Calypso music has a bad rap in some people's eyes for being monotonous, and bordering "lower class" folk. But this CD shows how educated and witty some of these topical records can be. "Roosevelt In Trinidad" compiles a good bulk of classic 78 rpm records from the golden age of Calypso, primarily the 30's. The primary instrumentation on most of these tracks are clarinet and violin, giving these raw street recordings a refined duality, my particular favorite recordings are the ones in minor chord.
Track list:
1. Trinidad Hurricane - Wilmoth Houdini
2. The Treasury Fire - Lionel Belasco And His Orchestra
3. West Indian Federation - The Atilla
4. Mannie Dookie - The Tiger
5. Captain Cipriani - Egbert Moore (Lord Beginner)
6. Duke And Duchess Of Kent - Raymond Quevedo (Atilla The Hun)
7. M.C.C. Vs. West Indies - Egbert Moore (Lord Beginner)
8. Unfortunate Bridegroom - King Radio
9. Movie Stars - The Tiger
10. Four Mills Brothers - The Radio
11. Body Life - King Radio
12. Intercolonial Tournament - The Atilla
13. Edward The VII - The Caresser
14. Roosevelt In Trindad - The Atilla
15. King George VI - The Lion
16. Reign Of The Georges - The Executor
17. Modern Times - The Lion And The Atilla
18. History Of Woodbrook Vicinity - The Growler
19. The Beautiful Land Of Lere - The Tiger
20. The Vendor's Song - The Lion
21. School Boys' Adventure - Black Prince
22. Fire, Fire In Port Of Spain - The Caresser
23. Police Diplomacy - The Growler
24. Bing Crosby - The Lion
25. Poppy Day - Lord Executor
Track list:
1. Trinidad Hurricane - Wilmoth Houdini
2. The Treasury Fire - Lionel Belasco And His Orchestra
3. West Indian Federation - The Atilla
4. Mannie Dookie - The Tiger
5. Captain Cipriani - Egbert Moore (Lord Beginner)
6. Duke And Duchess Of Kent - Raymond Quevedo (Atilla The Hun)
7. M.C.C. Vs. West Indies - Egbert Moore (Lord Beginner)
8. Unfortunate Bridegroom - King Radio
9. Movie Stars - The Tiger
10. Four Mills Brothers - The Radio
11. Body Life - King Radio
12. Intercolonial Tournament - The Atilla
13. Edward The VII - The Caresser
14. Roosevelt In Trindad - The Atilla
15. King George VI - The Lion
16. Reign Of The Georges - The Executor
17. Modern Times - The Lion And The Atilla
18. History Of Woodbrook Vicinity - The Growler
19. The Beautiful Land Of Lere - The Tiger
20. The Vendor's Song - The Lion
21. School Boys' Adventure - Black Prince
22. Fire, Fire In Port Of Spain - The Caresser
23. Police Diplomacy - The Growler
24. Bing Crosby - The Lion
25. Poppy Day - Lord Executor
A few of these selections were covered by Van Dyke Parks for his album "Discover America," which starts out with an excerpt from the Mighty Sparrow's song "Jack Palance." Since none of the Mighty Sparrow's recording's appear on this disc, as a bonus I am throwing in his album "Sparrow" AND an alternate complete cut of "Jack Palance," along with a very ribald recording of his entitled "Village Ram." I ALSO am throwing in bonus cuts from Wilmoth Houdini and Lionel Belasco which are supreme legends of West Indian rhythms. ENJOY!
Download the imported crate of 78's here.
Download the imported crate of 78's here.