LOCAL high-flying gospel outfit, ZimPraise’s female lead singer, Melisa Makwasha, disappointed hundreds of fans, who attended the choir’s Season 8 Live DVD launch on New Year’s Day in Harare, when she failed to pitch the high notes for which she is renowned, at a performance of the song, Mweya Washe.
Makwasha unexpectedly stopped singing mid-song without signaling the band, which consequently stopped playing.
The choir’s chief executive officer, Joseph Madziyire, was jolted into action and immediately went onto the stage, where he asked the main keyboard player, Daniel Chiweda, to leave the stage.
Fans could be heard murmuring and expressing their discontent.
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| The live DVD is titled The Second Coming. |
The group’s male lead singer, Wellington Kwenda, however, gave an electrifying performance during his performance of the song Tinodiwa naJesu and together with prolific guest artiste, Michael Mahendere they made up for the group’s earlier blunders.
Mahendere lightened up the show and left the crowd craving for more. He had started off with a worship song, Nyengetera Uone, soon after coming on stage, as he led the congregants in worship.
He also wowed fans with sing along songs Ndinokudai, Hallelujah and Makanaka, which all made it into the Top 10 of radio gospel charts last year.
The gospel artiste carried on with praise songs from his last album, as he mesmerised the crowd with songs such as Higher Life and Handingakanganwe, while the fans could be seen waving their hands in the air and engaging in hypnotising dance routines.
The Second Coming Live DVD was recorded in October last year at Harare International Conference Centre at a two-in-one event that was combined with a concert featuring Mahendere and music legend Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi.
The launch venue, which has a limited sitting capacity of 600, was packed to the brim, leaving little room for fans to dance freely.
The trail-blazing choir last year started a music academy targeted at grooming talented youngsters before they are promoted to the main choir. The new initiative is targeted at the five to 16 age group.
The choir was formed in 2006, uniting several denominations in the country, with top producer MacDonald “MacDee” Chidavaenzi playing a crucial role. The first project featured an array of gospel musicians, who went on to establish successful careers and these include Stanley “Pastor G” Gwanzura and Bethan Pasinawako-Ngolomi.
Since the interdenominational group recorded its debut album, ZimPraise Volume 1 in 2007, it has since produced seven live DVD albums.
Source: Newsday
