Highlights: Agn. Overseen this year by guest director Ali Smith, the novelist, the wide- ranging line- up dips a toe in all the arts It offers an intellectually.

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This two-and-a-half-hour concert recording serves both to sum up the career of its performer, now that he is north of 65 years old, and also to demonstrate that he is still working at his peak. 's voice is more gravelly than in the past, but his flugelhorn playing is as good as ever, and his abilities as a bandleader are apparent. Even more, his stature as a musical statesman is on display. He first makes reference to his political views in a lengthy, and clearly rehearsed, introduction to 'Stimela,' which he dedicates to 'all those people who lose their lives working in cheap labor. If there's any here tonight,' he adds, 'we are with you.' Unfortunately, the crowd laughs at the suggestion that any of them might be underpaid, and scolds them, 'It's not a joke.'

Later, during another long introduction to 'Mandela,' he seems to realize that his lectures may be dampening the celebratory mood and proclaims, 'I'm not running for office!' Clearly, it's a tricky thing mixing the dance music he often plays with the somber sentiments he inevitably brings with him from a life of expatriation and the ultimately successful effort to overcome apartheid. But on tracks that average ten minutes apiece, for the most part he and a talented band manage just that, presenting music from throughout his career, including a 14-plus minute version of his hit 'Grazing in the Grass.' By the end, still exhorting the audience to greater enthusiasm, he seems more energetic than anyone in the room.

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Live at the Market Theatre by Released July 17, 2007 ( 2007-07-17) Recorded June 2006 Venue The Market Theatre, Johannesburg Jazz Length 2: 29: 42 Four Quarters Entertainment FQT-CD-1805 chronology (2006) Live at the Market Theatre (2007) (2009) Professional ratings Review scores Source Rating Live at the Market Theatre is a double live album by South African jazz trumpeter. The record was released on July 17, 2007 via Four Quarters Entertainment label.

The album consists of 15 tracks recorded in June 2006 during his two-and-a-half-hour concert in The Market Theatre in Johannesburg. A follow-up DVD was released on 31 July 2007.

Contents. Critical reception Jeff Tamarkin of wrote 'Hugh Masekela should look less pained than he does on the cover of Live at the Market Theatre. The Johannesburg venue itself, celebrating its 30th anniversary when Masekela headlined in June 2006, is a proud symbol of the struggle against apartheid, having refused to segregate when such an act was still unheard of in South Africa. And Masekela himself, back home since the early ’90s after decades in exile, remains a worshiped figure there. This event should have been a celebration. But contentment has never been a hallmark of Masekela’s character, and jazz has never been just music to him, but rather the sound of a people rising above.

In his hoary voice and his unflappable playing, Masekela shoulders countless historical burdens, and though there is a joyousness to be heard, his work won’t be done until he’s done working.' A reviewr of Rock Paper Scissors stated 'After many years spent in exile from the violence and oppression of apartheid-era South Africa, Masekela returned 17 years ago to help rebuild his homeland. Live at the Market Theatre represents Masekela’s status as a musical freedom fighter in South Africa while demonstrating what he’s known for best in the outside world: his energetic and groove-driven freedom sound.

The Market Theatre is an apt representation of Masekela’s commitment to South African identity and Pan-African nation-building.' Track listing Disc 1 No. Title Writer(s) Length 1. 'Ibala Lam' L. Morake 2:57 2.

'The Boys Doin' It' Masekela 11:17 3. Ekemode 9:42 4. 'Ha Le Se' 8:42 5. 'Stimela' Masekela 15:03 6. 'Lady' 10:11 7. ' Philimon Hou 14:42 8. 'Mandela' Daly Gray, Masekela, Timothy Michael 6:28 Disc 2 No.

Title Writer(s) Length 1. 'Thuma Mina' Masekela, P.

Twala 9:38 2. 'Up Township' Masekela 7:40 3. 'Happy Mama' Masekela 6:03 4. 'District Six' H. Galeteng 8:47 5. 'Market Place' Masekela 16:37 6.

'Khauleza' Dorothy Masuka 15:21 7. 'Thanayi' Kiri Mazeze 6:34 Personnel Band. Hugh Masekela – flugelhorn, lead vocals. Fana Zulu – bass guitar. Sello Montwedi – drums. John Selolwane – guitar, backing vocals.

Ezbie Moilwa – keyboards, backing vocals. Arthur Tshabalala – keyboards, backing vocals. Francis Fuster – percussion, backing vocals.

Khaya Mahlangu – saxophone, flute, backing vocals Production. Freddy Malesa – engineer References.