Monday, Mar. 30, 1936
Klondike Baritone
Biggest music name in Fairbanks, Alaska is that of Robert M. Crawford, shortened to "Klondike Bob" by the sourdoughs who knew him 30 years ago. As a shaggy-haired lad of 7 he went among the miners passing his fur hat, singing In the Good Old Summer Time. As Bob Crawford grew up, he was more & more determined to make his way in the world. At 16, as a surveyor on the Alaska Railroad, he earned enough to get to Princeton where he paid his way by working in a Ford service station. At Princeton (Class of 1925) he made much of music, led the University orchestra, wrote for Triangle Club shows, became president of the Glee Club. After graduation he won two music fellowships, made music his living.
Billed as "The Flying Baritone" because he now operates his own plane when he needs to tour the country, "Klondike Bob" Crawford gave a Manhattan recital last week, appeared for the first part of his program in a piped vest and cutaway, changed during intermission to bright blue breeches, shiny riding boots and an opened-neck shirt with wings on the pocket. In his first regalia he was an earnest formal concert artist, exhibiting his smooth ingratiating voice at its best in a long sustained aria from Handel's Judas Maccabaeus. Worthy also of the imposing Crawford sideburns was Bach's My Peace I Give Unto You, in which he was solemnly assisted by a group of youthful choristers from St. Thomas Church.
In his aviator's outfit Baritone Crawford was frankly out to cater to his audience. He distributed a list of 100 songs, offered to sing any 14 that were most in demand. His repertory was impressively wide, ranging from Brahms lieder to Smoke Gets in Your Eyes. Three of the loudest requests were for the Toreador's song from Carmen; De Glory Road, now popular because of Baritone Lawrence Tibbett; and The Royal Canadian Mounted Police, a Crawford composition.
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