Following service in the armed forces, Warfield had achieved some success on the lyric stage, first in the touring company of Call Me Mister, singing such numbers as "Going Home Train" and "Face on the Dime". He then was Cal in the original cast of Marc Blitzstein's 1949 opera Regina.
Warfield's pivotal appearance was a well-received 1950 recital in New York's Town Hall. One critic wrote, "He is endowed with a noble voice, warmth of temperament, a feeling for the stage and great sincerity." This success seems to have led, at least indirectly, to being cast in Show Boat and to a recording contract with Columbia. This record, taped in Columbia's 30th Street studios in August 1951, was the first to be issued under that contract.
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| Warfield and Copland at the recording session |
Warfield had introduced the "Old American Songs" earlier in the year. The Copland settings have become justly famous because of Warfield's marvelous interpretations, which are in turn sharp, tender and witty. The composer soon produced a second book of such songs, which he and Warfield recorded in August 1953. These remained unissued until 1999. (I have included the second set in the download.) Copland later orchestrated both books; he and Warfield recorded them for a 1963 Columbia LP, which also included Benny Goodman's second recording of Copland's Clarinet Concerto.
The fame of the "Old American Songs" has overshadowed the other songs on this record, which is a shame because they, too, are very worthwhile. These five Sea Chanties were arranged by Celius Dougherty, a pianist and composer who specialized in song settings.
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| Celius Dougherty |
