After listening to her album, watching her live DVD and all her other live performances I could get my hands on, I can safely say I have reached my opinion and concluded that Zahara the (Loliwe) hit maker is really not that great of a singer. As harsh as it may sound, it remains as a fact, opened up to be debated upon. On the studio album she sounds beautiful but still average.
(One of the norms South
Africans have adopted. We tend to accept 'average'). Vocally Zahara cannot be
measured up against the likes of Thandiswa Mazwai, Simphiwe Dana and Kelly
Khumalo; our 21st century Divas. The great thing about Zahara she is a musician
that is gifted in lyrical interpretation, her songs relate to many people’s
situation, making her songs a great listen and sing along tunes, as they speak
about our current situations. Watching her and listening to her perform live
you will clearly hear that her vocal abilities are not that great, 'she's
certainly not an idol winner'.
Her performing skills are also an issue, yes she's
not Chomee or Thembi Seate, she won't parade across the stage half naked, but
at least she could add to her performance instead of looking confused and lost
most of the time, she's not the first musician to perform with a guitar, we've
seen artist sit on chairs and hold guitars and still give memorable
performances, c'mon girl show some health.
Etta James once said
"you can't fake this music. You might be a great singer or a great
musician but, in the need, that's got nothing to do with it. It’s how you
connect to the songs and the history" Zahara has certainly given life to
these words, as she has connected with her music and helped many connect to her
songs. As they say wine tastes better with Age, let's hope this applies to this
beautiful African song bird.
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