Ol' Man River

[libertarianbastard]

Man thanks for this.

[markcdotde]

@libertarianbastard Hi! and thanks!. What were you looking for when you found this? just curious. Mark

[libertarianbastard]

@markcdotde I'm originally from Memphis (I've been away for over a decade due to military service) and I recall this song being performed at the Sunset Symphony ever summer when I was a kid. I was looking for something to play for my daughter to give her a better understanding of her southern heritage and came across this video. It lulled her right to sleep.

[aussiechickdiana]

Wonderful singer wonder voice...b baritones are my favourites, but not very popular at the moment, I'm afraid. Bravo!

[markcdotde]

@aussiechickdiana Thanks. Sorry to disappoint you but I'm a bass, a bit lower than baritone.

I love your Odetta "Motherless child"

[aussiechickdiana]

@aussiechickdiana Hey, markcdotde, that's what we call (b)ass baritone, in australia...so not disappointed!

You probably thought I was stuttering lol

I like your voice, anyway...whatever it's called...!

All the best, and thanks for your comments re my music...diana

[aindrereecesheerin]

thank you for this - One of if not the best I have heard on YT - even if a little too long - would be even better a tone up for my voice but again thanks for making time to post this

[markcdotde]

@aindrereecesheerin This is the full version from the show (well, almost). You can stop at the first closing, before "Colored folk...". I think it's in the original key but I never checked. Like several well known tunes, it comes in at least 2 keys. When I sang it in Copenhagen, the music director used an even lower key. Then he discovered the chours didn't have the low notes, but we still used it.

[MoBooks2]

wow - simply amazing - what a performance

[MrBaritonevoce]

Stirring rendition - story well told!

[markcdotde]

@MrBaritonevoce Hi. I just gave my first workshop with singers. it amazes me how many do not tell stories with their text. We're the only ones who HAVE text so it should really mean something. My students seemed to have discovered a new world when I asked them "where are you, what are you doing, who are you speaking to; even 'what's the temperture' "?

[Lurkalotalot]

This man doesn't only possess a fine voice and sings competently, he tells a story. And I think that is important. The message is so often substituted by artistry, and Mark, here, has managed to strike an even balance between the two; he made me believe he was there, working on the Mississippi. This video made me smile - for all the right reasons!

Thank you for sharing.

[ksmooth85]

OMG THIS GUYS IS AMAZING!!!!!! Honestly his tone is better than Mr. Robeson! wow!

[MrJKTenor]

Bravo Mark! Sounds great and a wonderful setting for this heartfelt performance!

[Leavon]

Well done, I love this song I know I irritate the wife when I sing this one myself but theres something about it that actually can lift the spirit. Thanks for letting me it from someone that can sing it well.

[madamerotten]

A beautiful rendition by any standard! Marvelous!

[alain451]

Bravo, que c' est beau une voix comme la sienne.

Merci au post

Alain.

[chuckcoster]

Oh sweet voice of God. Come to us through ordinary men, working men, who toil at every turn, raise their families in love and carry your Son's burden as a cross of love. Listen God, a voice of yours sings here.

[yost112ty]

Brought tears to my eyes......the immortal Mr. Robeson would be proud of your performance....I'm speechless.....

[markcdotde]

@yost112ty

Hi, and thanks. I went to your amazing collection of videos and have been thoroughly enjoying myself. What an eclectic collection.

Mark

[cressey0]

I wish i could see you perform, you are truly incredible what a voice and what a performance.

[markcdotde]

@cressey0

THANKS!. I perform mostly in Germany and other European countries. Let me know when you're around here.

Mark

[bahluviensis]

Extraordinary performance....."clean" interpretation........a real master ! Thanks from Romania ! My idea is that only a bass that passes 45 y.o will master that piece, because you need the "color" and the amplitude only given by age.

[markcdotde]

@bahluviensis

Thanks! I have noticed the relationship between the grey hairs and voice quality:-)

[joelweisberg]

I enjoyed it thoroughly!!! Bravo meastro!

[wh1971wdh]

VERY NICE!

[loko2468]

you are bloody brilliant. you grew up in germany?

[markcdotde]

@loko2468 Hi. Thanks and No, I grew up in the States and in Liberia. Been her for 20 years though.

[Arnfinn55]

Beautiful. listen to Sammy Davis jr. Ol`man river to

[markcdotde]

@Arnfinn55

Thanks for the tip. I just watched it. It is amazing. I have watched many of the eversions here on YouTube but few actually get close to what the song actually means. I am pleased to add Sammy to the list.

Mark

[markcdotde]

@markcdotde The one that surprised me most is Judy Garland. She knows what hte song is about. Bing should NEVER have sung this piece.

[anasyntes]

Mark -- Thank You so very much! Your singing brought tears to my eyes.

[Ger44]

This was absolutely wonderful,better than most, if not all versions i see on here. I actually just auditioned for my highschool play with this song as well.

[jakefreakinclark]

auditioning for SU Orange Appeal with this song in just 2 hours! Here goes!

[markcdotde]

Hi, Let me know how it goes. What exactly is the audition for? Show Boat?

[jakefreakinclark]

Not for showboat, Orange Appeal is the Male Acapella group at Syracuse University. I find out tonight!

[doublethelowc]

is he a bass

[Nedzorz1]

Yes. Baritones hurt ourselves doing that :(

[470666470]

best of its kind...

very touching....

[ErwinSchmiedel]

One of the best i ever heard....

Super, super

[ANIMEFOOLZ32512]

I ONLY WATHED two OF YOUR  SHOWS BUT Ilike both of them

[EquinoxAutumn]

so deeply moving and not even in a fully staged setting. wow. thank you for posting this. i am sharing it with my three young boys and so glad to do it!

[chefjustin24601]

Bravo! Bravo!

I have heard many singers attempt this song, but all of them pale in conparison to your rendition.

Bravo!

[TheSmokeking]

magnificent.

Most singers other than Robeson, try to fancy the notes to express what they can't in the subtext. You didn't do that, you had to courage to let your understanding of the meaning and your powerful voice carry the idea.

I wasn't expecting to see something this good on youtube.

[markcdotde]

Thank you Smokeking,

The thought has NEVER occurs to me. Its the subtext that should fancy the notes.

One example in this song is the low note on "get a little drunk and you land in jail". WHY does 'jail' go down? Jail, for a Negro back then was like getting punished in hell. And that for just trying to have a little levity. So singing the low note is not a matter of showing off the voice. It should show the darkness of the situation.

[thesupapenguin]

Unbelievable.. shook me to my core. Bravo.

[Dragonianfire]

Bravo!!!

I wish i had found this version before i performed it.

[moila12]

sir, l would have been honored to have been there.

john

[markcdotde]

Dearest people,

I am so pleased to hear your responses. I thank you not only for watching, but also for understanding.

Love&Light,

Mark

[moila12]

how are you Mark ?

l hope all is well with you and yours :)

john

[currylord]

Wow! This man is a star! He needed to keep the final note for a bit longer at the end of the song (he just keeps rolling aaaaaaaaahhhlonnnggggg) but otherwise - brilliant!

[moila12]

OMG!

l am crying!

frank who?

[markcdotde]

Thank you. If you want to stop crying and smile look at the other 2 videos.

I do put a lot in Ol Man River and find most singers do not get into the underbelly of the song. There is too much pain in the song that needs to be let out.

My motto has always been "If you're not expressing the meaning of the text, then why are you singing it."

Love&Light,

Mark

[moila12]

what a voice!!

l hope you dont mind l am going to share this

on a few blogs

[moila12]

not only a great singer a gentleman as well!!!

god bless

[Suedhesse46]

Kein 50-Personen-Kammerorchester, kein Opernstar - aber eine wunderbare Darbietung eines grossen Liedes. Ich wollte, ich wäre dabei gewesen. Die Gesichter der Anwesenen sagen alles !!!!!!

No profis - but great ! Thank you for posting.

[markcdotde]

Danke! Es war anders als mit der London Symphony.

[itonlyhappens]

absolutely beautiful.  Thank you for sharing this. Brought a tear to my eye.

[golaxo]

I like it