The Beginning Live

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. The DVD was shot at Carnival City in Ekurhuleni on June 8 and 9, 2012. It features performances from 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.[1][2]

The Beginning Live
Live album by
Zahara
ReleasedSeptember 3, 2012 (2012-09-03)
RecordedJune 8–9, 2012
Carnival City, Ekurhuleni
GenreAfro-soul
Length110 minutes
LanguageXhosa, English
LabelTS Records
Zahara chronology
Loliwe
(2011)		 The Beginning Live
(2012)		 Nelson Mandela
(2013)

The Beginning Live was distributed by Musica, Kalahari and SoMusi.[3][4][5] It features performances of songs from Zahara's debut studio album Loliwe (2011), as well as 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 copies and reaching double platinum status in South Africa. Moreover, it was confirmed to be one of the fastest selling DVDs released by a South African artist.[6]

Background and concert performances

Rehearsals for the two-day event were 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 website, Leroy Bell said 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 she was nervous about the prospect of working with Bell. She also said she loves Bell's voice and found it coincidental that both of them have a song on their respective albums titled "Brand New Day".[7] Zahara paid tribute to Brenda Fassie and Miriam Makeba during her two-day performance.[8]

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." [6]

Reception

Critical reception

Drum Magazine praised Zahara's performance, stating that her "performance pulls at the heart strings with her passionate and honest rendition". The magazine also added that "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."[1] 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." [6]

Accolades

The Beginning Live was nominated for Best Live DVD at the 19th annual SAMAs.[9]

YearAwardNominationResult
2013 South African Music Awards Best Live DVD Nominated

Track listing
DVD
No.TitleLength
1."Liza Lisidinga Lakho" (featuring Soweto Gospel Choir)6:12
2."Xa Bengina Mama (Live)"4:57
3."Destiny (Live)"5:44
4."Ndiza (Live)"5:34
5."Umthwalo" (featuring Soweto Gospel Choir)7:05
6."Thekwana (Live)"4:19
7."African Sunset (Live)"4:37
8."Promises (Live)"1:55
9."Vul’indlela (Live)"3:17
10."Thetha Nami" (featuring Riot Zungu)6:04
11."Hold on (Bambelela)" (featuring LeRoy Bell)6:57
12."My Guitar (Live)"8:46
13."Incwadi e Ncane (Live)"6:07
14."Loliwe" (featuring Soweto Gospel Choir)7:43

Credits and personnel
  • Zahara – primary artist
  • LeRoy Bell – guest artist
  • DJ Sbu – guest artist
  • Soweto Gospel Choir – guest artist
  • Riot – guest artist

Release history
Country Date Format Label
South Africa September 3, 2012 CD/DVD, digital download TS Records
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References
  1. "Zahara The Beginning live DVD out now". DRUM. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
  2. Owen, Therese (29 August 2012). "Beginning part 2 of her journey". IOL. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
  3. "The Beginning Live (DVD) : Zahara". SOMusic. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
  4. "The Beginning Live". Kalahari. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
  5. "The Beginning Live". Musica. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
  6. "Zahara's Live DVD Goes Double Platinum in Three Days". RollingStone. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
  7. Tsumele, Edward & Bambalele, Patience (6 June 2012). "Brand new day for Zahara and Leroy Bell". The Sowetan. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
  8. Tsumele, Edward (12 June 2012). "Zahara, guitarist Bell wow fans". The Sowetan. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
  9. "THE 19TH ANNUAL MTN SOUTH AFRICAN MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEES". SAMA. Archived from the original on 27 March 2015. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
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