Ladysmith Black Mambazo - On Tip Toe

Found the female narrator very difficult to hear and understand. A great pity.

This is not a concert video, and the reviewers who downgrade it for that reason are making a classic mistake: reviewing the movie they wish they'd seen, rather than the one they did. This shows the context and purpose of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and does it brilliantly, with interviews, archival footage, and just enough music to whet the appetite for more. It's under an hour in length, and never drags a bit. I've been a LBM fan for a long time, and learned a great deal from this video. Buy it. You won't regret it. But do buy a concert video, too.

I usually put my "two cents worth" on books. However, lately, I have has some opinions on videorecordings.This is exceptional. I have seen Ladysmith Black Mambazo in performances on video....but I had little knowledge of their history, and the history of their music. This video will allow you to share the history of the group.I borrowed this from a library, and liked it so much that I bought it. Enjoy it...and, as the Amazon editorial says....view the extras!!!!

Okay as far as documentaries go! IF YOU WANT TO KNOW THE BACKGROUND TO THE COMING OF AGE TO AFRICAN MUSIC AND ITS STRUGGLES UNDER THE OPPRESSIVE POLITICAL WORLD OF THE DARK CONTINENT BEFORE IT FINALLY GAINED A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT, THEN THIS IS FOR YOU! Myself, I'd have liked more music, perhaps an option: music or narrative. Paul Simon opened the can that brought this beautiful music to the world's attention. Learn all about it.

On the whole "On tip toe" is a worthwhile watch, especially at a lean 58 minutes.... My favorite parts are the interviews with Paul Simon, he returns the high praise given him on "Classic Albums: Graceland." Still, I'm perplexed, why is it that "Song of Jacob Zulu" is given so little mention. Ordinarily it would seem like a logical omission. It was on Broadway, but it was far from a hit... But the omission becaomes glaring when you consider that the director of this film also directed that play. It would have been a rare instance of the director turning the camera on himself with a valid purpose. Instead, the play isn't even mentioned verbally, the book cover of the script is shown in a very brief montage along with a lifesavers commercial and an appearence with Big Bird... Hit or not, it deserves a more prominent place because Broadway is a milestone.... I'm learning through research about another show, Paul Simon's "Capeman" (also briefly directed by Simonson, number 2 of an eventual 4) that footage of shows exist regardless of its reception, there ought to have been some of "Song of Jacob Zulu" to sustain a segment....