Julia Werthimer wrote:
>I'm sorry, butI simply can't stand the way Battle and Norman sing
>spirituals. I know you are an expert on church music, Kevin; but I would
>plead that spirituals are not simply church music: they are a form of folk
>music as well. And I don't think opera singers can do justice to that
>aspect of the spiritual.
Hummmm. I think we have now hit on a simple matter of taste and opinion
and should agree to disagree. I don't have a problem with either Battle
or Norman's singing of spirituals, but I can see where others would not
care for it.
>Paul Robeson is a special case; I grew up loving his records as a child.
>But I don't think one should overlook the contribution of Lawrence Brown
>(have I got the name right?). He brought a more rhythmic element into
>those recordings from which Robeson benefited IMHO.
I am not qualified to comment on that. Anyone else?
Kevin