Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Friends is a two disc compilation of Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s collaborations with artists both local and international, and should be a part of the collection of anyone who takes music seriously.
I had no idea just how many times the brilliant LBM has sung with so many musical luminaries, and what delights me about each and every song here is that not once did LBM sacrifice the integrity and purity of their sound. The beautiful harmonies that form the core of their music are central, and are highlighted by their friends’ voices.
I’m hard-pressed to find key tracks. I can’t. I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of songs in its entirety. However, just to give you an idea of the broad sonic spectrum ofLadysmith Black Mambazo and Friends, I don’t mind name-dropping. LBM’s friends include Dolly Parton (Knocking on Heaven’s Door), Josh Groban and Vusi Mahlasela (Weeping), Paul Simon (Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes), PJ Powers (World in Union), Emmylou Harris (Amazing Grace/Nearer My God to Thee), Natalie Merchant (Rain Rain Beautiful Rain) and The English Chamber Orchestra (Jabulani). And those are just some of delights on disc one!
On disc two, we find the likes of Sarah McLachlan (Homeless), Melissa Etheridge & Joe McBride (Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes), Phoebe Snow (People Get Ready), Jannie Moolman (Paradise Road), Mbongeni Ngema (One Blood), Betty Griffin (Oh Happy Day), and Women of Mambazo (Mamizolo). See? We’re not dealing with small fry here!
Ladysmith Black Mambazo and their friends do not need me to justify or defend this collection of fine music. And if after listening to this album one doesn’t feel proudly South African, I would suggest looking at the possibility of emigration, as this is music of the heart and soul, born of the African soil.
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