finetune artist: Paul Robeson

b. 9 April 1898, Princeton, New Jersey, USA, d. 23 January 1976, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Robeson's father was born into slavery, but he escaped at the age of 15 and eventually studied theology and became a preacher. His mother was a teacher, but she died in 1904. Education was of paramount importance to the Robeson family, one son became a physician, and the daughter was a teacher. Of all the family, Paul Robeson was by far the most gifted. In 1911 he was one of only two black students at Somerville High School in New Jersey, yet maintained a potentially dangerous high profile. He played the title role in Othello, sang in the glee club and also played football. He graduated with honours and won a scholarship to Rutgers University. A formidable athlete, he played football at All-American level and achieved scholastic success. In the early 20s, while studying law at Columbia University, he took part in theatrical productions and sang. In 1922 he visited England where he toured in the play Taboo with the noted actress Mrs Patrick Campbell. During this visit he also met pianist Lawrence Brown, with whom he was to have a close professional relationship for the rest of Brown's life. In 1923 Robeson was in the chorus of Lew Leslie's Plantation Revue, which starred Florence Mills, and the following year made his first film, Body And Soul, for Oscar Micheaux, one of the earliest black film-makers. He appeared in prestigious stage productions, including All God's Chillun Got Wings (1924) and The Emperor Jones (1925).

Listen to Paul Robeson at Finetune.

(2008) Paul Robeson: The Complete EMI Sessions 1928-1939
(2006) Ballad For Americans
(2006) Live At Carnegie Hall, 1958
(1987) Ol' Man River & Other Favourites
(1945) The Power And The Glory

The Lonesome Road (1990 Digital Remaster)
Swing Low,Sweet Chariot/ Every Time I Feel The Spirit
Canoe Song (1990 Digital Remaster)
Joe Hill
It ain't necessarily so (from Porgy and Bess) (1990 Digital Remaster)

lgvhnI5s on 2009-10-09 10:22:58.770:
Comrade Robeson, a Communist in true tradition, was a victim of racism, McCarthyism and the other venereal political diseases which a fearful and frightened capitalist colossus is subject to. His songs bear witness to his tireless struggle against racism and imperialism. Now he's gone. He must know somethin' - BUT HE DON'T SAY NOTHIN'!