Search Movie Review Archives

Thomas Mapfumo & The Blacks Unlimited, Kuvarira Mukati, Maryam Mursal, Mariza, Barca Negro, Dido, Peter Gabriel, Mbani, Youssou N’Dour, Nelson Mandela

The companion to the more mainstream “Live 8” concert, “Calling Africa” was held on the same day at the Eden Project in Cornwall, South West England. Hosted and supported by Peter Gabriel’s WOMAD organization, “Calling Africa” featured musicians from a variety of different countries including (naturally) Africa playing music that is popular in their home. Featuring stellar performances by Thomson Mapfumo and The Blacks Unlimited, Youssou N’Dour (who is one of the most visible and biggest stars to emerge out of Africa since Fela), Angelique Kidjo, Peter Gabriel and Dido this concert is a nice tonic for the soul reminding us that there IS much more than rock music, country music and hip-hop that people listen to. Be warned if you’re a Gabriel and Dido fan neither artist plays any of their material but instead appear as guest musicians on these artists from other countries. That’s not a bad thing though as the dynamic Gabriel and fiery Dido would be a distraction given the venue for this music.

Despite an occasional bit of video noise, the overall image quality is exceptionally good with a crisp, sharp image and powerful sound mix in both the 5.1 Dolby Digital and DTS formats. Both formats sound terrific with the DTS having a slight edge with a much richer bass. Regardless of which track you listen to you’ll be delighted. The music features introductions by Gabriel and others so subtitles are an option here in six different languages.

Since this set doesn’t receive the deluxe four disc treatment the main “Live 8” set received, extras are a bit limited as most of the disc time is devoted to the music and two main soundtracks. The 28 minute“Calling Africa Documentary” documents how the event was put together featuring Tim Smit Director of The Edge Project, Peter Gabriel and others discussing how they became involved in the project. The team that put together the concerts had only three weeks to put everything together. Gabriel points out that the reason they had their own program to compliment Bob Geldof’s is that the musicians largely unfamiliar to American and British artists would tempt TV viewers to tune out thus hurting the message that Geldof ws trying to get across. Many of the artists involved in the concert are interviewed. Others who appear include Angelina Jolie (who introduces the concert on behalf of Unicef). We also get a glimpse at some of the ways that The Eden Project helps people in other countries achieve their goal of raising their own food and supporting the independence of different communities. ---

A great way to experience something other than western music, “Calling Africa” provides a fine compliment to the “Live 8” release. Peter Gabriel and The Eden Project have assembled a terrific roster of musicians from around the world to highlight the importance of Bob Geldof’s message to forgive African debt as a means to help the continents various nations stand on their own. The end result will hopefully be a reduction in famine and disease in the birth place of mankind.