Consumer Guide Album

Ladysmith Black Mambazo: Live at the Royal Albert Hall [Shanachie, 1999]
Their first live album in a quarter century of taking it to the stage disperses the pious aura with which their religious faith and the self-righteousness of the world-music ethos conspire to surround them. Their sound effects ought to be funny enough in themselves (try the kisses on "Hello My Baby"), but their awkward repartee will convince the properest sobersides that it's OK to laugh. Their rhythms are more pronounced as well--too bad you can't see the steps. Their English repertoire is limited, so the half where you'll understand the words is re makes; their Zulu repertoire is vast, so the half where you won't isn't. Inspirational Chorus: "Everything's so stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid"--sung with a smile. A−