Miriam Makeba

jacobs-ladder

Warm, unexpected and enjoyable. This was something I had never heard about, it was well done, competent, relaxing and even funny. She has a really easy voice that conveys emotion even across language barriers. Her singing on One More Dance played perfectly off the laughter of the male singer, and you could tell she was playing it straight while also having a playful and coying quality that sounded like she was smiling while singing. If there were any weak spots, the songs in English just weren't as good as the songs in whatever the other language is. Great Highlights: Retreat Song, Click Song, Mbube, One More Dance

gafa42

crazydiamond84

avecigrec

zomgbear2

Mbube is seriously kicking in some Lion King Vibes to me!! I enjoyed some of the songs! I dont think this is something I'd listen to normally but it was an enjoyable listen.

whiteout75

hemotep

A few incredible songs that highlight her voice. But the album is peppered with too many English songs that lack the fire she otherwise has in her performances.

nandg

Enjoyed the album and the history, but I do think the history of Miriam and where this album takes her outweighs the album itself. Taken on its own merits it seemed a product of the time (outside of the context of history).

wmeugene2005

So this is a change of pace. I've never heard of this artist or album, unlike the first two which I know really well. Funnily enough, the first two were VMP Essentials and after listening to this, I'm surprised this hasn't been a VMP Classics pick. It seems right up their alley. With that being said, if it was a Classics pick, it would be more along the lines of those I listen to once and never reach for again. As others have commented, the material is a little all over the map between African and more Western Jazz standards. The strongest material is the more African material that is unique and shows off her chops, but there's just not enough of it. Some of the other tunes on this like The Naughty Little Flea and One More Dance are dated and I don't need to ever hear again. She's a talented artist for sure, but I just don't find this album all that strong.

dbarila

lou070920

whitedahlias2

I have never heard of Miriam Makeba before today, and I was really enjoying the first half of this album, but I think the tracks in Xhosa are a lot better than the ones in English. I'd probably put this one as a 3 but I'll have to dig deeper on her as I was really liking a few of the tracks.

gafacaode

paninonandg

jt4527

Beautiful voice, her life is an incredible story worth reading about. It's hard to get into though, different cultures, languages, experiences, but I do appreciate the skill and craft of the songs. 3 stars.

needles-and-groovies

baz00kat00th

wicked-dreamer

There's still a number of non-English musical genres I'm still unaccustomed to, including African music & the work of Miriam Makeba, so this was a really insightful listen and Miriam herself is a great singer, even if the music itself didn't really hold my interest outside of a few songs. 3/5 fav: The Click Song worst: One More Dance

official-needles-and-grooves-project

Very excited. Never heard of this artist, always up for some international music. The singing is beautiful on this album. As are the melodies. I hope to spend lots of time with it. The English songs are not as successful as the ones in her native language but a good listen all the way around.