Soweto Gospel Choir’s “African Spirit”

There is a Psalm that says to "Make a joyful noise." I remember hearing this Psalm growing up, and the idea of a "joyful noise" has stuck with me. I can't think of a better description for the Soweto Gospel Choir and their album African Spirit. There is nothing timid about a gospel choir, even on CD, and I can only imagine how powerful this group must sound live.

The music combines South African gospel with spirituals, reggae, and American popular music. “Seteng Sediba” is a rousing opener in which I hear no Western harmony or melody, just fifty-plus thrilling voices with hand drums; in contrast, the album closer, “World in Union” includes Hollywood strings (and synthesizer?) and sounds like it could play over the end credits of The Lion King. Elsewhere, the reggae pulse of “Avulekile Amasango” appropriately segues into Bob Marley’s “One Love.”

Like the opening track, most of the songs use minimal or no instruments, and these were my favorite. These voices need no accompaniment, and I felt disappointed whenever a track began with an instrument other than a human voice, because this usually indicated a comparatively dull pop/R&B ballad (usually sung in English). Then, Bono shows up halfway through the disc for a rendition of U2's "One,” and the choir is pushed to the background. I don’t understand this, because there is such a distinct passion in the African songs and voices here that every other sound pales by comparison.

The Soweto Gospel Choir’s talents have not gone unrecognized. They have received awards worldwide, including two Grammy Awards, and they have performed with many popular musicians, so I guess that explains Bono. A few puzzling song choices aside, this is a rewarding introduction to South Africa’s music, and there is no missing the joy and intensity of these musicians, even for my Missouri ears.

Click on album cover or here to reserve a copy.

Review by David Hill.

Staff Picks: Poetry

The Cinnamon Peeler: Selected Poems by Michael Ondaatje
Absolute Trust in the Goodness of the Earth: New Poems by Alice Walker
Loose Woman: Poems by Sandra Cisneros
Howl: And Other Poems by Allen Ginsberg
Seleted Poems by Gwendolyn Brooks
The Broken World: Poems by Marcus Cafagna
19 Varieties of Gazelle: Poems of the Middle East by Naomi Shihab Nye
Vintage Hughes by Langston Hughes
The Language of Life: A Festival of Poets by Bill Moyers, et al.
An Invitation to Poetry: A New Favorite Poem Project Anthology by Robert Pinsky, et al.
American Wits: an Anthology of Light Verse by John Hollander, Ed.
The Pushcart Book of Poetry: the Best Poems from Three Decades of the Pushcart Prize by John Murray, Ed.
Any books from the Best American Poetry series.

Contributer: Jesse Alexander-East, Children's Department Manager, The Library Center

May We Suggest...James Patterson

James Patterson was described by Time magazine as, "The Man Who Can't Miss". According to Bookscan, he has sold more books than any other author in the past three years. He is the first author to have #1 titles simultaneously on the New York Times adult and children's lists and is the only author to have five new hardcover novels debut #1 on the list in one year every year since 2005. Patterson has had nineteen consecutive #1 New York Times bestselling novels and holds the New York Times record for the most Hardcover Fiction bestselling titles by a single author, which is also a Guinness World Record.

Patterson writes several series, including those about characters Alex Cross, Michael Bennet, the four founding ladies of the Women's Murder Club, Max and her flock in Maximum Ride, Daniel X, and Wisty and Whit Allgood in Witch & Wizard. He also has several stand-alone novels that range from a children's holiday picture book to a sizzling summer read.

Two of his novels have been made into movies: Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider both starring Morgan Freeman as Alex Cross. The ABC network ran a 13-episode season of the Women's Murder Club, starring Angie Harmon.

Read-alikes

John Sanford writes a similar suspense, hard-edged series (Prey series) that also have a police detective as their hero. Try the first, Rules of Prey, or the single title Night Crew.

If you like plot twists or alternating points of view, try Greg Iles. He writes more elegantly than Patterson, but tells just as complex stories. Try his novel, The Devil's Punchbowl.

Reading Jeffrey Deaver is like reading Patterson only with a nightmare quality. Try his novel, Devil's Teardrop. In it you will get a glimpse of his series character, Lincoln Rhyme.

If what you like about Patterson is the pace, that once-you-start-reading-you-can't-put-the-book-down feeling, you may like these authors:

Tell No One by Harlen Coben

The Big Picture by Douglas Kennedy

Verticle Run by Joseph Garber

Watch-a-Likes

Seven starring Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt

High Crimes starring Morgan Freeman and Ashley Judd

Bone Collector starring Denzel Washington as Lincoln Rhyme and Angelie Jolie

Silence of the Lambs starring Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster

Or try any of the seasons of the hit television shows:

Criminal Minds

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

Profiler

Fans

Are you a fan of JP? His website houses many groups you can join, including character- and series-driven clubs to young writers that want help with their stories. You can also become a fan of his Facebook page.

by Tysha Shay, Reference Manager, The Library Station