Tuku's performance at Chibuku Road to Fame disappoints fans

Some fans of Oliver Mtukudzi longing to see his new look Black Spirits band on stage were disappointed after the superstar put up a slack performance at the Chibuku Road To Fame national finals held at the weekend.The act lacked spark, verve and punch to get everyone jiggy on the dance floor. To make matters worse, the granddad of music’s poor choice of songs made his act sound drab.It has been two weeks since Tuku changed his backing group but the new outfit lacks female vocals a situation that saw the “Meso Piriviri” singer’s act quite dead.

During his act at the popular Chibuku Road To Fame, Tuku struggled from start to finish although the more than 5 000 strong crowd screamed when he played the hits “Mutavara” and “Ziwere.” “Something is terribly wrong,” one irate fan said, adding that, “Why is he playing like he was forced to perform?” Another fan said Tuku’s performance left a lot to be desired considering that he was the first act during the after-party.

“Taking music fans for granted is not good. We expected a better performance than what he (Tuku) gave us,” he said. Some music critics echoed the same sentiments arguing that Tuku had deliberately chose not to play songs that have female vocals because ever since Namatayi Mubariki was fired from the group he was yet to get replacements including that of marimba player Charles Chipanga. One Delta Beverages’ official, the sponsors of the Chibuku Road To Fame, who requested anonymity complained about Tuku lackluster performance.

“His (Tuku) performance was simply not up to scratch. Is that what he does when he performs outside the country?” he asked. Already, most of Tuku music fans are asking whether Tuku, who turns 59 this month, will deliver a better act come September 30 at the Andy Millar Hall where he will square up against almost the same line up of musicians among them Macheso, Tongai Moyo and Suluman Chimbetu. Patricia Murambinda and her team at Delta Beverages did a splendid job in organising such a beautiful event in terms of security, stage and quality sound.