Just before the New Year, one of Trevor's enduring colleagues of the South African years - musician/engineer/producer Julian Laxton - posted on his Facebook page a piece written by Trevor and it's a touching tribute to their association; it will serve as the forward for Laxton's upcoming autobiography. It's a testament to the influence of Freedom's Children on Trevor's musical landscape (not to mention the whole of South Africa), and a nice snapshot of Trevor and Ronnie in their teens being wowed by those psychedelic warriors.
As long-time fans are aware, Trevor worked with Laxton for several years on the Rabbitt albums (Rabbitt would cover the FC song "Tribal Fence") as well as Laxton's solo releases and other studio projects. But Trevor and Ronnie's involvement in Freedom's Children came after Laxton's tenure, he departed the band in 1972.
Here is the link to the original post:
https://www.facebook.com/julian.laxton.71/posts/10211693435630864
But I have included it here for those who don't care to click through.
Many years ago I went with my friend and band mate (Ronnie Friedman) to a band he was into. Freedoms Children.
Being a guitar player, I was quite a harsh critic and very seldom would "glow" at other guitarists. Call it competitiveness.
Consequently I was rarely impressed with my competition, least of all from local players. However that night at the City Hall in Johannesburg, I witnessed someone who left me speechless. He was Julian Laxton.
He was so far ahead of anyone in South Africa and I would argue a match for those in and outside of South Africa.
Freedoms Children had done an album called "Astra". I would also argue, to my ears, the finest South African album to date.
There were 4 band members.
However, without Julian's unique ability as an engineer and producer, the vocals would have sounded "ok" as apposed to electric and unique, the same with the drum sound.
The songs would probably have been "ok" folk songs.
What Julian did with Astra, is produce the greatest prog rock record in South African history. Nothing in South African music history comes close.
When I (as I still do) listen to Astra, I am amazed by the taste, the sound of the guitar, the atmosphere of the vocals, the strength of the drum sound, the arrangement "between " the keyboards and guitar and just the sheer brilliance of the production.
I consider myself a good producer, I have worked with successful producers including Bob Ezrin, Trevor Horn,..... but they don't began to compare to the production prowess of Julian Laxton.
Coincidentally, the other producer I consider on an equal footing to Jules, is my good friend Mutt Lange.
But for Julian Laxton, I don't believe anyone would have given a shit about Ramsey Mackays songs.
In conclusion, Astra would not be alive without Julian.
Julian and I would often play on the same bill at shows..........we became friends and are to this day.
He is one of the most important guitarists, producers ever to come out of South Africa.
The "South African musician" has long suffered from an inferiority complex when comparing themselves to "music from overseas"
This was never the case with Julian Laxton.
South Africa doesn't make artists like him anymore.
He broke the mold. I love you Jules….
