Born in Bloemfontein, South Africa, Coenie was educated at University of the Free State in Bloemfontein majoring in media studies where he later on lectured in the Communications faculty. He has always viewed his musical career as his second vocation. He is also a classically trained pianist. Coenie is the anchor presenter in popular South African kykNET journal program "Kwela".
During the late 1980s, Coenie spent a few years in self-imposed exile in Cyprus. Coenie has also performed in New Zealand, Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, and the United Kingdom.
Coenie signed with Mountain Records in 1983, and recorded his debut album, Skoppensboer, working with producer, Patrick Lee-Thorp and engineer, Kevin Shirley, in the same year. He subsequently recorded 4 albums for the label many of which won industry awards. In addition he contributed to label compilations of his work. Since leaving Mountain Records he has recorded a number of one off projects for different labels.
Coenie lived on the island of Cyprus during the eighties and nineties. He wrote, recorded and produced the album Amper Alleen in Cyprus and in Athens, Greece. Amper Alleen was the second SA album to be released on CD. Coenie and his family returned to South Africa after the release of Nelson Mandela and the unbanning of the ANC. He released Hartland, an album which included a vocal performance by Lesley Rae Dowling.
Handgemaakte Blues
Coenie De Villiers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Daar is nie 'n enkele digitale instrument
op hierdie klassieke twelve-bar blues
opname nie. Daar is niks wat kan
vergelyk met die brom en suis van 'n ou
valve-aangedrewe Hammond orrel nie,
en Craig speel die blues soos 'n mens
moet: met 'n lekker hardegat passie.
The lyrics to Coenie De Villiers's song Handgemaakte Blues are rich in imagery and evoke a feeling of nostalgia for a bygone era. The song begins with the singer describing a time when things were simpler, and the only music that was played was the "handmade blues." The handcrafted nature of the blues is highlighted throughout the song, as the singer contrasts it with the modern, digital music that is ubiquitous today.
The repeated refrain of "handgemaakte blues" serves to emphasize the importance of this music, not just as a form of entertainment but as a reflection of the time and culture in which it existed. The image of the valve-augmented Hammond organ is also significant, as it represents a time when music was made with real instruments, by real people, rather than by machines.
Overall, the lyrics of Handgemaakte Blues celebrate an important piece of cultural heritage, and remind us of the importance of preserving traditional forms of music.
Line by Line Meaning
Daar is nie 'n enkele digitale instrument
There is not a single digital instrument
op hierdie klassieke twelve-bar blues
in this classic twelve-bar blues recording.
Daar is niks wat kan
There is nothing that can
vergelyk met die brom en suis van 'n ou
compare with the hum and hiss of an old
valve-aangedrewe Hammond orrel nie,
valve-driven Hammond organ.
en Craig speel die blues soos 'n mens
and Craig plays the blues as one
moet: met 'n lekker hardegat passie.
should: with a good hard-assed passion.
Contributed by Chase R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.