Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

This splendid recital has two parts plus an encore. We start with 10 "American Spirituals" which are followed by two sets of Aaron Copland's "Old American Songs" and with a trio of "Folk-Songs From Barbados & Jamaica" to conclude. Willard White was born in Jamaica, studied in New York, and performs worldwide as one of the leading basses of his generation. His singing on this recording is superlative with an admirably restrained accompaniment by Graeme McNaught at the piano. Indeed White's performance and musical persona comes across as though he is an operatic tenor singing an octave lower than normal; his power and control are remarkable. The "American Spirituals" are all well known although when sung as solos instead of choral presentations we are able to concentrate more on the words than any vocal pyrotechnics and White is able to vary the tempo more than is possible with all but the very finest gospel choirs. "Go Down Moses", "Steal Away To Jesus" and "Deep River" can also be heard in Tippett's oratorio 'A Child Of Our Time' (which White has recorded elsewhere). Copland's "Old American Songs" were composed in 1950 when he decided he needed a break from his 'Twelve Poems Of Emily Dickinson'. The end result is a collection that moves from the humorous ("I Bought Me A Cat") to folk tunes ("Simple Gifts" which Copland had used previously in 'Appalachian Spring' and which British audiences know better as "Lord Of The Dance") and spiritual songs (such as "Zion's Walls" and "At The River"). As a singer Willard White needs no praise from me and I can though roughly recommend this collection to all who like to hear good songs well sung.

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