An Evening With BelafonteMakeba

Harry Belafonte is one of the most successful African-American pop stars in history. The "King of Calypso" popularized the Caribbean musical style with an international audience in the 1950s. His breakthrough album Calypso (1956) is the first to sell over 1 million copies within a year by a single artist in the US and England. It spent 31 weeks at number 1, 58 weeks in the top ten, and 99 weeks on the U.S. charts. The album introduced American audiences to Calypso music (which had originated in Trinidad & Tobago in the early 20th century).Belafonte was the first African American to win an Emmy, for Tonight with Belafonte (1959). During the 1960s he introduced several artists to American audiences, most notably South African singer Miriam Makeba and the first-ever record appearance by a young harmonica player named Bob Dylan.The Grammy Award-winning An Evening with Belafonte and Makeba 1965 album by Harry Belafonte and Miriam Makeba delt with the political plight of Black South Africans under Apartheid. It was the second outcome of the long lasting collaboration between Belafonte and Makeba, the first being the appearance of Makeba in the song "Just One More Dance" on Belafonte's 1960 album, Belafonte Returns to Carnegie Hall.Despite the title, the album is not a collection of live duet performances by Harry Belafonte and Makeba. It is a studio album of 12 tracks, five by Belafonte, five by Makeba, and two duets. The songs are all South African traditional tunes sung in tribal languages such as Xhosa and Zulu.In the mid-1960s, Belafonte was very active in supporting emerging African artists as well as making African music known worldwide, and this album is an example of this activity. It includes classical African songs such as Malaika (with the English title My Angel) as well as songs in African languages such as Zulu, Sotho and Swahili.

I first bought this album in 1965. This is an incredible piece by two incredible artist. Harry Belafonte had been around for years, but it was when he brought Miriam Makeba back from South Africa around 63 or 64, did we begin appreicate the musical messages these people gave to the world. In this CD Harry and Miriam come together and form a musical duo that explores the joys, woes, and turmoil going on in South Africa back at that time. The very first song, back in 65, captivated my mind, which was children seeing a moving train for the first time and emanating the sound. Beautiful sound, or the one where the children are warning their mother of the police coming and telling her to hide; don't let them catch you. I didn't know what was going on in South Africa back then, but the music had an impact and still does.

I have not received this CD in the mail yet; however, I have this album on vinyl, and know what a treat it is. The music on this CD is so soft and beautiful, and rich in tones; both from Mr. Belafonte, and Ms. Makeba. Some of the lyrics are very moving, as well, about life in Johannasburg(sp?). It's one of those CDs one could play over and over again, and not tire of listening. It warms up a room, if you know what I mean... it's just wonderful!

Harry is excellent, but he is getting older, the lady, Makeba is very good. A very good CD of Harry fans.

I had this record album years ago and just loved it, but gave it away since I no longer use a record player. It's one of the few albums I've repurchased on CD. The African songs and voices are simply beautiful.

Two of the best Afro/Carribean voices teams up for a soulful duo. The vocal blends are flawless and the melodies haunting and soothing. This album is a classic which will enrich anyone's music collection. This is world class music - enough said.

I love Miriam Makeba and Harry Belafonte so I was excited to see what they would come up with together. However the chemistry isn't great ad the album is just so-so.

Absolutely loved this. I have loved he since I was 8 or 10, you’ll have to guess how long ago that was!