I enjoyed this a lot. I grew up listening to his music, which my parents loved. Belafonte was a beautiful man too. I love Dao and Jamaica Farewell. We would sing those at family gatherings. Thank you, Andrew.
Odetta was wonderful. I had the good fortune of being in the audience for one of her concerts back in the day. Thanks for reading and for your encouraging thoughts.
While I would quibble with the characterization that Belafonte wasn't a great singer, your essay hits on a central fact about him, which is that few had such a profound impact on our cultural life. Belafonte has received his laurels the past few days and they are all well deserved. As Sidney Poitier said of his long-time friend, "we owe him so much."
Thanks for reading and weighing in. Maybe I should have defined the term "great singer." I had in mind voices like Nat King Cole, Johnny Hartman, Johnny Mathis, and Billy Eckstine. But I agree that a good voice does not a great singer make. Witness Springsteen and Bob Dylan. At any rate, Belafonte was certainly a great performer. No question about that. Glad to have your thoughts here. Much appreciated.
I can remember when Belafonte burst on the scene and recall reading a novel that I think he later starred in. I was captivated by his voice before I ever saw him because he was an original and introduced songs that were not part of the culture. When he became an activist I admired him for his convictions. We lost someone great whose words still have meaning. Thank you for this.
Thanks for sharing your memories. He was certainly phenomenal. I'm glad he left a legacy of public service as well as his contribution to the arts. Although he is no longer walking the planet, his spirit will live on.
Sometimes older albums sound dated, but the Carnegie Hall recording feels as if it could have been recorded this year. Further proof of the staying power of his folk repertoire and of music itself. Thanks for taking time to read and share your thoughts.
More beautiful than (dare I say it?) Ali. My only quibble with your excellent elegy is that I would rank him as a great singer. His version of Cucurucucu Paloma is better than the Pedro Infante original, not bad for a non-native Spanish speaker.
One of the reviewers I found actually referred to Belafonte as "the most beautiful man in the world." Glad you brought up Ali. He was certainly beautiful, too, but modesty would only let him claim that he was "as pretty as a girl."
As for the singing, I love Belafonte's rendition of Cucurucucu Paloma. His accent is perfect, and there's so much soul in his performance. I'd never heard the Pedro Infante original until you mentioned it. Thanks for pointing me to it. And for taking the time to read, like, and comment today.
I enjoyed this a lot. I grew up listening to his music, which my parents loved. Belafonte was a beautiful man too. I love Dao and Jamaica Farewell. We would sing those at family gatherings. Thank you, Andrew.
My pleasure! I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for taking time to read/listen and share your thoughts. It means a lot.
More Odetta in the world - great thoughts and piece :)
Odetta was wonderful. I had the good fortune of being in the audience for one of her concerts back in the day. Thanks for reading and for your encouraging thoughts.
While I would quibble with the characterization that Belafonte wasn't a great singer, your essay hits on a central fact about him, which is that few had such a profound impact on our cultural life. Belafonte has received his laurels the past few days and they are all well deserved. As Sidney Poitier said of his long-time friend, "we owe him so much."
Thanks for reading and weighing in. Maybe I should have defined the term "great singer." I had in mind voices like Nat King Cole, Johnny Hartman, Johnny Mathis, and Billy Eckstine. But I agree that a good voice does not a great singer make. Witness Springsteen and Bob Dylan. At any rate, Belafonte was certainly a great performer. No question about that. Glad to have your thoughts here. Much appreciated.
Ahhh, that makes sense. I do note in today's New York Times, Belafonte is quoted from 1959 saying "I do not have a great voice."
Thanks for sharing that comment from the Times. I hadn’t seen it yet. Cheers, Robert!
I can remember when Belafonte burst on the scene and recall reading a novel that I think he later starred in. I was captivated by his voice before I ever saw him because he was an original and introduced songs that were not part of the culture. When he became an activist I admired him for his convictions. We lost someone great whose words still have meaning. Thank you for this.
Thanks for sharing your memories. He was certainly phenomenal. I'm glad he left a legacy of public service as well as his contribution to the arts. Although he is no longer walking the planet, his spirit will live on.
Lovely tribute with some interesting tidbits. Holding on to that 64 year old album is indicative of his cultural impact.
Sometimes older albums sound dated, but the Carnegie Hall recording feels as if it could have been recorded this year. Further proof of the staying power of his folk repertoire and of music itself. Thanks for taking time to read and share your thoughts.
More beautiful than (dare I say it?) Ali. My only quibble with your excellent elegy is that I would rank him as a great singer. His version of Cucurucucu Paloma is better than the Pedro Infante original, not bad for a non-native Spanish speaker.
One of the reviewers I found actually referred to Belafonte as "the most beautiful man in the world." Glad you brought up Ali. He was certainly beautiful, too, but modesty would only let him claim that he was "as pretty as a girl."
As for the singing, I love Belafonte's rendition of Cucurucucu Paloma. His accent is perfect, and there's so much soul in his performance. I'd never heard the Pedro Infante original until you mentioned it. Thanks for pointing me to it. And for taking the time to read, like, and comment today.
Excited to lean into this one sir
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it.