Paul Robeson.

[South West Claret.]

Most people who have heard the name Paul Robeson associate him with " old man river" like me..but there is more a lot more to PR life than that.

A unique and remarkable life in many ways, before I had 1st seen Joe Stead do this presentation 18 years ago I had no idea of Paul Robesons off stage 100% commitment to working people all over the world.

http://www.englishriviera.co.uk/whats-o ... n-p1996343" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If you live down here Joes on tonight at Brixham and next week in Exeter.

[wilks_bfc]

I couldn't have been only person think this was about our Robbo but spelt incorrectly

[Im_not_Robbie_Blake]

Robeson was a wonderful man - here's an amazing example of hios bravery, honesty and understanding https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTFYnXJSCm8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Sorry - I live nowhere near Brixham or Exeter.

[dibraidio]

I wonder if I'm the only one who was expecting a badly spelt post about our reserve keeper.

[Caernarfon_Claret]

He connected with The Welsh miners.

Have vinyl of Robeson at Carnegie Hall

[Silkyskills1]

Most people who have heard the name Paul Robeson associate him with " old man river" like me..but there is more a lot more to PR life than that.

A unique and remarkable life in many ways, before I had 1st seen Joe Stead do this presentation 18 years ago I had no idea of Paul Robesons off stage 100% commitment to working people all over the world.

http://www.englishriviera.co.uk/whats-o ... n-p1996343" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If you live down here Joes on tonight at Brixham and next week in Exeter.

Is Stead still at Notts County?

[CrispyClaret]

Somewhere i have a single of Robeson singing Jerusalem and Oh Sinner Man

[Hipper]

He was certainly known amongst people of my mothers generation (born 1917) for both his singing and his politics. Even my mother, who was a staunch Conservative, admired him.

[Cirrus_Minor]

My mum used to worship Paul Robeson.

He was indeed a dedicated civil rights activist and made a few enemies on the right wing of American politics.

[Caernarfon_Claret]

Black listed by House Un-American Activities Committee like a lot of Civil Rights Activists

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9Qxr1wdxbg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[LeadBelly]

Yes- he was a great man- had been a v good American Football player, studied law, wonderful singer and a respected political activist. In the UK, he was especially respected in South Wales because of his support of Welsh miners.
I have a couple of his albums which I like to listen to occasionally because of his great deep voice. It's got to be said that a few of his songs wouldn't be allowed now because of use of certain race-related words (notwithstanding that he was an ongoing strong activist for civil rights of course).
My favourite is his Lazy Bones version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIZDErpI9lQ

[South West Claret.]

Paul Robeson changed some of the lyrics in old man river 3 times as he learned more about the way society was being abusivly run by the istablishment in the states and over here.

[Wik]

I also worshiped Paul Robeson - still do.

A great, decent and honourable man who fought for the common man and against oppression of humanity.

What hasn't been mentioned is his film career. I first saw him on-screen in "The Proud Land" (1940). The story of David Goliath, a Black American, who arrives in Wales and wins the respect of the Welsh miners through his singing. He shares the hardships of their lives, and becomes a working-class hero as he helps to better their working conditions and ultimately, during a mining accident, sacrifices his life to save fellow miners.
I left the cinema with a lump in my throat. I was overcome.

He sings "Land of my Fathers" at the following website - sung in 1966 - His voice by this time was not as good as when he sang in the 1940 film.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziJoep1cDlY" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

He also appeared in "Showboat" Where as Joe he sings "Ol' Man River" - This song will never be sung better than this rendition by Paul Robeson.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyJtGNk9iEU" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In total he appeared in fifteen films.

One of my greatest regrets is that I never got to meet him. He lived in Philadelphia from 1968 until he died in 1976. I also lived in Philadelphia - from 1963 until 1976. I was never aware that he lived close by.

[South West Claret.]

http://joestead.com/Robeson.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[fatboy47]

Rowls probably reckons he was a fascist.

[Chobulous]

Rowls probably reckons he was a fascist.

Probably the most pointless and inappropriately placed post in the history of this board.

[JohnDearyMe]

A truly great man.

There's a very good one man show entitled Call Mr Robeson that is well worth a watch. It still tours; info at the link below

http://www.tayoalukoandfriends.com/robeson/