Spirituals

Marian Anderson (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 12, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B00000GV4D
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #22,608 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous, heartfelt singing!, April 3, 2004

By 

"browkb" (Cincinnati) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spirituals (Audio CD)

What an amazing singer! I had only heard of Marian Anderson through reading books, and I happened to be thumbing through the cds in a cd-record exchange store when her name jumped out at me. I'm so very glad I shelled out my seven dollars! I'm not even really into spirituals, but something about the incredibly rich and impassioned quality of this legendary contralto's voice is completely irresistible. She connects so wonderfully with you when you're listening to it; you feel like she's singing to you, and you alone. Everything I've read on her remarks on her truly impressive range and vocal color, and it's all true. Her resonance can be a tiny bit unfocused...you can hear it in the vibrato sometimes...but this is an extreme rarity. There really is nothing to pick on about her voice-it just touches you in a deep way and won't let you go. These are historic recordings, and anyone, whether s/he likes African-American spirituals or not (and I admit I do now!) must add this CD to his/her collection. You will not be disappointed.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Revelation, April 8, 2008

By 

E. Bak - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Spirituals (Audio CD)

There is much to admire in this CD; despite the fact that these recordings were made in the 1930's the striking vocal color and the famous low notes are represented in beautiful sound. What appeals to me most is the unaffected artistry of the singer: she simply does not hide in her craft. Such pure and naked music-making is striking. This is singing completely free of mannerism. How rare a quality this is!
I am especially attracted to "Change my name", where the singer's identification and connection to the music seem indivisible.
The extraordinary courage and strength of the famous contralto Marian Anderson are manifest in her singing of these spirituals. I prefer it to the later recording done in Living Stereo, though I recommend that recording as well.
Do not hesitate to buy this.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Marian Anderson LIVES, February 26, 2009

By 

Davidson Luehring (Honolulu, Hawaii) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Spirituals (Audio CD)

An excellent collection, including some of her best-ever spirituals. "Were you there..." is spellbinding.