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Freedom Train and the Welsh Transatlantic Concert
Langston Hughes, Spoken Word, Spiritual Traditional
Freedom Train and the Welsh Transatlantic Concert
Genres: Folk, Special Interest, New Age, Pop, Classical, Broadway & Vocalists, Gospel
 
  •  Track Listings (13) - Disc #1

In 1947, the American Heritage Foundation arranged for the original Declaration of Independence and other historic national documents to tour the country on a red, white, and blues Freedom Train. Paul Robeson recorded a ...  more »

     
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In 1947, the American Heritage Foundation arranged for the original Declaration of Independence and other historic national documents to tour the country on a red, white, and blues Freedom Train. Paul Robeson recorded a poem Langston Hughes wrote about the train that is presented here along with a 1957 concert Robeson, accompanied by pianist Alan Booth, gave over transatlantic cable for the South Wales Miners. Robeson, who spoke 20 languages, sings one song in Welsh. A highlight is the Welsh Treorchy Male Voice Choir serenading Robeson with "We'll Keep a Welcome in the Hillside." There is some static on the recording, but not enough to obscure Robeson's magnificent performance. --Stanley Booth

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CD Reviews

Extraordinary Privilege to own this rare recording!
ekk3 | 08/06/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I call this an extraordinary privilege because it's an artifact of a man who fought for freedom with the fervor of Martin Luther King, Jr, but without his fame. This is a recording of a Paul Robeson concert which should have been performed in Wales. However, although Paul Robeson was a U.S. citizen, he had his passport denied for 8 years because of his civil rights actions. Robeson never allowed the voice of freedom to be stilled. The concert went on over the newly installed transatlantic phone cable! The recording begins most appropriately with Paul Robeson performing the poem by Langston Hughes, "Freedom Train", with strength and truth that led Paul Robeson in becoming a giant in human rights. This recording clarifies that emotions were high on both sides of the Atlantic! The voices of Robeson's baritone and the Welsh men's choir, fantastic! Eyes surely were streaming with tears at the conclusion of this 1957 concert in both New York and Porthcrawl, Wales, just as mine overflowed when Robeson offers his Thanks to the Welsh people and promises to see them soon, The choir, across the ocean, adds their promise of invitation with "We'll Keep a Welcome in the Hillside". Words from this reviewer are nothing. You must become a listener yourself. That's the only way to have this extraordinary privilege!"