Belafonte at Carnegie Hall [W/Remastered Versions]

by Harry Belafonte

Overview

The granddaddy of all live albums, this double-LP set captured the excitement of a Harry Belafonte concert at the height of his popularity. Sampled from two consecutive performances of identical material, Belafonte at Carnegie Hall was an anomaly at a time when only comedy albums were recorded outside of the studio environment. It wasn't the first live album ever made, but it was certainly the first to be a major financial and artistic success. It stayed on the best-selling album charts for over three years and remained in print until RCA discontinued pressing LPs. From the opening trumpet fanfare and brief orchestral overture to the epic 12-minute version of "Matilda" (which set a standard for audience participation), the album never lets up. It is exciting, poignant, thrilling, intimate, and at times, spontaneously hilarious. Belafonte's mastery in front of an audience was never better displayed than here, a mastery that resulted in him becoming one of the most popular concert draws in history. Producer Bob Bollard and orchestra leader Bob Corman deftly integrated the 47-piece orchestra into the performance but knew when to lie back to let Belafonte sing, accompanied by a small combo of two guitars, bass, and percussion. The concert is divided in three sections: "Moods of the American Negro," "In the Caribbean," and "Around the World." All the hits are here: "Day O," "Jamaica Farewell," "Mama Look a Boo Boo," and others, plus calypso, folk songs, chain gang songs, spirituals, and songs from other lands, representing a veritable best-of package of his first decade with RCA Victor. For sheer scope and genius of performance, this is the quintessential Belafonte package. [A 1989 CD release replaced five tracks with remastered versions made in 1989 and 1993.] ~ Cary Ginell

Product Details

Release Date:	06/20/1989
Label:	Bmg / Sony Music Entertainment
UPC:	0886976919627
Rank:	28685

Tracks

1. Introduction/Darlin' Cora [Remastered January 1989]
2. Sylvie
3. Cotton Fields [Remastered 1993]
4. John Henry
5. The Marching Saints
6. Day-O [Remastered January 1989]
7. Jamaica Farewell
8. Mama Look A Boo Boo
9. Come Back Liza
10. Man Smart (Woman Smarter)
11. Hava Nageela
12. Danny Boy
13. Cu Cu Ru Cu Cu Paloma [Remastered January 1989]
14. Shenandoah
15. Matilda [Remastered January 1989]

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Harry Belafonte   Primary Artist,Vocals,Lead Vocals
Mario Lanza   Primary Artist
Millard Thomas   Guitar
Bob Corman   Conductor
Danny Barrajanos   Bass,Bongos,Congas,Vocals,Soloist
Raphael Boguslav   Guitar
Norman Keenan   Bass
Norm Keenan   Bass

Technical Credits

Bob Bollard   Producer,Original Analog Production
Bob Simpson   Engineer
Irving Burgie   Composer
Chick Crumpacker   Digital Producer
Jack Rollins   Composer
Lead Belly   Composer
Carruth   Composer
Tony Salvatore   Engineer
Dick Baxter   Digital Engineer
Lord Burgess   Composer
Huddie Ledbetter   Composer
Harry Thomas   Composer
Tomas Mendez   Composer
H. Thomas   Composer
Jack Segal   Composer
Hall Johnson   Composer
Lord Melody   Composer
Norman Span   Composer
Harry Belafonte   Arranger,Composer
Frantz Casseus   Composer
Lee Friedlander   Photography
William Attaway   Composer
C.C. Carter   Composer
Bill Attaway   Composer
Ledbetter   Composer
Don Wardell   Coordination
Fred Brooks   Composer
Frederick Edward Weatherly   Composer
Fred Weatherly   Composer
Tomaz Mendez   Composer
Rita Greene   Composer
Paul Campbell   Composer
Traditional   Composer