Live at El Rey [Live]

Thomas Mapfumo | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 14, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Anonym Records
• ASIN: B00002Z779
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #366,720 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #63 in Music > World Music > Africa > Zimbabwe

Track Listings

1. Marehwarehwa

2. Hwahwa

3. Pfumvu Paruzevha

4. Nyama Musango

5. Chikende

6. Mahororo

7. Chemutungure

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hipnotic, November 1, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Live at El Rey (Audio CD)

I just picked this CD up during an intermission at a small club in St. Louis. Thomas Mapfumo's band was red-hot and it was a thrill to see them live. I was lucky enough to go backstage and have them each sign this CD. Afterwards, popping the disc on in my car I was at first disappointed. I wanted to hear that lilting, lyrical guitar; the wonderful female vocalist; the horns. But this is Thomas Mapfumo unplugged--two mbiras (traditional African thumb pianos) take centerstage supported only by sinewy drums and the most amazing bass guitar heard in a long time. By the second cut I was hooked. In the days since, I've found myself returning to the haunting, hypnotic sounds of the mbira. There's nothing else like it. But don't mistake LIVE AT EL REY for a chill-out album. This music cooks. And if you're like me, you'll be dancing in your car all the way to work...

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Raw Energy, August 2, 2000

By 

Jamie (Austin, Texas USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Live at El Rey (Audio CD)

I was there. I was there the night this CD was recorded at the El Rey Theater in Albuquerque, New Mexico. What a night! Actually, I was in the band that opened for The Blacks Unlimited that night. The band called Animal Opera. The night was filled with raw energy that is evidenced on this recording. The producer, Manny Rettinger, worked meticulously to capture every gram of this incredible energy on this incredible night. Mapfumo's more basic band with 2 mbiras, bass, drums, and himself provided an extremely intimate structure for non-Shonas to peer into the magical art of Chimurenga music. Buy this CD and see for yourself how mesmerizing this music is and how it will carry into other times, places, attitudes, and states of mind. I must comment on the fact that this band is a great bunch of guys and I still enjoy remembering the times I got to hang-out with them. Thanks Thomas and the Blacks Unlimited.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars mesmerizing and magical, March 15, 2005

By 

Forrest Bradbury "odd_tastes" (Jersey, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Live at El Rey (Audio CD)

Like others that wrote, I saw Thomas in concert and was surprised to find myself in the aisle dancing a few songs into the show. This album is unplugged, so instead of waking you up with the happy frenzy that I experienced at the concert, it gently eases your mind as Mapfumo plays music that rejuvenates the heart and has a timeless appeal to the soul.