Josef Marais

I had a request for music by Marais and Miranda, and while I do not have any records by that early folk duo, I do have this record made by Josef Marais before he met Rosa de Miranda.

The rustic cover image is deceiving. Marais was a well-trained South African violinist who started singing folk songs almost by accident. He had settled in London, and somehow was engaged to record folk songs in Africaans for HMV to sell in South Africa. This led to BBC work, with Marais later moving his base of operations to New York.

Marais made his first recordings for American Decca in 1941; this is a 10-inch LP version of his second set, which dates from shortly thereafter. His popularity was deserved; these songs can be very charming, although I have to say that Siembamba has one of the most bizarre lyrics I have ever heard. "Twist his neck and hit him on the head; throw him in the ditch and he'll be dead!" And this is a lullaby? Pleasant dreams!

[August 2019 update: newly available discographical information shows that Marias' first recordings were in 1939. This set was recorded in 1941.]

If Marching to Pretoria sounds familiar, it was a staple of the Smothers Brothers repertoire. If I remember correctly, it was generally the jumping off point for the folk duo's comedy act.

See this detailed site for more on Marais and Miranda and some of their recordings together.