Miriam Makeba is a self-titled, debut album by Miriam Makeba. It was released in 1960 by RCA Victor. Zenzile Miriam Makeba (4 March 1932 – 9 November 2008), nicknamed Mama Africa, was a South African singer, songwriter, actress, and civil rights activist. Associated with musical genres including Afropop, jazz, and world music, she was an advocate against apartheid and white-minority government in South Africa. Makeba was among the first African musicians to receive worldwide recognition. She brought African music to a Western audience, and popularized the world music and Afropop genres. She also made popular several songs critical of apartheid, and became a symbol of opposition to the system, particularly after her right to return was revoked. Upon her death, former South African President Nelson Mandela said that "her music inspired a powerful sense of hope in all of us."
Really pleasant surprise as I don't normally listen to anything like this. Loved her voice and the blues influences in here. Super cool to hear 'Mbube' and to get some context for 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight' (even though Miriam's version is a cover)
If I had to put together a short list of the musicians who had the most influence on my taste in music, she would be in the top 5. I didn't fall in love with African music until I bought Miriam Makeba's Welea album, Frustrated with most of the music I was being fed by radio, I was sifting through the "Music I Never Heard Of" section in the local record store and randomly picked this since she looked like a warm and interesting woman who I hoped would play music that would be more interesting than FM. Her music was peaceful and optimistic which in itself is quite remarkable given her life. I would play that album before going to work when I knew I had stressful meetings. I later found the Click song, among others, and learned that she played with Harry Belefonte, played at the concert festival held in conjunction with the Rumble in the Jungle, and backed up Paul Simon on his Graceland tour. There are many lovely songs on the 1001 offering. The Click Song is charming and her story about the name is cute. Saduva is one of my favourite songs. She had a longer (and better) version with excellent instrumentation on her Welea album. Lakutshon and One More Dance, both innocuous musically, demonstrate how beautiful her voice is. At the end of the day I like Welea more than the 1001 offering but this is her first album and her role in bringing South African and other African music to western audiences is second to none. Yeah Paul Simon played a big role and touched more people in North America and Europe but he likely was influenced by her.
Que música incrível! Me fez aprender muito mais sobre a história dela, descobri q o Sivuca trabalhou com ela na decada de 60 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3znK08BoKfU). Me fez ver um outro contexto da revolução musical dos anos 60
Wonderful energy, great singing and a wonderful person behind it all.
What a delicious album this is, the talent, the music, the resistance. Her generation brought down apartheid on South Africa, from pariah to hero. She spoke she sung, hope more of her records are on the list.
Good lord, we need more albums like this! Never heard of Miriam but she absolutely killed her debut. A mix of some fantastic native African songs and some more modern songs, including covers like "House of the Rising Sun." "Mbube" blew me away because it's essentially an original, proto-version of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" that feels 100x more authentic and lively. She's got a hell of a voice too, on some of the slower tunes like House of the Rising Sun, I was reminded of the power that someone like Nina Simone has in her voice. Lots of great call and response all over this too, which I always enjoy. The way Charles Coleman was laughing on "One More Dance" was a little bit much and distracting at first, but I couldn't help but love that song by the end too. I can't imagine hearing this album in 1960 and not being completely gobsmacked, considering I'm impressed more than 60 years later. Screw it, five stars. Good luck beating this next week. Favorite tracks: Mbube, Retreat Song, Click Song, Lakutshn Ilanga, Naughty Little Flea, Where Does It Lead, House of the Rising Sun, One More Dance, Iya Guduza. Album art: Just a portrait type shot of Miriam, but it's got that warmth and texture that lots of albums from the '50s and early '60s had, which I can't get enough of. It's the type of album that I'd buy at Goodwill with 100% certainty. 5/5
This was boring to the point of being irritating. Sounds very much of it’s time. The track with the guy laughing all the way through was horrible. This is a generous 2*!
I listen to a few tracks and it’s interesting music but I don’t know that I will revisit this.
Primeira vez escutando musica tão diferente de meu gosto musical, de primeira já curti, me lmbrou de minha infancia assistindo rei leão e kiriku. Ai ela é muito calminha, amei essa mulher! Ela ta morta :o wtf. triste. Amei a musica, salvei o album, escutarei mais vezes com certeza!
I very much enjoyed this album. Some moments I felt like I may be in church and others at a party. I appreciate the exposure to an artist that I would otherwise likely never have listened to.
I first learned about Miriam Makeba some years ago when I was researching South African music for a school project, and I immediately became a fan. "Pata Pata" has been in my playlists ever since. This was a wonderful album and I loved listening to this amazing voice so much. What an interesting collection of songs! I love when this project brings us to artists I haven't known so well, but really appreciate, such as this. Love Love Love.
I do tend to get a lot of enjoyment out of music in other languages. I think that when I can’t understand what the lyrics are saying, I can enjoy the voice more as an instrument rather than a means of conveying a message. I quick google tells me that Miriam Makeba sang in Xhosa, Zulu and Sotho. I’m not sure which of those the songs on this album (or any combination of them), but I’m excited to listen! Songs I already knew: none Favourites: Mbube, The Naughty Little Flea, One More Dance This was a very enjoyable album. There are a few songs sang in English as well as African dialects, and the variation is very enjoyable. Miriam’s soft voice is a pleasure throughout, whether I can understand the lyrics or not. The styling of the music sometimes sounds somewhat similar to samba which I wasn’t expecting. Mbube (a version of The Lion Sleeps Tonight) was fantastic and even more enjoyable than the Tight Fit version which I do also like. Overall, a very enjoyable album which I’d recommend to anybody with an interest in music from around the world.
african outdated but not ugly
so where the fuck did the naughty little flea go? This is another album on the Nandos playlist.
Beautiful voice but otherwise, not my thing. Felt like I was listening to a 1940s movie musical. Again, talented and voice is great. Just not for me. 1 - 2 range
Amazing voice and awesome afro-American album. Variety is great and the click songs are unique. I don’t even mind not understanding half of the album that isn’t English.
Magnifique album, très heureux d'avoir découvert cette artiste.
She’s awesome.
Great african vibe, super fresh!
WOWOWOW!!! i read up about her and i love her lmaooo her voice is amazing and lover her stuff and this album was pretty good! i wanna show my future kids her songs :)
This is absolutely beautiful.
really nice voice, and really nice music with a twinge of cynicism in places most joyous
Amazing.
Beautiful singing voice
Very positive album. Smile all the songs!
Loved it. Worthy of a Jain song dedicated to her.
Miriam Makeba is the self-titled debut album by Miriam Makeba (aka Mama Africa) released in 1960. She brought African music to a Western audience, and popularized the world music and Afropop genres. Miriam has nice and warm voice! The most interesting songs for me: Suliram, The Click Song, Holilili, The Naughty Little Flea, One More Dance.
Wow, I was blown away by her voice! I can’t believe I’ve never heard of Miriam Makeba before. Really emotes in her singing.
Maravilhoso!!!!!!!
that was a super cool album 10/10 I don’t know how she’s able to sing The Click Song but that was impressive af
First time listening to this one. Love her voice and the influence was huge.
Brilliant, and exemplifies why I was keen to do this: I would probably never have listened to this album otherwise. The click song and a couple of the covers were the only ones I recognised on first listen, but I loved pretty much every track. Wonderful
Wow! Wow! Wow! Paul Simon can stay home, we got Miriam now
i hope shes a 4! No this is probably a 5 star album.
These are fantastic songs. I liked e.g. the guitar in Saduva.
Fresh and sweet
Classic slice of time, incredible voice and unique narrative perspective. A la Ella Fitzgerald. Naughty Little Flea top 10.
Wonderful! A terrific voice and variety of styles. Very very enjoyable. More please!
Will definitely be coming back to this album
Where was Miriam Makeba all my life? What a delightful album - funny, haunting, bold, beautiful - I’m totally in love. So far the best new discovery for me from this list.
Takes me back to the 60s, South West Africa, parties, dancing. I LOVE Miriam Makeba
Would never have a reason to come across this if not for the list. Loved it.
What a voice! This album is such a treat to listen to. Beautiful melodies, great musicianship, and perfect singing. I’ll listen to this again for sure and more of Miriam Makeba’s albums.
Beautiful
canzoni molto belle, voce perfetta, canzoni diverse e che trasmetotno emozioni bello
VERY good I really loved this
A beautiful album to say the least. The vocals are effortlessly gorgeous with equally amazing music to accompany them. Favourite songs: The Retreat Song, Lakutshn Ilanga, and House of the Rising Sun. I love her voice — it is so smooth and claming and sets the mood of the album perfectly.
Amazing, like judy garland
a perfect summer album personal favourites: [Where Does It Lead?] [Olilili] [House of the Rising Sun] [Lakutshn, Ilanga]
A beautiful voice and a huge force for change in South Africa at the height of apartheid.
Sensational. Xhosa is such a beautiful language.
Probably wouldn't end up in my collection but I can see why it's part of this collection. Makeba has a powerful and beautiful voice that reminds me of Nina Simone. A wonderful world music album.
like it
This is not an album I would have come across any other way, but I'm SO GLAD I did. Her voice is so beautiful and is incredibly comforting and soothing. It didn't matter if she was singing in English or other languages, upbeat or more serious - each song captured me in a way I was not expecting. I don't feel this way about many albums, but I didn't want it to end!
This was probably the most interesting thing i got so far, and i absolutely loved it
Absolutely magical album. My first 5/5
Rating benefitted from it being a Friday album, but I kept coming back and listening throughout the weekend. Amazing covers and humorous songs mixed with beautiful music.
Beautiful voice.
I thought this might have been a bit too much to start with, but it's just right. Still sounds fresh and exciting even though it's over 60 years old.
A wonderful vocal texture. Its basically a world jazz vocal album, and her voice just sounds great. Where Does It Lead kills. House of The Rising Sun is a great cover. The laughing on One More Dance is charming, and her voice soars. What a fabulous album.
This is the kind of thing I had hoped this entire list would be like! This was great. Wish I spoke the language but the wiki was helpful context.
really cool!!!
Miriam Makeba was incredibly influential in the spheres of music and social activism. Her music walks the line between South African and Western forms without truly fitting into either. She is happy to sing in Xhosa or Zulu with western backing band creating a more overtly African music than later western musicians who were influenced by African music would go on to do. This is appealing because here, the control is being given to the African musician instead of the western musician. Makeba's voice is smooth, controlled, and expressive. This was truly a great album to be exposed to.
Fresh. No skips but some I’d return to.
Great African music. She has a very good voice.
Fantastic album, especially if you're into world-style music. For me, this is a really strong 4-star album. I would definitely listen to it again, but it's not a genre I reach for often.
This was great! Not only is there a wonderful story behind Miriam, but the music is also great. This is my first 'world music' album to appear on the list.
Enjoyed this far more than I expected. I imagine I'll be listening to this again soon and probably some of her other material.
somewhat expectedly beautiful african folk. glad to know it. fav track: lakutshn ilanga
Pathos and joy in equal measures, this voice could lift a mountain. Moments of transcendence, especially Holilili.
Good album. Something different
Wasn’t expecting traditional African music but it is nice. I have never listened to this type of music before. Where does it lead is an amazing song. I love the mix of western songs and traditional African.
Piercingly beautiful voice that will keep you hooked the entire album, dynamic record, love the mix of African and western folk. super strong 4
yeeeeeeeaaaaaah woooooooooooooooooo 7/10 i love it
Very nice
Click, retreat. Voice and percusión
Cool stuff except for the second to last song... Just weird
Tym razem bardzo murzynsko wylosowalo, pierwszy albumik solowy poludniowoafrykanskiej spiewaczki zwanej takze jako Mama Africa, jako jedna z najbardziej znanych wokalistej czarnego kontynentu i pierwszej afrykanskiej zdobywczyni grammy, co do albumiku to jest to minimalistyczny albumik zawierajacy 14 kawalkow z czego tylko 4 sa spiewane po angilelsku, reszta natomiast to muzyka rodem z RPA, wiec jezykowo Xhosa lub Zulu dominuje, nie jestem pewien czy sa to orginalne kompozycje, bo raczej sa to piosenki ktore gdzies tam sobie juz byly spiewane wsrod plemion afrykanskich, a to jest jedynie ich zapis na tasmie, bo angielskie songi kojarze, wiec wiem, ze sa to covery, a co do czarnych kawalkow to jedynie the click song, moj ulubiony kawalek z albumiku daje info ze jest to Qongqothwane czyli piosenka spiewana podczas weselicha majaca przynosic szczescie, jakbym nie obejrzal jak spiewa to live, to bym nie uwierzyl, ze mozna wydawac taki klikajacy dzwiek i czysto spiewac jednoczesnie, caly albumik to prezentacja tego wokalu, bo jednynym instrumentalem jest to gitarka akustyczna, flet oraz chorek, spiewajacy troche jak w gospelu, ale ktory robi takze za klaskaczy i tupaczy, jak to w murzynskich klimatach jest zazwyczaj, na plejke wrzuce wspomnianego click songa oraz openingowy the retreat song
I always wondered who sung Pata Pata. Now I know! really enjoyed the album
so cool, loved mbube calling back to my childhood
This was even better than I expected it to be. A lot of these songs are really good and Makeba's vocals are incredible. I really should listen to more South African music because this is good. This style sounded kind of familiar and I think that's because it was an influence for Paul Simon. Also I think Mbube was the basis for The Lion Sleeps Tonight.The songwriting is honestly on par with a lot of Simon's songs although (like some of Paul Simon's albums) this album is a bit inconsistent. I absolutely HATE Charle's Coleman's laughing on One More Dance no matter how much I try to appreciate it. It doesn't make sense for a song about a woman's husband dying and it's so annoying. If the album had stayed as good as it started, it would have been 5 stars. Still, one bad song and a few less memorable ones certainly don't spoil the entire album for me. Favorite Songs: The Retreat Song (Jikele Maweni), Suliram, The Click Song, Olilli, Mbube, Where Does It Lead? Least Favorite Song: One More Dance Strong 8/10
Interesting
Her voice is beautiful. I love the rhythm and sound of the songs that are not in English. Those in English are a bit boring and fall flat in comparison, except for the one about the little flea.
Wiederentdeckung! Aber richtig gut!
Good but not more me
Så fedt!
I was torn on what to rate this for a while, its definitely not my genre, but Istill appreciated it a lot.
I don't think I ever would have encountered this if I were not listening through this list, but I am so glad I had the opportunity. This album had fabulous vocals, a ton of catchy songs, and was a fantastic start to my morning.
This album makes me happy!
-Definitely out of my typical tastes but very interesting -love the vocal performance -I had no idea she preformed House of the Rising Sun before The Animals
A real talent. She makes a foreign language album fantastic regardless of lyrics
Beautiful voice, beautiful sound. Great discovery.
Música africana mezclada con música melódica de los años 40... está bien.
Great stuff - really interesting variety of songs! Incredible vocal talent. Fave track - "Mbube" for that "Lion Sleeps Tonight" quality. Also "The Click Song", for clicking!
A great album that made me realize I really enjoy African music.
1st October 2021 Started at the airport on the way to Spain for Jen's surprise birthday trip! Finished on the Monday. This was a real surprise treat. I loved the power and tenderness of her voice, the classical but very much African vibe, really great and will get repeated listens.
I have Pata Pata on vinyl and it's a popular one around the house. I have loved her since college when I heard her on the college radio station and had to call in to find out who it was. Her music always lifts my spirits. Gonna knock this down to 4 though cause the song with Charles Coleman and the Flea Song throws the album off a bit for me.
What a breath of fresh air, finding this really calming and lifting. Reading about her, she had quite a life.
I’m breaking my mold here. Even though I will not be adding this album to my library, it is something worth hearing for all. The biggest reason I won’t be adding it is the language barrier, which is my limitation. But then again, these are my ratings, so the built in limitation is a necessary condition. Miriam Makeba’s angelic voice is one to remember. Her vibrato is majestic. The album sounds like it could be current or from 1960…timeless. The music is light and feels effortless, like floating from cloud to cloud in Super Mario WII. The House of the Rising Sun cover is divine, and I will be adding it to a playlist.
From playful to contemplative, Miriam Makeba shows on this album why she is one of the most important artists to come out of South Africa. That she was recording these songs and selling these albums during the oppressive years of apartheid in her home country proves what a force her voice and her music is. I had the good fortune to hear her sing live during Paul Simon's Graceland tour - what a treat, what an inspiriation.