Talking Mbira: Spirits of Liberation [Import]

Stella Chiweshe | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 11, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Piranha Germany
• ASIN: B00006317R
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #49,332 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #5 in Music > World Music > Africa > Zimbabwe
  • #22 in Music > Indie Music > World Music > Africa

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful, moving roots mbira music, January 3, 2006

By 

Chris B. Knaus - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Talking Mbira: Spirits of Liberation (Audio CD)

This album blew me away - if you've never heard mbira, this is a great album to begin with. Her music reminds me of Oliver Mtukudzi with her upbeat, yet somehow knowingly somber tones. Some nights she lulls me to sleep (Ndabaiwa),while others she wakes me up and readies me for the day (Uchiseka).

Through this album, Ambuya Stella Chiweshe reminds us that living requires breathing and through her voice and mbira, Stella Chiweshe gives us hope.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hypnotic mbira rhythms, April 7, 2003

By 

Muk (Azusa, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Talking Mbira: Spirits of Liberation (Audio CD)

Enough has been said about Stella Chiweshe bucking tradition to become the first female gwenyambira. I'll just add she's the only solo mbira player who gives me the full hypnotic effects of a duo or trio. So the mbira solos on this alum are greatly appreciated. The problem is there are only four (1, 4, 7, 10), five if you include the excellent Nhamoimbiri, which has western drums and vocals. I'll be honest. I don't like marimba, they remind me of high school bands and their ultra-fast melodies are intrusive. So for me, they take away from some of the songs here, Chachimuranga, Manja and in particular Musandifungise, a great great song which is marred by an uptempo midsection where marimba feature prominently. But that's my only complaint though. Other pluses are that the lady can straight up sing, as the a capella Kune Rima attests. Or the pseudo South African vocal stylings on Uchiseka, which also has some Zim style guitar work. Also check out the super bass produced by the mbira on Tapera. Trippy.