Concert review: Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Published on Thursday 9 June 2011 20:16

LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO GLASGOW ROYAL CONCERT HALL ****

THESE days, multi-Grammy winning African all-male choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo don't quite represent the same phenomenon they did in the 1980s and 90s, when they contributed to Paul Simon's multimillion-selling album Graceland and soundtracked a ubiquitous baked beans commercial. But founder member and musical director Professor Joseph Shabalala still has plenty to be proud of.

The ensemble released their umpteenth album Songs From a Zulu Farm last year to a warm critical reception. Among the current nine-strong line-up are four of Shabalala's sons – one of whom, Thamsanqa, will take over leadership of the group when he finally retires. Not that his pipe and slippers beckon just yet – as Shabalala demonstrated several times here, he can still kick his leg above his head in the traditional Zulu dance style. Not bad for a 69 year-old.

Hard-touring live performers, Ladysmith know exactly how to push an audience's buttons. This relentlessly fun show was as much about vocal perfection as it was about exuberant and daft physicality, from thigh-slapping dance routines to a high-kicking contest and even hip-hop moves from two younger members.

Most material came from the more light-hearted end of the Ladysmith repertoire – during the encore we got a gentle Zulu version of Old MacDonald Had A Farm replete with animal noises and actions. But if it was the uplifting, hope-inspiring Ladysmith fans wanted to hear too, they got their wish come the final number, which saw the group joined by Cameroonian support artist Muntu Valdo and his guitar for a rousing spiritual.