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Rhapsody in Black Details

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  • Rated:
  • 60
  • from 40 members

A collection of rare remastered recordings and film clips from the 1950s and 60s from Canada's CBC who were welcoming black musicians who were facing racism at home. Includes performances of classic songs from the likes of Ella Fitzgerald ("Oh Lady Be Good"), Duke Ellington ("Sophisticated Lady") and Sarah Vaughn ("Misty") plus .. Read more

Starring Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Ella Fitzgerald, Billy Eckstine
Genres Music/Musical

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Rhapsody in Black cover art

Rhapsody in Black

A collection of rare remastered recordings and film clips from the 1950s and 60s from Canada's CBC who were welcoming black musicians who were facing racism at home. Includes performances of classic songs from the likes of Ella Fitzgerald ("Oh Lady Be Good"), Duke Ellington ("Sophisticated Lady") and Sarah Vaughn ("Misty") plus many more. Toronto jazz singer Molly Johnson is your host.

Starring Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Ella Fitzgerald, Billy Eckstine, Sarah Vaughan, Nat King Cole, Sammy Davis Jr., Della Reese, Marian Anderson
Studio ARROW FILMS
Run time DVD: 58 mins
Certificate DVD Certificate Ex.gif
Genres Music/Musical
Language English
Released DVD: 14 Jun 2004
Format DVD

  • Most helpful member's review of Rhapsody in Black

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  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Great DVD

    A remarkable DVD of performances that I haven't seen before - and I have quite a large collection of this type of material. The performers are pretty much left to do what they do with no talking over the performances - which are all complete songs and not cut off halfway through. There are too many highlights to name here but sarah Vaughan performs without those mannerisms that so often cramps her style. Ella Fitzgerald is seen just before her Verve/Songbook years and giving a rare TV outing to A-Tisket A-Tasket. Sammy Davis is great, but perhaps the surprise is a winning performance by Della Reese. Not normally, my cup of tea, but her song here is performed with such infectious joy you can't help but want to stand and applaud when she (finally) finishes. All tracks are taken from Canadian TV shows from the 50s and 60s and are in good condition for their age and rarity.

      • Shane Brown from Norwich, Norfolk
      • Posted 17 Aug 2005 18:22

  • Most recent members' review of Rhapsody in Black

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  • Rated - 3 stars

    Enjoyable

    Some remarkable footage most of which was new to me. Pity the soundtrack quality hadn't been tidied up and improved.

      • A customer from Dorset
      • Posted 30 Nov 2005 06:22

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Rating breakdown

40 Member ratings
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4
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3
  • 80
5
  • 70
5
  • 60
5
  • 50
3
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5
  • 30
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3

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      • A collection of rare remastered recordings and film clips from the 1950s and 60s from Canada's CBC who were welcoming black musicians who were facing racism at home. Includes performances of classic ...