LANGSTON HUGHES READS

One of the key figures of the Harlem Renaissance, Langston Hughes wrote of the African-American experience as few black poets before him had done. This program offers about 20 of his poems, along with his reflections on his life, his time, and his art. Hughes reads and speaks with a tenor's voice and a hint of a lisp. He is a relaxed storyteller and reader of poems, doing both with suitable inflection and expression. However, as enjoyable as his comments and anecdotes are, I would have preferred a bit more poetry in his presentation. P.B.J. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 01]