Songs from a Zulu Farm

by Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Overview

Something of a follow-up to 1994's Gift of the Tortoise, Songs from a Zulu Farm is another Ladysmith Black Mabazo children's album, on which the nine-member South African male choir led by Joseph Shabalala sings traditional songs relating to children, specifically back home on the farm. Since the singing is in Zulu for the most part, the focus on nature, children, and animals may not be immediately apparent to an English speaker, who will hear the disc as a typical collection of a cappella singing, with Shabalala taking a lead part in front of the group's harmonies on short, repeated phrases. But occasionally the sounds of laughing children and animals intrude, and occasionally an English phrase is used, such as in "Imithi Gobakahle (Children Come Home)." Children on the farm in South Africa face issues that may not be encountered elsewhere, as is apparent in "Ntulube (Away, You River Snakes)." But they seem to be as fascinated by animals as children anywhere, and it's no surprise that "Old McDonaldâ?¦Zulu Style" sounds like "Old McDonald" in other countries, complete with the sounds the animals make, common in any language. ~ William Ruhlmann

Product Details

Release Date:	02/15/2011
Label:	Proper / Proper Records
UPC:	0805520300070

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Ladysmith Black Mambazo   Primary Artist
Babuyile Shabalala   Vocals,Guest Artist
Gagamela Shabalala   Vocals,Guest Artist
Jabulane Mthembu   Vocals,Guest Artist
Mazwi Shabalala   Vocals,Guest Artist
Sabelo Mthembu   Vocals,Guest Artist
Spha Shabalala   Vocals,Guest Artist
Thobani Shabalala   Vocals,Guest Artist

Technical Credits

Msizi Shabalala   Group Member
Martin Walters   Mastering,Assistant Producer,Mixing,Engineer
Dave Love   Executive Producer
Robert Hoffman   Design
Mitch Goldstein   Producer,Management,Executive Producer
Joe Picciano   Engineer,Production Manager
Lulis Leal   Photography
Ngane Djamini   Group Member
Nonhlanhla Buthelezi   Assistant Engineer
Sibongiseni Shabalala   Group Member
Thamsanga Shabalala   Group Member
Traditional   Composer
Albert Mazibuko   Group Member
Joseph Shabalala   Leader,Composer,Producer,Group Member
Russel Mthembu   Composer,Group Member
Thulani Shabalala   Group Member
Abednego Mazibuko   Group Member