Customer Reviews

Amandla! A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

At a time in his life when most people are trying to figure out what is best for themselves, Lee Hirsch gave up everything to go to South Africa and begin documenting its music. Ten years later, the result of his efforst, "Amandla: Revolution in Four-Part Harmony," is a brilliant portrayal of the strength and courage of the resistance against Apartheid. Though some may find the notion romantic and unbelievable, rather than using bombs or guns to win the freedom and equality they longed for, they overcame their oppressors through song.
I was lucky enough to attend the Hollywood premiere of the documentary in February of 2003, and hear Mr. Hirsch describe the process of making the film. The thing that has stayed with me the most was shared by the executive producer, Sheila Nevins. She said that in her search to put score to scenes of horrific violence and oppression, she could find no "sad" music. All the music they heard was filled with hope, and most of all--joy. This, more than anything, represents the music on the soundtrack CD. While the soundtrack is extremely moving (Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrica brought me near tears), I would urge a person unfamiliar with the names on the CD to first view the movie; the songs take on a life of their own once the stories behind them are told.

An excellent album. Although I have a fondness for 1950s-era South African "jive" music, I've never been that keen on the other, more modern pop styles. (Too much exposure, from living in Berkeley in the 1980s.) This disc, however, is a great collection which bridges these styles, including representative tunes from a wide variety of artists and eras. The album accompanies a highly-recommended documentary film, which explores the role of music in South Africa's anti-apartheid political movement... Folk tunes, the vast vocal choruses, the funky pop, and the old-fashioned, jazzy jive... It's all there, and the song selection and album pacing are both superior. A highly recommended sampler!

...at an International Human Rights film festival in Durban, South Africa, in July 2003, and was absolutely amazed. Seeing the film there, as opposed to America, was an incredible experience - more than half of the audience was familiar with the music, and my friend, sitting next to me, sang along with every song, under her breath. Afterwards I was lucky enough to meet and talk to Lee Hirsch, the director, about his experiences making the film. At the end of the presentation there was enough energy in the room for him to lead singing and dancing to Shona Malenge (a track which, unfortunately, did not make it on to the CD).
I bought the CD the following day and it hasn't left the vicinity of my CD player yet. You MUST hear this music. (Even better, see the film - to be released October '03).

I got this album as a birthday present, and my mother heard it for the first time when we were roadtripping back home from school in the summertime. When "When You Come Back" started playing, she began to cry in reaction to the music. The soundtrack grabs you by the hand, and runs wherever it may go, before it climaxes at "Usi Letela Uxdolo." An all around amazing disc, that makes me wish I had been old enough to do something "for the cause" before Mandela was freed.

Being an artist and a native South African Zulu I know the role music plays in our lives and in lifting and mobilizing the spirits of my people in good and bad times, and this soundtrack and film do an excellent job in capturing that spirit. GREAT!! I highly recommend it. Simply fabulous. It brought back a lot of memories, some good, some not so good.

Inspirational and transcendent, Amandla! is the embodiment of the power of music. Thank you ATO for embracing this project and bringing these brilliant artists to the forefront. The music on this fantastic CD will blow you away. Everyone should have a copy in their collection ... not just world music lovers. It features the genius of Hugh Masekela, the stunning voice of Miriam Makeba, Vusi Mahlasela and other African musicians.

If you've seen the great film Amandla! or have bought the DVD, do that before buying this CD. The CD is beautiful on its own, but since it is lacking in liner notes and translations, the DVD helps to put everything into context and enhances one's enjoyment of this music. My favorites here include "Sad Times Bad Times" from Miriam Makeba's 1959 musical play "King Kong" (I wish this soundtrack was available on CD in its entirety), the South African National Anthem, and the utterly beautuful and breathtaking "Untold Story." Anyone who hears that song after seeing it in the original film with dry eyes is someone with a serious lack of emotion! Enjoy!

Winner of the Audience Award and Freedom of Expression Award at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival, Amandla! A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony tells the story of black South African freedom music and reveals the central role it played in the long battle against apartheid. The soundtrack for this documentary carries the heart and soul of the film. The music is the message, and its repeated on the soundtrack.

Loaded with tracks from famous freedom singers such as Vusi Mahlasela, Mbongeni Ngema, and the Robben-Island Prison Singers, the soundtrack takes you back to this struggle for freedom, and fills you with the emotions that most certainly drove the people of South Africa to overthrow Apartheid.

Perhaps the best thing about this soundtrack(and the film), is its power to motivate. Music has long been the drum of calling to bring people together for a common cause, and this soundtrack exemplifies what exactly that can do to a movement.

My husband lived in South Africa at the end of the aparthied movement. When I gave him this CD it was one of the happiest days of his life. He remembered all of the songs and everything that went with each of them. Then we saw the documentary on Cinamax and he had to have that because he remembered everything in it. If you have the chance to see the movie, do. And buy this CD if only they could have sqeezed a few more songs and artists onto it. Maybe they will come up with an "Amandla 2."

This CD is absolutely stunning ... I have been in South Africa on vacation and everytime I listen to this CD ... I am day dreaming ... Cape Town ... Robben Island ... Johannesburg ... Soweto ... all the places where generations of South African had been denied their freedom ... aboslutely stunning ... the incredible struggle of this incredible people ... and on top of everybody ... like a real king ... one of the best souls that our planet has seen ... NELSON MANDELA ... the best ... a person who should never die ... get this CD ... and if you haven't been yet to South Africa ... start saving money ... to go there as soon as you can ... you will love ... and when you will be back ... you will love this CD even more ... :D XA