This performance contains three acts, as it were: Afro-American moods, Caribbean songs and excursions into music of the world. Belafonte is in top form and celebrates an exciting, sparkling festival of song, including spontaneous comic interludes, which arise from direct interaction with his enthralled and enthusiastic audience. He is brilliantly supported by Bob Corman and his 47-man orchestra, an ensemble which is reduced to a small combo when the maestro raises his husky voice. It goes without saying that all the favourites are there such as “Jamaica Farewell”, “Day-O” and “Mama Look A Boo Boo”, making this Carnegie Hall event one of the most mesmerizing live performances of all time, which captures the essence of the performer in his prime (All Music Guide). With this double album you too can sit in the audience and enjoy this great event.
Harry Belafonte (voc); Millard Thomas, Raphael Boguslav (g); Norman Keenan (b); Danny Barrajanos (perc) & orchestra conducted by Robert Corman
Recording: April 1959 live at Carnegie Hall, New York, by Bob Simpson
Production: Bob Bollard
Side One
1. Introduction Darlin’ Cora
2. Sylvie
3. Cotton Fields
4. John Henry
5. Take My Mother Home
Side Two
1. The Marching Saints
2. Day O
3. Jamaica Farewell
4. Man Piaba
5. All My Trials
Side Three
1. Mama Look A Boo Boo
2. Come Back Liza
3. Man Smart (Woman Smarter)
4. Hava Nageela
5. Danny Boy
6. Merci Bon Dieu (From The “Haitian Suite”)
Side Four
1. Cu Cu Ru Cu Cu Paloma
2. Shenandoah
3. Matilda
