O'BLACK AND UNKNOWN BARDS AND OTHER POEMS

Hooray for the great title (and subtitle), which intrigues and informs as it introduces works by James Weldon Johnson, originally published as FIFTY YEARS AND OTHER POEMS. Michael Collins masterfully reads 32 of Johnson's powerful poems (including some in dialect), and 33 other of his poems are interpreted by Anne Mitchell and Michelle Lyons. Kudos for the wonderfully accessible title directory on the back cover, which lists each poem's length and reader. These two CDs are a rare and wonderful treasure, guaranteed to be listened to again and again because of the superior performances, which reach out and grab the listener. L.C. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 05/ JAN 06]