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long walk to freedom
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Wisconsin State Journal, long walk to freedom >>
In the 20-plus years since Paul Simon released "Graceland," wondrous vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo's harmonious sounds have been synonymous with traditional South African music.
Besides the fame the group gained by appearing on Simon's groundbreaking album, Mambazo has also devoted its career to creating more than just music. They have also become worldwide ambassadors for peace from a nation that has seen the fall of apartheid and the triumphant return of democracy. Now, more than 40 years after Joseph Shabalala brought together a family group of talented singers to perform in regional African music contests, Mambazo has revisited its defining songs with an all-star cast of contemporary musicians, including Sarah McLachlan, Melissa Etheridge, Taj Mahal and Emmylou Harris. Each participates on Mambazo's new album, "Long Walk to Freedom," and the eight-member group has mounted a celebratory tour of the United States and England that stops at Overture Hall on Tuesday night.
"We felt that this was a good time to make this record," said Albert Mazibuko, a founding Mambazo member and Shabalala's cousin, "because when we look back, we have had a chance to think about all that has happened to this group and how much we have achieved."
"We have seen so much good happen around us that we felt it was time to celebrate by choosing old, favorite songs and re-record them," Mazibuko said in a recent phone interview.
"All of the songs we chose have deep meanings for us behind them."
Those songs include Shabalala's first composition from 1965; tracks co-written with Paul Simon for "Graceland"; a traditional song originally banned by South Africa's apartheid regime that has now become the Rainbow Nation's official anthem; and the Solomon Linda-penned "Mbube," which has become better known by its American-ized "The Lion Sleeps Tonight."
"Making this record was such a fulfilling process, because this music and these songs are all about hope," Mazibuko said. "It is through hope that we have lived and accomplished so much and with hope, we can continue to make lives better all around the world." Through its own non-profit Mambazo Foundation, the group donates a portion of its album sales and performance fees towards the preservation of African indigenous culture. According to Mazibuko, the group views their performances as an important outreach effort to people around the world in gratitude for all that Mambazo has been able to accomplish since its humble beginnings. That is why the group has decided to continue this tour uninterrupted after the death earlier this month of Shabalala's brother and founding member Jockey Shabalala.
"We have a goal that with every performance. When the audience leaves, we want each person to leave as a different person than how they arrived," Mazibuko said.
"This is so much more than simply beautiful music. Its message is deep and filled with hope for an always brighter future."
-Erik Ernst 02/23/06 >> go there
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