1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #26. Miriam Makeba - Miriam Makeba (1960)

Miriam Makeba - Miriam Makeba (1960)

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. The Retreat Song (Jikele Maweni)
2. Suliram
3. The Click Song
4. Umhome
5. Olilili
6. Lakutshn, Ilanga
7. Mbube
8. The Naughty Little Flea
9. Where Does It Lead?
10. Nomeva
11. House Of The Rising Sun
12. Saduva
13. One More Dance - Charles Coleman

I must admit, I had never heard of Miriam Makeba before hearing this album, and to tell you the truth, I was not looking forward to listening to it. While I was not overly impressed with the record, I was pleasantly surprised.
Miriam’s mentor was Harry Belafonte, who accompanies her on some of the tracks – and wrote the liner notes for the lp. No wonder RCA Victor Records snapped her up and recorded this her first album in May 1960. Clearly, the label was hoping to repeat the success of Harry Belafonte. "The Naughty Little Flea," sounds like a Belefonte number . She too turns in a version of "House of the Rising Sun.", but unlike the dismal treatment given to the track by Joan Baez – reviewed early this week – this isn’t half bad. Such familiar type English material offset the songs sung in her native South African tongue of Xhosa. (I had to look it up). Makeba has a smooth voice and she uses it to its limit with the different range of material she recorded. This ever includes “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” which is here called “Mbube” sung in the original language.
Again not overly impressed with the record – but can recommend it – with reservations

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR NOVEMBER 21:
Dr. John is 68;