Composers: Joseph Shabalala and Paul Simon
Recorded at: E.J. Thomas Hall, University of Akron, Ohio
Studio: Heads Up HUDV-7149 (Distr. by Telarc; release date Jan. 27, 09)
Video: 4:3 full screen, color
Audio: Dolby Digital Stereo and DD 5.1
Regional Coding: None
Subtitles: None
Length (performance): 94:45 minutes Bonus: 37 minutes
Rating: Performance ***** Sound *****
All 12 songs included in this DVD but one – Homeless T/10 – were composed by Joseph Shabalala (b. 1941) the founder and leader of this a-capella group from South Africa; Homeless was jointly composed by Shabalala and our old friend Paul Simon. On this DVD we can see Ladysmith Black Mambazo perform live as they normally present themselves on a regular concert, and it’s a spectacular one I may add. Traditional Zulu ethnic inspired songs such as Shosholoza (T/12), Rain Rain Beautiful Rain (T/9) join the old Christian hymn Amazing Grace (T/13) for example, while in Thulanhliziho (T/7) they regale us with a no less inspiring eight minutes-long song/comedy-banter set much to the delight of the audience.
All the songs whether performed in Zulu and/or English conform to one particular Zulu type of singing/dancing traditionally called Isicathamiya (or Cathamiya) which is known by its harmonic extremes of mood, tempo and volume creation, while on the other hand slow and gentle verses shift suddenly without warning to flights of thunderous intensity. This style of singing has become Mambazo’s signature. As a rule, all these songs – irrespective of the language they are sung in – create a type of a-capella music woven mainly from a quiet contemplative passage at the beginning, to later attain explosive intensity through antiphonal exchanges between and betwixt the nine members of the group. This is Zulu traditional music which also doubles as a social communication device. Isicathamiya means “walking soft” or “tip-toeing” and that’s Manbazo’s particular dance form.
It is obvious that all these songs have both a socio-political and spiritual undertone. If we could only understand Zulu! [Subtitles would have helped a lot!…Ed.] Mambazo speak much about humanity, togetherness, love, peace, and fuse all of these to realize, for example, the very beautiful Rain Rain Beautiful Rain and Homeless themes of nature and humanity. They sing about people being nurtured by nature and rain, the elixir of their love. Just imagine…all the people in peace…together.
A 37-minutes-long interview with all the members of Mambazo is included on this DVD as a bonus. They tell their story since 1960 when the group came together, including their eventual collaboration with Paul Simon, and the rest is history, and a lesson about a group of musicians in pursuit of a dream.
Not much we can say about the DVD’s image quality, given that it was shot in real-time within the confines of very dark hall although there is enough light to make the action feel wonderfully surreal at times. The six channels surround sound is excellent with good frontal focusing as expected and with adequate ambient response in the rear speakers. Just as well, and given the powerful bass range of one of the singers that easily goes down to between 80 and 100 Hz, if and when you have an independent subwoofer, I would set that subwoofer’s band-pass at 100 Hz – this powerful singer would then be heard in all his glory. If you have never seen Mambazo performing live you owe to yourself this marvelous DVD. Highly recommended! Ngiyabonga…thank you!
— John Nemaric
