Third World Child [Original recording reissued]

Johnny Clegg | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Original Release Date: 1987
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B000006V36
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #108,903 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #66 in Music > World Music > Africa > South Africa

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure energy, with a classic thrown in., October 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Third World Child (Audio CD)

Lady Smith meets Martha & the Vandellas... The power of the traditional chant is infused with Johnny Clegg's energetic take on Rock n' Roll. And the whole goes way beyond the sum of the parts.

'Great Heart' is the most inspiring song I know, and one I keep whistling at odd moments; spiritual uplift with a 'hook'. My other personal favorite is 'Ring on Her Finger', a lively song with some truly inspired lyrics - a shark bite of truth under the humor.

I love the bilingual aspect of this album.. Gives one hope.

Buy this album. Now.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Moving, Empowering, Uplifting--Really!, January 30, 2003

By 

Emily (MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Third World Child (Audio CD)

If there ever were a musician who was not getting enough international recognition, it may well be Johnny Clegg. His music is filled with such life and integrity that it I have this fantasy of playing it really loud over some massive sound-system so that everyone all over the world would hear and love it...mmmwwhahahhaa! But really, that's not what this group is all about. This album is probably my very favorite JC and Savuka album, as perfect fusion of international rock, pop, and more traditional Zulu elements. Much of the subject matter is very serious or political, reflecting Clegg's history in South Africa, working to overcome apartheid. (Think "Mandela," Third World Child," "Missing," or "Berlin Wall." (Yes I know that's not in S. Africa.) However, all of these songs have an unbelievably fantastic spirit, with so much life and optimism and pure guts that listening to any of them makes one fantastically happy. That simple.
The album starts off with a burst of strength in "Are You Ready?" This, like all other songs, is a seamlessly bilingual song, another element I love. (Yes, you will find yourself singing along in Zulu, regardless of whether or not you acutally know this powerful-sounding language.) The rhythm gets into your body and your mind, the words and meldody infiltrating thereafter. "Mandela" has some of the most deeply interesting and beautiful harmonies I have ever heard, making it even more powerful as an almost hymn-like tribute to South African activists. "Giyana" is another song with fierce energy, and some of the most interesting lyrics on this album. "Scatterling of Africa" is one of my very favorites, a king of Savuka classic. The message, which deals with the ties of the human race to its origins in Africa, is a raw, rhythmic, melodious song. It seems to almost serve as a backdrop for the rest of the album, a driving force that connects international listeners. (The aformentioned "scatterlings of Africa") "Missing" is dark and poignant, yet empowered and devoted, an almost anxious-sounding song. (Listen for these words in the beginning: "and I was banging at your door, but you weren't there anymore") These aren't really typical lyrics, but something about the way Clegg sings them is perhaps the single most moving moment on the entire album.
"The Ring on her Finger" is the fun song, lighter and utterly catchy, but with that all-important little tangy grain of truth. "That girl is feeling trapped by the ring on her finger." Well that's a new way to look at it...now I THINK this song's about some sort of extra-marital affair, but this song lightens it all up. I sing and dance along with the chorus, and the Zulu parts of the chorus make me pine desperately after learning that language. A fantastic song.
"Third World Child" and "Berlin Wall" are massive songs, true and gritty and empowering no matter where you live, how you live, or the fact that the Berlin Wall fell a while ago now. These are meaningful songs, and "Third World Child" has an especially fascinating perspective that is honestly thought-provoking. Really--these songs make you THINK after you're done singing alone at the top of your exalting lungs. (Uh oh--this is getting flowery.)
OK, is it clear that this album RULES and you should get it NOW? In the end, it all comes down to "WOW" once again.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learn To Speak A Little Bit Of Zulu, August 6, 2002

By 

The Orange Duke "orangeduke" (Cupertino, Ca United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Third World Child (Audio CD)

When I heard Juluka broke up, I was floored, the only solace I had was the rumor that Johnny Clegg would be releasing material as a solo artist, needless to say, the appearance of THIRD WORLD CHILD proved the rumors to be true, much to my delight. Lighter and more mainstream than his Juluka efforts, Johnny's Savuka albums are equally excellent. Continuing his passion for missing western and African music styles, Clegg's brilliant, lively music is as good as it gets. Clegg is equally adept at charged political diatribes, love songs and slice of life pieces, but here he concentrates on the political, producing some of the best protest music of our time, check out the anthemic, blood boiling title track, the mournful, hopeful `Asimbonanga' and the excellent, haunting `Missing'. All of Clegg's music is upbeat and percussive, and there really is no other artist just like him. Unbeknownst to many, Johnny was the inspiration for Paul Simon's excellent GRACELAND album, which mixed western and African music in a similar style. Buy and be likewise inspired. The only complaint I have is the replacement of the excellent and now hard to find `Gumba Gumba Jive' with the Savuka version of `Scatterlings', which was made famous by its inclusion in the Rainman soundtrack. Nothing against the fine remake, but `Gumba Gumba Jive' is a track not to be missed (it is available on an import only greatest hits of Savuka, as well as the original run of the vinyl album).