Mama Africa: The Very Best of Miriam Makeba [Import]

Miriam Makeba | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 24, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Manteca
• ASIN: B0000501LX
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #95,250 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #50 in Music > Indie Music > World Music > Africa
  • #68 in Music > World Music > Africa > South Africa

Track Listings

1. Tula Ndivile

2. Laku Tshoni 'Llanga

3. Ntyilo Ntyilo

4. Holilili

5. Orlando

6. Intandane

7. Live Humble

8. Sindiza Ngecadillacs

9. Phansi Kwalomhlaba

10. Hush

11. Sophiatown Is Gone

12. Phata Phata

13. Umqokozo

14. Pata Pata

15. Kilimanjaro

16. Thanayi

17. Can't Cross Over

18. Carnival

19. Chicken (Kikirikiki)

20. African Convention

See all 25 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Excellent compilation from the most important female vocalist to emerge out of South Africa. She originally came to prominence with the Manhattan Brothers before leaving to play with her own all-female group the Skylarks. In 1958 she took on the female lead in the self-styled Jazz opera ' King Kong' which electrified both black and white audiences with its rough township story and made a star of Miriam.At the height of her fame, however, Miriam left South Africa for America. There she quickly re-established her career but her outspoken views on apartheid and subsequent marriage to black activist Stokeley Carmichael greatly irritated the South African government who revoked her citizenship and right to return to her homeland. With the collapse of apartheid and the election of Nelson Mandela, however, Miriam Makeba returned to South Africa in 1990 and played her first concert there in 30 years in 1991.This is an essential selection from South Africa's most important female vocalist. It includes her most celebrated songs 'Pata Pata' and 'The Click Song'. This beautifully packaged CD, includes comprehensive notes on Miriam's life and her music.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good choice for new audience, March 16, 2004

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mama Africa: The Very Best of Miriam Makeba (Audio CD)

As the previous review says, this is a good collection. However, as I was trying to replace songs from two albums which apparently haven't been released on CD (1960's "Miriam Makeba" RCA album and the early '60's Kapp Records album "The Many Voices of Miriam Makeba"), this CD wasn't what I was looking for. Most of the songs sound nothing like the arrangements I loved on those albums. They would be great for a new audience, but for those who are looking to replace those early '60's records, don't expect this to be the same. If your intention isn't to replace 40-year-old albums, though, I would definitely recommend this CD.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars DISAPPOINTED, January 18, 2009

By 

FELICIA - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mama Africa: The Very Best of Miriam Makeba (Audio CD)

MAMA AFRICA was touted as the very best of Makeba's works and it just is not. More than that, many of the cuts are backed by a full orchestra or backup that is terrible if you are used to Miriam's voice being foremost, with a light African music back up. On one cut, Miriam seems to be a back up singer for a male singer. This was painfully disappointing to hear. I finally found the album that really was the Miriam Makeba I had loved in the 60's and 70's: Miriam Makeba AFRICA.

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very nice, November 22, 2002

By 

Fagunwa (Brooklyn, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mama Africa: The Very Best of Miriam Makeba (Audio CD)

Buy this just for tracks 1,4,15 and so on. To hear the early version of this voice is a pleasure in it self. But to hear the growth and development of an artist of this caliber is a rare treat indeed. Oh go ahead you know you want it.