Episode 103. Gilbert Price

Episode 103. Gilbert Price

Never heard of Gilbert Price? This episode will remedy that situation. With a voice that was easily produced, full-ranged, tonally refulgent, technically poised, the three-time Tony nominee Gilbert Price (1942-1991) deserves to be more fully remembered today for his deeply expressive portrayals, including a starring role in Leonard Bernstein’s failed Bicentennial musical, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. He also starred in Timbuktu!, Promenade, The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd, and Langston Hughes’s 1964 musical pageant Jerico-Jim Crow, which also featured the recently deceased Micki Grant in one of her first featured roles. I feature Gilbert Price in numerous live performances, both on stage and on television, as well as four obscure singles he made for Columbia Records, in addition to considering his tragic demise. The episode also features an 88th birthday tribute to Janet Baker as well as commemorations of Grant and other recently departed musicians.

RECORDINGS HEARD IN THIS EPISODE

Edward Elgar: Praise to His Name (The Dream of Gerontius). Janet Baker, Andrew Davis, BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra [live 1984]

Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein II: Old Man River (Show Boat). Gilbert Price [The Ed Sullivan Show, 1967]

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C. Jackson, James Hatch: Fly Blackbird (Fly Blackbird). Avon Long, Robert Guillaume, Mary Louise, Thelma Oliver, Chele Abel, Micki Grant, William Sugihara, Paul Reid Roman, Jim Bailey, Gail Ziferstein, Jack Crowder, Gilbert Price, Orchestra conducted by Gershon Kingsley [1962]

We Shall Overcome (Jerico-Jim Crow). Gilbert Price, Micki Grant, Professor Porter, Marion Franklin, Warren Smith [1964]

Langston Hughes: The Weary Blues. Langston Hughes, Doug Parker and his Band [CBC-TV 1958]

Traditional Spiritual: Watch and Pray [Is Massa Gwine to Sell Us Tomorrow] (Jerico-Jim Crow). Gilbert Price, William Cain, Rosalie King, Chorus [Mosley Brown, William Coleman, Reuben Greer, Martin Jewell, Marquette Miller, Vivian Moore, Metrogene Myles, John Russel, Brock Willia], Professor Porter, Marion Franklin, Warren Smith [1964]

God’s Gonna Cut You Down. Gilbert Price, Dorothy Drake, William Cain, Professor Porter, Marion Franklin, Warren Smith [1964]

My Mind on Freedom (Jerico-Jim Crow). Gilbert Price, Micki Grant, William Cain, Professor Porter, Marion Franklin, Warren Smith [1964]

Langston Hughes: Freedom Land (Jerico-Jim Crow)., Gilbert Price, Micki Grant, Joseph Attles, Professor Porter, Marion Franklin, Warren Smith [1964]

Anthony Newley, Leslie Bricusse: Feeling Good (The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd). Gilbert Price, Orchestra conducted by Herbert Grossman [1965]

Al Carmines, María Irene Fornés: A Poor Man (Promenade). Gilbert Price, Ty McConnell, Orchestra conducted by Al Carmines [1969]

Frederick Loewe, Alan Jay Lerner: They Call the Wind Maria (Paint Your Wagon). Gilbert Price, Merv Griffin [The Merv Griffiin Show, 15 July 1966]

Walter Marks: I’ve Gotta Be Me (Golden Rainbow). Gilbert Price [The Ed Sullivan Show, 27 July 1969]

Will Holt, David Baker, arr. Arnold Goland: Come Summer (title song from the show of the same name). Gilbert Price, Orchestra conducted by Mike Preston [1969]

Leon Carr, Richard Ahlert: Gatherin’ Sweet Moss. Gilbert Price, Orchestra arranged and conducted by Harold Wheeler [1970]

Leonard Bernstein, Alan Jay Lerner: Lud’s Wedding (1600 Pennsylvania Avenue). Gilbert Price, Emily Yancy, Bruce Hubbard, Orchestra conducted by Ronald Gagnon [Philadelphia 1976]

Leonard Bernstein, Alan Jay Lerner: Seena (1600 Pennsylvania Avenue). Gilbert Price, Orchestra conducted by Ronald Gagnon [Philadelphia 1976]

Robert Wright, George Forrest, after Alexander Borodin: Stranger in Paradise (Timbuktu!), Gilbert Price, Melba Moore, [or maybe not], Orchestra conducted by Charles H. Coleman [live New York 1978]

Alex North, Hy Zaret: Unchained Melody (original version from film Unchained). Todd Duncan [1955]

Alex North, Hy Zaret: Unchained Melody. Gilbert Price, Orchestra arranged and conducted by Harold Wheeler [1970]

Alan Bernstein, Victor Millrose, arr. Arnold Goland: Where Is Love. Gilbert Price, Orchestra conducted by Mike Preston [1969]

Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein II: Old Man River (Show Boat). Gilbert Price [live Berlin, Theater des Westens 28 December 1979]

Edward Elgar: Softly and Gently (The Dream of Gerontius). Janet Baker, Andrew Davis, BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra, Three Choirs Festival Chorus, Worcester Cathedral Choir [1984]