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A South African Alternative to Sather Gate A Capella
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Daily Californian, A South African Alternative to Sather Gate A Capella >>
By ANGIE BAECKER
Monday, February 7, 2005
World music may not have penetrated the college market yet, but a capella certainly has. For the uninitiated, Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s appearance at Zellerbach with guitarist Vusi Mahlasela last Thursday marked the intersection of popular a capella sensibilities and South African culture.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo have been credited with the rise of the world music genre, launched by their collaboration with Paul Simon on 1986’s Graceland. The 10-man group has since garnered more than six Grammy nominations, and is widely regarded as a cultural ambassador to South Africa.
Vusi Mahlasela, heralded by Dave Matthews as a "voice of hope, sort of like a Woody Guthrie or Bob Dylan of South Africa" performed with Ladysmith at Zellerbach as part of the "Long Walk to Freedom" tour, intended to celebrate 11 years of democracy in South Africa.
Mahlasela opened the show, sitting alone on the stage with his acoustic
guitar. Despite a politically charged program, Mahlasela preached a message of forgiveness, stressing to the audience that "those who do not forgive are more hurt than those they do not forgive." Performing in both English and Zulu, Mahlasela’s serene, contemplative voice complemented his comforting, simple, moving melodies.
In between songs, Mahlasela recounted episodes of his life in South Africa, by turns educating the audience of the strife of his country’s past, and at other times amusing them with mischievous quips. Plucking the E string on his guitar, Mahlasela told the audience that his next piece would be a Chinese song—a song called "Tuning."
After the intermission, Ladysmith took the stage, jogging and leaping to
their microphones from the sides of the stage. Eight of the group’s
original 10 performed last Thursday, opening with "Wenyukela," meaning "raise your spirit higher" in Zulu. Singing a combination of hymns and secular songs, Ladysmith’s alto, tenor, and bass harmonies resonated with a surging, uplifting vibrancy.
Ladysmith performed with a charming quirkiness, taking playful liberties with the choreography of their songs. But even if they didn’t care about performing their dance steps properly, Ladysmith took director Joseph Shabalala’s message of "Peace, love, and harmony" seriously, Shabalala’s values evident in each song.
Even for those unappreciative of world music, it is impossible not to like Ladysmith. The members perform with such energy, jubilancy, and
friendliness that hating the group would be like wanting to inflict pain
upon a Golden Retriever puppy.
At the end of the evening, the members of Ladysmith wandered off the stage, leaving one singer alone to speak on their behalf. The singer told the audience in a grave and somber tone that "We are going to leave the stage now because the show is finished. We can all go home now," ending an evening of heartening a capella and song with a laugh. 02/07/05 >> go there
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