The Phoenix Network:
 
 
About  |  Advertise
 
Big Hurt  |  CD Reviews  |  Classical  |  Jazz  |  Live Reviews  |  Music Features
Best2012Vote-1000x50

Vusi Mahlasela

Guiding Star | ATO
By BANNING EYRE  |  March 19, 2007
4.0 4.0 Stars
070323_INISDE_LIGHT
Mahlasela is among Africa’s best singer-songwriters, and here he delivers 16 largely acoustic-based tunes that span kwela, reggae, swing jazz (with elegant scat singing), mbaqanga, and rock. He’s a passionate, engaged troubadour, as akin to Johnny Clegg and a young Paul Simon as he is to his friend and mentor Dave Matthews, not to mention any number of African roots bands. He intersperses gospel uplift (“Mighty River”) and jiving Afropop (“Moleko” and “Ntombi Mbali”) with emotionally trenchant ballads; “Song for Thandi” tells of a pregnant woman, jailed and on the verge of suicide, who’s saved by the kick of her baby and its reminder of life’s gift. “Chamber of Justice” and “Sower of Words,” both sung in English, are heavy with message, but there’s a levity in spirit and an ease in the performance that offsets the sense of despair. And despite the at times lavish production, his often breathy voice, strong in the high range, and folky acoustic-guitar picking remain central.
Related: Worlds of roots, Bruce Springsteen’s rock dream: Little Big Man as Hot Rod hero, The power of love, More more >
  Topics: CD Reviews , Entertainment, Music, Pop and Rock Music,  More more >
| More

 Friends' Activity   Popular   Most Viewed 
[ 02/19 ]   The Addams Family  @ Shubert Theatre
[ 02/19 ]   American Lamb Jam Tour  @ Charles Hotel
[ 02/19 ]   Boston Ballet in "Simply Sublime"  @ Opera House
ARTICLES BY BANNING EYRE
Share this entry with Delicious

 See all articles by: BANNING EYRE

MOST POPULAR
RSS Feed of for the most popular articles
 Most Viewed   Most Emailed