Customer Reviews

"Harry Belafonte - All Time Greatest Hits, Vol. 1"

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Harry Belafonte - All Time Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 is a fine introductory type of CD to Harry Belafonte. True blue fans will probably have these numbers in their collections already; but there are always newcomers to Harry Belafonte and this CD will be perfect for them. The quality of the sound is quite good and the artwork is nicely done as well.

"Day O" was one of Harry Belafonte's best known calypso hits ever. Harry sings this to perfection with a strong male choir behind him to bolster his performance. "Day O" is a wonderful calypso song that will always remain a Harry Belafonte classic and he sings this with his usual uncanny sense of timing and his excellent diction as well. "Day O" makes a strong start for this album. There's also "Don't Ever Love Me;" this touching ballad really impresses me and the tune is very beautiful. It sounds somewhat like "Yellowbird" but make no mistake about it--"Don't Ever Love Me" is a stunning number that will have you loving Belafonte if you haven't loved his singing yet! Harry never sounded better! "Jump In The Line" has great percussion to help carry the melody and Harry Belafonte sings this very well with some male backup singers to enhance the natural beauty of this number--not that Belafonte needed it. At the time, however, many songs were recorded with a background chorus; that was simply the style at the time. Of course, this number may have always been recorded with a chorus; it works very well in any event.

"Scarlet Ribbons" is probably one of my very favorite numbers by Harry Belafonte; and only Harry could sing this ballad this well. Harry's rendition of "Scarlet Ribbons" is clearly THE definitive rendition of this classic, gorgeous ballad. "Scarlet Ribbons" tells a most interesting and touching story of a girl who hopes against hope that her poor family can afford to give her scarlet ribbons for her hair--and just how she gets them remains somewhat of a mystery. "Michael Row The Boat Ashore" gets the royal treatment from Harry Belafonte who delivers this flawlessly; and the best is quite good, too.

"Island In The Sun" has a very pretty calypso melody that I could never tire of hearing; and Harry sings this with great sensitivity. I love it! The music fits in wonderfully with Belafonte's singing, too. "Abraham Martin And John" is an excellent ballad that Belafonte delivers with lots of feeling and that's incredible.

"Hallelujah I Love Her So" is an excellent love ballad that Harry Belafonte delivers with panache. I have heard Peggy Lee sing this number often; but Harry's version shines just as brightly! "Mary's Boy Child" has another very sweet melody that I love; and listen for "Jamaica Farewell." "Jamaica Farewell" ends the album very well and the guitar fits well with Harry Belafonte's singing.

Harry Belafonte was one of the best male vocalists of the entire twentieth century; and we are all better off for his sharing his gifts with us. I highly recommend this for his fans who don't yet have these numbers in their collections. However, I think that they will have these tunes so this CD is probably best suited toward the newcomer or casual fan.

A great selection of Belafonte's music, showing his ability to sing everything from touching ballads (Scarlet Ribbons) to Calypso (Mama Look a Boo Boo) to American traditional (John Henry). He has a great voice and can convey an astonishing range of emotions, from humor to pathos. And it is all capped by one of the great songs of all time Jamaica Farewell. Very good sound quality too.

I still remember the Carnegie Hall performance by Harry Belafonte. It was an excellent recording. This Vol 1 greatest package is very very good. 'Dayo' and 'Island in the Sun' are of course included. If you only want one Belafonte recording, make it this one.

i loved all the songs in this cd especially day-o and cocoanut woman. jamaican farewell is a song we used to sing as children and it has brought back sweet memories. anyone who has heard these songs once is not likely to forget it ever!

For all those who do not know the musical legacy of Harry Belafonte this would be an excellent starting point. Filled with classics, fun and emotional, it has everything a Belafonte's "greatest hits collection" must have.

This was a gift. Got it on time, no issues. I am good with it and so the giftee ok

Harry Belafonte's clear, penetrating voice and crisp, precise phrasing are instantly recognizable, and on this collection of his greatest hits we hear him at his finest, running through everything from calypso standards ("Day O", "Hold 'em Joe", "Coconut Woman"), to spirituals ("Mary's Boy Child", "Michael Row the Boat Ashore") to syrupy ballads ("Scarlet Ribbons") to American folk and protest songs ("John Henry", "Abraham Martin And John"). This album is highly recommended for both the Belafonte faithful and those endeavoring to get a sense of his work for the first time.

Calypso music is wonderfully uplifting, and Belafonte is the King of Calypso.

I must confess, though, that I find Day-O to be pretty annoying. Especially that "6 foot, 7 foot, 8 foot BUNCH!" line.