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David's Confession

BACKGROUND - DAVID'S CONFESSION

David's Confession is a theatrical musical concept. 'About Time', which was recorded and staged twelve years ago, is the first chapter of a four chapter saga.

David's Confession is the creation of renowned and award-winning singer/songwriter Mel Botes. Mel teamed early 1998 up with the group Georgia, three Botha-brothers namely Andries, Philip and Conrad, who made music together since their childhood. The sibling bond complimented the musical synthesis between them and timely advent of a talented Mel Botes took their musical abilities to another level.

WHAT IS DAVID'S CONFESSION ALL ABOUT?

It is a personal tribute to a man's inner struggle with good and evil.

Mel explains: "Initially David was the central character of a book I deliberated over for 12 years. I never explored the possibility of publishing the book as it felt too personal. However, David's character was so strong and compelling that I felt forced to give him a voice — hence, the lyrics illustrate David's exceptional journey.

"I traveled extensively abroad and only a fellow-backpacker will understand the range of emotions one experiences. You meet people who become an integral part of your life, yet you leave them behind without a second glance. A backpacker is subjected to hundreds of diverse experiences intertwined with incredible adventures. Traveling reaffirmed my belief that man will always be exposed to temptation, yet goodness will prevail," states Mel.

After traveling abroad for eighteen months, Mel returned to South Africa. He drove to Sun City to approach Georgia (who at that stage played in Trader Horns as the resident band) and asked them to become part of this major project. They agreed immediately and thereafter Mel commuted every week to Sun City to work with them on the music.

Karen Cutts, at that stage the Entertainment Manager at Sun City, has been at the cutting edge of entertainment in Africa since the heydays of the Market Theatre. Karen joined Sun International in 1996 and spearheaded the Entertainment Division. She walked into Trader Horns one afternoon while Mel and the three brothers were rehearsing.

"Their raw talent and range astounded me," she remembers. "To discover potential in its early stages is a powerful aphrodisiac and we began working together to develop their musical skills and their performance on stage."

Sun City then took over the management of David's Confession and appointed music maestro Johan Laas to produce and arrange their album.

David's Confession, the album, was recorded over a seven-week period (excluding pre-production) in the well-equipped Bop-studios in Mmabatho. The media launch took place during the same year in the Sun City Extravaganza-theatre.

During their season David Confession opened for well known international acts like Hootie and the Blowfish and the popular Greek singer Anna Vissi in the Sun City Superbowl.

Other performances in the Superbowl included The Chora Awards, the international Ballroom Dance competition and various corporate functions. The band performed live in front of Michael Jackson and had jamming-sessions with London based players like the backing band for Sarah Brightman and Al Vosper, guitarist for Chris de Burgh.

After almost two years as the resident show at Sun City, Conrad was tragically involved in a serious, almost fatal motorbike accident which left him with major injuries. Mel, Andries and Philip went thereafter on a countrywide tour, but it was never the same again.

But now, after all these years, Mel decided finally to take the multi-dimensional music experience back to stage! The music of David's Confession will eventually be revived and relived!

Reviews

By Leon Economides

The last time this incredible and sorely missed theatrical rock music production was staged, was in December 1999. David’s Confession is not a band — it's a musical project, the brainchild of respected songwriter/vocalist/guitarist Mel Botes, surely one of SA's national assets. It features original drummer/vocalist Philip Botha, nowadays known as Ghapi, an incredible talent who could quite easily compliment any world class band you care to name. Augmented by some of the finest session players in the country, as well as a six member choir, the stage was set for what was to be one of the most memorable and exciting evenings in the history of SA rock music. This was the second and last of two shows held at this fantastic venue.

The setting was perfect, the lighting and sound spot on, and the musicianship flawless, with the costumes and at times robotic movements of the three male and three stunning female vocalists/dancers adding to the spectacular production. With "Journey To The Centre Of The Earth" — type narration by Michael Richards, the story of David unfolded, accompanied by some of the finest conceptual progressive rock music you will ever hear, in South Africa, or anywhere in the world. The excellent Jon Delinger handled a number of lead vocal parts, together with both Ghapi and Mel. The original album, entitled "About Time", and released in 1999, was featured in its entirety, from beginning to end. It's unfortunately not available, but is available as a FREE download via www.melbotes.co.za until 12 April 2011 @ midnight! The album, produced by Peter Pearlson, is an unrivalled milestone of progressive rock in this country, matched only by the likes of Off The Edge and very few others.

The word "masterpiece" immediately springs to mind. But the production was more than that. It was creative, exciting, dramatic, emotional, and, for some, a dream come true. It was David’s Confession, live, at last. It’s about time.

The story continues……

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