Willard White - The Paul Robeson Legacy (2002)

Jamaican bass-baritone Willard White is a great favourite with audiences the world over. Here he brings together a selection of songs made famous by the legendary Paul Robeson.

It was the early experience of hearing a Paul Robeson record that inspired Willard White to become a singer. Paul Robeson was one of the most remarkable performers of the 20th century; the son of a slave he rose through extraordinary talent and dedication to become a distinguished singer, actor, and political activist. This compilation of songs which were all performed by Robeson, has been specially arranged for Willard White and represents a musical progression, bringing a fresh approach to the repertoire which Robeson pioneered.

Robeson particularly performed Negro spirituals and presented them as music worthy of standing side by side on programmes with other art songs. This recording includes 7 spirituals - 'Witness', 'On my journey now', 'Go down Moses', 'Ezekiel Saw the Wheel', 'Scandalise my name', 'All God's children got Wings', 'Didn't my Lord deliver Daniel'.