Length 110 minutes Zahara The Beginning Live
(2012) Nelson Mandela
(2013) Release date 3 September 2012 Genre Afro-soul | Language Xhosa, English Artist Zahara Label EMI South Africa | |
 | ||
Released September 3, 2012 (2012-09-03) Recorded June 8–9, 2012
Carnival City, Ekurhuleni Nominations South African Music Award for Best Live Audiovisual Recording Similar Zahara albums, Other albums | ||
The Beginning Live (stylized as Zahara: The Beginning Live) is a live DVD by South African singer Zahara. It was released by TS Records on September 3, 2012. It was shot at Carnival City in Ekurhuleni on June 8 and 9, 2012. The live DVD features popular ensemble performers, including LeRoy Bell, DJ Sbu, the Soweto Gospel Choir and Riot. During her two-day performance, Zahara was backed by an eight piece band composed of percussionist Tlale Makhene. The Beginning Live was distributed by Musica, Kalahari and SoMusi.
Contents
The DVD features performances of songs from Zahara's debut studio album Loliwe; it also features her rendition of Brenda Fassie's "Vulindlela". The Beginning Live received mostly positive reviews from music critics who praised Zahara's live performances of the songs. The DVD was commercially successful, selling over 40,000 units and reaching double platinum status in South Africa. Moreover, the DVD was confirmed to be one of the fastest selling DVDs released in South Africa by a South African artist.
Background and concert performances
Rehearsals for the two-day event was held at the Pyramid Venue & Conference Centre. As part of the DVD recording, Zahara and Leroy Bell performed some of their biggest songs. In an interview posted on The Sowetan, Leroy Bell said that he felt in love with Zahara's music after googling her, and was honored to be part of the DVD production. In the same interview, Zahara said that she was nervous about the prospect of working with Bell. She also said that she loves Bell's voice and found it coincidental that both of them have a song on their respective albums titled "Brand New Day". When Zahara took the stage on the night of June 8 and 9, she received great applause from the capacity crowd at the venue. During her two-day performance, Zahara paid tribute to the late Brenda Fassie, as well as to South Africa's musical icon Miriam Makeba.
Insight
Commenting on the success of the concert and DVD recording, Zahara said: "I feel that God has favoured me, this is just a blessing. It shows that if you remain true to who you are people will support you and remain faithful to you...Come to think of it, my DVD recording shows were sold out for both nights and it shows that after everyone had heard my music on the CD, they needed to see me live on stage."
Critical reception
Drum Magazine praised Zahara's performance, adding that her "performance pulls at the heart strings with her passionate and honest rendition. It is an emotional tearjerker of a song she calls 'special'...By the time confetti rains on her, Zahara had proven to be a consummate entertainer who knows her way with a live audience and takes them along for a ride in her musical train."
Tony Da Silva of EMI Music South Africa added: "On the back of the success of Zahara's debut album we expected to do well with the DVD and are grateful that Zahara's fans continue to support her in this way. Zahara's fans have been eagerly awaiting the Live DVD and I have no doubt that they will enjoy every minute of it."
Accolades
The Beginning Live was nominated for "Best Live DVD" at the 19th annual SAMAs.
Songs
1Liza Lisidinga Lakho (Live) (feat Soweto Gospel Choir)6:13
2Xa Bengina Mama (Live)4:57
3Destiny (Live)5:44