Customer Reviews

Dreamer: A Portrait of Langston Hughes

5 star:		(3)
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"Dreamer" is unquestionably the finest recording of original songs by black composers available today. The singing of tenor, Darryl Taylor is superb and demonstrates a vocal beauty, musicianship, and interpretive sensitivy that is rarely equaled. The selection of poems of poet laureate, Langston Hughes is first rate, and even more important, the songs themselves are original, varied and well written. I think every listener will find "Dreamer" an exciting musical experience, and I predict for Darry Taylor a distinguished career as an interpreter of art songs. For the Naxos price, buy two albums and give one to a friend!

This collection is a gem! Langston Hughes was a very "musical" poet who was inspired by a variety of forms, from jazz to classical. His poetry in turn inspired a whole generation of composers, thirteen of whom are represented here in fifteen art songs. Additionally, eight Hughes poems are read by William Warfield.

This is a fantastic collection of musical settings in the genre of jazz/blues/poetry. Langeston Hughes is without question one of the most gifted 20th century poets. His poetic works lends itself to the areas of jazz and blues as well as any artist has. He ranks for me anyway up there with the likes of Ginsberg, Kerouac, Ed Sanders and others of this genre and era for his unique contributions and trailblazing efforts in the arena of beat generation jazz, blues and poetry as a collective art form. The recitations and songs by the amazing artists on this record are simply stunning, along with the musicians/composers involved. Hughes work cuts right through the issues and moves and grooves straight to his statements. Listen to the collection titled Dreamer, music composed by Erik Santos. Other highlights for me are the Kurt Weill works Lonely House and Island, and Litany music by John Musto. Song cycles of stunning historical and artistic importance. The great tenor Darryl Taylor and the powerful recitation voice of William Warfield just take this body of work to another level. Five stars are not enough for this piece. Highly recommended. Check out my other reviews if you wish.

John W. Shearer