full circle. Almost a Kleenex moment, but then it all feels so good. Songs about lift girls in big department stores and Afrikaans newspapers. Jeremy looks at his audience with the look of grandfather who knows he just said something tongue in cheek and he's waiting for your response. Soon enough, Taylor leads us down the muddy trenches and hollow corridors of apartheid. He apologised several times, ever aware of the scabs he can open.
Piece of Ground is the Ag Pleez Deddy that no one wanted to hear. Never mind what South Africa banned, this is the hit the recording company wouldn't give a second listen to. Jeremy recalls his younger self sitting on stage, wearing trousers, disguising his legs shaking with fear. Tonight it's merely a footnote of an ugly history.
In-between, Jeremy treats us to quasi-love stories, England and poems. One specific poem, called A Night to Remember, is when Steve Biko was caught. It recalls the story of two officials waiting for the legendary freedom fighter at a roadblock on dark and starry night. Not afraid to use the K word so popular at the time, his imitation of the public enemy and polecat of the world in the 1960s is chilling, because we all know how it ends. But Jeremy adds his own theory: that a good politician is one who fights because it's a personal, not business.
This is something that Jeremy understands very well, considering that he's an Englishman who fell in love with another country and made it his own. Who knows how Jeremy will feel on his next performance. I hope he does the same. Either that, or it gives you a reason to see him twice.
Jeremy Taylor will perform for a limited season at Kalk Bay Theatre till the 19 March
