Journey of Dreams is an album by the South African vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, released in 1988.[2][3] Journey of Dreams also served as the title of a film about frontman Joseph Shabalala, directed by David Lister and shot around the same time.[4] Shabalala chose the title in part to describe his journey from his birthplace of Ladysmith to international success.[5] It also refers to his desire to get the sound he heard in his dreams on to record.[6] The album was nominated for a Grammy Award for "Best Traditional Folk Recording".[7] The group supported it with North American tour.[8]
| Journey of Dreams | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1988 | |||
| Label | Warner Bros.[1] | |||
| Producer | Russ Titelman, Joseph Shabalala | |||
| Ladysmith Black Mambazo chronology | ||||
| ||||
Production
editThe album was coproduced by Russ Titelman.[9] The group recorded two songs in tribute to Paul Simon, who had collaborated with them on Graceland.[10] Simon also arranged and sang on the group's version of "Amazing Grace".[11] "Hamba Dompasi (No More Passbook)" is about South Africa's pass laws.[12] "Bavim' Indela (The Stumbling Block)" is a tribute to Miriam Makeba and Hugh Maskela.[13] Ladysmith Black Mambazo sang two of the album's songs in English.[14]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [15] |
| Robert Christgau | B+[16] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [17] |
| MusicHound World: The Essential Album Guide | [18] |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [11] |
Robert Christgau noted that "Simon takes the lead on 'Amazing Grace', the 'Send in the Clowns' of roots music."[16] The Philadelphia Inquirer determined that the album "elevates leader Joseph Shabalala's spirituals to theatrical heights."[19] The Toronto Star called it "a candid weaving of spiritually inspired Zulu folklore interspersed with vivid accounts of Ladysmith's own history."[12]
The Philadelphia Daily News praised the "winsome, frisky folk harmony sound."[20] The Richmond Times-Dispatch called Journey of Dreams "soulfully mesmerizing."[21] The St. Louis Post-Dispatch admired "the lush fullness of 10 male voices in thick harmony [and] the intricate rhythmic shifts of Shabalala's lead vocals around the dense response of the choir."[22]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Umusa Kankulunkulo (Mercy of God)" | |
| 2. | "Lindelani (Get Ready)" | |
| 3. | "Ukhalangami (You Cry for Me)" | |
| 4. | "Bavim' Indela (The Stumbling Block)" | |
| 5. | "Bashobha (Watch)" | |
| 6. | "Nomakanjani (Dark or Blue)" | |
| 7. | "Hamba Dompasi (No More Passbook)" | |
| 8. | "Ungayoni Into Enhle (Destroy Not This Beauty)" | |
| 9. | "Amaphiko Okundiza (Wings to Fly)" | |
| 10. | "Wayibambezela (Don't Waste Her Time)" | |
| 11. | "Ungakhohlwa (Don't Forget)" | |
| 12. | "Amazing Grace" |
References
edit- ^ "Ladysmith Black Mambazo". Trouser Press. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
- ^ "Ladysmith Black Mambazo Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
- ^ Holmes, Tim (Nov 1988). "Spins". Spin. Vol. 4, no. 8. p. 90.
- ^ Erlmann, Veit (June 3, 1999). Music, Modernity, and the Global Imagination: South Africa and the West. Oxford University Press.
- ^ Washburn, Jim (23 Sep 1988). "Ladysmith Makes a Dream Come True". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 23.
- ^ Hawkins, Robert J. (September 21, 1988). "South African band soars after boost by Paul Simon". The San Diego Union-Tribune. p. C1.
- ^ "Ladysmith Black Mambazo". Recording Academy. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
- ^ Delean, Paul (14 Nov 1988). "Mambazo show simple, warm". The Gazette. Montreal. p. D6.
- ^ McAdams, Jannie C. (Nov 19, 1988). "Black Mambazo Launches 'Journey of Dreams'". Billboard. Vol. 100, no. 47. p. 29.
- ^ Erskine, Evelyn (30 Sep 1988). "Quiet ray of hope from Africa". Ottawa Citizen. p. B6.
- ^ a b The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. pp. 411–412.
- ^ a b Potter, Mitch (11 Nov 1988). "Ladysmith braving post-Simon slump". Toronto Star. p. D16.
- ^ Bourke, Brian G. (November 10, 1988). "Language Is No Barrier to This Group's Message". Syracuse Herald-Journal. p. E1.
- ^ Morse, Steve (16 Nov 1988). "The Gates Are Opening for Ladysmith Black Mambazo". Arts and Film. The Boston Globe. p. 86.
- ^ "Ladysmith Black Mambazo Journey of Dreams". AllMusic.
- ^ a b "Ladysmith Black Mambazo". Robert Christgau.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 5. MUZE. p. 62.
- ^ MusicHound World: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 2000. p. 416.
- ^ Moon, Tom (5 Nov 1988). "The most popular African choir...". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. D1.
- ^ Takiff, Jonathan (18 Nov 1988). "Musical Missionaries". Features Friday. Philadelphia Daily News. p. 62.
- ^ Bustard, Clarke (October 16, 1988). "A different manner of speaking musically surges out of South Africa...". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. J4.
- ^ Pick, Steve (October 21, 1988). "Ladysmith Black Mambazo Brings Mbube Sound Here". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. 5G.