Harry Belafonte - Belafonte Sings The Blues

The first Belafonte album recorded originally in stereo!

Mastered by Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound

"Five years ago, Impex released this as a gold CD, earning 90% because Belafonte's first album in stereo sounded amazing by everything we value: clarity, space, sense of air, authentic textures. Add to it an arresting performance of a man allegedly handling a genre with which he's not associated, and it's one of those musical high points worthy of perennial reissuing — indeed just like Miles' Kind Of Blue. The only downer is for those expecting a blues album à la BB King: it's more a blend of jazz, folk and gospel. But so what? His 'One For My Baby' and 'Hallelujah I Love Her So' are as good as they get. And the sound quality on the SACD? Truly incredible." — Sound quality 91%. Ken Kessler, Hi-Fi News, April 2016.

A favorite off the recommended list by The Absolute Sound magazine, and, as expressed in the liner notes, Harry Belafonte's favorite recording. Belafonte has never before sung on records as he does in this album. He is freer, more earthy, more exultantly identified with his material than ever before. He has always communicated an often ferocious power as well as lyrical sensitivity, but in this collection he achieves a unity of emotional strength in and understanding of his material that marks an important stage in his evolution as an artist.

Includes classic songs "Cotton Fields," "God Bless' The Child," "Hallelujah I Love Her So." Recorded in New York City in January and March 1958, and in Hollywood, California, in June 1958.

As the liner notes by Nat Hentoff state, there is not much to say about the individual performances that is not entirely clear on hearing them. Truly a classic for discerning audiophiles, Belafonte Sings The Blues was the first Belafonte album recorded in stereo. The sound is incredible; this is one of Belafonte's most satisfying set of performances. This Hybrid Stereo SACD plays in both CD and SACD players, as well as all SACD-compatible DVD players.

1. A Fool For You

2. Losing Hand

3. One For My Baby

4. In The Evenin’ Mama

5. Hallelujah I Love Her So

6. The Way That I Feel

7. Cotton Fields

8. God Bless The Child

9. Mary Ann

10. Sinner’s Prayer

11. Fare Thee Well

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