Freedom Train and the Welsh Transatlantic Concert

Our Price: $15.14
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Buy Used: from $13.40 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more CD details

CD Details

Music reviews of Freedom Train and the Welsh Transatlantic Concert

Music Review: A Chance to Eavesdrop on an Extraordinary Occasion
Rating: 5 Stars

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.

This is a must for Welsh-Americans and African-Americans, as well as anyone who wants to see what the US government was capable of doing to its citizens back in the Cold War days.

Broadway & Vocalists CDs

• Music > Styles
• Classical
• Folk
• Miscellaneous
• New Age
• Pop