CHAMELEON, HYMNS AND PSALMS
NE of the country’s most popular and prolific recording artists, Chris Chameleon, is excited about the release next month of a new album that has him turning to the scriptures for inspiration.
Innovative and endlessly creative, Chameleon has become known for a style all of his own.
He has a charismatic stage personality and a reputation for wowing audiences with his fouroctave voice and vocal acrobatics.
His talent has won him rave reviews and numerous awards, including two South African Music Awards (Samas) and a Medal of Honour from the South African Academy of Science and Arts. Titled
Chameleon’s new album has him performing alongside celebrated guitarist Albert Frost, as well as drummer Riaan van Rensburg and bassist Schalk Joubert .
The lyrics of the 12-song album is inspired by the text of ancient psalms and hymns.
“This is the hardest-rocking album I have recorded in Afrikaans,” says Chameleon.
“I hope it awakens people to the power of God and I hope the unifying cement of music makes us look beyond our differences and into each other’s hearts.”
“I decided to record some of my favourite psalms and hymns, not just because they seem to be disappearing from our general worship, not because I have always wondered what they would sound like if I composed them anew, not only because they take me back to a time when I believed purely as a child does, without the questions of an adult mind, but because they stir my soul and bring me into an intimate conversation with my creator.”
What was most rewarding about he says, was the spiritual depth and thoughtfulness of each song.
Chameleon and the band spent five days in Sunset Recording Studios in Stellenbosch, where they worked through the night to complete the album.
“I can’t help but feel that the process was exceptionally blessed from the onset. It was composed with great ease and recorded expertly in record time.
“The process has never gone so smoothly and effortlessly for me before.” Why the title? “These songs seem to be disappearing from our services.
“I feel they have much value from a Christian viewpoint as well as a cultural one.
“Herleef (”revive”) refers specifically to my wish to give new life to these texts.
“It also refers to my hope that it will ignite a new interest in these words.”
The oldest of the hymns are from the 1920s, and written by Totius, one of the most notable Afrikaans poets.
The fourth track, based on is a special surprise on the album.
The song was recorded in three different studios with six different artists and is a clear reminder of
Othe all-inclusiveness of God’s word and the oneness of His children, says Chameleon.
The musician brought in a wealth of talent when he chose to collaborate with several wellknown artists on this special song, including Laurika Rauch, Loyiso Bala, Neville D, Theuns Jordaan, The Soweto Gospel Choir and Bobby van Jaarsveld.
The lyrics read: (“keep safe all who live here, in love towards one another, and let righteousness still protect the bond of unity”). Chameleon believes this song holds an extremely important message for South Africa.
“We live in a country where divisions are more pronounced than in most other places on the planet.
“We live in a country with many open wounds and daily challenges to not have them scratched open again.
“This song goes beyond the lie of our differences and unites us in a common goal of humanity under the beautiful message of Christ’s love.”
Chameleon believes he has delivered an album for a varied audience.
“I have four-year-olds and 80year-olds attending my shows.”
This album is rockier in sound than his previous album, and he is interested in the reaction from his more mature listeners, but is not overly concerned...
“I have been surprised by their choices in the past. is definitely not is what I have learnt from my audiences.”
Reminiscing on his childhood years spent in church, Chameleon adds: “I was, probably like most children, rather bored in church.
“Churches weren’t very childfriendly in those days and it was a staid affair, with old folks waiting to wallop you if you got restless.
“But then there came the time when I started being able to process the information and participate in the beliefs. That was a very exciting process.”
Chameleon is not one to plan much in his career, especially with albums going forward, however with more than 450 psalms and hymns he feels there certainly is no shortage of material available.
There is also a possibility of a translation of this album into English soon.
He laughs as he recounts an anecdote from the recording process: “I was in charge of the production and that is a fairly authoritative position which requires firm and unwavering action.
“At one point, while in my high chair, barking orders, I leaned back in a motion of self-satisfied accomplishment and the chair tipped over, leaving me on my back with no dignity, let alone authority.
“It was quite funny and I prefer to see it as the Big Boss reminding me of who is really in charge,” he adds with a chuckle.
This time last year, Chameleon was a major attraction at KwaZuluatal’s White Mountain Festival,in the grounds of the lodge of the same name.
The big event is back this weekend and has attracted such stellar acts as Jeremy Loops, The Nomadic Orchestra, Andrew James, Lilly Million, Paige Mac, John Ellis and Zephyr, among many others.
White Mountain Lodge is near Giant’s Castle in the central Drakensberg – 185km from Durban and 25km off the N3 on tarred roads.
Also on offer at the music event, which features acoustic acts, are a variety of fun activities for the whole family: colourful arts and crafts, assorted food stalls and a beer market, as well as full use of the lodge’s facilities, including a restaurant, charming old pub (with satellite television ), children’s playground, swimming pool and convenience store.
Gates open at 7am today and the festival runs until Tuesday.