Gotta love an album named Rebel Woman.
This is the latest release from Zimbabwean artist, Chiwoniso. As a resident of Harare, a city which is often in the news for its unrest, she sings about the every day struggles that she witnesses. At least that’s what I’ve read. Most of the CD is not sung in English, but if she is indeed singing of poverty and political unrest, you wouldn’t know it from her uplifting tunes.
In the vein of Angelique Kidjo, Chiwoniso sings powerfully and full of energy on this work that was recorded in Zimbabwe, South Africa, England and Vermont. Her voice is crisp and the complicated African rhythms complement rather than overshadow her voice and words.
In additon to her beautiful voice, the mbira is used as a centerpiece throughout the CD. The mbira is made of metal tines attached to a board. It’s plucked and pinged and mingles really nicely with the bass, guitar, bells, drums and hand clapping.
Chiwoniso was actually born in Olympia, a stone’s throw from my own home of Seattle. But her family moved back to Zimbabwe in 1990 and it was then that she became a local star on the music scene. She regularly tours throughout the U.S. and Europe.
Though this is NOT from Rebel Woman, here’s a video highlighting some of her performances.
Travel Well!
Beth
Related links:
Shuffle – On the iPod: Yunghcen Lhamo
Shuffle – On the iPod: Hanggai
Shuffle – On the iPod: Putumayo Roundup
Shuffle – On the iPod: Pernambuco
Shuffle – On the iPod: Shantel
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