Welcome back, Mr. Offer. I trust you'll be giving us a full report.

Andres, I had the honor of hearing Ladysmith Black Mambazo in New York a few years back, just before the official end of apartheid, singing on the steps of the Museum of Natural History (I think...). It was one of the most moving performances I've ever seen, particularly when they started singing "Afrika," and everyone in the audience bowed their heads and lifted their right fists in silent salute for a united South Africa. Wasn't a dry eye in the bunch of us.

Then just a few months later they came to Santa Fe, N.M., where I was living at the time and sang in a big, lousy conference center and it was an excellent performance, but not nearly as high an emotional content.

But they truly are masters. I love the African form of singing, and their amazing harmonies.

WW