In 1990, I was working in Singapore. At the time, I stayed with a few friends in a rented flat at Bukit Batok. During that time, one of my housemates, TC Loh, was an addict to watching video tapes movies. He rented a tape almost everyday. Normally after our dinner, we would watch the 8:30pm Singapore Broadcasting Corporation’s variety show on TV. Immediately after the variety show, TC would start to watch a video tape movie. On most occasions, I sat on sofa in front of the TV but I hardly watched the video tape movies as I preferred to read newspapers or computer magazines.
One evening, TC was watching movie while I was reading newspapers. I was suddenly attracted by some unique music from the movie. The movie was “Beetle Juice”, a horror/comedy show that adopted 2 Harry Belafonte’s songs, “Banana Boat Song” and “Jump in the Line”. I still remember that TC and I were greatly amused by the 2 songs. TC was definitely impressed because he continued to sing “Banana Boat Song” in Belafonte’s style for many months. I subsequently bought a CD of Harry Belafonte and I have been keeping that CD until today.
Harry Belafonte (1927 - ) was born in New York. His father was a Jamaican. His released his first album in 1954. Wikipedia listed that his album, “Calypso”, was the first album to surpassed 1 million mark in 1956. (Bing Crosby’s “white Christmas” and Tenessee Ernie Ford’s Sixteen Tons,” both singles had previously surpassed the 1 million mark.
Personally, I find that the sound of the album is superb. Moreover, Belafonte was so at ease in front of the audience. He cracked jokes, recounted his childhood days in Jamaica, talked about how did the British song “The Marching Saints” ended as a funeral song in Jamaica. The audience was simply captivated by Belafonte as the entire hall was dead silent when Belafonte when he spoke. I am captivated too!
To sum up how great is this LP album, AllMusic.com’s commented that “A digitally remastered but truncated single-disc CD reissue of the classic 1959 performance by Harry Belafonte was issued upon its 30th anniversary in 1989. Inexplicably, all of Belafonte's between-song patter and four songs were eliminated, no doubt in an attempt to fit the whole concert on one disc. The editing was done with a machete, and the concert loses all of its spontaneity and pacing. For those who are familiar with the original, magnificent double-LP set, the edits will make you cringe. For the record, the excised songs are "Take My Mother Home," "Man Piaba," "All My Trials," and "Merci Bon Dieu." Save your turntables and get the records. ~ Cary Ginell, All Music Guide”
Song List:
Side 1 – Introduction/Darlin’ Cora, Sylvie, Cotton Fields, John Henry, Take My Mother Home
Side 2 – The Marching Saints, The Banana Boat Song (Day-O), Jamaica Farewell, Man Piaba, All My Trials
Side 3 – Mama Look a Boo Boo, Come Back Liza, Man Smart (Woman Smarter), Hava Nagila, Danny Boy, Merci Bon Dieu
One evening, TC was watching movie while I was reading newspapers. I was suddenly attracted by some unique music from the movie. The movie was “Beetle Juice”, a horror/comedy show that adopted 2 Harry Belafonte’s songs, “Banana Boat Song” and “Jump in the Line”. I still remember that TC and I were greatly amused by the 2 songs. TC was definitely impressed because he continued to sing “Banana Boat Song” in Belafonte’s style for many months. I subsequently bought a CD of Harry Belafonte and I have been keeping that CD until today.
Harry Belafonte (1927 - ) was born in New York. His father was a Jamaican. His released his first album in 1954. Wikipedia listed that his album, “Calypso”, was the first album to surpassed 1 million mark in 1956. (Bing Crosby’s “white Christmas” and Tenessee Ernie Ford’s Sixteen Tons,” both singles had previously surpassed the 1 million mark.
Personally, I find that the sound of the album is superb. Moreover, Belafonte was so at ease in front of the audience. He cracked jokes, recounted his childhood days in Jamaica, talked about how did the British song “The Marching Saints” ended as a funeral song in Jamaica. The audience was simply captivated by Belafonte as the entire hall was dead silent when Belafonte when he spoke. I am captivated too!
To sum up how great is this LP album, AllMusic.com’s commented that “A digitally remastered but truncated single-disc CD reissue of the classic 1959 performance by Harry Belafonte was issued upon its 30th anniversary in 1989. Inexplicably, all of Belafonte's between-song patter and four songs were eliminated, no doubt in an attempt to fit the whole concert on one disc. The editing was done with a machete, and the concert loses all of its spontaneity and pacing. For those who are familiar with the original, magnificent double-LP set, the edits will make you cringe. For the record, the excised songs are "Take My Mother Home," "Man Piaba," "All My Trials," and "Merci Bon Dieu." Save your turntables and get the records. ~ Cary Ginell, All Music Guide”
Song List:
Side 1 – Introduction/Darlin’ Cora, Sylvie, Cotton Fields, John Henry, Take My Mother Home
Side 2 – The Marching Saints, The Banana Boat Song (Day-O), Jamaica Farewell, Man Piaba, All My Trials
Side 3 – Mama Look a Boo Boo, Come Back Liza, Man Smart (Woman Smarter), Hava Nagila, Danny Boy, Merci Bon Dieu
Side 4 – Cucurrucucu Paloma, Shenandoah, Matilda
I grew up with Belafonte's songs. And the vinyl is a collector's item for sure.
ReplyDeleteI like Banana Boat, Mama Looka Boo Boo, Come Back Liza, Man Smart Woman Smarter, Matilda and Jamaica Farewell.
He has other songs like Coconut Woman and his most famous, Island In The Sun. And such a co-incidence because I wanted to write about him too and his famous Xmas number, Mary's Boy Child.
Wow, wish I had a copy. Lucky guy.
Andy, I must add that the songs in this album were recorded live in 1959 and the album was released in 1959 too. That was fifty years ago. However, the recording quality is just superb.
ReplyDeleteI too like his other songs mentioned by you such as Island in the Sun, Mary's Boy Child.
Yes, BC. He is one of the pillars of 60s music and his songs are very entertaining.
ReplyDeleteI know most collectors will keep this album. It is difficult to find vinyls pressed in the 50s nowadays.
Andy, at the time when I listened to CDs, there were a few experienced hifi enthusiasts who told me to but this album because it was the finest recorded live album.
ReplyDeleteGood post. I have this precious CD.
ReplyDeleteAnon, thanks for your comment. Glad to know that you like this album.
ReplyDelete