Artist:Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Song:Homeless
Album:Spirit of South Africa: The Very Best of Ladysmith Black Mambazo
The South African vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo (LBM) became very popular when they appeared on Paul Simon's 1985 album Graceland. Homeless was one of the three songs they performed on that album. They have been touring and recording ever since. The group was called Ezimnyama when Joseph Shabalala formed them in 1960. The group is mostly family members. They all grew up on a farm singing together. The perfect harmony of LBM came to Shabalala in a series of dreams. And he kept working on the group's sound until he was satisfied with it. They are from Ladysmith, South Africa so that's where the group name came from. After winning music competitions and appearing on radio, LBM signed with Gallo which is the largest record company in South Africa. They released their first album in 1972. They did very well in South Africa. Paul Simon travelled to South Africa in 1985, he brought LBM to London to record. LBM appeared on Homeless, Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes and You Can Call Me Al. When Graceland was released, Simon brought LBM to appear on Saturday Night Live. And after that LBM became international stars. They recorded a couple of albums for Warner Bros., won some Grammys and LBM has been touring and recording since then. They paved the way for other South African groups. This budget comp is a good intro to their music. Joseph Shabalala retired in 2008 and he died on Feb. 11, 2020 at age 79. LBM still tours and they released their latest album in 2017. Here's Ladysmith Black Mambazo with Paul Simon performing Homeless at Concert at Hyde Park 2017.
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