• click here to return to the homepage •
or 
Home > Categories > Music > CDs > African Folktales review
Traditional storytelling comes alive as Simon M'zungu tells African folktales and sings traditional songs.
Born in Zimbabwe, Simon M'zungu grew up surrounded by the rich cultural traditions and folktales of his Shona people.
Simon's wonderful interpretation of these traditional stories will not only delight and entertain children but it will also stimulate their imagination and interest in African culture.
Any Given Thursday
Only You
Franz Ferdinand - Limited Edition
Reality
All Access to All Things
Soundtrack: Elektra
William Alwyn - Piano Concertos Nos. 1 and 2
Franz Ignaz Beck - Six Symphonies, Op. 1
Mandala symphony
Madama Butterfly
Quicksand
The Legend of Zelda - Symphony Of GoddessesProduct reviews...
Review by: diogenes (Rob)
Dated: 22nd of August, 2006
M'zungu tells of a far away place. The mythical dark continent, where elephants and lions coexist with man and domesticated beast. The stories are traditional folk tales that M'zungu re-tells on CD for the pleasure of western ears to enjoy, learn and treasure.
However, these tales fell a little flat with me. I found them more than a little repetetive for my liking - it might have been the simplicity, repetition and the vocals that my daughter enjoyed so much.
Yes, so much that this CD has been played nightly so far, with no sign of wanting it changed to something more tolerable to me.
If you have a hankering for an Africa and the tales that come from the people. If you want to bask in an African dream with the savannah sun beating down on your face whilst you sip a colonial G & T and listen to the natives sing their songs and tell their stories, then this CD may be for you.
Alas for M'zungu, this was not for me.
Review by: tucker (Karl)
Dated: 12th of August, 2006
When I was in highschool, I met a travelling storyteller who kept me (and the rest of the class) spellbound for 3 hours with tales from around the world. A stunning man, with a stunning ability to expound culture vocally.
So it was with this mental image in mind that I approached this cd... acknowledging that without the whole 'in the flesh' and body language aspects, it would be somewhat less... and sure it was, but it managed to exceed my expectations despite it's limitations.
Overall, though I found the songs a bit repeatitive, the stories were full of wonder and delight, with some strong morals woven in. This is far more than just fairytales for kids, these are life lessons wrapped up in fantasy from a master storyteller. If you spot this at your local music retailer, you should consider it.
Random listing from 'Music'...
In 1973 David Bowie, then known under the stage name of Ziggy Stardust, and his band The Spiders from Mars, put on a live performance. This is the story behind that concert.
Filled with classics such as 'Ziggy Stardust', Changes, Space Oddity (Major Tom) and Suffragette City, this DVD is a must-have part of any good music collection.
ALL zoned, featuring Dolby Digital 5.1 and PCM Stereo, Picture format 4:3.
Also ... more...
All trademarks, images and copyrights on this site are owned by their respective companies.
KIWIreviews is an independent entity, part of the Knock Out News Group. This is a free public forum presenting user opinions on selected products, and as such the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of kiwireviews.nz and are protected under New Zealand law by the "Honest Opinion" clause of the Defamation Act of 1992. KIWIreviews accepts no liability for statements made on this site, on the premise that they have been submitted as the true and honest opinions of the individual posters. In most cases, prices and dates stated are approximate and should be considered as only guidelines.
"It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit."
Harry S Truman (1884 - 1972)
