Twenty years ago, folk-singer, world-troubadour and widely celebrated poet-activist Vusi Mahlasela, simply known as “The Voice”, recorded his first album, When You Come Back. The title-track instantly became an anthem in Vusi’s native South Africa as his country fought hard to end, and then heal, from the brutal Apartheid regime that had divided the country since 1948. In celebration of this milestone, Vusi will release Sing to the People – a live album recorded at the Lyric Theatre in Johannesburg and available online and in stores on January 8th, 2013 through ATO Records in the US and on Vusi’s own label, VusiMuzi, in South Africa. A 14-date North American tour will follow – dates are listed below.
Sing to the People contains joyful performances of songs recorded throughout the first twenty years of Vusi’s career as well as the visceral sounds of an audience responding to every familiar note. In the a capella intro to the song “When You Come Back,” Vusi’s signature and unmistakable bird-like voice soars “Sing Loud and SING TO THE PEOPLE.” Although written nearly 25 years ago the meaning of the song has evolved but the prevailing theme remains the same. It’s a “call for humanity,” says The Voice. “I ask that we ‘give something to the world and not just take from it.’” The message is universal and remains relevant today.
This year, the SAMA Awards (South African Music Awards) honored Vusi with a Lifetime Achievement award to recognize his accomplishments both at home and abroad. The honor inspired the troubadour to take a look back and realize that what felt like a blink of the eye had nearly been two decades! In that time, Vusi had performed at Nelson Mandela’s inauguration; signed a record deal that would lead to seven studio albums; toured the world over and performed in front of audiences of diverse cultures; shared the stage with Dave Matthews Band, Sting, Natalie Merchant, Paul Simon, Ray LaMontagne and more; and helped ring in the World Cup at home in South Africa at Orlando Stadium.
Sing for the People will be available for preorder on November 27th through www.vusimahlasela.com.
-
VUSI MAHLASELA WINTER TOUR SCHEDULE:
Jan. 30 Stanford, CA Bing Concert Hall (at Stanford University)
Jan. 31 Napa, CA Napa Valley Opera House
Feb. 1 Los Angeles, CA The Mint
Feb. 2 Denver, CO Daniels Hall
Feb. 4 Phoenix, AZ MIM Music Theatre
Feb. 7 Berea, KY Phelps Stokes Auditorium (at Berea College)
Feb. 8 Chapel Hill, NC Memorial Hall, UNC Chapel Hill ^
Feb. 9 Charlottesville, VA The Jefferson Theatre
Feb. 10 Washington, DC The Hamilton
Feb. 11 Minneapolis, MN Dakota Jazz Club
Feb. 12 Cedar Rapids, IA CSPS
Feb. 14 Des Moines, IA Civic Center’s Temple Theatre
Feb. 15 Madison, WI The Sett (at University of Wisconsin Madison)
Feb. 16 Chicago, IL City Winery
^ with the Carolina Chocolate Drops
