Vocalist, orator, athlete, thespian and political activist
Paul Robeson (1898-1976) is properly honored with a double-CD Living Era tribute album of historical recordings made between 1925 and 1947.
Paul Robeson was part opera singer and part Shakespearian actor; he was also, in equal proportions, a master interpreter of songs from the
gospel,
folk,
blues and
jazz traditions.
Paul Robeson had a lot in common with Russian basso
Feodor Chaliapin.
Paul Robeson was also the living embodiment of the phrase "Black Is Beautiful." This outstanding compilation opens with
Robeson's 1932 studio recording of "Ol' Man River" and five beautifully rendered
spirituals recorded during the mid-'20s with
Lawrence Brown at the piano;
Brown sings a duet with
Robeson on a positively swinging, upbeat version of "Joshua Fit de Battle ob Jericho," and is heard again elsewhere in the compilation accompanying the singer at various junctures throughout
Robeson's career. Most of the material reissued here was originally recorded in London, England with orchestras under the leadership of
Ray Noble,
Muir Mathieson, and
Clifford Greenwood. The producers of this tribute chose a well-rounded spectrum of genre recordings;
Robeson sings
spirituals,
folk songs,
show tunes,
americana,
Duke Ellington's "Solitude" and various Tin Pan Alley
pop tunes. There's even a six-and-one-half-minute
blues dedicated to Joe Louis with accompaniment by
Count Basie and his orchestra. Seldom does the word "essential" seem as appropriate as it does here; these are indeed most of the essential recordings of
Paul Robeson. ~ arwulf arwulf, All Music Guide
![Paul Robeson - The Essential Paul Robeson [ASV/Living Era]](http://cc.sacdstatic.com/200/dre700/e764/e76401ucl02.jpg "Paul Robeson - The Essential Paul Robeson [ASV/Living Era]")
