Long Walk to Freedom – Ladysmith Black Mambazo

I listened to Ladysmith a lot when I was very young, I owe this privilege to my mom, and possibly some credit should go to Paul Simon who really brought the group and Isicathamiya music to the U.S. I would however be lying if I implied that I’ve been keeping up to date with these guys, I actually was quite lucky to stumble across this album at my public library.

Long Walk to Freedom is an album to celebrate Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s 45th anniversary (as well as 20 years since Paul Simon’s Graceland), it came out in 2006. It features the core group along with a whole bunch of guest artists. These include Zap Mama, Sarah McLachlan, Melissa Etheridge, Joe McBride, Natalie Merchant, Emmylou Harris,Taj Mahal, Lucky Dube, Phuzekhemisi, Bhekumuzi Luthuli, Nokukhanya, Thandiswa, Vusi Mahlasela and Hugh Masekela (nope Paul Simon did not perform on the album, Joe McBride singings the lead in Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes on this one) . The album was nominated for two Grammy awards just last year (I personally think it is deserving of a win).

I don’t even know where to begin with how great this album is. If you’ve never listened to Isicathamiya music before then you probably are unaware of the pure gold that comes ringing in your ears whilst listening to these men sing. Maybe its the gorgeous timber of their voices, or just how natural it sounds, but it’s really quite something. I can only imagine what it would be like to see these men perform live, breathtaking is a word I can imagine using. I play a lot of music when I work, and this album got the largest amount of people asking “who are these guy’s they’re wonderful?” The addition of the guest artists also makes this album fun to listen to. I especially liked the song Mbube that featured Taj Mahal and Homeless which Sarah McLachlan sings in. Zap Mama also has a beautiful voice that reminds me vaguely of another artist I can’t quite place. This album makes me not only want to go out and get their other works, but delve a little deeper into the music of South Africa.

~ by jake Gest on July 14, 2008.