Read by the author. — Folkways Records, 1995. — 192 kbps. — Duration 00:52:04.
Poet, critic, legendary teacher, irreverent raconteur Sterling Brown reads 21 of his most memorable poems. The verses resonate with the music of the life he saw around him—the blues sung to lost loves, chants of saints praying to be in the number, tragic-comic cries in the face of hatred and injustice, and jubilant songs of endurance and perseverance. Sterling Brown's poetic genius lies in his subtle adaptation of blues, spirituals, work songs, and ballads into silver threads that dazzle his spoken verse. His complete readings for Folkways Records from 1946-1973 are available on CD for the first time. Dr. Joanne Gabbin, Sterling Brown scholar and biographer, contributes extensive notes and bibliography. Compiled by Yusef Jones. 53 minutes. "One of America's finest poets in a compelling collection" —Naird Notes
Long Gone
Ma Rainey
Sharecroppers
Slim In Hell
Old King Cotton
Old Lem
Break Of Day
Long Track Blues
Transfer
Sporting Beasley
Sam Smiley
After Winter
Conjured
Children's Children
Cloteel
Uncle Joe
Parish Doctor
Puttin' On Dog
Ballad Of Joe Meek
Remembering Nat Turner
Strong Men