Project Description

LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO

@ The Astor Theatre, WA

(Live Review)

16/07/18

Reviewer: Melanie D Griffiths

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South Africa’s most famous musical export are a beautiful example why it pays to always be open to expanding your musical tastes. Brought to the world stage back in 1987 by Paul Simon’s seminal album Graceland, Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s deep harmonies were, at the time, a revelatory discovery. However, this is a group that has been around since the 1960s and continues strongly today, most notably with their recent Grammy win for Shaka Zulu Revisited: 30th Anniversary Celebration.

Their unique singing style called Isicathamiya originated from the Zulu people of South Africa as displaced workers would entertain themselves with singing. The acapella style of music is immediately understood on an emotional level, an audience may not recognise the language that is sung but with the group’s immense ability to convey a story, it allows the audience to recognise the message.

The group consisting of 9 members walked on stage dressed in blue traditional shirts and without much pretense stood at their microphones and delivered a concert that embodied their message of “peace, love and harmony’. Beginning with Love Your Neighbour, it was a fascinating display watching these gifted vocalists create a richly layered soundscape that verged on the spiritual.

Nelson Mandela, once said of the group that they were South Africa’s Cultural Ambassadors to the world. Indeed Ladysmith Black Mambazo are more than a vocal group they are storytellers and educators for a country with so much beauty, culture yet also notoriety of its past sins . It’s a reminder especially when two of the older members joked with the audience about their actual ages, that this a group that existed during the time of Apartheid and yet their music chose to reflect the better aspects of the human spirit. Also a testament to the strength of the group and it’s continuing legacy is with the sons of retired founder Joseph Shabalala being a part of the group.

Before each song, the lead singer would give a charming introduction, often with subtle comedic timing such as Hello My Baby, a real siren song if ever there was one, complete with blown kisses. The physicality of the songs were just as important as the vocals. Swaying to the rhythm, before breaking out into hand gestures and then full on athletic feats including high kicks it brought their songs to glorious life. The Mandela inspired song A Long Walk To Freedom is unlike any song you’re likely to hear with its idiosyncratic structure, however if was the songs from Graceland that got the most recognition.

Pitch perfect, and damn near indistinguishable from the record, a beautiful rendition of Homeless enraptured the audience as did a shortened version of Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes, leading to a number of ‘whoops’ from the audience.

It’s almost refreshing to hear a group whose songs embody peace and love rather than acrimony and disillusionment. Ladysmith Black Mambazo continue to share the beauty of homeland South Africa but remain a jewel of the world with a not to be missed show that elevates with the simplest and most beautiful of instruments.

3.5 Stars

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Connect with LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO

Melanie Griffiths

Melanie Griffiths is a well known and experienced music writer and reviewer based in Perth, Western Australia. An avid supporter of live music and the ongoing enrichment of a vibrant Perth scene, Mel also lends her talents to freelance writing for other publications and clients. Her fate was sealed when as an eight year old she popped her Mum’s cassette of Beatles For Sale into her car stereo and ever since music has fuelled her passions. Mel’s also available for other projects and everything else in between via www.melaniedgriffiths.com.