FISK JUBILEE SINGERS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 182, 22 April 1918, Page 8

FISK JUBILEE SINGERS

A UNIQUE ENTERTAINMENT. The original Fisk Jubilep Singers are but a memory, a chtri=h«l memory to those who can. recall .not only the lervour and deep-seated spirit which infused their singing of the old jubilee hymns, so quaintly worded, so deftly written, and so beautifully harmonised. 'The original Fists, as far as New Zealand is concerned, wero strong in vocal quality, and the touches of humour which they introduced had a. spontaneity and charm which bewitched tho public. The Fisk Jubilee Singers which opened a season at the Concert Chamber on Saturday evening, before a packed audience (which included His Excellency the Governor and the Countess of Liverpool), follow on the lines of their predecessors rip to a point. 'J.'hey sing many of the old-time jubilees with much of Ihe oldtime charm, but they scarcely reach the samt) average vocal standard, and as half of the company aro not coloured people at all, there is hardly the same flair attaching to their efforts as formerly. The choruses sung included such favourites as "Steal Away," the "Lord's Prayer,'" "He Moves in the Middle of the Air," "Good News," "I Saw the Light," "To Walk in Jerusalem Just Like John," "Hard Trials," "Hear Dem Bells," "Oh, John," "Gavi-.tu,'"' '"Way over Jordan," "My Lor;. Delivered Daniel," "and "T'm a-Roan.:?..;' Through an Unfriendly World." Tlucj were all sung with a certain une';wr. whilst grouped round a harmonium i-.[. which Professor 0. A. White, famiiiitr in form and face, presided with liis scoustomed grace and geniality. As regards the rest of the entertainment, a departure was made from the lines set donn by the original Fisks. both as to the class of ballads and the manner of their. singing. Of the soloists, Mr. Sid. Haynes, who is more of a light baritone than a true tenor, soon became popular. lie has a full-toned, vibrant, and serviceable voice, and an engaging personality wlncn veers to comedy on tha slightest provocation. His first ballad, "Tne Rivers of Love," was not an intrinsically good om, cither musically or otherwise, and ihe s-iuger was -much happier in "Take Me mien tu tlie um I'uiKs at Home.' Mr. Harold Wilson is a hush basso, with the son pedal perpetually down. His voice was consequently more unsuited to tlie rollicking "Floral Dance" than it was to "Massa's in the Coldj Cold Ground.'' The company possesses a sweet-voiced soprano, elfective over a big range, in Miss Leila Wyburd, who sang a rather tawdry love ballad, "For the Sake of the Past," and (hen redeemed herself by singing very artistically indeed "Tho Dear Little Shamrock." Miss Wyburd was also very effective in those little solos which crop out hero and there in the jubilee choruses. Mr. Marshall Palmer, the possessor of a likeable baritone voice, would have achieved move favour had he selected other songs. The time is not apropos to the soldier songs he sang, nnu "My Sunshine Jane" and the song ahoiic mother had a vaudeville touch, out of . joint with the chuvacter of the entertainment generally. Miss Clare Solly has la rich contralto, and the temperament to back it. She eang "Coining Home" and "Mother Machree" in a manner that pleased the audience immensely. One of the best known of the present Fisks is Miss Belle Gibbons, the lady baritone, who still ranks as one of the favourite?. In soft harmony her voice is invaluable. Miss Bertha Miller has a wealth of comedy at her command. Clad in a smashing toilet, Mis? Millar carolled "Maggie," and followed it up with a lively ragtimo lilt, amusing the audience immensely. Mr. Haynes ivlo duetted comically with Miss Millar, X mala quartet sang "Bingo," and the full company united in a humorous imitation of a brass band. The company will appear at the Concert Chamber throughout the week.