Jamaica - Mento 1951-1958
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Harry Belafonte, a New Yorker of Jamaican origin, released wildly popular "calypso" hit records in the period 1956-1958. In reality "Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)" and "Jamaica Farewell" – both featured on Calypso (1956) and both written by Irving Burgie – were mento songs sold as calypso. Previously recorded Jamaican versions of these now classic "calypso" hits can be heard on the compilation Jamaica - Mento 1951-1958 (2009). Louise Bennett-Coverley gave Harry Belafonte the foundation for his 1956 hit "Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)" by telling him about the Jamaican folk song "Hill and Gully Rider" (the name also given as "Day Dah Light")." "Jamaica Farewell" was compiled and modified from many folk pieces to make a new song. Burgie acknowledged his use of the tune of another mento, "Iron Bar"".--Sholem Stein |
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Jamaica - Mento 1951-1958 (2009) is a compilation CD of mento recordings released by Frémeaux & Associés.
Track listing:
Cd1 : 1. Louise Bennett : Day Dah Light (Day O) 1’28 • 2. Hubert Porter : Not Me (Man Smart, Woman Smarter) 2’56 • 3. Ben Bowers W/ The Baba Motta Orch. : Brown Skin Girl 2’09 • 4. Louise Bennett : Hosanna 0’57 • 5. Hubert Porter : Iron Bar/Mas Charley Bell (Jamaica Farewell) 2’52 • 6. Lord Flea : Solas Market/Water Come A Mi Eye (Come Back Liza) 3’19 • 7. Lord Flea : Donkey Bray (The Jack Ass Song) 2’16 • 8. Lord Fly W / The Dan Williams Orch. : Donkey City 2’53 • 9. Laurel Aitken : Nebuchadnezzar 2’36 • 10. Count Lasher’s Seven : Mango Time 2’57 • 11. Harold Richardson W / The Ticklers : Don’t Fence Her In 3’20 • 12. Lord Messam & His Calypsonians : Take Her To Jamaica 3’09 • 13. Boysie Grant W / The Reynolds Calypso Clippers : Noisy Spring 3’13 • 14. Count Lasher : Island Gal Sally 3’09 • 15. The Wigglers : Linstead Market & Day O 3’01 • 16. Cecil Knot & His Joybell Orch. : Banana 2’26 • 17. Chin’s Calypso Sextet :Woman Style 2’33 • 18. Lord Flea W / The Blue Mountain Caroleers : Irene & Yo’ Fr’en 3’20
Cd2 : • 1. The Wrigglers (Feat. Ernest Ranglin) : Don’t Touch Me Tomato 3’16 • 2. The Wrigglers (Feat. Ernest Ranglin) : Calypso Medley : Solas Market/Water Come A Mi Eye 3’39 • 3. Lord Flea & His Calypsonians : Magic Composer 2’17 • 4. Lord Fly With The Dan Williams Orch. : Donkey City (Instrumental) 2’40 • 5. Baba Motta & His Orchestra : Jamaica Talk 2’42 • 6. Hubert Porter : Old Lady You Mash Me Toe 2’50 • 7. Count Lasher W / George Moxey And His Calypso Quintet : The Ole Man’s Drive 3’07 • 8. Count Lasher’s Seven : Breadfruit Season 3’07 • 9. Lord Flea : It All Began With Adam And Eve 2’39 • 10. The Wrigglers (Feat. Ernest Ranglin) : Limbo 2’11 • 11. The Wrigglers (Feat. Ernest Ranglin) : Mary Ann 2’39 • 12. Hubert Porter W / The Tower Islanders : Bargie 3’15 • 13. Count Lasher : Doctor 3’10 • 14. The Wrigglers : Biggest Maracas 2’04 • 15. Count Lasher : Perseverance 2’31 • 16. Chin’s Calypso Sextet : Night Food Recipe 3’01 • 17. Count Lasher : Calypso Cha Cha 3’10 • 18.Laurel Aitken : Sweet Chariot 3’23.
