Here is a list of my favorite songs by South African legend Miriam Makeba, an illustrious anti-apartheid artist who left South Africa in the 1960s, married Stokely Carmichael (after a marriage to South African jazz legend Hugh Masakela), and remained a constant figure of opposition to the apartheid government of South Africa. What fascinating me about her is diverse styles she mastered, beginning with American-styled doo wop and jazz in the 1950s to folk and "world music" of later decades. I first heard of her through listening to Harry Belafonte, the Caribbean-American folksinger, actor, and civil rights activist, who actually recorded an album in the 1960s with Miriam Makeba. What drew me to Makeba from that record was their duet on "Malaika," a Swahili love song from Kenya, meaning "angel." Makeba's divine voice, with such range and emotion, led me to listening to some of her other songs, including the famous "Pata Pata" (Touch Touch, I believe) that became an international hit in the 1960s. Her version of "Mbube," an old song dating back to Zulu workers in the mines of South Africa in the 1930s, is better known as "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" in the United States, but quite beautiful when sang in the original language. She undoubtedly possessed one of the finest voices in South African popular music.
Check out this interview
"Pata Pata" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zq5S5sH1Ikk
Live versions of the same song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-VrfadKbco
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87S_wbCsNbQ&feature=related
"Malaika" with Harry Belafonte http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVrtrB84_AA&feature=related
"Siyavuya" is an example of Miriam singing in a vocal group influenced by American jazz and doo wop. Beautiful language, beautiful music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeEA0QpcFAA&feature=fvwrel
"Ema Juba" another catchy number. This township jazz stuff is really great.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qVpnpoRuEI&feature=relmfu
"Orlando" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPLIJ16mvrI&feature=related
"L'enfant et la Gazelle" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKvcRD9Ekbk&feature=related
"Lakutshn Ilanga" is where Miriam shows off her chops as a jazz vocalist
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d99wc8LGDpw&feature=related
"Nongqongqo (To Those We Love)"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3upHN5sqd8&feature=fvwrel
"Forbidden Games" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65z0mmTv19c
Cover of "Chove Chuva" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4dT7l7sWVg
Cover of "Mas Que Nada" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oztzZu5zPzs
"Kilimanjaro" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7coXOfz5zY0&feature=related
"Khawuleza" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V74f9eIi9c0&feature=related
"Mbube" is also known as "Wimoweh"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fEHguhykD8
Another version http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G85hfwX2dVk
Original version of the same song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrrQT4WkbNE&feature
Live version of something that's good
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4LAIR4tLfI
"Into Yam" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWZ1f0Cdt1A
Live from a film http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Buod66bq0cg
"Ekoneni" features Spokes Mashiyane on pennywhistle for that kwela sound
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Rl9si_juLk
"Pole Mze" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxGtYr-b1SU&feature=related
"Little Boy" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_2HJDqmjPw&feature=relmfu
"Umhome" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAeN4wpDq54&feature=relmfu
"Tula Ndivile" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVhdYx9uOIk&feature=related
cover of "Xica da Silva" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrOXVMTYq3I&feature=related
"Click Song" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v9-j4H6kCc&feature=related
"The Retreat Song" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfKJ_gzcSTA&feature=related
"Qhude" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skEtS6WDaO4&feature=related
"Lovely Lies" became a minor hit in the USA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6xjRtoyy74
"Uile Ngwan'a Batho"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eDKz7EvcX8
"Inkomo Zodwa" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOKsbnSwiIE&feature=related
"Holili" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1RBiw8qOB0&feature=related
"Teya Teya" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTCWIBOt4do&feature=related
"Back of the Moon" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgsw_ViRHXA&feature=related
"Angilalanga"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmHDgv1SU6E&feature=related
"Jolinkomo" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYFR6BUekYk&feature=related
"Ndidliwe Zintaba" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8jeLVfnPYc&feature=relmfu
"Saduva" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQr9bvVDprk&feature=related
'Maria Fulo" cover, originally by Os Mutantes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fh6eA1WF-EM
"Nomeva" is a Xhosa song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8XHVItxUgQ&feature=related
"African Sunset" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2gMLCLSZ9w&feature=related
"Malayisha" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwYpuZlVtUg&feature=related
"Zulu Song" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k27LiD3YDZ4&feature=related
"Lumumba" is funky http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0GPm1azbZI&feature=related
"Lalelani Bantwana" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXsm4XZKK74
"Under African Skies" with Paul Simon, live
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dC93Q75I2NY&feature=related
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