#Rock scissors paper song lyrics archive#

#Rock scissors paper song lyrics archive#

All this and a great deal of archive and book research go into Lion Songs, an absolutely unique work in the literature of African music.Д«ut as the book was completed, Eyre considered MapfumoвЂ™s large catalog of recordings and saw a problem. He also conducted interviews with musicians, band members, Mapfumo family members, DJs, writers, journalists, and of course, the man himself, many times and in many locations and circumstances. Eyre has visited Zimbabwe four times, including a six-month stay in 1997-98, during which he moved through the country with the band, attending and participating in some 75 shows.Д®yre got to know MapfumoвЂ™s fans informally. Eyre has performed on guitar and played on Mapfumo recordings, and become deeply familiar with the inner workings of MapfumoвЂ™s band, the Blacks Unlimited. Since then, he has enjoyed a 27-year friendship with the artist, his family and musicians. Eyre first visited Zimbabwe and met Mapfumo in 1988.

This album is the audio companion to the book Lion Songs: Thomas Mapfumo and the Music That Made ZimbabweВ (Duke University Press album release: May 5, 2015) by Banning Eyre, a deep exploration of music and history and a compelling read. ThatвЂ™s the essence of chimurenga-the music of struggle: past, present and future MapfumoвЂ™s artfully barbed lyrics have targeted the racist regime of Ian Smith and the corrupt one of Robert Mugabe with equal resolve and courage. For over 40 years, he has merged ancient African traditions-especially that of the sacred, metal-pronged Shona mbira-into the currents of international music, from rock to reggae to rap. Mapfumo, the Lion of Zimbabwe, stands beside Fela Kuti, Youssou NвЂ™Dour and Franco as one of AfricaвЂ™s greatest and most consequential composer/bandleaders. The Mapfumo experience also lies at the heart of this African nationвЂ™s remarkable and troubled history.

From the mid-1970s up until Mapfumo went into exile in 2004, this experience was a major feature of life for many Zimbabweans. Fans would flock and stay all night, dancing the bandвЂ™s deep grooves and meditating on MapfumoвЂ™s voice booming with ancient wisdom and street-smart moral authority. and rarely wind up before 3:30 in the morning. The music is mesmerizing and ecstatic, and the crowd simply canвЂ™t get enough. There is nothing like a concert by Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited at home in Zimbabwe. The album companion to Banning EyreвЂ™s groundbreaking history, the only complete overview of this crucial African music career, featuring several rarities.