Calypso Harry Belafonte

• 1 Banana Boat Song (Day-O) 03:02
• 2 I Do Adore Her 02:48
• 3 Jamaica Farewell 03:02
• 4 Will His Love Be Like His Rum? 02:33
• 5 Dolly Dawn 03:13
• 6 Star-O 02:02
• 7 The Jack-Ass Song 02:52
• 8 Hosanna 02:37
• 9 Come Back Liza 03:03
• 10 Brown Skin Girl 02:43
• 11 Man Smart (Woman Smarter) 03:31
• Total Runtime 31:26

Info for Calypso

Harry Belafonte is a superstar known throughout the world for making 'calypso' mainstream. When you think of Belafonte's greatest hits you think of 'Calypso.' Released in 1956 as Belafonte's second album, 'Calypso' changed conventional music forever. The album features the classics, 'Day-O (The Banana Boat Song),' 'Jamaica Farewell,' 'Hosanna,' 'Man Smart (Woman Smarter)' and many more. 'Calypso' is one of the first albums to sell over a million copies.

„This is the album that made Harry Belafonte's career. Up to this point, calypso had only been a part of Belafonte's focus in his recordings of folk music styles. But with this landmark album, calypso not only became tattooed to Belafonte permanently; it had a revolutionary effect on folk music in the 1950s and '60s. The album consists of songs from Trinidad, mostly written by West Indian songwriter Irving Burgie (aka Lord Burgess). Burgie's two most successful songs are included -- 'Day O' and 'Jamaica Farewell' (which were both hit singles for Belafonte) -- as are the evocative ballads 'I Do Adore Her' and 'Come Back Liza' and what could be the first feminist folk song, 'Man Smart (Woman Smarter).' Calypso became the first million-selling album by a single artist, spending an incredible 31 weeks at the top of the Billboard album charts, remaining on the charts for 99 weeks. It triggered a veritable tidal wave of imitators, parodists, and artists wishing to capitalize on its success. Years later, it remains a record of inestimable influence, inspiring many folksingers and groups to perform, most notably the Kingston Trio, which was named for the Jamaican capital. For a decade, just about every folksinger and folk group featured in their repertoire at least one song that was of West Indian origin or one that had a calypso beat. They all can be attributed to this one remarkable album. Despite the success of Calypso, Belafonte refused to be typecast. Resisting the impulse to record an immediate follow-up album, Belafonte instead spaced his calypso albums apart, releasing them at five-year intervals in 1961, 1966, and 1971.“ (Cary Ginell, AMG)

Harry Belafonte, vocals
Millard J. Thomas, guitar (on tracks 1, 4, 6, 7)
Frantz Casseus, guitar
Tony Scott Orchestra (on tracks 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11)
Tony Scott, conductor
The Norman Luboff Choir (on tracks 8, 9, 10)

Recorded August 18, October 20, November 9, 1955 at Webster Hall, New York City
Produced by Ed Welker, Herman Diaz Jr., Henri René

Digitally remastered

Harry Belafonte
Harold George Harry Belafonte was born in March 1, 1927. His family was Jamaican descent, but he was born in the United States. He is an actor, singer and a socio humanitarian activist. His mother Melvine, was a house keeper while his father Harold George, was a chef. Between the years 1932 and 1940, he lived in Jamaica with his grandmother. He then attended George Washington High School in New York; he was then enrolled into the navy and participated in the Second World War.

In late 1940s, he enrolled in drama classes and subsequently joined the American Negro Theatre to perfect his skills. Due to his hard work and determination, he was awarded a Tony Award. In 1950s, he popularized the musical style in Caribbean using international fans and as a result he was nicknamed the “king of calypso”. “Banana Boat Song” was his major hit song that brought him into the limelight across the world. Throughout his entire life, he has been a major crusader of civil and humanitarian rights; he was in the forefront of criticizing president G. W. Bush administrative policies.

His first commonly released album “Matilda” was recorded on April 27, 1953. In 1956, the Calypso album was launched which attracted the attention of the world earning him the nickname. He made very many recordings between the years 1950s to the 1970s; he was so famous that he was even invited to perform in the inauguration ceremony of President John F. Kennedy. Due to the emergence of The Beatles and other superstars from Britain in late 1960s, Harry Belafonte’s fame started diminishing very fast the same way it had come. He started touring the world in 1980s actively participating in humanitarian issues, during this time he made very few recordings.

He was the first African American to win an award in television production in 1950s; he has also received several honors including the coveted Kennedy Center Honors in the year 1989. He has held many concerts until in 2007 when he stated that he had retired due to illness. Belafonte also stirred in various films in 1950s like; Bright Road, Otto Preminger among others. He was not very happy with the roles he was allocated in the movies; and as a result he took a break until in 1970s. He has since been involved in so many movies his last one was in 2006 in a movie titled “Bobby, Emilio Estevez”

Harry Belafonte was married to Marguerite Byrd from 1948 to 1957 and they have two daughters, Adrienne and Shari. In March 8, 1957, he married Julie Robinson and they have two children, David and Gina. On April 2008, he married Pamela Frank. Paul Robeson was his political mentor who had a great influence in his political ideologies and beliefs. Belafonte opposed racial discrimination in America and colonialism in Africa. He was so active to the extent that President John F. Kennedy gave him advisory role to the Peace Corps. He has participated in various funds drives that have been held across the world to promote humanitarian activities.

This album contains no booklet.