Parents' Choice Awards : Audio : Music
African Dreamland
Fall 2008 MusicReview:
The peaceful hush of famed Ladysmith Black Mambazo's dream-inspired "Nomathemba" ("Hope"). The extraordinary beauty of "Mimi," a song of thanks sung by noted, new artist Mapumba of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The soothing simplicity of "Usa Cheme" ("Don't Cry'), sweetly crooned by Zimbabwean singer Chiwoniso Maraire. "Salaman," an instrumental caress played on the African harp by Toumani Diabatè and Ballakè Sissoko of Mali. A tranquil respite from the day's rush and fuss awaits listeners of any age in this beautifully considered collection of African lullabies and gentle love songs.
Lynne Heffley ©2008 Parents' Choice
A long-time Parents' Choice music critic, Lynne was a staff writer for 25 years at the Los Angeles Times where she established and maintained the paper's first weekly children's arts and entertainment beat and was a general arts reporter. Now a freelance writer, Lynne works in the areas of non-profit communications, the arts and family entertainment (specializing in children's theater, music, audio books and book illustration). In her spare time, when she's not reading, Lynne is likely to be found strumming American Songbook standards and Tin Pan Alley novelty songs on one of her seven ukuleles.
