Gift Of The Tortoise: A Musical Journey Through Southern Africa

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The jewel in the crown in the Music for Little People catalog, Gift of the Tortoise is stunning in its beauty and uncompromising in its delivery of excellence. Expressed from the viewpoint of a very wise tortoise, the lush harmonies of Ladysmith Black Mambazo are supported by renowned guitarist Johnny Clegg and storyteller Gcina Mhlophe, creating a captivating blend of Zulu lore, South African history, and that country's brave optimism in the post-Apartheid era. As the drama unfolds, the listener is drawn into the spell cast by this marvelous group of players as they carry out the chant of ancestral names on "Two Shelleni," the folk legend of the "Boy Who Turned into a Cat," and the classic "Mbube (the Lion Sleeps Tonight)." --Paige La Grone

From Parents' Choice®
Introduced by South African storyteller Gcina Mhlophe as the voice of the tortoise, stories (Boy Who Turned into a Cat), chants (Kanie, Kanje) and songs (Mbube or The Lion Sleeps Tonight) weave in and out of each other through this seamless whole of music and words. Here are striking harmonies, haunting chord progressions and unfamiliar but wonderful vocalizations. Best known in this country through its association with Paul Simon and Graceland, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and leader Joseph... read more

Gift Of The Tortoise: A Musical Journey Through Southern Africa

Gift Of The Tortoise: A Musical Journey Through Southern Africa, Music, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Africa, African, African Folk, Afro-Pop, Children's Stories, Childrens, Mbaqanga, Mbube, Pop, South Africa, World Music, Worldbeat

Average customer rating:

Best of the best

We Love It!!

wonderful for our 2-yr-old

Beautiful....and different

Excellent entertainment!

Gift Of The Tortoise: A Musical Journey Through Southern Africa
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Manufacturer: Music Little People
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Africa | International | Styles | Music
South Africa | Africa | International | Styles | Music
General | International | Styles | Music
General | Children's Music | Styles | Music
Music for Little People | Children's Music | Styles | Music
Stories | Children's Music | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000002M6S
Release Date: 1994-03-08

Tracks:

Intro
Kanje Kanje
Rain Chant
There Come Our Mothers
Nomyekelo
Finger Dance
Thekwane
Vulani Ringi Ring
Boy Who Turned Into A Cat
Paparam Vingo
Shabalala
Two Shelleni
Mbube (The Lion Sleeps Tonight)
Peace Be With You

Amazon.com

The jewel in the crown in the Music for Little People catalog, Gift of the Tortoise is stunning in its beauty and uncompromising in its delivery of excellence. Expressed from the viewpoint of a very wise tortoise, the lush harmonies of Ladysmith Black Mambazo are supported by renowned guitarist Johnny Clegg and storyteller Gcina Mhlophe, creating a captivating blend of Zulu lore, South African history, and that country's brave optimism in the post-Apartheid era. As the drama unfolds, the listener is drawn into the spell cast by this marvelous group of players as they carry out the chant of ancestral names on "Two Shelleni," the folk legend of the "Boy Who Turned into a Cat," and the classic "Mbube (the Lion Sleeps Tonight)." --Paige La Grone

Customer Reviews:

Best of the best.......2007-05-13

For anyone wishing quality for their children I've yet to find anything better. This is a magical CD. When it was stolen from the car, my son(now 18)requested I reorder it. The voice of the storyteller transports us to places and feelings we've rarely experienced and yet share a common human experience of joy and hope.If I could only purchase one CD for my child - this would be it...and I would be listening.

We Love It!!.......2006-01-16

I put this on my 19month old daughter's Wish List for Christmas and we just listened to it today. She loved the animal sounds in the beginning and danced to some of the music. It's not something she'll sit down and just listen to as a storytime yet, but I think it will be a timeless addition to our CD collection. As an adult, I enjoyed listening to the stories and the music. A good buy for younger and older children as the music is very rythymic, but not too loud (I think my daughter would have liked it as an infant).

wonderful for our 2-yr-old.......2004-11-25

This album is a great hit with our toddler. Many, many nights she requests to listen to this CD as she goes to sleep. The rhythms are wonderful for young ears, she loves to sing the choruses with the children on the recording............it tickles me to see my daughter respond so positively to lyrics in a language foreign to her.

Beautiful....and different.......2004-11-17

My 2 year old son LOVES music - all types. Laurie Berkner has been a fav for a while now. But this cd is DIFFERENT!! In a good way!!!!! It is simply beautiful and fun.

Excellent entertainment!.......2004-11-08

I bought this CD because it was geared toward children, but it had the beautiful acapella harmonies of Ladysimith Black Mombazo, which I enjoy. I found the stories to be enchanting, and my 2.5-year-old loves to sing and clap along to the songs. This is a wonderful CD to have in your own library as a break from nursery rhymes and traditional children's songs. It also makes an excellent gift for friends and family.

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