This seven-disc set constitutes Paul Robeson’s complete EMI recording sessions from 1928 to 1939, newly transferred from 78s. Today Robeson’s deservedly iconic reputation as an actor and activist overshadows his musical legacy. His extraordinary bass voice was one of nature’s miracles: deep, sonorous, rich, seamless from register to register. Most of the time Robeson delivered his interpretations with a dignified reserve, as if the voice itself were sufficient enough to sell whatever particular song he was singing. A colleague of mine once likened Robeson’s vocalism to a waterfall: phenomenal, yet inevitable. The delights are many (what stunning pianissimos on long, sustained phrases!), the surprises few.
Robeson best wove his magic in slow selections, notably in Spirituals such as “Steal Away”, “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”, “Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child”, “Go down, Moses”, and “Deep River”, not to mention his simple yet majestic way with “Old Man River” in no less than three recorded versions. Faster, lighter fare and jazz-tinged numbers find the singer out of his element, too serious-minded and with nary a trace of “swing”.
Although the racist undercurrents of certain titles may register uncomfortably among modern-day listeners, a noticeable shift toward more semi-classical fare occurs in the 1938/39 sessions produced by Walter Legge. EMI’s chronological presentation makes historic sense, but for maximum musical satisfaction, savor just a few tracks at a time. Andrew Walter’s restorations sound cleaner than ever, if somewhat less bright on top for my taste, and without the dynamic impact of Sony Heritage’s Songs of Free Men reissue that I continue to recommend as the ideal introduction to Robeson’s awesome voice. In all, a release of important documentary value.
