Live at the Market Theatre

Live at the Market Theatre is a double live album by South African jazz trumpeter Hugh Masekela. The record was released on 17 July 2007 via Four Quarters Entertainment label.[3] The album consists of 15 tracks recorded in June 2006 during his two-and-a-half-hour concert in The Market Theatre in Johannesburg. A follow-up DVD was released on 31 July 2007.[4]

Live at the Market Theatre
Live album by
Released17 July 2007 (2007-07-17)
RecordedJune 2006
VenueThe Market Theatre, Johannesburg
GenreJazz
Length2:29:42
LabelFour Quarters Entertainment FQT-CD-1805
Hugh Masekela chronology
The Chisa Years
(2006)
Live at the Market Theatre
(2007)
Phola
(2009)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Tom HullA−[2]

Critical reception

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Jeff Tamarkin in his review for Jazz Times wrote: "Hugh Masekela should look less pained than he does on the cover of Live at the Market Theatre. The Johannesburg venue itself, celebrating its 30th anniversary when Masekela headlined in June 2006, is a proud symbol of the struggle against apartheid, having refused to segregate when such an act was still unheard of in South Africa. And Masekela himself, back home since the early '90s after decades in exile, remains a worshiped figure there. This event should have been a celebration. But contentment has never been a hallmark of Masekela's character, and jazz has never been just music to him, but rather the sound of a people rising above. In his hoary voice and his unflappable playing, Masekela shoulders countless historical burdens, and though there is a joyousness to be heard, his work won't be done until he's done working."[5]

A reviewer of Rock Paper Scissors stated: "After many years spent in exile from the violence and oppression of apartheid-era South Africa, Masekela returned 17 years ago to help rebuild his homeland. Live at the Market Theatre represents Masekela's status as a musical freedom fighter in South Africa while demonstrating what he's known for best in the outside world: his energetic and groove-driven freedom sound. The Market Theatre is an apt representation of Masekela's commitment to South African identity and Pan-African nation-building."[6]

Track listing

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Disc 1

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Ibala Lam"L. Morake2:57
2."The Boys Doin' It"Masekela11:17
3."Ashiko"O. J. Ekemode9:42
4."Ha Le Se"Caiphus Semenya8:42
5."Stimela"Masekela15:03
6."Lady"Fela Kuti10:11
7."Grazing in the Grass"Philimon Hou14:42
8."Mandela"Daly Gray, Masekela, Timothy Michael6:28

Disc 2

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Thuma Mina"Masekela, P. Mokena, S. Twala9:38
2."Up Township"Masekela7:40
3."Happy Mama"Masekela6:03
4."District Six"H. Galeteng8:47
5."Market Place"Masekela16:37
6."Khauleza"Dorothy Masuka15:21
7."Thanayi"Kiri Mazeze6:34

Personnel

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Band

  • Hugh Masekela – flugelhorn, lead vocals
  • Fana Zulu – bass guitar
  • Sello Montwedi – drums
  • John Selolwane – guitar, backing vocals
  • Ezbie Moilwa – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Arthur Tshabalala – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Francis Fuster – percussion, backing vocals
  • Khaya Mahlangu – saxophone, flute, backing vocals

Production

  • Freddy Malesa – engineer

References

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  1. ^ Ruhlmann, William. "Hugh Masekela: The Chisa Years: 1965-1975 (Rare and Unreleased)". AllMusic. allmusic.com. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  2. ^ "Tom Hull: Grade List: Hugh Masekela". Tom Hull. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  3. ^ "Hugh Masekela – Live At The Market Theatre". Discogs. discogs.com. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  4. ^ "Hugh Masekela - Live At the Market Theatre (DVD)". RARU. raru.co.za. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  5. ^ Tamarkin, Jeff (1 October 2007). "Hugh Masekela: Live at the Market Theatre". Jazz Times. jazztimes.com. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  6. ^ "The Musical Umbilical Cord that Connects America and Africa: Hugh Masekela's Trumpet Grooves on New Double Album and North American Tour". Rock Paper Scissors. rockpaperscissors.biz. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
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