Belafonte Sings the Blues
Harry Belafonte · 1958
45 min · 11 tracks · folk · calypso
A soulful blend of blues and jazz that highlights Belafonte's emotional vocal delivery and rich musicality.
Why this album works
'Belafonte Sings the Blues' is notable for its critical reception, with reviewers lauding Belafonte's ability to convey deep emotion through his interpretations of classic blues songs. The album contributed to Belafonte’s reputation as a serious artist beyond calypso, influencing the perception of black artists in mainstream music.
- Best for
- steady, consistent energy levels late-night contemplative moods dynamic emotional journeys
- Context
- In 1958, Harry Belafonte was already an established artist known for popularizing calypso music. 'Belafonte Sings the Blues' marked a significant shift as it showcased his versatility by exploring the blues genre, following the success of his breakthrough album 'Calypso' in 1956.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Julio Iglesias· David Bowie· Modern Talking· Grace Jones· Lucio Battisti· Adriano Celentano· Harry Nilsson· Nancy Sinatra
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 A Fool For You (Ray Charles) 3:41
- 2 Loosing Hand (Charles Calhoun) 4:20
- 3 One For My Baby (Johnny Mercer - Harold Arlen) 4:39
- 4 In the Evenin Mama (C. C. Carter) 3:31
- 5 Hallelujah I Love Her So (Ray Charles) 2:56
- 6 The Way That I Feel (Fred Brooks) 4:33
- 7 Cotton Fields (C. C. Carter) 5:20
- 8 God Bless the Child (Bessie Smith) 5:06
- 9 Mary Ann (Ray Charles) 2:46
- 10 Sinners Prayer (Lowell Fulson) 3:43
- 11 Fare Thee Well (Fred Brooks) 4:40
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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