Robeson's performances survive him
Nancy Moran | Baltimore, Maryland USA | 05/29/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album was recorded 1928 to 1939 and is republished by EMI. Except for the orchestrations (which are dated), the performances by Paul Robeson are current and fresh as ever. There is nothing in the content of the lyrics to indicate an origin of slavery or anything having to do with black stereotyping. Robeson has a rich, bass voice and he enunciates well. There are 20 numbers on this album and Robeson carries all of them well. In addition to Ol' Man River, there are St. Louis Blues, All Through the Night, Song of the Volga Boatman, and Dear Old Southland.This is a valuable piece of American history and it's too bad the ultimate Paul Robeson couldn't have been recorded in latter decades with more modern equipment and arrangements."
Paul Robeson EMI Recordings
Mr. L. A. Spong | Solihull, England | 04/05/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The 20 recordings, originally made between 1928 & 1939, are remarkably good and fully reflect the quality of Robeson`s voice. The disc is accompanied by a pamphlet describing Robeson`s career, including a comment from Alexander Woolcott, that "of all the countless people I have known, he is one of the few of whom I would say that they have greatness". I would agree."