The Voice of Langston Hughes

Product Description
Combines poetry, Afro-American history, folklore, humor, jazz, and gospel music-- subjects of enduring interest in the 46-year literary career of Langston Hughes, the most versatile and prolific author of his generation. All ages can share Hughes's humor in these recordings from the 1950s. Selections culled from six previously released Folkways albums feature works of the late Hughes spanning the years 1925-1932. The author reads poetry from The Dream Keeper and Other Poems, prose from Simple Speaks His Mind, and he narrates his text of The Story of Jazz, Rhythms of the World and The Glory of Negro History. These treasured selections offer part of the rich legacy of an American author whose writing remains timeless. "Captured here are the deadpan humor, wit, eloquence, and regal distinctivness of the Harlem Bard's voice and delivery" - URB

The Voice of Langston Hughes,Langston Hughes,Smithsonian Folkways,Beat Poetry,Jazz Music,Pop,Spoken,Spoken / Comedy / Radio Shows

Average customer rating:

A Wonderful Treasure Among the Gold Mine of American Poetry

The Voice of Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes
Manufacturer: Smithsonian Folkways
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Poetry, Spoken Word & Interviews | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Poetry | Poetry, Spoken Word & Interviews | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Spoken Word | Poetry, Spoken Word & Interviews | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Weary Blues
Our Souls Have Grown Deep Like the Rivers
Truth Is on Its Way
Long Story Short
Dreamer: A Portrait of Langston Hughes

ASIN: B000001DOH
Release Date: 1995-01-24

Tracks:

The Negro Speaks Of Rivers
I, Too
The Weary Blues
Homesick Blues
The Story Of The Blues
Night & Morn
Breath Of A Spiritual
Prayer
Prayer Meeting
Ma Lord
I'm Gonna Testify
Albert
Mother Of Son
Dreams
Youth
The Struggle
Rhythms Of The World
Simple-Intro.
Feet Live Their Own Life
Simple Prays A Prayer
As I Go

Album Description

Combines poetry, Afro-American history, folklore, humor, jazz, and gospel music-- subjects of enduring interest in the 46-year literary career of Langston Hughes, the most versatile and prolific author of his generation. All ages can share Hughes's humor in these recordings from the 1950s. Selections culled from six previously released Folkways albums feature works of the late Hughes spanning the years 1925-1932. The author reads poetry from The Dream Keeper and Other Poems, prose from Simple Speaks His Mind, and he narrates his text of The Story of Jazz, Rhythms of the World and The Glory of Negro History. These treasured selections offer part of the rich legacy of an American author whose writing remains timeless. "Captured here are the deadpan humor, wit, eloquence, and regal distinctivness of the Harlem Bard's voice and delivery" - URB

Customer Reviews:

A Wonderful Treasure Among the Gold Mine of American Poetry.......2000-05-15

This CD is amazing! Langston Hughes delivery of his poetry is definitely from his heart and the listener feels as though he or she is in Hughes' presence. My favorite aspect of this CD is track17 "Rhythms of The World." On this track, Hughes discusses rhythmic elements of poetry. He is a wonderful teacher and, most importantly, speaks boldly -- through his poetry -- of social, political, personal, and spiritual conditions during the Harlem Renaissance.

Average customer rating:

"Eloquent, Exquisite, Exciting"
A Gem!

Dreamer: A Portrait of Langston Hughes
Darryl Taylor , William Warfield , Maria Corley , Erik Santos , and Patricia Terry-Ross
Manufacturer: Naxos American
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

The Voice of Langston Hughes
The Negro Speaks of Rivers: Art Songs by African-American Composers
You Can Tell the World: Songs by African-American Women Composers

ASIN: B00006I9HH
Release Date: 2002-09-17

Tracks:

My People - William Warfield
Heart
Island
The Weary Blues - William Warfield
Litany
A Black Pierrot
March Moon
Negro - William Warfield
The Negro Speaks Of Rivers
My People
Song To The Dark Virgin
Evil - William Warfield
Joy
Lonely House
Minstrel Man
Sunday Morning Prophecy - William Warfield
In Time Of Silver Rain
Carolina Cabin
Madam And The Census Taker - William Warfield
Lovely, Dark And Lonely One
Sylvester's Dying Bed - William Warfield
Sandman/Birth
Bound No'th Blues
To Artina
Down Where I Am
The Dream Weaver/Bouquet
Still Here - William Warfield

Customer Reviews:

"Eloquent, Exquisite, Exciting".......2004-08-18

"Dreamer" is unquestionably the finest recording of original songs by black composers available today. The singing of tenor, Darryl Taylor is superb and demonstrates a vocal beauty, musicianship, and interpretive sensitivy that is rarely equaled. The selection of poems of poet laureate, Langston Hughes is first rate, and even more important, the songs themselves are original, varied and well written. I think every listener will find "Dreamer" an exciting musical experience, and I predict for Darry Taylor a distinguished career as an interpreter of art songs. For the Naxos price, buy two albums and give one to a friend!

A Gem!.......2002-10-17

This collection is a gem! Langston Hughes was a very "musical" poet who was inspired by a variety of forms, from jazz to classical. His poetry in turn inspired a whole generation of composers, thirteen of whom are represented here in fifteen art songs. Additionally, eight Hughes poems are read by William Warfield.

Freedom Train And The Welsh Transatlantic Concert

Average customer rating:

Extraordinary Privilege to own this rare recording!
A Chance to Eavesdrop on an Extraordinary Occasion

Freedom Train And The Welsh Transatlantic Concert

Manufacturer: Folk Era Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

Songs of Free Men/ A Paul Robeson Recital
Peace Arch Concerts
Paul Robeson - Here I Stand
Paul Robeson, Vol. 1
Paul Robeson Live at Carnegie Hall

ASIN: B000006NTK
Release Date: 2004-10-19

Tracks:

Freedom Train
Intro From Wil Paynter
Paul Robeson's Greetings
Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel
All Through The Night
This Little Light Of Mine
All Men Are Brothers
Slumberland
Thanks from Wil Paynter
Y Deln Aur (The Golden Harp) - The Treorchy Male Voice Chor
Thanks from Paul Robeson
Wales
We'll Keep A Welcome In the Hillside - The Treorchy Male Voice Chor

Amazon.com

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

Customer Reviews:

Extraordinary Privilege to own this rare recording!.......2001-08-06

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!

A Chance to Eavesdrop on an Extraordinary Occasion.......1998-08-11

I was in Junior High when this incredible concert occurred, and I remember hearing about it without understanding all the whys and wherefores. What a powerful experience it was to listen to this for the first time.

For those who aren't familiar with the history, the well-written program notes tell the story of Paul Robeson and how he was blacklisted in the US, had a career in Britain where he met up with and made a film about the South Wales coal miners, and how the State Department froze his passport and wouldn't let him leave the country for a number of years, not even to perform at this singing festival in Wales.

The trans-Atlantic phone cable was new on the scene, so the festival organizers arranged for Paul Robeson to "appear" by telephone. The CD includes the introduction by the organizer, selections by Paul Robeson, and selections by a Welsh choir, singing for him. In the final selection, the audience of 5,000 people in Wales sings, "We'! ll Keep A Welcome in the Valleys" - a very poignant selection under the circumstances.

The recording of the concert was made on the Welsh side, with Mr. Robeson's voice coming through the phone wire, so the quality of the recording may not satisfy some listeners. Still, the power of Mr. Robeson's voice comes across loud and clear, as does the emotion of the occasion.

Tracks:

Funga Alafia
The Creation
Africa- The Negro Speaks of Rivers
Peace - I Dream a World
Hine Matov
Eastern Worship Song - Haiku for the Seasons
Since I Laid My Burden Down - Tambourines
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot - Go Down Death
A Child Is Born - The Cry
Dancer
Funga Alafia reprise

Album Description

Singer/actor Charles Williams and percussionist Tom Teasley create a vibrant synergy of voice and percussion drawing inspriation from poets Langston Hughes, James Weldon Johnson and timeless world rhythms. "... their collaboration ultimately transcends form and culture, radiating a universal power and hope." Mike Joyce, The Washington Post

Average customer rating:

The unknown Dessau

Paul Dessau: Lieder

Manufacturer: Orfeo
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00004WK7R
Release Date: 2000-08-29

Customer Reviews:

The unknown Dessau.......2000-10-25

Not really what I had expected, but very good nevertheless. I was expecting Brecht and Tucholsky settings, though only five of the 36 tracks are settings of Brecht (five of the very short but charming "Tierverse") and there is no Tucholsky material. Instead, I got acquainted with some less known Dessau Lieder - the earliest one dating from 1914 - covering his entire career up to the mid-1970s. What I had heard of the young Paul Dessau before I bought this album (e.g. the "Haggadah Shel Pessach") hadn't really impressed me, and I had the impression his compositional skill developed rather late. These early songs proved me wrong. The earliest songs don't sound like the usual sharp-edged Dessau fare, though, it's more slightly atonal late romanticism (reminded me a bit of pre-dodecaphony Berg or Webern). The characteristical Dessau style is, however, recognisable already in some Villon settings from the 1930s (though it feels a bit odd to hear them accompanied by only a pianist. One keeps expecting sudden Dessauian outbursts of snare drum, cymbals and screeching trumpets.) There is no unity of style here: there are beautiful melodic Lenz settings and atonal Neruda settings, blues pastiche and twelvetone. All (or most) of it charming. This is perhaps not the album to start with, in order to get to know the composer (for that purpose I would recommend Sonja Kehler's or Gisela May's recordings, or the Lukullus opera. Don't know if Kehler is available on CD, though.), but it is well worth having if you appreciate Dessau's work. Performances and sound quality are very good throughout.