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The sounds of South Africa in Coming Home

posted by Chad Jones on Wed, Jan 20, 2010
in

The music of South Africa plays a vital role in director Gordon Edelstein's production of Coming Home by Athol Fugard.

The drama, opening tonight, features some extraordinary sounds of Fugard's homeland, and Gordon was kind enough to share the evening's playlist.

Before the show you will hear:

"Asambeni Sonke" by Johnson Mikhalale from the album Freedom Fire: The Indestructible Beat of Soweto (Vol. 3)

"Nansi Ilmali" by Ladysmith Black Mambazo from the album Indestructible Beat of Soweto (Vol. 1)

"1906" by Bambata from the album 1906

"Yekanini" by Shiyani Ngcobo from the album Indestructible Shiyani Ngcobo

"Emthonjeni Womculo" by Mahlathini, Nezintombi. Zomgqashiyo & The Makgona Tsohle Band from the album Indestructible Beat of Soweto (Vol. 1)

"Thul'ulalele by Amaswazi Emvelo from the album Indestructible Beat of Soweto (Vol. 1)

"Pata Pata" by Miriam Makeba from the album Miriam Makeba - Her Essential Recordings

"9 15" by Amampondo from the album Vuyani or The Great South African Trip

"Thuto Kelefa" by Mahlathini & Mahotella Queens from the album Freedom Fire: The Indestructible Beat of Soweto (Vol. 3)

"Uyeyeni" by Mzwakhe Mbuli from the album Resistance Is Defence

"Masolel A Banana" by Mahotella Queens from the album Freedom Fire: The Indestructible Beat of Soweto (Vol. 3)

During intermission, these are the songs that pulse through the Thrust Stage:

"Awungilobolele" by Udokotela Shange Namajaha from the album Indestructible Beat of Soweto (Vol. 1)

"Umfazi Omdala" by Juluka from the album The Best of Juluka

"Vuyani" by Amampondo from the album Vuyani

"Indodo Yejazi Elimnyama" by Amaswazi Emvelo from the album Indestructible Beat of Soweto (Vol. 1)

"Izangoma" by Shiyani Ngcobo from the album Introducing Shiyani Ngcobo

"Siyayilanda" by Juluka from the album The Best of Juluka

"Mme Ngwana Walla" by Mahlathini & Mahotella Queens from the album Freedom Fire: The Indestructible Beat of Soweto (Vol. 3)

"Sonqoba" by Juluka from the album The Best of Juluka

And during the show itself, you'll hear many songs by the extraordinary Miriam Makeba, all from the album Her Essential Recordings. You'll also hear Ladysmith Black Mambazo's "Homeless" from The Great South African Trip and Shiyani Ngcobo's "Wayi Thathaphi" from the album Introducing Shiyani Ngcobo.

Here's vintage footage of the late Miriam Makeba performing "Amampondo."

Top photo: Thomas Silcott, Kohle Thomas Bolton, and Roslyn Ruff star in Coming Home by master dramatist Athol Fugard. Photo courtesy of kevinberne.com