Beauler Dyoko at the Manyame River 17 April 1996: Solo & with Erica Azim, Nyamaropa Tuning Mbira & Vocals

Description

When asked what her favorite place to play mbira was, “Ambuya” Beauler Dyoko said emphatically, “The river, where I go fishing.” Thus, this recording was recorded sitting on a granite slab, amongst giant granite boulders, at the Manyame River, not far from Ambuya’s home in St. Mary’s, Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe. Tracks 1-7 are solo, and tracks 8-12 add Erica Azim playing kutsinhira. Both mbira classics and Ambuya’s compositions are included.

In 1969, Beauler Dyoko broke the gender barrier to become the first woman mbira player published on records in Zimbabwe. Her funky rhythmic feel on the mbira, and lovely singing voice, made her popular for generations, leading both her mbira group and mbira-centered electric band. She mixed traditional lyrics with her own (often feminist) ones. [Total time: 89:16]