Advantages: Highly emotive choral work
Disadvantages: Better live

...A combination of traditional African music in a western choral set up sounds a little unusual but this piece is actually a modern masterpiece and a very poigniant tribute to world music. The piece's underlying theme is a trip Fanshawe made across Africa in the shape of a cross, recording native sound as he went. Having heard the piece live I must say it loses a little in recording but the power of the Kyrie and haunting rock-operatic Crucifixous are still something very unusual and beautiful. Thoses interested in world music should definately purchase a copy of the score to accompany the piece as it has some fascinating insights to the performance written by Fanshawe. The inside of the sleeve has a good history of the piece as well as detailed break downs of each movement's African music. An unusual and fascinating piece. I believe... Read review

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Advantages: A peaceful protest
Disadvantages: May not have popular appeal

...Whether you like it or not politics has a place in all spheres of human activity, and is especially prominent in high profile, news worthy events such as the Olympics. When an event is preceded by a world wide introduction, such as is the case with the carrying round the world of the Olympic Flame, it must open protest opportunities in many countries. It might be argued that such protests are useless; whether they will have any effect on China's attitude to human rights cannot yet be known, but I do remember that the exclusion of South African from some international sporting events, such as the boycott of Test Matches in which their all white cricket team was playing, (Black South Africans being barred from participation by their own country) played some part in mobilising opinion against apartheid. Peaceful protest in connection... Read review

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Advantages: Interesting, a different perspective
Disadvantages: For a specialised audience

...and accoutrements dedicated to worship. As one who often has to improvise meeting spaces, etc., I have had to deal with some of the difficulties discussed here, albeit none as difficult to deal with as official societal and legal suppression as was enacted against early African American self-directed worship experiences. Perhaps the most important chapter for me was the concluding one, which discusses worship as empowerment. Costen states, 'In order for corporate worship to be authentic and empowering, it must be psychologically relevant to worshipers and commensurate with their lived experience.' (p. 123) Likewise, she writes, 'The most effective demonstration of true liturgy is what we do in obedience to God in Christ with our lives when we gather and when we scatter as a community in the world.' (p. 127) These quotes sum up for me the importance... Read review

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Advantages: A good global perspective on racial history issues
Disadvantages: A few research items (bibliography, footnoting) could have been better

...This book has a statement in its epilogue that is among the best I've ever seen as a match between the subject matter and the purpose of the book itself - Michael A. Gomez writes of the growth of reconnection between Africa proper and those scattered around the world, stating that, `Given the ongoing impoverishment of many in Africa and the Diaspora, such interrelationships require deeper and more practical meaning if they are to play a significant role in ending the despair. The incredible beauty and creativity of the African Diaspora, combined with its unbelievable suffering and disadvantage, are contradictions awaiting resolution.' Gomez is a professor of history at NYU, a university that offers degree programmes in the study of the African Diaspora. Gomez remarks on the value of the interactions with people at the university in his... Read review

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Advantages: Beautifully composed. Wonderful lyrics. Excellent cultural theme.
Disadvantages: None. Its fantastic.

...is the "That was your Mother", this is the only track on the CD not influenced by African music. Instead its a lively, accordion backed affair, high tempo tune. Lastly theres "All Around The World/Myth of Fingerprints" this is perhaps the most "hummable" tune on the album, being lively and energetic. Its makes an excellent conclusion to perhaps the best album of the decade. If your a fan of Simon, or indeed just a fan of popular music, then buy Graceland, its easily one of the most inspiring pop albums in history and is great to listen to again and again.... Read review

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Advantages: El Hadji Diouf, Good solid defense and good sprit
Disadvantages: Little experience, needs consistency.

...Pele famously predicted that an African nation would win the World Cup before the year 2000. His vision into the future may not have been as good as his talents on the pitch, but he may not be far out. Cameroon made the quarter-finals in 1990, and it looked likely that Pele would be right and African football started to emerge. Unfortunately no one has done any better until Senegal equalled that in 2002. Not many people will have heard of Senegal before this World Cup. A small African nation that is the furthest west in the great continent with French colonial ties were unknown on the football stage. Again the signs where there that it would be an interesting first World Cup for them. At this years African Nations Cup Senegal came runners up to one of the biggest forces in Africa, losing narrowly to Cameroon. A physically fit... Read review

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Advantages: Speed, Goalscoring ability
Disadvantages: Diver!?

...El Hadji Diouf - who you may ask - i know i did i never heard of him before France played Senegal in that memorable upset which set the tone for this World Cup yet he plays his club football just across the channel for FC Lens in France and if rumours be true (don't hold your breath) the highly rated centre forward will be playing in England for Liverpool next season! Although the Senegalese hero has maybe undershot his potential in this world cup he is the reason for them being here - he scored 8 goals in 9 qualifying matches to secure the african nations place in their first world cup. Rated as one of the hottest properties in African football at the age of 21 - last year named as the african footballer of the year - the future is very bright for the FC Lens forward and his silky dribbling skills and indescribable ability to score... Read review

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Advantages: One of the most poetic albums in my collection
Disadvantages: Strangely, it's expensive to buy

...Paul Simon's Graceland: best album of the 80s. Bold statement, but apt when you discover the majesty of this, Simon's best solo work. 'Graceland' is best known as a world music crossover success - Simon uses African sounds and the vocal stylings of African group Ladysmith Black Mambazo on the album. However, this stereotype only tells half the story. Unlike many world-crossover efforts, Simon succeeds so well by tweaking and blending his vocal style to marry with his daring use of sound. All in all, this album is just spectacular! Here's my rundown. Track Listing (orig. 1986, Warner records): 1. The Boy in the Bubble 2. Graceland 3. I Know What I Know 4. Gumboots 5. Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes 6. You Can Call Me Al 7. Under African Skies 8. Homeless 9. Crazy Love, Volume II 10. That Was Your Mother 11. All Around... Read review

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Advantages: Suitable for all ages.
Disadvantages: none

...gentlemanly dignity and one does not find their romance unlikely. Though they may be worlds apart in social standing, in the little world they've created, they become equals and the viewer welcomes their relationship as uniquely an African blend of togetherness in their efforts to overcome their many adversities. Charlie very engagingly, I thought, would do anything for his Miss Rose. Robert Morley makes an appearance early in the film as Rose's brother, and it was good seeing him in this movie. John Huston's directioral masterpiece won Bogey an Academy award for his protrayal of Charlie Allnut. Filmed on location in Africa, this is a heartwarming romantic adventure and it remains one of my favourites.... Read review

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Advantages: Bogey at his best
Disadvantages: The leeches

...that a German gunboat was patrolling. As this was in the middle of World War One Bogey and Kath didn't want to be captured and managed to hide amongst the many reed covered inlets. They had to get to the opposite shore of the lake to be out of German territory and the gunboat stood between them and freedom. The plan was to torpedo the ship by building two torpedoes out of two air cylinders and have them stuck out of the bows of the African Queen so that they could ram the Germans. Ah! Well! All the best laid plans of mice and men or in this case Kathryn Hepburn and Bogey came to nought. The boat was bow heavy and with two gaping holes in the bows where the "torpedoes" poked through, the African Queen shipped water, turned turtle and sank as they launched their attack run. Taken aboard the gunboat, after questioning they were committed... Read review

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