buzzz worthy. . .
The Bala Brothers – Loyiso, Zwai and Phelo
– are a household name in South Africa, thrilling audiences with their
fusion of operatically-trained voices, rich harmonies and traditional
South African melodies and rhythms. Overcoming apartheid, the trio rose
out of poverty on the strength of their musical talent and broke the
color barrier of the famous Drakensberg Boys' Choir,
becoming its first black members. For their self-titled debut album on
Warner Classics, the Brothers perform an inspiring live program of music
ranging from The Lion King to Paul Simon (with special guests The
Drakensberg Boys Choir), in their hometown Johannesburg’s Lyric
Theatre.
Major PBS Performance Special Airing Nationally
Across the US; Tour Planned For May 2015
The Bala Brothers – Loyiso, Zwai and Phelo
– are a household name in South Africa, thrilling audiences with their
fusion of operatically-trained voices, rich harmonies and traditional
South African melodies and rhythms. Overcoming apartheid, the trio rose
out of poverty on the strength of their musical talent and broke the
color barrier of the famous Drakensberg Boys' Choir,
becoming its first black members. For their self-titled debut album on
Warner Classics, the Brothers perform an inspiring live program of music
ranging from The Lion King to Paul Simon (with special guests The
Drakensberg Boys Choir), in their hometown Johannesburg’s Lyric
Theatre.
On Tuesday,
the Bala Brothers release their self-titled CD on Warner Classics, soon
to be followed by a DVD and Blu-Ray performance special that will be
available on March 24, 2015.
The performance special is currently airing nationally across the United States. Please visit www.balabrothers.com for all listings.
Recently, the three brothers spoke with Parade.com, who called them "loaded with talent and strength."
Songs on the album include the anthemic "Circle of Life" from Elton John’s score for The Lion King, the Paul Simon hit "Under African Skies," from his seminal album Graceland,
their own Xhosa-language love song "Masibuyelane," and the album’s
centerpiece: the anti-apartheid anthem "(Something Inside) So Strong," a
performance made all the more powerful by the presence of Winnie
Mandela in the audience. Watch the video at Classicalite.com.
Writing about the song, Parade.com's Nancy Berk said, "The
brothers’ beautifully moving rendition of the anti-apartheid anthem
'(Something Inside) So Strong' reflects the emotion of their journey, as
well as the stories and sacrifices of those like Mandela who have given
them, and others, strength and inspiration."
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The
Bala Brothers were born in the Kwa-Nobuhle township under the rule of
apartheid. In 1988, eldest brother Zwai became the first black member to
join the then-segregated Drakensberg Boys’ Choir at the age of 12.
Overcoming the resistance of many of the white children and their
parents, he persevered, and later on the choir also welcomed his
brothers, Loyiso and Phelo. Ultimately the three gained acceptance
through their strength of character and singing talents, and their
careers grew from there to the point where the Bala Brothers thrilled an
audience of 55,000 when they headlined a spectacular concert tribute to
Nelson Mandela in December 2013.
The Bala Brothers will tour the U.S. in May 2015.
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Watch the EPK here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THc5hqqEsyI
Tracklisting:
1. Circle of Life (Elton John, Tim Rice)
2. Weeping (Dan Heymann)
3. Going Home (traditional, arr. Michael Whalen)
4. He Lives In You (Lebohang Morake, Jay Rifkin, Mark Mancina)
5. Under African Skies (Paul Simon)
6. Masibuyelane (Loyiso & Zwai Bala)
7. Ndize (Mavo Solomon, Zwai Bala)
8. Something Inside So Strong (Labi Siffre)
9. The Crossing (Johnny Clegg)
10. Girl Without A Name (Loyiso Bala)
11. And So It Goes (Billy Joel)
12. Pata Pata (Jerry Ragovoy, Miriam Makeba)
13. Meguru (traditional, arr. Michael Whalen)