That was one of the most inspired performances I've ever heard. I've got chills and tears in my eyes. Mr. Warfield was 80 years old and sang with so much passion. Thank you so much for this rare video.
Great to hear this -- brought tears to my eyes. I so loved playing for his students during their lessons at the Univ. of Illinois. Loved going to post-recital receptions he would have at his house with the great spread of food he made......wonderful potatoe salad, sweet potatoe pie and other great tasting dishes. He was such an encourager and so generous. We affectionately called him Uncle Bill.
Unbelievable voice for a man in his eighties...! I had the honor of spending time with William over a three day period during the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia's national convention of 1996. An amazing, friendly, "from the heart" gentleman who gave me and many others a slice of his experiences that can only come from such talent. Thanks William, wherever you are now.
@baritonebynight When he was doing these concerts he was in his 80s. A friend of mine here at the office got to see him right before he passed away. I certainly feel blessed to have experienced his performances and his wonderful personality.
The first time I heard Warfield in person was in 1980 (79?). He was already not in command of his voice at that time. But this performance is so powerful. He's telling a story, not only of his own but of his people. Whether he had every note at its best becomes totally irrelevant. He just became a great story teller.
I'll never understand why Mr. Warfield or Mr. Robeson were not chosen to sing this in "Til The Clouds Roll By". Sinatra sang his face off but it would have been a way more apt tribute to Kern if one of the two who recorded it had sang it.
read the article on william warfield:vocal decline on wikipedia and THEN get back to us. he will always be an awesome singer, one of the best out there
Believe it or not that article caused me to pull up this way later performance and I'm still trying to define "decline" and "couldn't hit the last notes"....and they said this about the 60s...when clearly he was still doing it in 2000...maybe not as clear as 50 years before but who would?!!
I much prefer William's version to Paul robeson's one. It just seems to me in the original B/W film Paul sang it too quickly, and william sang it perfectly.
That was one of the most inspired performances I've ever heard. I've got chills and tears in my eyes. Mr. Warfield was 80 years old and sang with so much passion. Thank you so much for this rare video.
Beautiful. Stirring. Thank you for sharing.
As good a voice as there ever was. Bravo, Maestro Warfield.
I can't think of anyone other than this man I would have loved to have met.
Great to hear this -- brought tears to my eyes. I so loved playing for his students during their lessons at the Univ. of Illinois. Loved going to post-recital receptions he would have at his house with the great spread of food he made......wonderful potatoe salad, sweet potatoe pie and other great tasting dishes. He was such an encourager and so generous. We affectionately called him Uncle Bill.
The man was 80 years old, and he looks damned good for his age for sure, and he still can sing.
Unbelievable voice for a man in his eighties...!
I had the honor of spending time with William over a three day period during the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia's national convention of 1996. An amazing, friendly, "from the heart" gentleman who gave me and many others a slice of his experiences that can only come from such talent. Thanks William, wherever you are now.
Bravo! Bravo!
Just beautiful, I was born in 1964 I remember my parents just loving this movie, and this mans voice as always amazed me.
@baritonebynight When he was doing these concerts he was in his 80s. A friend of mine here at the office got to see him right before he passed away. I certainly feel blessed to have experienced his performances and his wonderful personality.
The first time I heard Warfield in person was in 1980 (79?). He was already not in command of his voice at that time. But this performance is so powerful. He's telling a story, not only of his own but of his people. Whether he had every note at its best becomes totally irrelevant. He just became a great story teller.
That made my day. Thanks for posting this.
I’m crying 😢 beautiful 👑
I cried.
I'll never understand why Mr. Warfield or Mr. Robeson were not chosen to sing this in "Til The Clouds Roll By". Sinatra sang his face off but it would have been a way more apt tribute to Kern if one of the two who recorded it had sang it.
read the article on william warfield:vocal decline on wikipedia and THEN get back to us. he will always be an awesome singer, one of the best out there
Believe it or not that article caused me to pull up this way later performance and I'm still trying to define "decline" and "couldn't hit the last notes"....and they said this about the 60s...when clearly he was still doing it in 2000...maybe not as clear as 50 years before but who would?!!
@pitbull466 The nice part, was that he included this, even though it wasn't on the written program.
You understand more when you read about it
You're very welcome. Have a great day.
I much prefer William's version to Paul robeson's one.
It just seems to me in the original B/W film Paul sang it too quickly, and william sang it perfectly.
I think that's the director's fault. Or maybe the producers' fault. When Paul Robeson was in charge, he sang it slower. Both sang wonderfully.
Prove it. Show me all your public performances.
I saw K D Lang sing for the benefit for the Australian fires
/watch?v=-m82TO9chA0 samuel ramey is probably my second favorite
Nice lyrics change... :-)
Hes been dead now for 10 going on 11 years.
by the way, he did it way better when he was younger in the movie
That was a stupid comment with all respect.
@@joeaustinathimalamaria624 as stupid as it gets!👏🙈
he still sounds out of tune... i dont care if its pavoratti.
At least try to spell Pavarotti right! What a stupid comment!!🙈👎