Gumboots [Cast Recording] [Soundtrack]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
It would be tempting to describe Gumboots as a South African version of Tap Dogs or even Lord of the Dance, and based solely on this recording, it wouldn't be that far off. The "gumboots" of the title refers to boots that South African mineworkers used to wear. Often adorned with bottle tops, they could also be used as percussive instruments as the workers performed a variety of dances. Most recently, they've been endorsed as a symbol of self-expression and liberation by the Rishile Gumboot Dancers of Soweto. Although some of the songs are traditional, most of the material was written by Zenzi Mbuli, the show's director, and Vincent Ncabashe, and should appeal to fans of South African pop and of Ladysmith Black Mambazo. But while the songs are good enough, the whole point of Gumboots is to let the dancers fiercely strut their stuff--and judging by this CD, these boots are made for stomping. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Gumboots, Music, Original Cast Recording, Cast Recordings, Original Cast Recordings, Pop, Showtunes / B'way, South Africa, South African Folk, South African Pop
Gumboots
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Never seen the show and very sorry I missed it!
  • Alive and joyous!
  • Vitality and variety
 Gumboots
Original Cast Recording
Manufacturer: RCA Victor Broadway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00004ZBDN
Release Date: 2000-10-24

Tracks:

  1. Nelson Mandela (Incl. 'Salute' Dance)
  2. Ta La Li La Le
  3. The Man Who Stole The Sun
  4. Joburg
  5. Shosholoza
  6. Egoli, City Of Gold
  7. Joburg (Reprise)
  8. Sibiziwe ('Party Song')
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  10. Singing Through The Mountains
  11. I'm Too Sexy
  12. Mabele
  13. Bump Jive
  14. Uqhuba Isisu
  15. Dronkie
  16. Train
  17. Nelson Mandela (Reprise)/Water Dance (Omm Ohh Ho La La)
  18. Hiyo! Hiyo!
  19. The Closing Of The Mine ('Ukuvalwa Kwe Mine')
  20. Asikhathali ('We Don't Get Tired')
  21. Wait! Waitee!
  22. Ma-Gumede

Amazon.com

It would be tempting to describe Gumboots as a South African version of Tap Dogs or even Lord of the Dance, and based solely on this recording, it wouldn't be that far off. The "gumboots" of the title refers to boots that South African mineworkers used to wear. Often adorned with bottle tops, they could also be used as percussive instruments as the workers performed a variety of dances. Most recently, they've been endorsed as a symbol of self-expression and liberation by the Rishile Gumboot Dancers of Soweto. Although some of the songs are traditional, most of the material was written by Zenzi Mbuli, the show's director, and Vincent Ncabashe, and should appeal to fans of South African pop and of Ladysmith Black Mambazo. But while the songs are good enough, the whole point of Gumboots is to let the dancers fiercely strut their stuff--and judging by this CD, these boots are made for stomping. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Never seen the show and very sorry I missed it!.......2001-04-15

I bumped into the DVD accidently while at a local book store and quickly searched the store computer to see if there was an album. I have never seen the show and I have to agree with both reviewers. The CD stands on its own. AND there is wonderful variety.

I own 2 Ladysmith albums and while they are excellent, there is little variation between albums and songs. This album has both wonderful a capellas and variety. The use of narrative, percussive instruments, sounds of boot stomping, and bottle top rattling, creates a wonderfully rich context for each of the songs.

If you own Power of One or any Ladysmith you will like this CD.

I'll let you know what the DVD's like when I buy it!

5 out of 5 stars Alive and joyous!.......2000-11-07

I recently saw this show live, and was a trifle hesitant to purchase the CD, for I was concerned that losing the visual would detract too much from the experience. However, the music of Gumboots can stand - or rather, dance - on its own. If anything, the CD has given me the opportunity to concentrate more on the rich harmonies and soaring melodies of the tradtional music featured. Though I would recommend that anyone with the opportunity to see the show should see it in order to get the full effect of Gumboots, this CD makes a great contribution to any collection, with or without the ticket stub!

5 out of 5 stars Vitality and variety.......2000-10-28

The original cast recording of on RCA Victor (909026-63724-2) derives its title from a secret code beaten out on the gumboots of black mine workers who were not permitted to converse with one another. From a necessity it became an art and then in the 1970s into a show designed to preserve the cultural traditions of South Africa. Now that the show is one tour, RCA has issued this CD with its 22 tracks of music from the show with sufficient narration to raise this disc several notches over similar recordings of shows in which the visual aspects are as important as the musical ones.

While I generally find recordings of "traditional" African music somewhat monotonous (in the strict sense of that word), I have nothing but praise for the vitality and variety offered up in these selections. At the time of this writing, PBS plans a special on the Rishile Gumboot Dancers of Soweto; and this CD has certainly made me look forward to it--which is more than other such recordings have done. This is a winner!
Search for a Passage
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Wonderful Canadian Folk Songs
 Search for a Passage
GumBoots
Manufacturer: Festival Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000058A9C
Release Date: 2001-01-03

Tracks:

  1. Passage Chantey
  2. Search for a Passage
  3. Hudson Saga: Intro
  4. Hudson Saga
  5. 1897: Flight to the Pole
  6. Cold Winter's Night
  7. Crowfoot
  8. John Hornby's Affair With the North
  9. What a Journey, Samuel Hearne
  10. Rocks, The Wind and the Water
  11. Soaked and Nearly Scrubbed
  12. Good Times Remembered

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Wonderful Canadian Folk Songs.......2005-01-06

I have thoroughly enjoyed this album and this group. Their songs of the Canadian Northwest celebrate the lives of the trappers, bush pilots, miners and Mounties who populate this fascinating part of the globe. Their folk songs are reminiscent of the great music and groups of the 1960's and 1970's.

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