Customer Reviews

Guiding Star

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It's hard to know where to begin when writing about Vusi Mahlasela and his music, simply because there is so much to the man's creativity. In his remarkable voice, one can hear both sensitivity and strength, playfulness and wisdom. Above all else, there is expressed an uncommon generosity of spirit. "Guiding Star" features music that is joyful, even when the lyrics are somewhat chilling, but it is always Vusi's spirit which shines through. This album is highly recommended, but best of all is seeing him in concert.

Oh, and if you're interested in his first three albums, your best bet is amazon.co.uk. There's a box set called "The Collection" with the albums "When You Come Back," "The Wisdom of Forgiveness," and "Silang Mabele." As of this writing, the price is about $27.

New addition to my review, Dec 1st 2007 -

I got this CD on preorder and had it in my mailbox the day it came out, I wrote the first review about 2 weeks later and now looking back about a year later I have to add to it. This CD is just a classic, it's an epic CD, it's amazing. I'm still playing this CD at least 3 times a week. I can't believe I actually considered giving it only 4 stars. "Jabula" is still my favorite song, but I also love "Ntombe Mbali" and "Mighty River" almost as much and with their organ sounding effects. I love all the songs on it really. I also had the pleasure of seeing Vusi live this summer, and if you ever get the chance, don't miss him, I drove 3 hours to see the show, I would have bought a plane ticket if I had to.

Original review:

"Jabula" ranks up there close to "When You Come Back" as one of my favorite Vusi songs. He really got the South African sound in there, but I'm also really hearing a Celtic influence in the drumming, pretty amazing how he pulled it off, the best song I've heard released in 2007, and probably will remain that way. I also loved "Moleko" and it's rythm. "Chamber of Justice" is pretty cool, has a reggae sounding rhythm to it, definitely something you could throw into a either a reggae mix or African mix and it would fit right in with both.

Every song is masterfully crafted, Vusi and his guests are top notch performers. My only not 100% positive comment on this is that some of the songs get a little "Dave Mathewish" sounding, which is not a complaint, but I was hoping to hear more of the South African sound like I did on "Voice". While I gave it 5 stars, I was debating to give it 4 because of this, but I figured this was personal preference and shouldn't reflect the quality of the music which is well deserving of 5 stars.

Vusi Mahlasela is known as "The Voice" in South Africa,but he's a masterful guitarist as well. Mahlasela has been busy lately-from touring in support of this album,to being part of Putumayo World Music's "Acoustic Africa" tour,and performing at the Johannesburg venue of Live Earth on 7/7/07. He's an electrifying singer. I first heard him on Putumayo's "Acoustic Africa",singing the lilting,lullabye-like "Basimyana."

His "Guiding Star" is a haunting collection of songs,many of them about the suffering under apartheid. His "Chamber of Justice" is a haunting reggae-styled song about the nature of good and evil. "Sower of Words",a touching duet with Dave Matthews,is a tribute to a South African poet who stood up to apartheid. Dave Matthews,whose voice usually grates cheese,provides a soft,thoughtful accompaniment. "Song for Thandi" is about a pregnant woman persecuted during apartheid who was nearly forced to kill herself--but chose life because of the life within her. There are deeply spiritual songs such as "River Jordan","Heaven in my Heart" and "Thula Mama." There are great collaborations with Derek Trucks&the Welsh singer-songwriter Jem.The bonus track,a cover of Miriam Makeba's "Pata Pata",is a joyous dance song that catches the spirit of the original. Warning:this song may cause toe-tapping.

As a whole,"Guiding Star" is a brilliant combination of electrifying acoustic guitar playing and powerful singing. Dave Matthews rightly compares Vusi Mahlasela to Neil Young,Bob Marley,Miles Davis&Marvin Gaye. The album is great music for great causes-a portion of the proceeds go to Nelson Mandela's HIV/AIDS global awareness campaign and Vusi Mahlasela's Music Development Foundation.

While this album is relatively mainstream,it's a perfect introduction to South African music.It complements Angelique Kidjo's "Djin Djin" and Putumayo's "Acoustic Africa." It could be called "Vusi Mahlasela:Unplugged." It's hardly overproduced;it's the guitar and The Voice-a perfect sonic pairing.

Beautiful music... beautiful purpose... I felt good spending the money after hearing the story... listening was icing on the cake!

Guiding Star is a great CD with many collaborations from superstars of North America and around the world. Musicians like Derek Trucks, Dave Matthews, Xavier Rudd and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Check out the song Jabula, Tibidi Waka, Moleko and Chamber of Justice for a real sample of this recording. Great guitar work and inspired vocals by Vusi and his guests.

I first heard a tiny bit of this man's voice on the International presentation of "Stand By Me", I was so impressed, I bought his CD and it is just wonderful. A great addition to anyone's collection!

I had the great fortune to see Vusi Mahlasela in concert about a year ago. It was a terrific concert and the energy built during the performance. I was surprised it took the audience until near the end to get up and start dancing. This CD captures a lot of that happy energy. I'd wager dollars to donuts that there's no one who can listen to this CD and not get to swaying or tapping their feet.

The songs on this selection are a little more electronic and closer to popular music and I thought I wouldn't like it as much as "The Voice" which has a more intimate, acoustic feel to it. But I have to say I might even like Guiding Star better.

Pretty Good. Some great songs, but some a little cheesy. I kinda wish he didn't write English songs. But overall good. I would still recommend it.