The Beginning Live | ||||
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Live album by Zahara | ||||
Released | September 3, 2012 | |||
Recorded | June 8–9, 2012 Carnival City, Ekurhuleni |
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Genre | Afro-soul | |||
Length | 110 minutes | |||
Language | Xhosa, English | |||
Label | TS Records | |||
Zahara chronology | ||||
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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.
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.
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.
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."