Playing around here. I love his early '80s stuff, but I worry that he's descended into World Music glop and doesn't put on a good show. Anyone have any ideas?
― amateurist, Thursday, 5 February 2009 20:51 (4 years ago) Permalink
How much?
Has he actually descended into World Music glop? I haven't heard his most recent record, but I'd been led to believe it was still the same sound.
― Alex in SF, Thursday, 5 February 2009 20:55 (4 years ago) Permalink
I last heard an album or 2 ago and it was good and definitely not 'world music glop.' His cds in recent years have been on small labels so it's not like some big corporate label is pushing him to do a crossover effort. Of course, there's still bound to be someone who will say he's not what he was x amount of years ago.
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 5 February 2009 21:01 (4 years ago) Permalink
Well dude is like 400 now or something. I'm sure he was more animated in 1976, but given the way the current gov of Zimbabwe has treated him I'm sure he has plenty to be pissed about.
― Alex in SF, Thursday, 5 February 2009 21:05 (4 years ago) Permalink
Heh plus he lives in Eugene, OR. That's gotta make him esp. angry. ;)
― Alex in SF, Thursday, 5 February 2009 21:09 (4 years ago) Permalink
it's 20-22 dollars, I think. I mean, why not? But I was curious what he sounds like these days.
― amateurist, Thursday, 5 February 2009 21:18 (4 years ago) Permalink
It sounds like a good deal. I'd go!
― Alex in SF, Thursday, 5 February 2009 21:24 (4 years ago) Permalink
haha as a Eugenian I should try to take offense but that is OTM.
He has kept a really low profile around town but every once in a while people in his band will play a show at the local pub, good stuff.
I saw him maybe 8 years ago and it was excellent, so I would recommend.
― sleeve, Thursday, 5 February 2009 22:00 (4 years ago) Permalink
i gotta be honest, this clip from a recent (2006) performance sounds pretty limp:
but it could be the sound quality.
― amateurist, Thursday, 5 February 2009 22:11 (4 years ago) Permalink
Yep.
I've been listening to a cd comp of his old 70s Chicken Run stuff. Pretty nice.
― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 1 July 2009 01:32 (3 years ago) Permalink
Thomas Mapfumo recorded perhaps my favourite track ever!
― Lostandfound, Wednesday, 1 July 2009 03:31 (3 years ago) Permalink
What is it?
― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 1 July 2009 03:59 (3 years ago) Permalink
"Moyo Wangu":
This is poor quality, still great, but listen to the original version on Corruption. It is just sublime.
― Lostandfound, Wednesday, 1 July 2009 16:08 (3 years ago) Permalink
Just realised the original is also on YouTube:
― Lostandfound, Wednesday, 1 July 2009 22:06 (3 years ago) Permalink
http://www.amazon.com/Spirits-Bite-Our-Ears-Collection/dp/B000AA4IVC
^awesome
― hope this helps (Granny Dainger), Thursday, 2 July 2009 00:35 (3 years ago) Permalink
It is awesome, but $41.00? it's on the iTunes store for ten bucks! 17 tracks for that price is more than good value.
― Lostandfound, Thursday, 2 July 2009 18:16 (3 years ago) Permalink
the mp3 is $8.99 on amazon though
― hope this helps (Granny Dainger), Thursday, 2 July 2009 19:01 (3 years ago) Permalink
Oh right, didn't see that (I'm in Canada, so I don't associate Amazon with MP3s).
― Lostandfound, Thursday, 2 July 2009 23:04 (3 years ago) Permalink
He's doing some American gigs this month. I think he's living in Portland, Oregon these days (with Mugabe still in power).
Meanwhile in Zimbabwe he's generated news for apparently criticizing a Zimbabwean dancehall star, Winky D. The article is not that clear:
http://www.thestandard.co.zw/entertainment/30363-mukanya-was-unfair-to-criticise-winky-d.html
― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 6 July 2011 19:05 (1 year ago) Permalink
Police in Zimbabwe also allege he bought stolen cars way back when and want to charge him. Weird.
http://www.newzimbabwe.com/SHOWBIZ-5467-Police+still+keen+to+charge+Mapfumo/SHOWBIZ.aspx
― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 6 July 2011 19:08 (1 year ago) Permalink
He's living in Eugene, Oregon actually. His Saturday July 23 6 to 7 pm Eastern time free gig at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage will be video streamed on the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage website (and archived there)
http://www.kennedy-center.org/explorer/artists/?entity_id=74575&source_type=B
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 21 July 2011 17:42 (1 year ago) Permalink
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/music/2011/07/22/thomas-mapfumos-music-of-struggle/#more-51573
― curmudgeon, Friday, 22 July 2011 18:04 (1 year ago) Permalink
Fuck man.
― Never translate Dutch (jaymc), Wednesday, 23 May 2012 05:41 (11 months ago) Permalink
(Nothin' up with Mapfumo, just really digging him right now.)
― Never translate Dutch (jaymc), Wednesday, 23 May 2012 05:49 (11 months ago) Permalink
Basically like around 20:15 of this:http://soundcloud.com/luvliterecordings/makossa-megablast-inspirations
― Never translate Dutch (jaymc), Wednesday, 23 May 2012 06:02 (11 months ago) Permalink