South Africa music reviews

This is a great CD. I learned about Cesaria Evora in a television documentary and ordered the CD from Amazon. We are still tapping our feet and swinging to African Samba and ballads!

If you like Samba and a melodious African air, this is for you. Evora's voice is deep and sensous. A new listening experience.

This cd is magnificient. It shows how much Africa has played a part in Latin music today. I especially love track number 3. Hope everyonce checks out this cd.

Evora has a beautifully intense, direct vocal style and an ability to merge with rhythms both slow and fast. In Cafe Atlantico she sings a range of material from slow, lamenting love songs to samba-speed chants, all exciting and absorbing. The sequence and sound quality make this a thoroughly enjoyable compilation, leaving the listener wanting more.

Cesaria Evora is one of the great stars of world music, and this CD is on many lists as an "essential recording" in this genre. Born in 1941 in Sao Vicente (Cape Verde Islands), Cesaria has known the toughest of times in her youth, and was a mature woman before reaching the recognition she so richly deserved. "Mis Perfumado" was recorded in 1992, and is one of her very finest albums; with her soft, warm honey voice, and a heart well acquainted with the sorrow of lost love, she is undoubtedly the quintessential interpreter of "morna", a style of song reminiscent of the Portuguese fado combined with the rhythms of West Africa.

The songs on this CD are lilting, melodic gems, most with a nice slow swing to them, with a few that are more up-tempo, like tracks # 3, 10, and the fabulous "Angola" (# 6), which is my favorite number on the CD.
Four of the tracks (# 2, 7, 9, 11) were written by Cesaria's prolific uncle Francisco (better known as B. Leza), as well as three by one of Francisco's followers, Manuel de Novas (# 3, 4, 12). The musicianship is marvelous throughout this recording, and a lot of the world-wide success of this CD is owed to the masterful arrangements and piano artistry of Paulino Viera, whose solos add much to the beauty of the music, as does the haunting violin playing by Malaquias Costa featured in the final "Tortura".
A good place to start your Cesaria Evora collection, the sound is quite good and total playing time is 59'29.

From half a dozen of her records I've purchased so far this is one of the best, well, after "Cesaria". She is fenomenal and is adorable as usual, although the accompaniment at times is not quite of the same class.

A voice has never moved me as much as cesaria has. Her voice is so seductive and passionate that it takes your mind to another place. Her other albums are great, but this is the best. a definite must hear and must have for any collection

I had this cassette several years ago and wore it out. When the weather got hot this year, I remembered how much I missed listening to this "summer music". I immediately ordered the CD, and when I put it on, it was like listening to an old friend. This music is really a love song to South Africa, with all the sadness of the apartheid days. It is also relevant to any place where people are fighting to be free of oppression. The lyrics are beautiful and the African rhythms guarantee you will be humming the music even when not playing the CD.

Funky, fun and imbued with all the passion of South Africa just prior to the end of apartheid, this album deals with love, hate, parenthood, freedom, marriage and war always with a winning combination of powerful beauty and enthusiasm. "Dela" later became the funky love song everyone recognized from the movie "George of the Jungle". This is simply a stunning work of art.

This was the first album that blew me away on first listen. From the opening tribal chanting of "One (Hu) Man, One Vote" I knew I was in for a musical journey my ears have never heard before. This album perfectly encapsulates the era of its time (the cautious optimism of 1989-1990 when communist regimes were falling in Europe and apartheid was heading in that direction), but manages to relate to current events as well, nearly 15 years later.

The song "Jericho" could very well describe the conditions at Guantanamo Bay, the recent Abu Ghraib prison scandal, and the wall being built in Israel: "standing at the gates/this is Jericho/and the walls reach up to the stars/and outside we were singing psalms/such a strange, strange place/for we are the prisoners of the prisoners we have taken/and the prophets' dreams are now forsaken."

In "One (Hu) Man, One Vote", Johnny sings, "the west is sleeping in a fragile freedom/forgotten is the price that was paid/ten thousand years of marching through a veil of tears/to break a few links in these chains/these things come to us by way of much pain/don't let us slip back into the dark."

Its not all politics, though. His catchy, danceable love song, "Dela" is guaranteed to get your feet and body moving. It was featured in the film "George of the Jungle" and remains one of the best love songs I've ever heard.

My personal favorite song is "Woman Be My Country", for its beautiful melody and lyrics, sweetened by a saxophone. This song is for anyone who feels like a stranger in his own country, an ex-patriot who disagrees with his government as it relates to the world. When we feel powerless to change the cold, impersonal bureaucracy, we seek refuge in the ones nearest and dearest to our hearts: "woman be my country/'till my country can be mine/hide me deep inside your borders/in these dark and troubled times/remember me my innocence/before I drown in a sea of lies/woman be my country/'till my country can be mine."

In short, this album is Johnny's most moving, brilliant, and best work. It is emblematic of an era in history, a soundtrack to the times, that transcends its era to represent relevancy in current situations. It is quite simply, Johnny Clegg's own "Sgt. Pepper" or "Pet Sounds". On top of that, the album cover is also one of the best ones I've seen and perhaps the best one of nearly 25 albums of his. Highly recommended, especially for any fan of world music, anyone who wants to hear a different sound than they hear on the radio, or people interested in the politics of Africa, the developing world, the Cold War, or the remarkable years that 1989-1991 were.

There are no words for this cd. I don't think that I have ever owned a cd that brings you this close to God. So many christian groups these days sing the same lyrics over and over, and the songs all begin to melt together, but with Tree63, the songs are all different and unique. They sing with such truth and conviction, and seem to really touch people's hearts. If you are looking for a great worship cd, as well as one that will lift your spirits and make you get up and dance, this is the one for you!

This CD is so utterly fantastic and so-unlike most other forms of modern-day rock or worship (it's really a combination of the two) that is pretty much defies words. You just have to hear and allow their transforming and humbling message to emmanate through your heart. I heard these guys in concert as an opener for RSJ and was hooked by the time they finished. They're soo high-energy and their name, Tree63, stems from the fact that they are from South Africa and the 63 Psalm talks about a tree full of LIFE out in the middle of a desert. This one is def. better than their second CD (Absolute Truth), so if you're even thinking about buying it, do so today and you won't be disspointed!!!!

I first heard this group on Christianrock.net, and the song was "1*0*1". I was a fan instantly. I finally bought this CD after several months... It's great! The music is great, the lyrics are wonderful, and the group is just great! 1*0*1 is still my favorite song on the CD, but "Look What You've Done" and "Joy" are both very good. If you like alternative Christian music, you'll love this CD. I can't wait til the next CD comes out (according to their website, it should be in the fall of 2003).

i listened to this while pregnant, then while nursing. now we listen to it at bedtime, and sometimes in the car. the music is so beautiful and soothing, it's one of my favorites in any category.

This is a great CD and I often listen to it without my child around. I've even played it when we have company and they comment on it being good. The music on this CD is very similar to some of the African influenced music on Graceland. Other CDs in the series are as good.

I received this cd as a gift from a friend for my 5 month old daughter. We listen to it every night as part of our bedtime ritual. She loves it and I probably enjoy it at least as much. A very nice alternative to the routine lullaby cd's out there!

Oh, such sweet, sweet memories!! My husband played this CD in our delivery room when our son was born seven years ago. "Time to meditate. I send a messenger to tell you that I want to meet you! Come along, come along to kiss me!"

EVERYONE loves this music! Children, women, men... Am I leaving anyone out? It's sweet, thoughtful, masculine, sometimes playful, sometimes deadly serious, but always hauntingly soulful and lovely music.

Thought I would give Ladysmith a try based on the good reviews it received here and was not dissapointed. The tracks are very rythmic and uplifting. The recording is very good.

you can't go wrong with this cd. it's excellent uplifting and thoroughly enjoyable music.

Since I've heard this record first in 1998 on my trip to Yerevan, Armenia it follows me everywhere I go. I'm in love with this woman and every new record of hers I get is special.

Portugese is such a lovely, romantic langauge when sung. Cesaria Evora's voice is all velvet and honey. The songs are beautiful. Some are filled with longing and stay in your mind. Oriundina is the one that haunts me. Just a beautiful CD.

Cesaria Evora is undoubtedly one of the greatest singers of all time! Her voice and style of singing are truly universal and transcendent. No one who listens to her will remain unaffected: It is impossible to withstand the power of her music. A gift such as hers is very rare and should be honored accordingly. This CD is highly recommended!

How can one go wrong with Brenda? MEMEZA (Shout or "Scream") was Brenda's return to brilliance after a dramatic fall from international stardom and near death from drug overdose in 1995. And what a come back it was, with the brilliance of the wedding song "Vul'indlela" voted song of the decade in South Africa and used by the ANC in their 1999 election campaign. MEMEZA was Africa's best selling album of 1998 scoping Fassie the Kora Award for best female artist. Most would say, best overall artist period. MEMEZA truely represents Brenda's powerfull rollercoaster ride through life. As she herself put it, the song and album best epitomised her life. "When I sing this song, I want to cry", she said. MEMEZA was a self proclaimed turnaround for her and was the beginning of a string of super hits and platinum selling albums until her sad passing from AIDS on May 9, 2004. Buy Memeza for the brilliance of Brenda and the soul uplifting, hip shaking, infectious beat of Kwaito. With Brenda singing, its near impossible to go wrong.

For a rare insight to Brenda from her own perspective view her selfmade video filmed just before her death. Click on the video link below the article located on the South African Broadcasting Web site.
http://www.sabcnews.co.za/entertainment/music/0,2172,79597,00.html

Brenda's music is popular all over Africa. Just recently I found out that she is a great hit in Ethiopia as well.
The reason for this is the successful blend of South African roots music with a modern dance approach. Yvonne Chaka Chaka did it well in "Bombani", but Brenda makes you want to move even more.
The choir is excellent, complementing brenda's voice perfectly. The Song "Vuli Endlela" is just about the best song for dancing I have heard. "Memeza" itself is a great song, not necessarilly for dancing.
Now the CD is out of stock which is a great shame.
I hope it comes back soon so all can enjoy its magic.

I've just returned from a month long trip in Kenya and Brenda Fassie could be heard everywhere--from campsites to clubs. Her music is inspirational and cultured. She has suffereed greatly from the trials of apartheid and survived in order to turn her suffering into inspiration. She has also been able to write songs in Swahili, the official language of Kenya. So you see, Brenda fassie is multi-talented and awesome. Purchasing "Memeza" is one of the best things a lover of truly African music can do.

Right about the time every western pop star was playing with "world-beat," Johnny Clegg and Savuka made their strongest bid for an American audience with this CD. It took the indecisive sound of "Third World Child" and glossed it up so strikingly that they almost sounded more Southern Californian than South African. Try to imagine Huey Lewis recording "Graceland" instead of Paul Simon. That was how powerful the lead single, "Take My Heart Away," was. But once the mix of Zulu and English lyrics begin hypnotizing you along with the rhythms, it's impossible to not realize that this is an extremely individualistic sound.

The keyboards figured more prominently on "Shadow Man" than before, which added to the danceable nature of the songs. And if you were ever lucky enough to see Johnny and Savuka live, you know how physical the dances are. Johnny and his partner Dudu could step to the front of the stage and exhaust YOU with the energy they exerted in their traditional dances, which had them leaping into the air with an almost superhuman exuberance. Given that the formation of a mixed race band in the highly charged atmosphere of South Africa of the 80's was a dangerous political statement (Clegg was frequently arrested and harassed), seeing these two men on stage move with such power and grace was truly inspiring! (Tragically, Dudu was murdered in 1992.)

I was lucky enough to meet them after a show in Philadelphia when they opened for Tracy Chapman (they signed a poster for me), but never got to see them again live. It doesn't mean I have forgotten this music. "Shadow Man" is a CD that has aged strikingly well.

I grew up with Johnny Clegg's music being that I am from South Africa. Now that I have lived in Virginia for 3 years I find myself pining for Africa. Listening to Savuka and Juluka helps me imagine that I am back home. All the albums are awesome. Someone reviewd that some of his music was banned in South Africa because of it being too controversal, well this is not true, as the album 'Cruel, Crazy, Beautiful World' is one I have had since it originally came out in the early '90's. Enjoy the music, and if you can take a trip to South Africa.

I first encountered Johnny Clegg in 1988 via Jimmy Buffet's album, "Hot Water" in which he covers a Clegg tune "Great Heart." I immediately bought the first Clegg album I could find, Shadow man, and it was the single best musical purchase I've ever made. The music is intoxicating, the rhythms are addictive, and the depth and breadth of emotion is startling. He speaks of things that most Americans take for granted such as freedom, human rights, and oppression. But his views on all things are both sublime and poetic. This album not only shocked me in its musical quality and originality, it moved my soul (and feet!) How some people can go through life without knowing Johnny Clegg is a mystery to me. Buy it now, enjoy it forever.

On this album, Cape Verde's greatest export to the world delivers another exquisite collection of mournful and yearning songs in her moving, bluesy voice. She sings in creolised Portuguese and the style (morna) is a mix of the Portuguese fado and African rhythms. Although Cape Verde lies just off the West African coast, this style has little in common with the mainland sounds from countries like Senegal or Mali. The instrumental mix includes guitars, the special rhythm guitar called cavaquino and even a clarinet to create an engaging polyrhythmic backing for Cesaria's graceful vocal style. Strangely, the sad songs have an uplifting effect on the spirit. Of the slower songs, my favourites are Ess Pais and Zebra, whilst the funkiest uptempo numbers are Quem Bo and Mae Velha. The track Pe Di Boi includes a lovely whistling interlude. The foot tapping dance track Sangue de Beirona is equally inspiring. This is an excellent album by one of the greatest artists in World Music today.

Oh how I love Cesaria! As always when I visit Barnes & Nobles I go to the International music section. As my eyes scanned the wide selection of world music, Cesaria's face stood out. This woman reminds of Celia Cruz -love her too, may her soul rest in peace -I said to myself and I bet she's a wonderful singer. All I needed to hear was the song "Sodade" and that was it. I fell in love with Cesaria's music. Like Celia Cruz she has the voice that captures your attention and sends chills down your spine - so electrifying it's beautiful! I currently one three of Cesaria's albums - THe Very Best of, Cabo Verde, and Voz D'Amor! THe next albums I want to get are Sao Vincente di Longe and Cesaria!
For the past few months I've been listening to Cesaria's music more than anyone elses! I can relate so much to the lyrics of her music and the style being that I'm from the Caribbean. I feel as if I've also lived the Capeverdian experience! I would like to visit someday! Viva Cesaria a reina da morna!

I was sailing with some friends on an incredible trip to Africa, and we stopped briefly at the small island of Cabo Verde. I had never heard of Cesaria Evora before. I had really never heard much about Cabo Verde before this trip. In a small music/souvenier shop near the port, I heard this CD playing. I was hooked immediately. I bought a CD for myself and several for friends back home, and have never been more delighted with a chance find. My friends are still thanking me.

Cabo Verde was colonized by the Portuguese, and the combination of the African and Portuguese cultures makes for some fabulous music - a little similar to sounds from Brazil. The music on this CD is a combination of the 'fado' from Portugal, mixed with the Brazilian ballad-like 'choro,' and soulful 'forros,' along with Cape Verde's own particular island sound. There is no better way to understand this wonderful, nuanced music than to listen to it. And Ms. Evora, herself, plays her voice and makes a music that is very much her own.

The nostalgic "Partida," "Mar e Morada de Soledad," and "Ess Pais," are sung with a sadness and longing that evoke much emotion. Other cuts, like "Tchintchirote," and "Sangue de Beirona" make me want to just get up and dance to the Oh So Sensual Beat! It is Ms. Evora's soft, silky-smooth, engaging voice that is so special. She is backed by strings - the guitar and an instrument called the 'cavaquinho'- but the rhythms are pure island. A terrific CD! You will enjoy it!