Calypso Craze 1956-57 (6-CD + DVD + Book)
by Various Artists

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Format:  CD  (7 Discs)
item number:  6EA3A
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CD Details

  • Number of Discs: 7
  • Released: August 29, 2014
  • Originally Released: 2014
  • Label: Bear Family Records

Description by OLDIES.com:

In the standard history of American pop music, the 1950s are a parade of rock icons: Bill Haley, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Little Richard, Elvis Presley. But after the demise of the great dance bands of the 1940s, rock 'n' roll didn't actually secure its position as the Next Big Thing until quite late in the day. For a few short months, in fact, it seemed that rock might be just another passing fad - and that calypso was here to stay.

From late 1956 through mid-1957, calypso was everywhere: not just on the Hit Parade, but on the dance floor and the TV, in movie theaters and magazines, in college student unions and high school glee clubs. There were calypso card games, clothing lines, and children's toys. Calypso was the stuff of commercials and comedy routines, news reports and detective novels. Nightclubs across the country hastily tacked up fishnets and palm fronds and remade themselves as calypso rooms. Singers donned straw hats and tattered trousers and affected mock-West Indian 'ahk-cents.' And it was Harry Belafonte - not Elvis Presley - who with his 1956 album 'Calypso' had the first million-selling LP in the history of the record industry. No wonder reporters and marketers joined the trade journals and fanzines in declaring a 'Calypso Craze.' In fact, by the time 'Variety' announced "Hot Trend: Trinidado Tunes" (on the cover of its December 26, 1956 issue), the Craze was already well underway.

How calypso came from Trinidad to America and found such celebrity, vying seriously (if only fleetingly) with rock 'n' roll for the affections of the nation's youth, is one of the stranger tales of modern popular music. This collection offers an overview of calypso's slow rise, heady prominence, and precipitous fall in America and beyond in the period surrounding the Calypso Craze of 1956-57.

The set comprises six CDs, covering the following topics:

  • Before The Craze: Calypso Hits Of The 1930s, 40s, And Early 50s
  • Belafonte And Calypso - Before And After Calypso
  • Calypso Goes Pop (...and R&B, Rock 'N' Roll, Folk, Country, Comedy, And Jazz)
  • Calypso On Stage And Screen
  • Calypso 'Across The Pond': The Calypso Craze In England
  • Mondo Calypso: The Calypso Craze In The Circum-Caribbean And Around The World

Performers include such surprises as:

  • Louis Farrakhan, Maya Angelou, Robert Mitchum, and Fess Parker
  • Stan Kenton, Louis Armstrong, and Hazel Scott
  • Nat 'King' Cole, Eartha Kitt, Rosemary Clooney, and Fred Astaire
  • Hank Snow, Tito Puente, Stan Freberg, and the Norman Luboff Choir
  • and 'blue-eyed calypsos' written by: Cole Porter, Johnny Mercer, and Harold Arlen

Also represented are:

  • Trinidadian calypsonians Lion, Atilla, Radio, and Caresser; Beginner, Invader, and Kitchener; Terror, Cristo and Panther
  • Trinidadian expatriates Wilmoth Houdini, Duke of Iron, Sir Lancelot, and MacBeth the Great
  • Other West Indians (and Bermudians) such as Lloyd Thomas, Lord Flea, Lord Foodoos, Mighty Zebra, The Talbot Brothers, Sidney Bean, Hubert Smith, Blind Blake, Enid Mosier, The Eloise Trio, Edric Connor, George Browne, and Frank Holder
  • Folksingers The Tarriers, Terry Gilkyson and The Easy Riders, Stan Wilson, and The Kingston Trio

Bonus DVD:

  • Unseen in over 55 years - a 'Calypso Craze' feature-length film never before issued on video or broadcast on television: 'Calypso Joe' (Allied Artists, 1957), starring Herb Jeffries and Angie Dickinson, and featuring Duke of Iron and The Easy Riders
  • Four short 'soundies' from the 1940s and 50s, with Sam Manning and 'Belle Rosette' (Beryl McBurnie), Broadway and big-band singer Gracie Barrie covering Stone Cold Dead In The Market, and Lord Cristo and the March Of Dimes Quartet

Tracks on Disc 1:

  • 1.Marry an Ugly Woman - Hubert Raphael Charles
  • 2.Edward the VIII - The Caresser
  • 3.Roosevelt in Trinidad - The Lion & The Atilla
  • 4.Guests of Rudy Vallee - The Lion / Atilla the Hun
  • 5.Matilda - King Radio
  • 6.He Had It Coming - Wilmoth Houdini
  • 7.Sing a Tropical Song - The Andrews Sisters
  • 8.Rum and Coca Cola - The Andrews Sisters
  • 9.Scandal in the Family - Sir Lancelot
  • 10.Century of the Common Man, The - Sir Lancelot
  • 11.Old Lady with a Rolling Pin - Sir Lancelot
  • 12.Mary Ann - Joe Davis / Armando Castro
  • 13.Calypsonian Invasion - Duke of Iron
  • 14.Jackie Robinson - Lord Invader
  • 15.Run Joe - Louis Jordan & His Tympany 5
  • 16.Stone Cold Dead in the Market (He Had It Coming) - Ella Fitzgerald
  • 17.Cab Calloway - Macbeth the Great
  • 18.Cold in de Winter - Lloyd Thomas
  • 19.Is She Is, Or Is She Ain't - The Charmer
  • 20.His Feet Too Big for de Bed - Stan Kenton & His Orchestra
  • 21.Somebody Bad Stole de Wedding Bell - Eartha Kitt
  • 22.Calypso Blues - Nat King Cole
  • 23.Last Train - Duke of Iron
  • 24.Labor Day Carnival (Jump in the Line) - Lord Invader
  • 25.Chicago, Chicago - Lord Invader
  • 26.Parakeets - Duke of Iron
  • 27.Prisoner Arise (Prizonaire Lev,) - Duke of Iron
  • 28.Hurricane Janet - Lord Christo
  • 29.Big Bamboo - Mighty Panther
  • 30.Hacienda Hotel Radio Advertisement - Sir Lancelot

Tracks on Disc 2:

  • 1.Man Smart (Woman Smarter) - Harry Belafonte
  • 2.Matilda - Harry Belafonte
  • 3.Hold `Em Joe - Harry Belafonte
  • 4.Kalenda Rock (Mourning Song) - Harry Belafonte
  • 5.Man Piaba - Harry Belafonte
  • 6.Jump Down, Spin Around - Harry Belafonte
  • 7.Banana Boat Song, The - Harry Belafonte
  • 8.Jamaica Farewell - Harry Belafonte
  • 9.Brown Skin Girl - Harry Belafonte
  • 10.Melda Massi - Harry Belafonte
  • 11.Come Back Liza - Harry Belafonte
  • 12.Mary's Boy Child - Harry Belafonte
  • 13.Mama Look a BooBoo - Harry Belafonte
  • 14.Cocoanut Woman - Harry Belafonte
  • 15.Island in the Sun - Harry Belafonte
  • 16.Scratch Scratch - Harry Belafonte
  • 17.Don't Ever Love Me - Harry Belafonte
  • 18.Cordelia Brown - Harry Belafonte
  • 19.Haiti Cheri - Harry Belafonte
  • 20.Judy Drownded - Harry Belafonte
  • 21.Lead Man Holler - Harry Belafonte
  • 22.Sweetheart from Venezuela - Harry Belafonte
  • 23.Gloria - Harry Belafonte
  • 24.Monkey - Harry Belafonte
  • 25.Reincarnation - Harry Belafonte
  • 26.Tongue Tie Baby - Harry Belafonte
  • 27.Don't Stop the Carnival - Harry Belafonte

Tracks on Disc 3:

  • 1.Banana Boat Song, The - The Tarriers
  • 2.Marianne - Terry Gilkyson & the Easy Riders
  • 3.Marianne - The Hilltoppers
  • 4.Calypso Melody - David Rose & His Orchestra
  • 5.In de Banana Tree - The Mills Brothers
  • 6.Calypso Gal - Richard Hyman & His Orchestra / Richard Hayman
  • 7.Bahama Mama - The Four Aces
  • 8.Curiosity Calypso - Ray Gilbert
  • 9.Mangos - Rosemary Clooney
  • 10.Yellow Bird - Norman Luboff Choir
  • 11.Calypso Hooray - Fred Astaire
  • 12.Calypso Joe - Ray Johnson
  • 13.Freddy's New Calypso - Freddie Mitchell
  • 14.When Rock and Roll Come to Trinidad - Nat King Cole
  • 15.Dancing to the Rock and Rolla (Rum and Coca Cola) - The Fontane Sisters
  • 16.Calypso Rock & Roll - The Deeps
  • 17.Calypso Rock - Dave Day & the Redcoats
  • 18.Calypso Rock - Mike Pedicin Quintet
  • 19.Waikiki Farewell - Stan Wilson
  • 20.(Tell De Batter To) Hit de Long Ball - Four Happy Fellas
  • 21.Number One - Hoke Simpson
  • 22.Zombie Jam-Boree - The Kingston Trio
  • 23.Calypso Sweetheart - Hank Snow
  • 24.Banana Boat Song, The - Johnnie & Jack
  • 25.Let's Go Calypso - Rusty Draper
  • 26.My Man True to Me - Nita, Rita & Ruby
  • 27.Banana Boat, The (Day-O) - Stan Freberg
  • 28.Banana Boat Story, The (The Banana Boat Song) - Buchanan & Goodman
  • 29.High Society Calypso - Louis Armstrong
  • 30.Take Me, Take Me - Hazel Scott
  • 31.Don't Stop the Carnival - Sonny Rollins
  • 32.Safety Song, The (Make the Last One For the Road a Cup of Coffee) - Julie Conway

Tracks on Disc 4:

  • 1.Tastes Like Strawberries - Johnny Desmond
  • 2.Rock Calypso Joe - The Treniers
  • 3.Run Joe - Maya Angelou
  • 4.Donkey City - Maya Angelou
  • 5.Scandal in the Family - Maya Angelou
  • 6.Devil is a Woman - Herb Jeffries
  • 7.Naughty Little Flea, The - Lord Flea
  • 8.Shake Shake Senora - Lord Flea
  • 9.Calypso Be Bop - Lord Flea
  • 10.Donkey Bray - Lord Flea
  • 11.Calypso Rock - The Mary Kaye Trio
  • 12.Fire Down Below - Jeri Southern
  • 13.What is This Generation Coming To? - Robert Mitchum
  • 14.Jean and Dinah - Robert Mitchum
  • 15.Don't Hurry Worry Me - Terry Gilkyson & the Easy Riders
  • 16.Go, Go, Calypso! - Mamie Van Doren
  • 17.Technique - Pat Boone
  • 18.Mama Look a BooBoo (Boo Boo Man) - The Calypso Carnival
  • 19.Two Ladies in de Shade of de Banana Tree - Enid Mosier Trinidad Steel Band
  • 20.Boys Days - Enid Mosier Trinidad Steel Band
  • 21.Yankee Dollar - Josephine Premice
  • 22.Leave de Atom Alone - Josephine Premice
  • 23.Bottle Imp, The - Geoffrey Holder
  • 24.Sugar Cane - Geoffrey Holder
  • 25.Stew Pig Knuckles - Calypso Macniles
  • 26.Wedding Bell Calypso (Man Talk Too Much) - Fess Parker
  • 27.Calypso Dance - Ray Anthony & His Orchestra
  • 28.Limbo - The Diamonds
  • 29.Limbo - Roger "King" Mozian, His Trumpet & Orchestra
  • 30.Chalypso - Billy Duke & the Dukes

Tracks on Disc 5:

  • 1.Chocolate Whiskey and Vanilla Gin - Edmundo Ros & His Orchestra
  • 2.Day Dah Light (Banana Loaders' Song) - Edric Connor / The Caribbeans
  • 3.London is the Place For Me - Lord Kitchener
  • 4.Kitch (Small Comb, Scratch Me Head) - Lord Kitchener
  • 5.Food from the West Indies - Lord Kitchener
  • 6.Underground Train, The - Lord Kitchener
  • 7.Tick! Tick! (The Story of the Lost Watch) - The Lion
  • 8.Victory Test Match - Lord Beginner
  • 9.John Goddard - Lord Beginner
  • 10.Manchester United Calypso - Edric Connor
  • 11.Kitch's Bebop Calypso - Lord Kitchener
  • 12.Is Trouble - Lord Kitchener
  • 13.Chinese Children - The Mighty Terror
  • 14.Patricia Gone with Millicent - The Mighty Terror
  • 15.No Carnival in Britain - The Mighty Terror
  • 16.Brown Skin Gal - The Mighty Terror
  • 17.Prince Rainer - Lord Invader
  • 18.My Experience on the Reeperbahn - Lord Invader
  • 19.Woman is a Man's Best Friend - George Browne
  • 20.Liberia - Bliff Radie Byne
  • 21.Last Train to San Fernando - Johnny Duncan & The Blue Grass Boys
  • 22.Sweetie Charlie - Frank Holder
  • 23.Coffee Bar Calypso - Maxine Daniels
  • 24.Gossip Calypso - Bernard Cribbins
  • 25.Shame and Scandal in the Family - Lance Percival

Tracks on Disc 6:

  • 1.Atomic Nightmare - Talbot Brothers of Bermuda
  • 2.Don't You Call Me Boo Boo - Talbot Brothers of Bermuda
  • 3.Collegiate Invasion - Sidney Bean and His Trio
  • 4.Green Ticket - Hubert Smith
  • 5.Right Side of the Road - Hubert Smith
  • 6.Don't Touch Me Tomato - Goombay Kings
  • 7.Calypso Island - Eloise Trio
  • 8.Run, Come See Jerusalem - Blind Blake
  • 9.Delia's Gone - Blind Blake
  • 10.Hold `Em Joe - Lord Foodoos & His Calypso Band
  • 11.Calypso Cha Cha Cha - Count Lasher
  • 12.Don't Blame It on Elvis - Fabulous McClevertys
  • 13.I Like Ike - Mighty Zebra
  • 14.Scandal in St. Thomas - Mighty Zebra
  • 15.Vim, Vigor and Vitality - The La Motta Brothers
  • 16.Calypso Joe - Luis Amando
  • 17.Calypso Man - P,rez Prado
  • 18.Jack, Jack, Jack - El Boy
  • 19.Calypso Blues - Tito Puente & His Orchestra
  • 20.Matilda - Cuarteto d'Aida
  • 21.Weekend News - Lord Caresser
  • 22.Atomic Energy - Lord Caresser
  • 23.Nescafe Calypso - Max Woiski & Seine Band
  • 24.Limbo - Nina & Frederik
  • 25.Ramadin - All Steel Percussion Band of Trinidad
  • 26.Ugly Girls Have Pretty Names - Geraldo La Viny Et Son Orchestre
  • 27.Mama Ist Aus Kuba - Alice Babs
  • 28.Banana Boat Song, The - Michiko Hamamura
  • 29.If You Wanna Be Happy - Jimmy Soul

Tracks on Disc 7:

  • 1.March of Dimes Calypso [Clip] - March of Dimes Quartet
  • 2.Stone Cold Dead in the Market [Clip] - Gracie Barrie
  • 3.Willie Willie [Clip] - Belle Rosette / Sam Manning
  • 4.Quarry Road [Clip] - Belle Rosette
  • 5.Fly Joe Fly [From the Movie 'Calypso Joe', 1957] - Herb Jeffries & the Calypsomaniacs
  • 6.Devil is a Woman [From the Movie 'Calypso Joe', 1957], The - Herb Jeffries & the Calypsomaniacs
  • 7.Don't Spank de Baby [From the Movie 'Calypso Joe', 1957] - Herb Jeffries & the Calypsomaniacs
  • 8.Untitled Conga Line [From the Movie 'Calypso Joe', 1957] - Herb Jeffries & the Calypsomaniacs
  • 9.Calypsociety [From the Movie 'Calypso Joe', 1957] - Herb Jeffries & the Calypsomaniacs / Lady T
  • 10.There's Only One Love (In a Woman's Life) [From the Movie 'Calypso Joe', 1957] - Herb Jeffries & the Calypsomaniacs
  • 11.Naughty Little Flea [From the Movie 'Calypso Joe', 1957] - Lord Flea & His Calypsonians
  • 12.Untitled Percussion Jam [From the Movie 'Calypso Joe', 1957] - Lord Flea & His Calypsonians / The Lester Horton Dancers
  • 13.Sweet Sugar Cane Marianne [From the Movie 'Calypso Joe', 1957] - Terry Gilkyson & the Easy Riders
  • 14.Marianne - Terry Gilkyson & the Easy Riders
  • 15.Take Me Down To Locero [From the Movie 'Calypso Joe', 1957] - Lord Flea & His Calypsonians / Duke of Iron
  • 16.Po Mule [From the Movie 'Calypso Joe', 1957] - Herb Jeffries & the Calypsomaniacs
  • 17.Adam and Evil Blues [From the Movie 'Calypso Joe', 1957] - Herb Jeffries & the Calypsomaniacs
  • 18.Calypso Jamboree [From the Movie 'Calypso Joe', 1957] - Lord Flea & His Calypsonians
  • 19.Can't Cross Over [From the Movie 'Calypso Joe', 1957] - Lord Flea & His Calypsonians
  • 20.Fly Joe Fly (Reprise) [From the Movie 'Calypso Joe', 1957] - Lord Flea & His Calypsonians / Herb Jeffries / The Lester Horton Dancers
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Product Info

  • Sales Rank: 14,848
  • UPC: 5397102169472
  • Shipping Weight: 5.26/lbs (approx)
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