Back in 1957 the Welsh branch of the National Union of Miners invited Paul Robeson to sing at the Miner's Eisteddfodd at Porthcawl. However the US government had withdrawn Robeson's passport on account of his political activities, and he couldn't attend. However thanks to the recent installation of a transatlantic telephone cable he was able to sing by a phone link to an audience of 5000 miners, and to listen to the Treorchy Male Voice Choir sing for him. It was an intensely moving experience for all the participants and the Welsh NUM issued a record of the concert which captured some of the excitement of that moment. Robeson had had a very strong connection with South Wales since his role in the 1940 Ealing film The Proud Valley and he had supported unemployed miners in the 1930's.
Sain records have now released a CD of the Transatlantic Exchange concert along with another 20 songs from Robeson.
The Proud Valley doesn't seem to be available in the UK on DVD or video, but customers in North America can buy a boxed set of Paul Robeson's films from Criterion which looks well worth viewing.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
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