Original Lion Sleeps Tonight called Mbube Solomon Linda's Original Evening Birds (1939, lyrics)

ivriblack Photo

ivriblack
1 year 26 Views
Category:
Description:

Recorded in Gallo Recording Studio c. 1939. Vocals: Solomon Linda (soprano), Gilbert Madondo (alto), Boy Sibiya (tenor), Gideon Mkhize (bass), Samuel Mlangeni (bass), and Owen Sikhakhane (bass). Willie Gumede (banjo), Peter Rezant (guitar), Emily Motsieloa (piano) "[...] a dense meshing of low male voices above which Solomon yodelled and howled for two exhilarating minutes, improvising occasionally. The third take was the best, achieving immortality when Solly took a deep breath, opened his mouth, and improvised the melody that the world now associates with these words: In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps tonight." – Rian Malan