that's one from the bucket list

[chanter1944]

Holy cow squeeeeeEEEEEeeeeee! I hope I never forget that concert. To clarify, I've just seen the Soweto Gospel Choir at the Overture, and my socks, oh dear, where have they gone? Has anybody seen where they went after they were knocked clean off and clear across the city? :D :D :D Living and ongoing history meets not only resilience, but pride in the face of repression, meets a liberation story, meets one *incredible* choir indeed... Yeah, I'll be starry-eyed for a while yet. :)

Yes, they did "Asimbonanga". I literally gasped aloud, then said "Oh they *are* going to do it!" I'd hoped they would, and I knew going in that it's become something of a signature for them, especially since 2014's tributes, but... squeeeeeeEEEEEeeeee! I could not resist singing along a bit there, and it appears I bothered no one near me by doing so, whew! They mixed it with a verse and chorus from Peter Gabriel's "Biko," which I was not expecting. When I recognized it, I think I said "Oh wow!"

They also did "Pata Pata," very up tempo, right after a tribute to Aretha Franklin, so they essentially went straight from one musical queen to another (Pata Pata is a Miriam Makeba song.) Yep, I squeaked again. :) I'm not sure too many in the audience recognized that song for what it was. Then again, I'm an odd American. Speaking of, you know you're steeped in a certain sort of story indeed when someone shouts "amandla!" and, though you're American and white as chalk, you not only know the response, but feel almost compelled to answer, much like if someone were trying to get a hallelujah. ... Yeah, I swear I'm not trying to appropriate anything with that one, I've just buried my nose in one too many on-location news reports... and features... and world music programs... over the years, and heartfelt call and response as a form is compelling all on its own. Ask me what democracy looks like. :)

I am never going to get to sleep at this rate, but I really should at least try. *beams all over DW some more*

Comments

[technoshaman]

I went and dug up a YouTube of Asimbonanga by the original writer... WOW. That's amazing. If the rest of it was that good? No wonder you're squeeing!

The power of music and call-and-response is universal...

Democracy looks like a RAINBOW.

Amandla!

[chanter1944]

The rest of it *was* that good! :D There are versions of Asimbonanga out there on youtube done by Johnny Clegg and the Soweto Gospel Choir, together, in 2014. Holy. squee!

The line about what democracy looks like was admittedly both a wink and nod to a common chant over here, especially amid political protests. The response is, "This is what democracy looks like!" XD It sure does look like a rainbow though, you're right.

*gets up the nerve to clicky the link*

[cmcmck]

I remember seeing Ladysmith Black Mambazo years ago- amazing stuff! :o)

[chanter1944]

I tried, when they were here, but I couldn’t afford the tickets!

[lb_lee]

Miriam Makeba is awesome! We learned about her from our Phonetics professor, who used her music to demonstrate click languages for us. Thanks, professor! *goes to listen to Asimbonanga*

--Sneak

[chanter1944]

Miriam Makeba is amazing! As is your phonetics professor, if they're using music to demonstrate language variations. XD Miriam is the reason I learned that Xhosa clicks, and Zulu doesn't.

Someone's going to hear an incredible song, la la la... XD

[kellan_the_tabby]

Wow, that sounds like it was REALLY AWESOME. I'm gonna hafta go look up some of their music...

[chanter1944]

It really, really was! And looking them up is, IMO, extremely worthwhile. :)

[kellan_the_tabby]

I miiiiight have spent a significant part of the day listening to them & occasionally bopping around my room like a dork.

[chanter1944]

I imagine they've sparked that reaction in a few people over the years. :) See also, the gal sitting in the concert venue beaming like a fool. XD