Home
Sounds of the African Mbira
Barnes and Noble
Sounds of the African Mbira
Current price: $18.99
Barnes and Noble
Sounds of the African Mbira
Current price: $18.99
Size: OS
Loading Inventory...
*Product information may vary - to confirm product availability, pricing, shipping and return information please contact Barnes and Noble
Between the sublime mbira playing of
and the mbira-like guitar lines of
, there might not be a lot of room left for traditional Zimbabwean music on the world music circuits. Nonetheless,
makes a valiant entry, combining more traditional mbira lines with older forms of accompaniment -- cascading vocal harmonies that verge on yodeling. When he gets into a good loop,
's full yodel moves into something of a Western, cowboy range. The music is mildly hypnotic, using repetition with non-repeating ornamentation to both lull listeners and keep them interested. The lyrics deal with themes of simple happiness and with modern poverty, generally not in the same song. A major highlight, though, is the piece that's entirely new, not based on a specific Shona melody --
is a tribute to mbira players past, specifically calling out
and
with an entirely improvised melodic line and a simplistic backing rhythm. The mbira can alternately entrance listeners with its exoticism and dull them with its simplicity, but on this album
does a fine job of sticking more to the exotic side of affairs. ~ Adam Greenberg