Ballad for Americans

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Legendary American actor/concert performer Paul Robeson sings as deep as a well and as wide as an ocean on the reissue of Ballad for Americans. His unmistakable bass-baritone makes the rafters ring on this excellent, eloquent collection of spirituals, work songs, folk songs, and pop tunes. The epic 10-minute title track--composed by Earl Robinson and John LaTouche--is a compendium of American musical forms and a celebration of American spirit, delivered in a call-and-response style that finds Robeson playing a true everyman to the questioning crowd. His patriotism--as rich and complex as his voice--is in full flower here; ironic since he was driven to self-exile in Europe during the Red Scare. --Michael Ruby

Tracks:

Shenandoah
Deep River
Go Down, Moses
On My Journey
Water Boy
The Minstrel Boy
Londonderry Air (Danny Boy)
Loch Lomond
Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho
Get On Board, Little Children
Scandalize My Name
Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child
Eriskay Love Lilt
Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal
Mexican Lullaby
All Through the Night
Jerusalem
Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes
The Four Rivers
John Brown's Body
The House I Live In
Ballad For Americans

Amazon.com

Legendary American actor/concert performer Paul Robeson sings as deep as a well and as wide as an ocean on the reissue of Ballad for Americans. His unmistakable bass-baritone makes the rafters ring on this excellent, eloquent collection of spirituals, work songs, folk songs, and pop tunes. The epic 10-minute title track--composed by Earl Robinson and John LaTouche--is a compendium of American musical forms and a celebration of American spirit, delivered in a call-and-response style that finds Robeson playing a true everyman to the questioning crowd. His patriotism--as rich and complex as his voice--is in full flower here; ironic since he was driven to self-exile in Europe during the Red Scare. --Michael Ruby

Customer Reviews:

A classic for the ages.......2007-05-08

This was my introduction to both Mr. Robeson and "Ballad for Americans" many years ago. One of the most joyful, fervent patriotic ballads of all times, sung by a great patriot.

A Great Singer, but Not his Greatest Songs.......2005-03-17

As a tremendous fan of Paul Robeson - I regard him as the greatest singer of all time - I have to say that whilst this CD gives some idea of his wonderful voice, it is by no means the best. In fact, my giving it 4 stars is too generous based upon the songs on the disk. If it were possible, I'd make it three-and-a-half stars, and still feel a little generous, when comparing Ballad for Americans with, "Green Pastures," "Big Fella," "Paul Robeson" (the CD), and "The Voice of the Mississippi," all of which really do merit 5 stars.

BALLAD FOR AMERICANS - Paul Robeson.......2005-02-23

I have no interest in Paul Robeson's politics. But I have never heard a singer I loved more; to hear him is like hearing a mountain sing, and sing beautifully. There may be imperfections due to the age of the original recordings; but once Robeson starts singing, I really don't notice anything other than his voice and the words he sings.

If I had a few billion dollars and a time machine, I'd bring Paul Robeson to the present just long enough to stick him in a modern recording studio and have him record several CD's...

Other admirers of Robeson should enjoy this rich and varied CD.

Fantastic to hear "Ballad for Americans".......2005-02-04

"Ballad for Americans" was performed during that unusual time in US history after the war had started in Europe, but before we got involved. The original radio broadcast live audience gave the performance a grand standing ovation. Whatever your political inclinations, or lack thereof, "Ballad for Americans" is one of the most moving patriotic songs. I listened to it many times right after 9/11/01 as a way to reinforce my love for this diverse, fantastic country of our...warts and all. This is a must for anyone's Paul Robeson collection.

Great but not the best.......2002-10-29

Paul Robeson was one of the greatest singers of the century (apart from his other accomplishments), but this album does not show Robeson at his best. This was his first commercial recording after eight years on the blacklist. Robeson was sixty years old and had lost the range and clarity displayed in his earlier recordings. On the other hand his spirit shines through. Simply put, after Robeson's voice had weakened he was STILL one of the greatest singers of his time.

Average customer rating:

This is the voice of Free Men....

Songs for Free Men 1940-1945

Manufacturer: Pearl
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
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Best of Communism: Revolutionary Songs

ASIN: B000000WRW
Release Date: 1997-05-20

Tracks:

Ballad For Americans
Spring Song
Oh, Give Me Your Hand
Chee La!
Fengyang
Chinese Soldiers Song
Riding The Dragon
'Quiet FLows The Don': From Border To Border
'Quiet Flows The Don': Oh, How Proud Our Quiet Don
'No For An Answer': The Purest Kind Of Guy
Joe Hill
The Peat-Bog Soldiers
The Four Insurgent Generals
Native Land
Song Of The Plains
Op. 1 No. 5: Cradle Song
Within Four Walls
Anthem Of The USSR
The United Nations
By An' By
Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child
John Henry
Water Boy
Go Down Moses
Balm In Gilead
Nobody Knows De Trouble I've Seen
Joshua Fit De Battle Of Jericho

Customer Reviews:

This is the voice of Free Men...........2001-11-03

I've had most of these songs on vinyl and they provide me with many wonderful memories. Paul Robeson had an unusual voice: a bass with baritone colorations, huge and powerful, with what can best be described as a mellow urgency. If that description confuses, then you'll just have to get this album and hear for yourself what I mean.
Robeson championed the cause of the working man through his music. Joe Hill is one of my favorites, in which Paul sinks down to the vocal depths with an astounding ease. The Song of the Plains is a rouser, and, if I remember correctly, it's sung in two languages. The Ballad For Americans is here, and it's a classic... and, for me, it's the very definition of America and the great spirit and soul of its people and its greatness. By and By is one of my favorite spirituals, and this is the version I remember. Who sang spirituals with as much richness and depth of feeling as Paul Robeson? Maybe Marian Anderson, whose voice was unique and whose life broke through so many barriers.
This is an album for those who love freedom and the many races who seek it. God bless Paul Robeson for his incredible contribution to humanity.

Average customer rating:

Workers Rise: Labor in the Spotlight

Manufacturer: The Orchard
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Traditional & Vocal Pop | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00005RKW2
Release Date: 2001-10-30

Tracks:

Hold The Fort
Bread And Roses
Union Brothers, Union Sisters
Visions Of Children
Ode To Workers
Go Down Moses
O Freedom
We Shall Overcome
Ballad For Americans
Workers Rise
Doing The Reactionary
Singe Me A Song Of Social Significance
Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor
Harmony
I Got Plenty A Nothin'
Brother Can You Spare A Dime?
Ol' Man River
Something Inside So Strong
Do You Hear The People Sing?
Rockin' Solidarity

Ballad for Americans and Other American Ballads/Odetta at Carnegie Hall

Average customer rating:

some of the best of Odetta, from the "old days"

Ballad for Americans and Other American Ballads/Odetta at Carnegie Hall
Odetta
Manufacturer: Universe Italy
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Contemporary Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

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Contemporary Blues | Live Albums | Blues | Styles | Music

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Revival | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music

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The Essential Odetta
Odetta and the Blues
Sings Ballads and Blues
Odetta Sings Dylan
Christmas Spirituals

ASIN: B000065VBG
Release Date: 2002-04-09

Tracks:

Ballads for Americans
This Land
On Top of Old Smokey
Hush Little Baby
Dark as a Dungeon
Great Historical Bum
Payday at Coal Creek
Going Home
Pastures of Plenty
If I Had a Hammer
I'm Going Back to Red Clay Country
When I Was a Young Girl
Gallows Pole
God's A-Gonna Cut You Down
John Riley
John Henry
Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho
All the Pretty Little Horses
Prettiest Train
Meeting at the Building
No More Auction Block for Me
Hold On
Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child
Ain't No Grave Can Hold My Body Down

Album Details

Features Two Albums Originally Released in 1960 on the Vanguard Label.

Customer Reviews:

some of the best of Odetta, from the "old days".......2002-05-28

I have both original recordings, and love them. Odetta has a voice and style that has always impressed and moved me. She sings these songs with great respect for the music. Odetta is one of the true icons of folk and blues. When you listen to these songs, you will understand. Any one interested in the origins of folk, folk - rock, or any other folk hybred needs to have this collection. Buy one for a back up. My son's taste in music ussualy leans toword heavy metal, rap, and hip hop. However, when has listened to some of my Odetta and other folk greats, the recordings disappear to his house.

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