Late Again - apologies - Although we do keep up with our own times, music, muse and news, this is an archive site of sorts -- so what's a few weeks either way when you're in the process of making history? The information & views we post on the 3rd Ear Music Website has no sell/buy date & is not restricted to some dusty old museum shelf life. This is a living Archive - past, present & future.

(News Forum) > South African Music Content A PIPE DREAM FOR SOME & SMOKE SCREEN TO MANY - It's Playback Time cries Groucho Marks as he contemplates The ICASA "Position Paper", the sudden epidemic of Pop Idols & other imported corporate commodities. With no music transformation or development programmes in place the media & the sponsors are jumping in straight to the top. Bad timing. A waste of money... & not a SAfrican song is featured??? ... read more >>

(Projects) > Brian Finch His critically acclaimed CD looks to set the world alight - for a release in 3 USA States - but you won't hear it here ommercially, for sometime. Limited Edition CDs were submitted to 4 major African labels and not one of them had the courtesy to say yea or nay. Amazing? No not really. ... read more >> Read also: ...Scary or What? >> ...The ICASA White paper >>

(News Forum) > Dave Plod Tarr Dave Plod Tarr's farewell organized by KEN E HENSON brings out the best of the old & young Rockers, Rappers, Jazz Oaks & Folk & Joubert Malherbe / Pretoria News is Looking back in dearness and 'dank'. ...read more >>

(News Forum) > Scary or What? The top-heavy pale-male international record industry is in trouble...not only here in Africa - but also worldwide. And they wonder why? Richard Haslop sent us this little peace to ponder. ...read more >> (News Forum) > Mountains of Men & Cowboy Songs on Robben Island - 1967 The Music our Leaders listened too on the Island...both kinds - Country & Western. Cowboy songs that were deemed dangerous & unfit for audio consumption, censored & banned. Believe it or not! ...read more >>

(Projects) > The BLUE BOTTLES BLUES - It was a great 10 weeks at the most stunning venue in the country - but the bottom line wasn't reached. ...check out the gallery >>

(HY Archives) > OWEN COETZER flips back to Flame STEVE FATAAR & ROGER LUCEY at a legendary Amphitheatre Concert in Durban concert - circa 1979 courtesy of MUSIC MAKER - & checks out the Life of BRIAN after FINCH & HENSON in the Cape Argus 2002. ...read more >>

> KwaZulu-Natal & FREE STATE FESTIVAL FRENZY- it's SPLASHY, RUSTLER'S & SOUTHERN CROSS music festival time. Check out the links page for booking & general information.

(Reissues) Simba Morri Boundless energy that no major label can put a cap on. He is on the road again. This time it's Capetown. Check out his updated Biog info. ...read more >>

News Snippets:

> Bartle Arts Trust supports the Hidden Years Book project. BAT will support the editing of the HY Book for March & April (due for a September release through Penguin) with thanks to trustees Paul Mikula (pictured here with Maria Criticos at Blue Bottles recently) & Dick Breytenbach. Thanks again to Terry Rosenberg for his support while the HY Book was being written & compiled.

Click images to enlarge

> Mike Dickman who lives in France & still playing up a storm - wants to re-issue bits of YESTERDAYS PAPERS with a few other choice tracks. What do you feel? email 3eM.

> Sister KAY Sister KAY (Kalliope Maguire) sadly passed away - RIP 30.11.1948 - 06.03.2002. If You See Kay (Tell Her I Love Her) - as the song by LEN DOWNING goes; Kay's infectious sense of humour & skill with numbers kept 3rd Ear Music's books & accounting together for many years. Dance on Cookie!

> Gold Record Joke? Fran Marks awards Phyl de Gouveia - from Gold Records - with an old recycled 3rd Ear Gold Record at a recent spontaneous self-congratulatory award ceremony, for sales exceeding Fifty CD's. (If they can do it, so can we.) Seriously though, this is a great HIDDEN YEARS FUND RAISING stunt; we need funds urgently - let's get some media by giving ourselves a pat on the back & a Gold disc.

(WHERE ARE THEY NOW?) > Dylan Marks is constructing his new STRANGER THAN FICTION Website. Find out about his moves with Lara from London to Brighton ...see more photos >>

> Song Lyrics - Featuring 3eM composers' lyrics & anecdotes like: John Gerrard - Bill Knight - Jonathan 'Radio Rat' Handley - Nick Taylor - James Phillips - David Kramer - Tony Bird - Des Lindberg - John Oakley Smith - Chris Mann - David Marks - Roger Lucey.

> Photo Gallery - Here's where Tony Campbell, Rodney Barnett, Manfred Linder, Frank Black, Alf Kumalo and many other photographers' work will play a major role.