Reviewed by Ian Phillips.
By Soweto Gospel Choir, ABC/Universal Music 2019.
My first experience with massed gospel choirs was many years ago in Galway, Ireland, when I stumbled upon the Harlem Gospel Choir rehearsing in a church for a performance later that evening.
I snuck in the back and sat there for an hour entranced by their power and harmonies.
Fast forward about 15 years and I was fortunate enough to attend a rehearsal of the Welsh Male Choir at Swansea in Wales.
Once again it was the power of all those beautiful voices singing perfect harmonies that totally captivated me.
It must be something in the water, but all Welshmen seem to naturally sing in perfect pitch and natural harmony.
Forward once again to the last time that the Soweto Gospel Choir toured Australia and I was drawn again to experience the sheer beauty of the rhythm, power and melodies of a massed choir.
This album coincides with the Soweto Gospel Choir’s current tour of our shores and it is something very special.
Freedom is their heartfelt tribute to Nelson Mandela in celebration of the 100th anniversary of his birth.
The depth and scope of the music on Freedom speaks to the extraordinary range and abilities within the group.
The album features iconic ‘struggle’ songs associated with the liberation movement in South Africa including compositions by Miriam Makeba, Letta Mbulu and Mbogeni Ngema, creator of the hit musical Sarfina.
They also do a wonderful version of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah in the various languages of South Africa.
The performances on this album are absolutely delightful and presented with a joyous energy that is inspiring.
If you, like me, are into choirs then I recommend this album and suggest that you look up the Soweto Gospel Choir’s touring schedule.
