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| Voices from Heaven | 
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| Artist: The Soweto Gospel Choir
Label: Shanachie
Category: Music
List Price: $17.98
Buy New: $11.59
You Save: $6.39 (36%)
Buy New/Used from $7.72
Avg. Customer Rating:  (15 reviews)
Sales Rank: 36607
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 66036
UPC: 016351663627
EAN: 0016351663627
ASIN: B0006TRO6I
Release Date: January 25, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
| • | Jikela Emaweni | | • | Vuma | | • | Thina Simnqobile | | • | Zanele | | • | Paradise Road | | • | Ahuna Ya Tswanag Le Jesu / Kammatla | | • | Many Rivers to Cross / Going Down Jordan / Amen (Medley) | | • | Amazing Grace | | • | Thula Baba | | • | Sikulandile | | • | Malaika | | • | Hlanganani | | • | Bayete | | • | Jerusalem | | • | Holy City / Bayete (Medley) | | • | African Dream |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Album Description
Soweto Gospel Choir?s Shanachie debut, Voices From Heaven, is a stunning recording that delivers the full range of the choir?s talent. The sheer aural beauty of the voices, both in powerful solo segments and lush choral harmonies, makes a memorable impact. But there also is an unquantifiable quotient of spirit?the heartfelt, sincere joyousness that cannot be taught or simulated?that infuses the Choir?s performances. It is this quality that enables them to make even very familiar material such as "Amazing Grace" or Jimmy Cliff?s "Many Rivers To Cross" sound fresh. The Choir moves easily from the traditional a capella Mbube, popularized internationally by Ladysmith Black Mambazo to straightforward church hymns to rollicking "township jive"-inflected numbers with band backing. The most universal, direct and powerful instrument is the human voice and on Voices From Heaven Soweto Gospel Choir revels in this "first instrument" as the essence of human musical expression.
Amazon.com
South African choral music is renowned for passionate singing and soul-stirring harmonies. The Soweto Gospel Choir is made up of top talent from throughout that hard-scrabble yet celebrated Township. All sixteen tracks were seemingly recorded studio-live with no overdubbing or after-the-fact prettying-up. Paradise Road is led by a powerful pair of female voices who sing in English about walking hand-in-hand toward a place where there will be no more pain. It is almost unbearably poignant. A ceremonial yet ecstatic version of "Amazing Grace" renews the power and grandeur of a seriously hackneyed hymn. The selections are either sung a cappella or accompanied by a guitar-led mbaqanga combo, plus drums, hand-clapping, stamping, exhortations, whistling ,and high-pitched ululations. There is even a taste of sacred R&B and hip-hop! The lord being praised here is obviously a robust but loving realist; the voices are redolent of humanity in all its fragile, undying splendor. --Christina Roden
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| Customer Reviews: Read 10 more reviews...
This CD is huge June 11, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Booming vocals and selected rhythms to back it up. This is a powder keg.
Wonderful, memorable singing. July 6, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This album really displays the energy and distinction of this group. Great singing, great arrangements, hugely energetic and dynamic. Highly recommended for anyone with an eclectic taste in music.
 Nice and relaxing March 13, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I found that this CD was very, very enjoyable to listen to, the music when in English was accessible, when it was not, just purely relaxing and in no short order, helped me feel the spirit. There are no chants and songs with lyrics that are repeated over and over and over again here. Just simple music that would serve to uplift the mind and the spirit.
A display of God's gifts February 12, 2007
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I not only bought the CD i was blessed to watch them live on their current tour of the United States. When the concert was over it was obvious that everyone wanted more and i could hear a little voice behind me saying "encore". What a refreshing sound from such a small group and they sing with such passion and joy! I recommend this album to everyone who wants to hear real voices sing. An amazing display of God's gift to man.
SOUTH AFRICAN HARMONY AT ITS FINEST November 3, 2006
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Purchased Voices From Heaven,after seeing a live
performance of "Blessed." While the audio only album
cannot fully describe the songs on this album,the way
a live video can,it was still very enjoyabloe.The harmony
was at times "soul wrenching." The presentation,
captivating!
My favorite songs were: "Ahuna Ya Twanag Le Jesu" (Nobody
Like Jesus,)The classic South African Lullabye "Thula Baba"
and the Johnny Clegg standard "My African Dream." This was
an outstanding performance.I wish I had seen it live.
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