Search - Harry Belafonte :: 3 Originals

THE INCREDIBLE "MIDNIGHT SPECIAL" plus 2 1/2 CDs.

RBSProds | Deep in the heart of Texas | 10/11/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Five Stars can't suffice for "The Midnight Special". Six Stars, at least. This entire package of three CDs is a wonderful summary of almost all of Belafonte's best work, but I bought this to finally get my hands (and ears) on a truly remarkable recording that Belafonte surprised us with years ago: "The Midnight Special" which is on the last half of CD #3. With a superlative cast of musicians, like all star saxophonist Jerome Richardson, trumpeter Joe Wilder, and master drummer Don Lamond, Belafonte is ON FIRE throughout the CD, digging much deeper than on his carribean hits and really 'bringing it' vocally. This is a folk and blues MASTERPIECE from beginning to end. Indeed, the title song begins with a cameo from young folk star, Bob Dylan, playing a 'savage' harmonica intro and solo, unlike anything he's ever done since. Belafonte is smooth, intense, and convincing throughout.



"THE MIDNIGHT SPECIAL" is primarily a pure folk and blues album, sometimes faithful to old lyrics and sometimes using updated lyrics to capture 1960's Americana. Only one song can be attributed to his usual Carribean song stylings. The lyrics are sometimes stunning, the punch lines shocking at times: (para-phrasing the liner note style and quotes)



* "Memphis Tennessee": "I got a new way of spelling Memphis Tennessee........."

*"Michael Row The Boat Ashore": "Christian soldiers off to war, Alleluia, hold that line in Arkansas, Alleluia"...

*"On Top Of Old Smokey": "All covered with snow, I lost my true lover for courting too slow, Yes, courting's a pleasure, parting is grief and a cold hearted love is worst than a thief"...

*"Mule Skinner": "I can carve my initials in any old mule's behind".. The background chorus and the multiple guitars are great and Belafonte is really compelling.

*"MidNight Special": "Let the midnight special shine it's everloving light on me"..



Elsewhere you'll find the complete CD "My Lord What A Morning" (Disk 1), "Golden Records, Vol I" (Disk 2) with famous Belafonte hits like "Banana Boat" song, "Jamaica Farewell", "Island in the Sun", "Round the Bay of Mexico", and "Matilda, Matilda". Only "Try To Remember" is missing, but that can be purchased from an on-line music service. (Disk 3 begins with "the "Jump UP Calypso" CD, with "Midnight Special" starting at track 13. This German-made CD set is another in the "3 Originals" series and a MUST HAVE for Belafonte fans and folk/blues fans. Five Huge Stars and beyond for this Belafonte Masterwork classic."

The all time classic... Edited.

C. Schmidt | Kitchener, Ontario | 10/24/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This box is a wonderful addition to any Belafonte collection, not to mention essential for the Midnight Special album's first ever appearance on CD. The sound is fantastic, but there is one glaring problem. On Top of Old Smokey has been edited by one minute. This has been done by the most annoying of fade-outs long before the song is over. Just a warning to those buying it (as I did) to get this, one of Harry's greatest releases, on CD. The rest of the package is stellar (although a very odd mix of albums) for a budget-line product. If not for the bad fade, I'd give this box 5 stars."