Customer Reviews

Living Like a Refugee

5 star:		(27)
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I love it. I keep singing the songs over and over in my head (as does my two year old daughter!!!). I know the band is on tour this Fall too!!! I would love to see them. I like others have been so moved by this inspirational story!!! Everyone should also try and see the documentary movie that was made about them if they get a chance, what a wonderful story!

I certainly agree with Bill Flanagan at CBS News who said, "this music is fantastic...uplifting...and beautiful." It is especially inspirational given the fact that this amazingly powerful music comes from a group of musicians thrown together as a result of a gruesome, brutal war that took away their homes, their livelihoods and, in many cases, their entire families. And to fully appreciate the album, find a way to see the super documentary about this group. The film is called "The Refugee AllStars." What a story!

Having never heard of the All Stars I attended a recent live performance upon recommendation. I looked them up prior and read about the story of how they came together. What an amazing story! I am a huge lover of African music and Reggae. However, i'm very particular about these genres. For reggae I am a strict lover of music with themes rooted in political angst, fights for freedom, and love for people, God, and country. The Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars encompass all these things and I was blown away! So much angst and suffering by these musicians and many Africans in general have helped to produce this truly inspiring music. Many of these songs have small story like introductions. Considering the suffering these musicians endured this music really is a celebration and love of life. The rapper that you hear in many of the songs with a gutteral-like voice is only 15!! He sound is incredibly mature and astonishing. If you get the opportunity to see them, please do. Their energy and charisma is entrancing and involving. You'll love them if you have any love for world music, reggae, even hip hop. But truly, you will love them more if Africa is in your heart at all.

Gifted musicians, brilliant thinkers, ambassadors of peace. What an incredible and important work of art! I have been moved by the pure heart and wisdom of each song. The beautiful melodies, the soul, the poetics of each song will move people with all different tastes in music. This album is not just for reggae fans or world music listeners. It is a must for any music lover out there, and I have yet to find anyone who hasn't been equally moved when I play this CD for them.

I work with refugees here in the U.S. so I was particularly interested in listening to this group of musicians who formed a band while they were in refugee camp. The song "Living Like a Refugee" poetically describes some of the many feelings refugees have when they are uprooted from their homes and forced to flee to another country. Many of the refugees I am working with are from West Africa and they love hearing the music because they identify with the songs and they understand the ethnic languages used with the music. This is the first artistic and creative piece that I know about which has originated in a refugee camp and is now being listened to by ordinary people all over the world. I hope that the music will help all of us to understand that refugees are people just like us and that they deserve to be acknowledged and respected for the courage they demonstrate to the rest of the world, especially those of us in the U.S. who have no idea what it is like to "be a refugee".

If you like world music this will be a great addition to your music collection. It has a slight reggae feel to it at times but the lyrics make you really feel where it is coming from. I can't imagine anyone being disappointed with this 15 song album. Enjoy

beyond the human interest story and incredible hardship these guys and others in their country suffered, the music is borne out of a real struggle. if you think about most great music, there was strife and difficulty around to create the inspiration...
the music is wonderful and uplifting - you won't be disappointed

This album not only has a great sound, but it is the vehicle for telling a story that is important for us all to hear and remember....and do something about. While enjoying the fulfilling sounds of these soulful and rhythmic voices, it is important to hear their message. A celebration of the spirit...well done!

My husband was a Peace Corps volunteer in Sierra Leone and described the CD as music he heard throughout the country but with different distressing topics. great music. We are enjoying it. May it help them to heal.

Great CD filled with passion and emotion. Recommend to anyone. Smooth, relaxing vibes.