Yes, I remember Ephat's concerts then too. Magical moments in Kane Hall, UW. Little children wafted down the aisles to sit at his feet while he played...
THis is such a great album! The track where Mujuru plays that njari is awesome too...and mbavarira-the bass line that Sekuru Gora is doing!!!One of the best mbira albums ever.
I wonder if there is only one mbira playing here. When I asked Sekuru Gora and Sekuru Chigamba to play this song together, they had a difficult time deciding the kushaura and kutsinira parts. I don't know if I've ever heard a version with two mbiras...maybe here?
This is only one mbira playing, it is Ephat (or at least the version that he's known for. It's also his singing the high lines, not sure about the lower lines.
Ephat once said that you cannot play kushaura and kutsinhira together on this song, it just doesn't work. ...Well that may be true for [i]his[/i] version... though I've heard many different performances of this piece played with kushaura and kutsinhira together.
Of all the various recordings I have of this song (about 20), half of them have a kushaura of 3 1/2 phrases, rather than the usual 4 phrase. Bandambira's recording on 'The Soul of Mbira' is like that, though he goes into a 4 phrase section when he plays the crazy kutsinhira. No wonder people are saying that you can't play them together... For the record though, Ephat's performance is 4 phrase throughout.
That is Sekuru Gora singing the higher lines...no doubt about it, man. He is even singing lines that Gora always sang. I believe it is Ephat doing the low lines though I'm not positive.
the truth is that it is two mbiras playing not one and the high voice that is sekuru gora and especially on this particular song no-one has ever been known to play kushaura and kutsinhira at the same time and let alone sing because of the way the whole composition is structured firstly the lead vocal goes at a slightly off beat to the kushaura mbira also off beat to the backing vocal which is also off beat to the kutsinhira and every part be it vocal or mbira they seem to have a diff time sig
I remember when he first came to Seattle in 1982, he used to perform this piece solo all the time. I have recordings of these first US performances that are pretty much as we are hearing here.
great post! Thank you! This puts the version we've learned in perspective. Respect to my mbira friends across the sea!!! Keep on keeping on! Yes we Can!
Svikai zvakanaka vasekuruuuuu!
Minox26 1 month ago
this was my first mbira cassette. brings back memories. thank you.
chaarms2000 6 months ago
best mbira tune. best recording
MFRedeemerp2 7 months ago
the best
faraistones80 9 months ago
Yes, I remember Ephat's concerts then too. Magical moments in Kane Hall, UW. Little children wafted down the aisles to sit at his feet while he played...
jangalatemple 1 year ago
Comment removed
jangalatemple 1 year ago
Hermoso!!!!
dundirambira 1 year ago
Brilliant!
Dthiwe 2 years ago
Deep! Too deep!
gtalov3r 2 years ago 2
THis is such a great album! The track where Mujuru plays that njari is awesome too...and mbavarira-the bass line that Sekuru Gora is doing!!!One of the best mbira albums ever.
I wonder if there is only one mbira playing here. When I asked Sekuru Gora and Sekuru Chigamba to play this song together, they had a difficult time deciding the kushaura and kutsinira parts. I don't know if I've ever heard a version with two mbiras...maybe here?
rattletree 3 years ago 2
This is only one mbira playing, it is Ephat (or at least the version that he's known for. It's also his singing the high lines, not sure about the lower lines.
Ephat once said that you cannot play kushaura and kutsinhira together on this song, it just doesn't work. ...Well that may be true for [i]his[/i] version... though I've heard many different performances of this piece played with kushaura and kutsinhira together.
Vsyevolod 2 years ago
Of all the various recordings I have of this song (about 20), half of them have a kushaura of 3 1/2 phrases, rather than the usual 4 phrase. Bandambira's recording on 'The Soul of Mbira' is like that, though he goes into a 4 phrase section when he plays the crazy kutsinhira. No wonder people are saying that you can't play them together... For the record though, Ephat's performance is 4 phrase throughout.
Vsyevolod 2 years ago
That is Sekuru Gora singing the higher lines...no doubt about it, man. He is even singing lines that Gora always sang. I believe it is Ephat doing the low lines though I'm not positive.
rattletree 2 years ago
I'll take your word on that one Joel.
I'll go through my DanguRangu tapes later and pick out some 3 1/2 phrase pieces for you.
Vsyevolod 2 years ago
the truth is that it is two mbiras playing not one and the high voice that is sekuru gora and especially on this particular song no-one has ever been known to play kushaura and kutsinhira at the same time and let alone sing because of the way the whole composition is structured firstly the lead vocal goes at a slightly off beat to the kushaura mbira also off beat to the backing vocal which is also off beat to the kutsinhira and every part be it vocal or mbira they seem to have a diff time sig
kansas979 2 years ago
Seems to, indeed, but this illusion is created by shifting the emphasis, stressing a different part of the 4 x 6 cycle which can be heard throughout.
benboyang 2 years ago 2
true
kansas979 2 years ago
I actually play this piece as Ephat is playing it. It is simply one mbira, not two regardless of how it sounds to a casual listener.
Vsyevolod 1 year ago
I remember when he first came to Seattle in 1982, he used to perform this piece solo all the time. I have recordings of these first US performances that are pretty much as we are hearing here.
Vsyevolod 1 year ago
Comment removed
Vsyevolod 2 years ago
Thomas Mapfumo did a version of this song...now I see where it all come from. Great composition!
Gudmface 3 years ago 2
u r right
Phoonguy 2 years ago
Wait, they're playing in mavembe tuning! Wow! It just hit me. LOL. Beautiful.
massacuruman1 3 years ago
It sounds like sekuru Gora on the vocals
chamkonjoro 3 years ago
Gwenyambira seems to have started a Dangurangu Revolution on you tube. Its quickly becoming one of the most popular online tracks.
CleverBins 3 years ago
great post! Thank you! This puts the version we've learned in perspective. Respect to my mbira friends across the sea!!! Keep on keeping on! Yes we Can!
massacuruman1 3 years ago
Wheeeeeeeeee!!!
Mbira0racle 3 years ago