Voices of Black America

A compilation of voices narrates the African-American experience from 1908 to 1947. This audio book gives the impression of having been thrown together for no reason other than the fact that there were tapes of these voices available. While such recordings are important historical documents, a compilation that includes African-American political leaders, actors, vaudevillians, and poets, but no female voice and no narrator, is misdirected. The absence of a preface tying together these disparate strings leaves the listener adrift. P.R. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine

June 1, 2003
Gr 9 Up-Unique in what it offers, Voices of Black America allows listeners to hear the actual voices of such luminaries as Booker T. Washington, Langston Hughes, and Paul Robeson. They are joined by lesser-known personalities such as Bert Williams and Charley Case who are among the public figures from the first half of the 20th century. In all, there are nine men from various walks of life presented. Unfortunately, no women are included, and, with the exception of Hughes giving the name of his poems, no one is introduced. Sound quality is variable because some segments include the sounds of earlier recording devices. The producers have not taken advantage of the rich music of the time to clarify breaks between performers. The lengthy liner notes include a picture and biographical information on each person as well as the location of each selection and its place on the CD. That will enable teachers to have easy access to Hughes reading "I Too Sing America" or Robeson as Othello. This supplemental recording will be useful in high school libraries where U.S. history and American literature are studied.-Barbara Wysocki, Cora J. Belden Library, Rocky Hill, CT

Copyright 2003 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.