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Many times I found it difficult to keep my legs still when listening. In many respects, this album was sleepier than Pata Pata. It's versatile, with some 40's flavored pieces alternating with gospel and African folk-style pieces.
This was painfully disappointing to hear. On one cut, Miriam seems to be a back up singer for a male singer. I finally found the album that really was the Miriam Makeba I had loved in the 60's and 70's: Miriam Makeba AFRICA. MAMA AFRICA was touted as the very best of Makeba's works and it just is not. More than that, many of the cuts are backed by a full orchestra or backup that is terrible if you are used to Miriam's voice being foremost, with a light African music back up.
You won't regret it. Miriam Makeba was- is an amazing singer but this collection falls short. I would advise older original recording like: Africa, Pata Pata, even Live from Paris.
I found the quality overall to be disappointing. If you have no comparison, you would probably enjoy this gifted songstress. I was expecting to hear some of the old songs with the same arrangements and backup bands. I was surprised to find not one single piece the same as I remembered.
It plays choronoligically from her earliest recording up to her most recent records. Mama Africa. This is a must-have for lovers of South African music. The melodies are infectious and Miriam makes you want to know more about the plight of the people of Africa she describes in her songs. What a proper name for the Queen of African Song. This collection has all the great songs from Miriam.
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