Blessed

Soweto Gospel Choir - Blessed

Blessed
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Music CD Cover

Artist: Soweto Gospel Choir
Edition: Music CD
Audio: English (Original Language)
CD Release Date: 2006-01-10
Music Label: Shanachie
Soundtracks:
  1. Shewane
  2. Medley
  3. Joko Yahao
  4. A Place in Heaven
  5. Nialo
  6. I Bid You Goodnight
  7. Lelilungelo Ngelakho
  8. Oh Happy Day
  9. Noyana
  10. Masigiye'bo
  11. Swing Down
  12. Weeping
  13. Thapelo
  14. Woza Meli Wami
  15. Mbube
  16. Tshepa Thapelo
  17. Khumbaya
  18. 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

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