Lisa Denton and Barry Courter
BARRY COURTER: Lisa, I've been singing (in my head, thankfully, most will agree) "I bless the rains down in Africa" all week, and it suddenly occurred to me that I have no clue what that even means.
LISA DENTON: You're farther along than I am. I've always thought it was, "I bet the rains down in Africa / Gonna take some time to do the things we never had."
I wondered how powerful those rains must be to do, well, whatever they're gonna take some time to do. OK, so even with the right word, I'm still lost in these lyrics.
BARRY: So I did what any human being in 2017 would do and went to Google. It's either about a guy in love with an African woman, a woman's reproductive organ or the Communist takeover of South Africa and Rhodesia, according to some interpreters.
LISA: The Communist takeover is beyond my historical knowledge, but I can totally see the love thing. But it's only on the man's part, judging by the opening lines: "I hear the drums echoing tonight / But she hears only whispers of some quiet conversation." Sounds like those pounding drums mean he's all hot and bothered, and she just wants to be friends.
BARRY: Makes me wish I'd asked Toto keyboardist Steve Porcaro when I had him on the phone a few weeks ago. His brother Jeff co-wrote "Africa" with David Paich. I've always loved the rhythms on that song. Locals will remember that Overland used to do a great cover version.
LISA: Maybe they'll explain the meaning Sunday when they're at the Tivoli Theatre. Along with who they're singing about in "Rosanna."
Don't forget that same night neo-soul star Maxwell will be at Memorial Auditorium with Ledisi and Leela James.
It's amazing that we're already talking about June events. This year is flying by.
BARRY: That means Riverbend is nigh. There is plenty more music this week, though. If you're into electronic music, Flux Pavilion will be at Track 29 on Wednesday, the same night that Walrus, a local band from Cleveland is at The Camp House. Great Peacock and the High Divers are at Revelry Room on Thursday. And New Moon, which reckons to be "The Ultimate '90s Country Tribute Band" is at Revelry Room on Saturday. Jack Pearson is at Songbirds on Saturday.
LISA: And don't forget that Songbirds will have Chattanooga artist Johnny Balik on Friday for a pre-Bonnaroo kickoff concert. He's in the lineup for the New Music on Tap Lounge on the opening day of the Bonnaroo Festival, which is June 8-11 in Manchester, Tenn. He's worth checking out.
BARRY: Oh, I have. Definitely going to catch is show on The Farm, as the cool kids call it. Looking forward to meeting him as well.
Get event details every Thursday in ChattanoogaNow or online anytime at www.ChattanoogaNow.com.
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354. Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.