Miriam Makeba, World Music Ambassador, Passes at Age 76
Miriam Makeba, considered musical royalty in her native South Africa and an ambassador of music throughout the world, passed away today at the age of 76. Her music, as much as Pete Seeger's, Woody Guthrie's, and Ella Jenkins' music, is a joyous celebration of life and culture, and should be as much a part of children's musical experiences as those three kids' music giants.
Check out these two CDs, both great starting points for exploring Makeba's musical legacy: The two-CD rerelease of three of her most famous 1960s albums, Miriam Makeba in Concert!, Pata Pata, and Makeba! (2002, Collectables); and The Best of Miriam Makeba and the Skylarks (2003, Camden), a collection of her work with the all-female group formed in 1958.
Photo Courtesy Gallo Images/Getty Images Entertainment
Comments
A very sad day for us in South Africa. She will be lovingly remembered.
Thanks for your sentiments, Graeme. Since you’re from Makeba’s part of the world, and probably more familiar with her music, which of her songs and albums would you suggest for kids and their families?
My personal favourite album is “The Best of Miriam Makeba and the Skylarks” It contains some of her very early performances which highlight the African take on the American swing vocal groups of the 50s
http://tinyurl.com/6cn3cr
A classic album (and probably her most famous) is Pata Pata http://tinyurl.com/5gzjg9
It contains both classic songs “Pata Pata” and “The Click Song”.
“An evening with Belafonte and Miriam Makeba” also contains some gems, including “Malaika” http://tinyurl.com/6f65g3
The songs on all these albums are sweet and lyrical and I think are quite suitable for both kids and their parents.
Here is an article on her life:
http://tinyurl.com/5krjyb
The albums “Pata Pata” and “An evening with Belafonte and Miriam Makeba” are probably her best know albums, and are really beautiful.
My personal favourite though is the one you mention called “Miriam Makeba & the Skylarks” which was recorded before she became internationally famous. The Skylarks are a sort-of African style take on vocal groups popular in the U.S. at the time.
Although not intended to be children’s music, these albums are sure to please both kids and their parents with their lyrical African melodies and rhythms.
Apologies for double post…First one didn’t appear to have gone through initially!
Nice tribute to Mama Afrika:
A moments silence:
http://www.cherryflava.com/cherryflava/2008/11/channel-os-miri.html