When I received news about MTN Joyous Celebration taking things back in their retrospective series of shows dubbed Joyous Celebration Rewind, I was ecstatic. Although I have watched their shows on DVD, I had never attended any of them, since the gospel outfit’s inception over 15 years ago. Having been an avid fan of their first 5 recordings, I decided to attend this past Sunday‘s show at Montecasino‘s Teatro.

David Tlale praising the Lord.

Owing to the title of this write up, I’m going to state the good alongside the bad, as I experienced. Joyous Celebration Rewind was a tight event. The production was top-notch, although the sound was not consistent. The choreography by Somizi Mhlongo blended nicely with the performances. Most of the vocalists were amazing in their delivery.

When we walked in, the dancers were about to finish doing one of their numbers. Some of the highlights include Unathi Mzekeli performing Ngibambe Ngesandla. Especially when conductor Lindelani Mkhize joined him, dancimg to the crowd’s delight. Although most of the singers did a great job, I would have preferred the songs sung by the original members. Like Nthabiseng who sang Change. I could hear the late Wendy Mseleku do the original in my mind. Also, the guy who did a medley of songs, including Bambelela (Ekuphileni), was good, however, not as great as Pastor Benjamin Dube was in the originals.

A definite stand out was when Mthunzi Namba led the choir through a few of their hits, old and new. His impeccable piano skills and raspy voice guided the choir that was so harmonious and crisp. Thabo Mdluli and his wife Nonhlanhla‘s duet also counts amongst the best of the night.

Also noteworthy is Bukiwe Tiwani who had the crowds eating out of a palm of her hands with her baritone voice. If I didn’t know better, I would have said it was Hlengiwe Mhlaba, minus the heavy weight. The crowds stood up from the time she entered the stage until she disappeared behind the stage, clapping and singing along.

Another highlight was a guy who started a medley of songs that started with You’ll Be There. He then broke into Walk In Jerusalem. I’m convinced that I may have loved this medley because I was thinking of Sharon Dee who originally did this gem made popular to me by Rory Block. He ended the medley with The Williams Brothers‘ I’m Just A Nobody.

Again, the show and the singers were good. However, I would have preferred to see the likes of Nokukhanya Dlamini, Swazi Dlamini, Vicky Vilakazi, Margaret Motsage, Tshepo Tsola, Well (Emthonjeni), Sharon Dee, Pastor Benjamin Dube, etc, reprise their roles on the older Joyous Celebration material. Even Asanda Bam was given a different song. I’m glad though that she did an amazing job with it.

The six piece band consisting of two keyboardists, a guitarist, a bassist, and a drummer, and a pianist, played beautifully. The choir, as I have mentioned, also sang beautifully. There were moments though that the choir sounded louder that the lead vocalists. I guess we can blame that to the sound controllers.

There were not that many celebrities at the show, but I spotted David Tlale enjoying himself. He was actually sitting in the row in front of mine. During the interval he asked me why I was taking a picture of him while he was in church (the side-eye on the picture above says it all. LOL). Speaking of which, another gripe I had was that we were not allowed to take pictures. I guess because the show was being recorded.

Anyway, although I was kinda disappointed, I still enjoyed myself. MTN Joyous Celebration is recording their 16th project on 15 December 2011 at Carnival City. Be on the look out for ticket details in the next few weeks.

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