Clegg’s Volcanic Beat Heats Up Wiltern

In the world-beat scene, white South African singer-songwriter Johnny Clegg is a master at spinning sensitive, provocative, politically oriented tales, many related to the turmoil in his homeland. The framework is Westernized pop-rock, spiced with traditional Zulu rhythms, buoyed by booming, angelic harmonies.

At least that’s how it comes across on his albums. When Clegg and his band Savuka hit the stage--as at the Wiltern Theatre on Friday--it’s party time!

They really leaped into another league, with Derek De Beer setting the tone with his sledgehammer drumming. Those who came to savor lyrics were out of luck. You could barely hear what Clegg was singing about on such songs as “When the System Has Fallen” and “One (Hu)Man, One Vote.”

With his athletic African dancing, Clegg encouraged the party atmosphere, and he didn’t employ any solemn ballads to slow things down. But just so the audience wouldn’t leave without any feeling for the South African strife that inspires his music, Clegg did preface some songs with eloquent introductions. But how can you focus on noble messages when you’re stomping to a volcanic beat?