A Voice Ringing O'er the Gale! The Oratory of Frederick Douglass Read by Ossie Davis CD

Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) was an abolitionist, women's suffragist, author, and statesman who escaped from slavery to become one of the most powerful American orators of the 19th century. In 1972, renowned actor Ossie Davis brought to sonic life several of Douglass's visionary writings, plying his resonant voice to produce riveting renditions of the Douglass classics "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July," "If There Is No Struggle, There Is No Progress," "A Plea for Freedom of Speech," and "Why I Became a Women's Rights Man." More than a century after his death, Douglass's commanding calls for freedom and equality continue to capture our hearts and our minds. 32-page booklet with extensive notes and images. 65 minutes.

This recording is part of the Smithsonian Folkways African American Legacy series, co-presented with the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Credits
Produced by Daniel E. Sheehy
Recorded by Pete Reiniger
Recorded by Will Chase
Mastered by Pete Reiniger
Liner Notes by Robert H. Cataliotti, Ph.D.
Design by Sonya Cohen Cramer

Tracks
01 "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July" - 24:47
02 "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July" (cont.) - 17:06
03 "If There Is No Struggle, There Is No Progress" - 12:42
04 "A Plea for Freedom of Speech" - 8:01
05 "Why I Became a Women's Rights Man" - 3:21