An amazing CD from a singer who died tragically young
Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 09/21/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Indiana-born Bruce Hubbard died of pneumonia in 1991 before he turned forty. The Christmas before saw the release of this, his only recital album. EMI knew they had a potential star on their hands when Hubbard triumphed in their complete 'Show Boat,' and we can only imagine where his career would have gone. Copland's "Old American Songs" has received one classic reading, from dedicatee Wiliam Warfield, but Hubbard is just as powerful of voice and much more nuanced in his singing -- these winning folksongs here reveal depths of feeling that I never imagined before -- Hubbard's abilities are those of a born singer with a God-given talent for communicaiton. This performance alone guarantees that I will remember him as a tragic loss.
Hubbard's velvety bass echos the duskiness of Leontyne Price's and with almost the same thrilling emotional effect. The only real comparison in my experience is with the great Paul Robeson. The CD is filled out with a medley of show tunes beginning with Gershwin, Kern, and Berlin. I love this all this music and have heard many renditions, but few that left me shaking -- I defy anyone to listen to Hubbard's 'Shenandoah' without havng the same reaction. Heartfelt thanks for this reissue, which sells for very little at Amazon Marketplace."