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CD Review
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Edge Boston , CD Review >>
"Long Walk to Freedom" by Ladysmith Black Mambazo
by Sue Katz
EDGE Entertainment Contributor
Tuesday Feb 7, 2006
It’s good news for a project when Melissa Etheridge, Emmylou Harris and Taj Mahal – to mention a few - clamor to be involved. Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s Long Walk to Freedom is a 30-year retrospective – a ‘Greatest Hits’ updated. To celebrate twelve years of South African freedom from apartheid, they have created fresh versions of twelve of their extraordinary hits, stretching from Nomathemba (1973) to Thula Thula, a new song in its first release. Friends, like Sarah McLachlan on the intricate lullaby Homeless, contribute to various cuts, but it is the singularity of the group’s mix of gospel and South African traditional a cappella music that defines the unmistakable flavor.
Following their recent ninth Grammy nomination for the previous album No Boundaries, Long Walk to Freedom embraces the talents not only of Western artists, but also of some of the great names of South African music, from the patriarchal Hugh Masakela to the Johannesburg reggae star Lucky Dube.
The rich weave of Mambazo rhythms on Hello My Baby is further embroidered by the sexy overlay of the vocals of Zap Mama, the amazing Belgium a cappella ensemble. Together they knead the listener’s gut in an undulating caress. Etheridge helps retool Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes, one of the hits from the Paul Simon Graceland album that brought Mambazo to American attention in 1986.
The clarity of their a cappella mastery defines Rain Rain Beautiful Rain – until the slightly jarring diversion of Natalie Merchant’s voice. Oddly enough, Taj Mahal finds just the right vocal approach to the classic Mbube, although his electric guitar is a rare and unnecessary musical accompaniment to Mambazo’s delivery.
Shosholoza – the South African anthem – starts as a lovely understated rendition until Mambazo is joined by seven of the finest South African musicians. Together they turn this much-exposed song into a jungle of melodic and spoken vines.
Long Walk to Freedom is a compelling distillation of Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s long career for those unfamiliar with the body of their work, and a freshening of familiar material for fans of a harmony and happiness that has cushioned their political journey.
World Music / CRASHARTS brings Ladysmith Black Mambazo to Saunders Theatre, Cambridge, Saturday, February 11 for a performance (sold-out.)
02/07/06 >> go there
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