Customer Reviews

In Harmony: Live at Royal Albert Hall

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This is simply a gorgeous sounding a capella live album from the South African choral and dance group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, who became world famous by their collaboration with Paul Simon on his groundbreaking 1986 album, Graceland. What partially drew Simon to an appreciation of Ladysmith was that their playful a capella vocal chants in rhythmic harmony evoked some of the early doo wop groups that Simon heard and loved while growing up in the 1950's...only Ladysmith Black Mambazo sings primarily in their native tongue of Zulu. Ladysmith Black Mambazo had been recording for nearly 30 years and had made over 40 albums but up to 1999, they had never released an album of their live performance. Fans will definitely be pleased with this album, as the sound clarity is near perfect and choosing the sonorously wonderful Royal Albert Hall only enhances the spacious rich sound of this live May 1999 recording. Ladysmith's vocal sound effects are fun to hear too, (check out the kisses in "Hello My Baby" and the frequent tongue clicking, quavering high notes and staccato grunts). In short, these fellows have a good time performing live and their radiant joy shines though on this record. About half of the 12 songs are sung in English and the rest are sung in Zulu. No matter what language they are sung in, however, Ladysmith Black Mambazo's pure harmony voices and gentle songs wash over one like clean rainwater. More serious messages of peace among nations and between fathers and sons as well stories of homelessness and of the hardships faced by mine workers, fit in well with songs dealing with love and relationships as well as with the majestic praises to God and to good weather.

To be fully appreciated Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a group that must be seen as well as heard, as their choreographed steps and dances enhance and enliven their song stories. For those who have not seen them live, check out any of several fine dvds of their live performances especially their performance at the University of Akron captured on "Ladysmith Black Mambazo Live!", Heads Up International, c. 2009. I highly recommend this record to Ladysmith Black Mambazo fans as well as to folks looking to check out truly unique but very accessible joyous, fun and soothing world music. Listen and you will be refreshed!