On Robeson, opera singer Davóne Tines pays tribute to the musician usually remembered for singing “Ol’ Man River.” Tines’ album pairs properly with the 14-CD album Paul Robeson: Voice of Freedom.
DAVID BIANCULLI, HOST:
That is FRESH AIR. Bass-baritone Paul Robeson was some of the widespread figures of the twentieth century, and likewise some of the controversial. He died in 1976 on the age of 77, leaving an enormous imprint on music, politics and race relations. Our classical music critic, Lloyd Schwartz, opinions two current releases wherein Robeson is the topic. One is a CD referred to as “Robeson” by 38-year-old bass-baritone Davone Tines, who says he grew up being continually in comparison with Robeson. The opposite launch is an virtually full 14-CD set of Robeson’s personal recordings.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “OL’ MAN RIVER”)
PAUL ROBESON: (Singing) Dere’s an ol’ man referred to as Mississippi; dat’s de ol’ man dat I would wish to be. What does he care if de world’s acquired troubles? What does he care if de land ain’t free? Ol’ Man River, dat Ol’ Man River, he mus’ know sumpin’, however do not say nuthin’. He jes’ retains rollin’. He retains on rollin’ alongside. He do not plant taters, he do not plant cotton, an’ dem dat vegetation ’em is quickly forgotten. However Ol’ Man River, he jes’ retains rollin’ alongside. You an’ me, we sweat an’ pressure, physique all achin’ an’ racked wid ache. Tote dat barge. Lif’ dat bale. Git just a little drunk an’ you lands in jail. Ah gits weary an’ sick of tryin’. Ah’m uninterested in livin’ an’ fearful of dyin’. However Ol’ Man River, he jes’ retains rollin’ alongside.
LLOYD SCHWARTZ, BYLINE: “Ol’ Man River” from the landmark 1929 musical “Present Boat” was the nice bass-baritone Paul Robeson’s most well-known track, and the track that additionally made him well-known. Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein wrote it for him because the stevedore, Jim’s expression of his darkest dilemma, uninterested in residing and fearful of dying, a line that has the tragic weight of a sure Hamlet soliloquy. It is some of the highly effective numbers ever written for a Broadway musical. Now, some youthful performers have expressed critical reservations about it. Is it actually only a demeaning minstrel track written by white individuals for a Black performer?
In his live performance recitals, Robeson himself modified the stevedore’s internal questioning to a public battle cry. I have to maintain preventing till I am dying. In his new album referred to as “Robeson,” 38-year-old bass-baritone Davone Tines, one of many main musical artists of our era, says that over time, he has modified his thoughts in regards to the singer to whom he has been steadily in contrast. In his liner notes, Tines writes of Robeson’s suicide try after what could have been a CIA effort to drug him. Tines identifies with Robeson’s desperation as if it have been a fever dream reflecting his personal most intimate struggles.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “THE HOUSE I LIVE IN”)
ROBESON: (Singing) What’s America to me? A reputation, a map of the flag I see, a sure phrase, democracy. What’s America to me? The home I reside in, the buddies that I’ve discovered, the parents past the railroad and the individuals throughout, the employee and the farmer, the sailor on the ocean, the lads who constructed this nation, that is America to me.
SCHWARTZ: Paul Robeson sang the uplifting track, “The Home I Dwell In,” at a lot of his concert events. It was first launched by Frank Sinatra in a 1945 Oscar-winning quick about America as a melting pot. On his “Robeson” album, Davone Tines and his band, The Reality, do one thing much like what Robeson did with “Ol’ Man River.” After singing the start because it was written, Tines provides his personal new indignant lyrics about the best way America has betrayed its beliefs of equality. Discover America for me, he concludes.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “THE HOUSE I LIVE IN”)
DAVONE TINES AND THE TRUTH: (Singing) Reality turns into banished, and justice by no means received. Our hopes to seek out some freedom nonetheless simply raisins within the solar. It is unhappy to see it failing. It is the best way it is all the time been, to by no means cleanse the staining of its bloody prime of sin. ‘Trigger that is America. What’s America? Who’s America? The place’s America? Discover America for me.
SCHWARTZ: Within the ultra-romantic Rodgers & Hammerstein ballad “Some Enchanted Night,” Tines makes one other radical transformation by merely altering the pronouns. The track turns into his love track to Robeson. However Tines additionally is aware of that anybody who hears the track with out trying on the liner notes would hear it as a love track from one man to a different man. And Tines, who’s brazenly homosexual, has arrived at a degree in his profession when he can be happy to specific brazenly his most private emotions.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “SOME ENCHANTED EVENING”)
DAVONE TINES AND THE TRUTH: (Singing) Some enchanted night, you may even see a stranger. You may even see a stranger throughout a crowded room, and by some means you may know, you may know even then that someplace you may see him many times.
SCHWARTZ: The 14 discs of “Paul Robeson – The Voice Of Freedom” are, after all, a treasure and embrace some extraordinary reside performances and different cuts that have been by no means launched. Robeson was additionally a robust and versatile stage and movie actor. And one of many highlights of this set is his recording of “Othello,” which he performed on Broadway. It is thrilling to listen to Robeson talking in addition to singing, and it is thrilling to listen to Tines responding on to Robeson along with his personal ardour and likewise in magnificent voice.
BIANCULLI: Lloyd Schwartz reviewed “Paul Robeson – The Voice Of Freedom” and the Davone Tines album, “Robeson.” Arising, Justin Chang opinions David Cronenberg’s new film, “The Shrouds.” That is FRESH AIR.
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