Featured sonic artist Tony Schwartz is an eclectic assembler of music and everyday sounds who has recorded some of the most important and interesting social figures of his day. Listen to Mr. Schwartz as he talks about his experiences recording opera singer Paul Robeson and W.E.B. DuBois, former President of the Pan African Congress. As a special feature, we also offer the unedited speech by W.E.B. DuBois.

Tony Schwartz

TONY SCHWARTZ:
(excerpt) 14.4 or 28.8

"I think Paul Robeson was one of the great singers of our time. In the McCarthy era, Robeson couldn't travel, because they called him a Communist, which is ridiculous. He wasn't a communist. He just believed in internationalism. He wanted to send tapes to various places around the world. One I did to send to England for a speech for him. It was about peace so I took and had his song behind it. I did it for many people that couldn't travel. For W.E.B. DuBois, I would record speeches that he wanted to give in South Africa..."

DuBois with baby Davia Nelson

W.E.B. DUBOIS:
(speech) 14.4 or 28.8

"Dr. W.E.B. DuBois, of New York, writer and the President of the Pan African Congress to the peoples of Africa -- Greetings..."