Soul Music

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Soul Music: Series 5: Ol' Man River

Ol' Man River

Series 5

BBC Radio 4 - Soul Music, Series 5, Ol' Man River

Tony Benn, Cleo Laine and Paul Robeson Jr reflect on the emotional power of Ol' Man River.

Tony Benn, Cleo Laine and Paul Robeson Jr reflect on the emotional power of the song from the musical 'Showboat'. From March 2006.

'Old Man River' flowed out of the 1927 musical "Show Boat" with music by Jerome Kern and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein (pictured). 

It remains with us today as both a political anthem of oppressed people and a song of deep comfort. Sung by a hospital porter it was the last song that market trader Dave Everett heard before he went into surgery and it calmed his fears. 

Tony Benn recalls hearing the great Paul Robeson singing it at the House of Lords Tea Room. Including interviews with Tony Benn, Paul Robeson Jr and Cleo Laine.

Featuring: 

Hugh Fordin
Tony Benn
Dave Everett
Cleo Laine
Steve Abrams
Paul Robeson Jr
Ian Bradley

Series about music that makes the hairs stand up on the back of our necks.

Producer: Nicola Humphries 

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2006.

Soul Music: Series 5

BBC Radio 4

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Ol' Man River

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