I'm listening to some old recordings of Paul Robeson singing

[Aristus]

American folk songs. "Shenandoah" and others, including "Old Man River". I know that's a show tune, not a folk song, but it sure sounds 'folky'.

The man was simply astonishing; a national treasure, if you ask me.


That voice.

That VOICE.




:wow:

[Aristus]

1. No Paul Robeson fans in here tonight, huh?

Oh well.

[Generic Other]

2. Did you know the US government seized his passport?

He did a concert in Blaine. He stood on the US side of the border while his audience was in Canada.

He was an amazing man.

[CanuckAmok]

7. here's a photo of that event:

At the Peace Arch crossing between White Rock BC and Blain WA:

[Robeson]

9. I'm somewhat of a Robeson fan, I guess....

...;-)

[miss_kitty]

3. paul robeson make some cool movies

before AMC became American Movie Crap, during Black History month They would run his movies on the weekends. It was great to see them. He was put through loads of shit for being a black artist.

[enigmatic]

4. Robeson's version of "Shenandoah" is magic

What a commanding vocal presence..

[latebloomer]

5. He changed the lyrics on "Old Man RIver"

from "get a little drunk and you land in jail" to
"show a little spunk and you land in jail"

and from "I'm tired of livin' and scared of dyin'" to
"I won't stop fightin' until I'm dyin'"

Amazing, brilliant artist and person.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

6. Robeson and Al Hibler are two of my all time favorites

[CanuckAmok]

8. OMG! You've heard of Al Hibler?!

My inlaws loved him... I/we inherited some old LPs of his, and I think I ended up with them... he was... wow.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

10. Really incredible voice

Singer with ellington's orchestra too...I love his version of You'll Never Know.