Kwela

1. Kwela Kwela

2. Munt' Omnyama

3. Udakwa Njalo

4. Dlala Uzobona

5. Ndizolila

6. Msheli

7. Soka Lami

8. Ndixolele

9. Zikomo

10. Emlanjeni

11. Uyakwazi Ukwenza

12. Ndenzeni

13. Shorty George

14. Ingoma Kabani

15. Udaukwa Njalo

Kwela,Mafikizolo,Columbia,Africa,African,Int'l & World Music,Pop,Worldbeat

Average customer rating: perhaps my favourite jw Perfect for a quiet, cloudy Sunday Morning Well intended, but... lovely Expanding the Horizon

The Magic Box Martin Loveday , and Anthony Pleeth Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: El Diablo Suelto - Guitar Music of Venezuela Places Between: Live in Dublin Classic Williams: Romance of the Guitar Spirit of the Guitar: Music of the Americas Spanish Guitar Music ASIN: B000065APV Release Date: 2002-04-16

Tracks:

1. O Bia
2. Township Kwela
3. Maki
4. Engome
5. Malinke Guitars
6. Masanga
7. Musha Musiki
8. Mitopa
9. Triangular Situations
10. Guitar Makossa
11. The Magic Box
12. Omby
13. Nkosi Sikelel'i Afrika
14. Djandjon
15. Sangara

Amazon.com

With his crystalline articulation and extraordinary rhythmic prowess, John Williams ranks among the greatest solo voices the acoustic guitar has ever known. Now, with the joyous evocations of the African guitar tradition, Williams has hit upon his most emotionally satisfying crossover recital to date. Though both chief soloist and arranger, Williams nevertheless avoids shining the spotlight on his virtuosic skills--even his solo showcase, "Masagna," places greater emphasis on the tune's folkish incantations. He allows plenty of melodic space for the likes of steel-string player John Ethridge, while guiding listeners through the idiomatic flora and fauna of the pan-African experience: from the hornpipelike airs of Madagascar ("Mitopa") and kora-styled arpeggios of Mali ("Malinke Guitars") through to intimations of South African vocal traditions with a lovely children's chorus on the anthem of the African National Congress, "Nikosi Sikelel'I Africa." Simply expressive and deeply felt, Magic Box exudes a universal vibe that transcends borders and nationalities. --Chip Stern

Customer Reviews:

perhaps my favourite jw.......2004-10-20

you gotta give it to john, he tries new stuff. and traditionalists may snob his later recordings, he has a gift of bringing life to guitar music.

the repertoire is different, cute and enjoyable.

my only critisicm is that the steel string solos get a bit monotonous in some of the pieces, but this is only because its not to my taste.

Perfect for a quiet, cloudy Sunday Morning.......2003-11-16

I have Magic Box playing and a small water sculpture flowing as I type this and the combination is just about perfect. I wouldn't call myself a sophisticated listener, even though I bought my first Segovia recording as a teenager in the early 1960s and, over the years, have accumulated quite a few recording by Segovia, Isbin, Williams, Parkening, and others. I never tire of listening to these superb guitarists playing Rodrigo and Bach and the other standards but, every once in a while, it is a pleasure to hear something a little out of the ordinary. It takes a special talent for a classically trained musician to handle pop or folk material with any success - as it does for pop/folk musicians to go the other way. Williams does it with ease.

Well intended, but..........2002-12-21

Being quite close to some of the sources for some of these pieces, I was both thrilled that they had been recognized, while a bit disappointed in the actual music treatment on Magic Box, which I found rather tepid and polite compared to the originals.

Paul-Bert Rahasimanana is much better known as Rossy, and he has many albums, most available on Amazon.com. Unfortunately, the links on this page don't tell you that. I have produced him, and toured and performed with him. He's an amazing musician. I hope people take the time to listen to his music.

Another source musician, Ralanto, is on the cover of an album called Moon and the Banana Tree, a 1995 compendium of acoustic guitar players in Madagascar which I produced for Shanachie. Omby, the piece John Williams covers, is on that album, and again, I hope people will take the time to seek that album out as well. Williams recently referred to it in an interview as a real eye-opener. I wish he could have heard Resting Place of the Mists, the companion CD which is already out of print.

Africa (including Madagascar, which is more properly associated with Indian Ocean culture than with Africa) has some of the most astounding guitar players on earth. Hearing an admittedly superb classical guitarist attempt to do that material justice requires that the listener either be unaware of the source, or willing to ignore it and judge the extremely European treatment he offers, which is dramatically inside the limits of the source. With all due respects, I truly hope it will draw some folks to listen to the real thing.

lovely.......2002-11-02

Classical guitarist extraordinaire John Williams has never been afraid to set out on little side-trips, away from the mainstream of the classical guitar literature. Beyond taking part on occasion in big orchestra-backed 'pops' excursions, he has regularly immersed himself in avant-garde, jazz, and even rock projects (for example the band 'Sky'). "The Magic Box" therefore does not really represent Williams doing anything unusual for him, but it does expand his repertoire within the world of folk and international music, in this case the traditional music of Africa. I find most of this material very attractive, but somehow a little less involving than when it is played on native instrumentation (perhaps simple beauties just cannot be improved upon...). Nevertheless, as always Williams executes each item in the program with grace and understanding, and with a level of gentleness and respect that one expects from a classical musician of his calibre. Call it a worthwhile experiment--though I'm not sure I would clamor for an encore.

Expanding the Horizon.......2002-07-18

In pursuing his goal of expanding guitar music beyond the traditional Spanish repertoire, Williams and friends have produced a very enjoyable collection of African style music. The blend of percussion, bass, and wind instruments gives it even more flavor. Particularly delightful is track 3, "Maki," with Williams playing beautiful tremolo and strumming on a bright sounding requinto. Several other pieces give off a similar tropical, mellow, and happy feeling. I'm eagerly anticipating Williams' next project and where he will take us.

Average customer rating: fine album, plays perfectly on SACD & up-to-date CD players Have had to hear it elsewhere Can't Rate the CD will not Play Stunning Williams - Magic Box

Magic Box Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Williams, John [guitar] | ( W ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Bach: The Four Great Toccatas and Fugues [SACD] ASIN: B000065APT Release Date: 2002-04-16

Tracks:

1. O Bia
2. Township Kwela
3. Maki
4. Engome - Francis Bebey, John Williams
5. Malinke Guitars
6. Masanga
7. Musha Musiki
8. Mitopa
9. Triangular Situations
10. Guitar Makossa
11. Magic Box
12. Omby
13. Nkosi Sikelel'i Afrika
14. Djandjon
15. Sangara

Customer Reviews:

fine album, plays perfectly on SACD & up-to-date CD players.......2004-02-11

Although not William's strongest output, it is one of his most interesting and ecclectic. It is nice to hear the clarity of his performance and his very fine guitar made possible by the SACD format. ...

Have had to hear it elsewhere.......2003-12-09

Like the following message, the "Super Audio" version won't play on my equipment. I didn't know this when I ordered it and now have a useless CD! Beware!

Can't Rate the CD will not Play.......2002-06-25

Costomers should beware of the titling on the amazon search results page for the John Williams CD, The Magic Box. The regular audio CD in not titled under Williams' name, but the super audio CD is. So with a quick look I bought the super audio CD by mistake. It will not play on my current system and sadly I still haven't heard it yet. Will Amazon take it back? Such are the vageries of ordering stuff on the internet.

Stunning.......2002-05-01

I stopped my car driving in San Fransico traffic tonight to write down the name of this album. How often does one do that?
It's superb! I am now ordering it.

Williams - Magic Box.......2002-04-17

Classical guitarist John Williams, former student of Segovia, often pushes the boundaries of classical guitar. This is one of his best. An album based upon African melodies from Senegal, Cameroon, etc.etc. Backed up by (African) traditional rhythm instruments and native singers. In some cases these are more Williams impressions based upon traditional pieces. In most cases they are based upon actual songs. Excellent technique. Great sound. Everything you would expect from a Master of Williams' stature. Makes you want to get your body moving.

Average customer rating: Irresistibly cheerful music from South Africa

King Kwela Spokes Mashiyane Manufacturer: Gallo Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Africa | International | Styles | Music South Africa | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Jive Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music Africa | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B00005YEG7 Release Date: 2001-06-19

Customer Reviews:

Irresistibly cheerful music from South Africa.......2003-05-29

Bouncy South African pennywhistle, or kwela, music from the leader of the Solven Whistlers, and during the 1950s a frequent collaborator with Miriam Makeba and the Skylarks. Mashiyane pretty much made the pennywhistle a popular sound, and few people could match him for the expressiveness he brought to such a seemingly limited instrument. For an all-instrumental album highlighting a fairly oddball sound, this disc is far more captivating than one might imagine. Recommended!

Average customer rating:

Kwela Tebza Tebogo Manufacturer: Gallo Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music ASIN: B00008G5LC Release Date: 1996-06-18

Average customer rating: Great African CD

Simanje-Manje & Kwela Donald Kachamba's Kwela Band Manufacturer: P.a.M. Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Africa | International | Styles | Music South Africa | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music Rhumba | Latin Music | Styles | Music ASIN: B00003GPQG Release Date: 1999-12-14

Tracks:

1. Lundu Jive Simanje
2. Nasibeko Lumba
3. Singano Jive No. 8
4. Tiye Tiye Loko Jivee
5. 4-5-6 Kulakwa
6. Malume Zikomo Sinjonjo
7. Mapasa Jive
8. Mwana Kulilalila Jive
9. Chimanga Kwa Singano Lelo (Talk)
10. Kanyodole Simanje
11. Simanje-Manje Afterbeat
12. G-A-E-G [Instrumental]
13. Tsoka Laine [Live]
14. Chikumbutso Lumba [Live]
15. Maria Roza [Live]
16. Amalawi Moto-Moto
17. Musandinene
18. Inu Amunanga
19. Sadyia Mbewa
20. Capola Kurhodesia
21. Anzanga Mukupita Kuti?

Customer Reviews:

Great African CD.......2000-08-26

This CD collects a number of previous recordings of Kwela and Simanje-Manje music by Donald Kachamba, the only remaining artist who is active in these two forms of popular music which evolved in the townships of South Africa in the 50's (Kwela) and 60's (simanje-manje). The music is played with simple instruments based on the kinds of instruments available to poor black teenagers -- the pennywhistle, which is at the heart of Kwela, gained its popularity because it could be made from a piece of discarded copper pipe. The music is excellent, and reminds you of blues guitar pieces in the way that you start out listening to the melody only to realize after a few minutes that what really grabs you about the melody is the rhythm that's built into it. As the tune repeats itself over and over, the rhythm changes in subtle ways, giving the music energy and making you realize, after sitting down to listen to the music, that you really want to get up and dance to it. Great stuff, easy to love.

Average customer rating: The roots of jazz - immense energy and beauty

Concert Kwela Donald Kachamba Manufacturer: Le Chant Du Monde ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Africa | International | Styles | Music South Africa | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music Rhumba | Latin Music | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music Africa | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B000003IB3 Release Date: 1994-04-05

Customer Reviews:

The roots of jazz - immense energy and beauty.......1999-01-20

Great CD for all lovers of jazz. The music is totally refreshing and really represents raw feeling.

Average customer rating:

Broken Strings Allen Kwela , and Sibongile Khumalo Manufacturer: Sheer Sound ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Africa | International | Styles | Music South Africa | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B000063UNB Release Date: 2002-04-02

Tracks:

1. Seven Days Ago
2. Tranquility
3. Turnaround
4. Stand Up
5. Kwa Mashu
6. Evergreen
7. Past, Present & Future
8. Wings
9. Sunday Blue

Average customer rating: Smashing If you missed this one . . .

Kwela Mafikizolo Manufacturer: Columbia ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music ASIN: B0002W108M Release Date: 2005-02-15

Tracks:

1. Kwela Kwela
2. Munt' Omnyama
3. Udakwa Njalo
4. Dlala Uzobona
5. Ndizolila
6. Msheli
7. Soka Lami
8. Ndixolele
9. Zikomo
10. Emlanjeni
11. Uyakwazi Ukwenza
12. Ndenzeni
13. Shorty George
14. Ingoma Kabani
15. Udaukwa Njalo

Customer Reviews:

Smashing.......2006-09-06

I was fortunate enough to travel to RSA last week.
I went to 2 record stores for it. One was sold out and I snatched the last 3 cds on the shelf in another store.
Great sound. I wish I could understand what they are singing about. The thing with music is you really dont have to to enjoy...

If you missed this one . . ........2006-02-05

I see that this album is no longer available. Just wanted to extend my condolences to those who may have missed it. It's a lot of fun. Innovative, upbeat, optimistic, even liberating. But what else would you expect from a great South African band?! My advice: Keep trying to find it!

Average customer rating: Pennywhistle magic

Spokes Mashiyane King Kwela Manufacturer: Melodie ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Blues | Styles | Music ASIN: B000027X01

Tracks:

1. Meva
2. Kwela Spokes
3. Ace Blues
4. Chobolo
5. Kwela Claude
6. Chigaco Blues
7. Dolos
8. Ndlnovalo
9. Sheshisa
10. New Year Eve Blues
11. Jika Spokes
12. Sono Sam

Customer Reviews:

Pennywhistle magic.......2005-11-30

The album is brilliant, showing just how wonderful the pennywhistle can be (using the Kwela cross-breathing technique) as a jazz instrument. It helps to explain why South Africa was regarded as one of the few places on earth creating original jazz in the 50s. The sad thing is that so little Kwela is available on CD despite many hundereds of sides sitting in Gallo Records' vaults in Jo'burg. While Spokes was a star, there were many others who played the tin whistle nearly as well as he did on his hits and better than he did on the album's filler tracks. Will we ever hear them?

Average customer rating:

Concert Kwela Malawi Manufacturer: Harmo ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music ASIN: B00000AV1B Release Date: 1994-04-04

Pop Music:

1. Lô Borges [Import]
2. Libre [Import]
3. Los Afro-Salseros de Senegal en Habana
4. Marocain Moderne [Import]
5. Mawal E Magamat Iragi
6. Me Gustas Tu [CD-single] [Import]
7. Megalopolis [Import]
8. Musique & Cinema Du Monde [Import]
9. Nara [Import]
10. Nuovo Cinema Paradiso [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] [Soundtrack] [Import]

Pop Music