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Live at El Rey by Thomas Mapfumo and The Blacks Unlimited
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fave it World Traditions | African
7 tracks | 64 minutes
Released Feb 2005
on aNOnym reCOrds
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- sample lyrics "album only" 07:50 Marehwarehwa lyrics "album only" 07:50 Marehwarehwa lyrics "album only" 07:50 Marehwarehwa
- sample lyrics "album only" 09:02 Hwahwa (Beer) lyrics "album only" 09:02 Hwahwa (Beer) lyrics "album only" 09:02 Hwahwa (Beer)
- sample lyrics "album only" 08:18 Pfumvu Paruzevha (Trouble in the Preserves) lyrics "album only" 08:18 Pfumvu Paruzevha (Trouble in the Preserves) lyrics "album only" 08:18 Pfumvu Paruzevha (Trouble in the Preserves)
- sample lyrics "album only" 08:15 Nyama Musango lyrics "album only" 08:15 Nyama Musango lyrics "album only" 08:15 Nyama Musango
- sample lyrics "album only" 07:00 Chikende (A traditional village dance) lyrics "album only" 07:00 Chikende (A traditional village dance) lyrics "album only" 07:00 Chikende (A traditional village dance)
- sample lyrics "album only" 07:50 Mahororo lyrics "album only" 07:50 Mahororo lyrics "album only" 07:50 Mahororo
- sample lyrics "album only" 16:22 Chemutengure (traditional children's song) lyrics "album only" 16:22 Chemutengure (traditional children's song) lyrics "album only" 16:22 Chemutengure (traditional children's song)
The first live release from "the Lion of Zimbabwe." This concert was recorded for Thomas Mapfumo's 50th birthday at the El Rey Theatre, Albuquerque, NM. It features a stripped-down version of the Blacks Unlimited.
Editorial review
Coming from Thomas Mapfumo's "unplugged" 50th birthday tour of the U.S. in 1995, Live at El Rey documents reimaginings of his music for two mbiras, bass, and drums, which is a dramatically stripped-down ensemble compared to the normal Blacks Unlimited army of musicians. The result is stark, and mainly rewarding for the clarity of the mbiras (hypnotic as ever) played by Ngoni Makombe and Bezil Makombe. The band is rounded out by Allan Amitayi Mwale on bass and Sam Mukanga on drums. Mapfumo used the occasion of this unusual lineup to pull out some rarely performed songs like "Hwa Hwa" and "Pfumvu Paruzevha," which is the other reason to own this collection. However, the bass playing, which supplies both basslines and melodic lines that would normally be handled by guitar or horns in Blacks Unlimited, is a little obtrusive, as much for the nasal tone as for the dominance of that instrument over the mbiras, which should be the star attraction. Also, the background vocalist, who goes uncredited, is less than adequate. It seems that, although Mapfumo was drawn to the idea of performing with only mbiras, he just couldn't let go of his band concept. Normally his vision is one of the most distinctive and consistent in the world of music, but this is one instance where he should have gone all the way, and not settled for less. However, the disc is still worth having for the incredible mbira sound alone. ~ Tom Chandler, All Music Guide
Bio / Background
Here is what James Lien, New World columnist for CMJ, had to say: "Thomas Mapfumo took the traditional sounds of mbira music (characterized by the gently plinking sounds of a thumb-piano) and fused them with electric guitars and rock drums to create a revolutionary hybrid. Shortly before his 50th birthday in 1995, Mapfumo undertook a small but significant U.S. tour that featured a stripped-down crew of two mbira players, a trap-kit drummer and the phenomenal talents of Allan Mwale on electric bass. This is a superb testament of African music that is deeply spiritual, powerful and evocative. -James Lien "
From Banning Eyre at CDNOW: Zimbabwe's most famous pop star, Thomas Mapfumo... tough, political anthems... full-force African dance band. Live at El Rey ...takes listeners right to the spiritual center of Mapfumo's chimurenga sound... the music heats up to a dance frenzy, mbira melodies surround and embrace you like a sonic womb. Don't expect to find another Mapfumo release like this.
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Live at El reychimeramhofu wrote on May 05, 2009
Amazing Chimurenga music, best and only form of bass guitar and mbira only as the instruments, amazing stuff, zezuru music at its core! The resonances bring out the 'mhondoro' ancient lion spirit in you.