Soweto Gospel Choir - Blessed
List Price:
Our Price: $8.63
You Save: $9.35 (52%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $5.91 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more new music releases
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Music CD Cover
Artist: Soweto Gospel ChoirEdition: Music CD
Audio: English (Original Language)
CD Release Date: 2006-01-10
Music Label: Shanachie
Soundtracks:
- Shewane
- Medley
- Joko Yahao
- A Place in Heaven
- Nialo
- I Bid You Goodnight
- Lelilungelo Ngelakho
- Oh Happy Day
- Noyana
- Masigiye'bo
- Swing Down
- Weeping
- Thapelo
- Woza Meli Wami
- Mbube
- Tshepa Thapelo
- Khumbaya
- South African National Anthem
Free Music Notes for Blessed
Free Music Review: Breathtaking
Hit: 5 Stars
The Soweto Gospel Choir performs gospel music, traditional African music and even pop music using the call and response vocal techniques that are associated with Soweto Township in South Africa. I've never heard this music performed by such a large ensemble of singers and the results are as soulful and deeply inspiring as any music you are likely to hear on this planet of ours.
"Asimbonanga/Biko" is a gorgeous rendering two combined songs, one by popular South African musician Johnny Clegg and the other a tribute to Steven Biko by England's Peter Gabriel. There are English language versions of songs of familiar songs like "I Bid You Goodnight", "Swing Down", "Kumbaya" and a rendition of "Oh Happy Day" that gives the Edwin Hawkins Choir's original version a run for the money. "Mbube" is the version of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" which brings it all back home to the African roots of the popular Tokens tune from the Sixties.
There are also some up-tempo tunes like "Njalo" in the ju-ju music tradition which sound quite a bit like the hip shaking socca dance music of played in West Indian nations like Trinidad, Tabago, Bardados and Dominica. "Weeping" sounds like an American pop tune straight from repertoire of a jazzy musical stylist like Roberta Flack or Nora Jones.
As with every previous reviewer I can't think of enough good things to say about the Soweto Gospel Choir. Take me at my word, they are breathtaking.
Blessed Poster
The Soweto Gospel Choir is an all-star aggregation in the vein of Grammy-winning Ladysmith Black Mambazo of top singers from South Africa's famous township--Soweto. They've achieved breakthrough success in Europe (two sold-out shows at London's Royal Festival Hall!), Africa, and Australia as their exhilarating voices create a blend of extraordinary beauty that thrills audiences everywhere.As on their now-celebrated debut album, Voices From Heaven, this miraculous ensemble from Johannesburg's notorious/iconic Soweto township moves between Anglican-inspired and gospel-tinged hymns plus assorted home-wrought styles. The selections, performed in four languages including English, are either presented in a cappella arrangements, backed by a guitar band with percussion or wreathed in clapping, stomping and whistles. Soloists Sipokazi Luzipo and Vincent Jiyane are especial stand-outs; the latter's performance on "Weeping" could wring tears from a stone. Other unforgettable moments include "Noyana" and "Thapelo" but it is the more well-known tunes that fully reveal the ensemble?s power to transform. "Oh Happy Day," "Swing Down, Sweet Chariot," "Khumbaya" and Solomon Linda's deathless "Mbube (aka "Wimoweh" and "The Lion Sleeps Tonight") are resuscitated and refreshed, as is "Nkosi Sikele'iAfrika," South Africa's soaring national anthem. The atmosphere, while moving, is in no way sad or depressing. In fact, other than the awe-inspiring beauty of the singing, which seems to build a rainbow bridge between this world and the next, the overwhelming impression is of upbeat courage, dignity, grace and hope. --Christina Roden
International Music CDs
Music Genres
Top music charts in International Music CDs
Hopscotch - Wishful WayRelease date: 2003-11-03; Music CD
Price in other shops:
![Coral Sea Dreaming [VHS] Image](/images/noimg.gif)
David Hannan - Coral Sea Dreaming [VHS]Compass Records; Release date: 1998-11-17; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $6.25
Price in other shops:
![20th Anniversary Celebration [VHS] Image](/images/20th-Anniversary-Celebration-VHS-6302274060-X.jpg){kind=small}
Steeleye Span - 20th Anniversary Celebration [VHS]Shanachie; Release date: 1995-04-16; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $5.94
Price in other shops:
Chris Rea - Return of the Fabulous Hofner BluenotesRelease date: 2008-03-11; Music CD
Best price: $38.91
Price in other shops:
A Concert Of Angels mini: Music From J.S. Bach To Gustav Mahlerby edel Classics GmbH
Edel Classica Gmbh; Published: 2006-11-06; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $9.46
Price in other shops:
Artist Not Provided - Tanzkurs Vol 4Release date: 2007-06-26; DVD
Price in other shops:
Sascha Hehn & The New Symphonic Orchestra - Peter Und Der Wolf/ Karneval Der TiereRelease date: 2010-04-27; Music CD
Best price: $7.79
Jurgen Fritsche, Sven Gortz - Edgar Allan Poe: Das Grauen IIRelease date: 2009-12-08; Music CD
Best price: $6.57
Price in other shops:
Sorene. CD. Kinderlieder aus Äthiopien - Children's Songs from Ethiopiaby Peter Pannke
Sunnymoon Distribution; Published: 2000-03-01; Audio CD; Book
Tibetan Meditation Music: For Quiet Mind and Peaceful Heartby Nawang Khechog
Sounds True 2007-04-01; Published: 2007; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $10.20
Top Rated Albums
Miriam Makeba - AfricaRelease date: 2008-03-01; Music CD
Best price: $2.51
Price in other shops:
Ladysmith Black Mambazo - Ladysmith Black Mambazo - The Warner Bros CollectionWarner Brothers; Release date: 2000-10-24; Music CD
Best price: $6.93
Price in other shops:
Alexandra Youth Choir - South African ChoralRelease date: 2002-08-20; Music CD
Best price: $4.88
Price in other shops:
Soweto Gospel Choir - Soweto Gospel Choir: Live at the Nelson Mandela Civic TheatreKoch International; Release date: 2008-09-02; DVD
Best price: $12.75
Price in other shops:
Soweto Gospel Choir - Live at the Nelson Mandela TheatreRelease date: 2008-09-16; Music CD
Best price: $10.75
Price in other shops:
Ladysmith Black Mambazo - Long Walk to FreedomBaker Drivetrain; Release date: 2006-01-24; Music CD
Best price: $8.95
Price in other shops:
Soweto Gospel Choir - Soweto Gospel Choir - Blessed Live in ConcertAcorn; Release date: 2006-07-25; DVD
Best price: $11.40
Price in other shops:
Soweto Gospel Choir - GraceRelease date: 2010-01-26; Music CD
Best price: $11.38
Price in other shops:
Soweto Gospel Choir - Voices From HeavenBaker & Taylor; Release date: 2005-01-25; Music CD
Best price: $9.75
Price in other shops:
Soweto Gospel Choir - African SpiritBaker & Taylor; Release date: 2007-01-30; Music CD
Best price: $11.87
Price in other shops: