Heartwarming ‘Dusty & Stones’ Spotlights the Talents of African Country Music Duo

Forrest Hartman

 

AT A GLANCE

DUSTY & STONES

CRITICAL RATING: 3 stars out of 4

DIRECTOR AND PRODUCER: Jesse Rudoy

FEATURING: Gazi “Dusty” Simelane and Linda “Stones” Msibi

AVAILABLE: In select theaters

 

In the most touching moment of the music documentary Dusty & Stones (First Run Features), the two protagonists break down in tears. The reason? The duo is listening to a fully mixed version of one of their songs, recorded with the help of Nashville producer Robert Ellis Orrall, top-tier Music City players and Grammy-winning mixer Jamie Tate.

 

As an amateur musician myself (I occasionally play for money, but not much), the moment resonated. This, I thought, illustrates the power of music. The biggest joy for most is not the quest for celebrity, the roar of massive crowds, or boatloads of cash. Those things go to a select few. For the rest of us, the reward is in sharing one’s art with the world … and, of course, the music itself.

 

 

For cousins Gazi Simelane (known as Dusty) and Linda Msibi (Stones), the chance to hear their songs produced and played in a manner they had only dreamed of was worthy of tears. You see, they play traditional American country music in their homeland of Eswatini, more familiarly known as Swaziland, the former official name.

 

If you’re wondering what this small African nation could possibly know about Hank Williams, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, and other country greats, you are forgiven. I had no idea anyone in Swaziland listened to country music prior to watching producer/director Jesse Rudoy’s documentary. But it turns out there is an audience, and Dusty and Stones had won a number of country music awards at home before stepping in front of Rudoy’s cameras. Still, country music success in Swaziland isn’t the same as success in America, so small advances feel remarkably impactful to the musicians.

 

It is important to note early on that Dusty & Stones is a good country act. Not good for two young guys from Africa. Good for anyone, anywhere. The first time the duo launched into a song in the documentary, I did a double take. Their distinctive accents were gone and – had I heard the soundtrack alone – I would have predicted it came from seasoned Texas professionals.

 

 

As with any quality documentary, Dusty and Stones asks audiences to contemplate a variety of interesting phenomena. One is just how global music has become. Thanks to ever-increasing media saturation and the internet, the idea of musical boundaries is largely disappearing. Who is to say the best country music in the world can’t originate from Africa, while the finest Irish jigs get produced in Italy?

 

 Although Dusty & Stones asks us to reconsider musical boundaries, that isn’t its primary goal. At heart, the film is a feelgood story about two talented musicians pursuing their dreams against remarkable odds. It’s compelling, and Dusty and Stones are so affable that I was easily sucked in. Anyone who has chased a dream should be able to see themselves in these two men. Further, their sweet dispositions and obvious awe at visiting America’s country music homeland remind us that artists aren’t just outsized personas who barrage us with corporate-sponsored posts on social media. They reinforce the fact that every Taylor Swift is a stand-in for thousands of hopeful singer-songwriters who ply their trades at local pubs and coffeeshops often for little more than $100 and beer.

 

Personally, I found joy in watching Dusty and Stones do their thing … especially when they show such gratitude in every frame.  

 

 

Despite its generally upbeat narrative, the movie is not all sugar. When the guys arrive at a music competition in Jefferson, Texas (the reason they came to the U.S. in the first place), it’s immediately clear that the event isn’t what they dreamed. Not only do they have to play earlier than expected -- with a band they just met -- and little rehearsal, but attendance is sparse. The duo is clearly disappointed, but they plod forward. This sort of setback has happened to most musicians, and Dusty & Stones follow the old-school advice handed down to everyone who’s set foot in front of an audience: “Deliver the same show to one person that you would to 1,000.”

 

Along with following the guys to America, Rudoy does a nice job introducing viewers to their roots, including the extended family that still supports them. Obviously, the director’s crew had incredible access, which helps with any documentary, and the result is an intimate film accessible to viewers of all backgrounds. 

 

Author Bio:

Forrest Hartman is Highbrow Magazine’s chief film critic.

 

For Highbrow Magazine

 

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