Wednesday, April 26, 2023

RIP Harry Belafonte: Banana Boat Song, Mary's Boy Child... A Tribute

Harry Belafonte with an RCA vinyl recording of 
'Calypso' [1956], his LP that sold a million immediately.

UP TO 800 VIEWS, 40+ CHATS, COMMENTS 

"Day-O, Day-O!"

Harry Belafonte is gone at 96. [March, 1927 - April 2023]

He popularised Calypso music with, 'Banana Boat Song' and 'Coconut Woman', bringing listeners into a world of sun, sand and sea amidst coconut trees, swaying palms and tarantula spiders... and sold a million copies with his first Long Play vinyl recorded in 1956. I was only 16 years old when I heard his lines:

"I see women on bended knees, Cutting cane for her family, I see men at the water side, casting nets at the surging tide..." and I was sold.

Still within the same theme came 'Jamaica Farewell'; then a quiet, sober, calm hymn: "Long time ago in Bethlehem, so the holy Bible says, Mary's boy child, Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas day..." 


He had another hit called, 'Mama, Looka Boo Boo' [video below]. It's a funny song indeed and making fun of what was known in the 60s as, juvenile delinquency. "'Mama, looka Boo Boo!' they shout, Their mother told them, 'Shut up your mouth, that is your daddy.' 'Oh no, my daddy can't be ugly so...'"

He was versatile indeed, singing and recording different genres of songs he could get his hands on. He became an actor too. With such a forceful career, Mr Belafonte became a recognisable and powerful civil rights activist! Beside Elvis, he was my other singing hero!

"Sad to say, I'm on my way, Won't be back for many a day, My heart is down, I won't be turning around..."

"Daylight come and we wanna go home..."

RIP Mr Harry Belafonte, one of the best singers there is, [yes, still is] in the world today. Condolences to his family and folks at home.

Check Harry Belafonte out on other postings:

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2009/12/marys-boy-child-harry-belafonte.html

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2010/05/banana-boat-song-calypso-music-60s-pt-i.html

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2009/07/we-are-world-for-michael-jackson-too.html

Harry Belafonte: Banana Boat Song. [Official Video] 
YouTube Video by Harry Belafonte.

Harry Belafonte and Nat Cole 
sing: 'Mama Looka Boo Boo' NBCCTV57Z. 
YouTube Video from: Dana Pop

44 comments:

  1. Andy Young
    Goodbye, Mr Harry Belafonte. I was 16 when I first heard him... As great as Elvis he was my super singing hero too! Tell us your story about Belafonte...

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  2. COLIN KEE [THE CHENDOL MAN]26.4.23

    That's where i heard of him doin the Banana Boat song.

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  3. STEPHEN HAN26.4.23

    Love Harry’s songs especially Island In The Sun and Coconut Woman

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  4. MICHAEL LEE [SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA]26.4.23

    Well I first heard him at about 16 too but some 10 years after you did.

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  5. MICHAEL LEE [SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA]26.4.23

    Oh yeah, but we were sing teh oh teh oh. Haha. May he RIP.

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  6. FREDA HANUM26.4.23

    Always sang this popular song Island in the Sun🏝️ during my island resorts performing as soloist for happy hour crowd... RIP HARRY BELAFONTE 🙏

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  7. Ivor Lesslar26.4.23

    Great Activist
    Great Singer
    Great Actor
    Great Man.
    RIP!

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  8. Hi Colin, Freda, Michael and Stephen,
    Thanks for sharing your experiences and listening to Belafonte and his famous songs.
    Seriously, I think we will all miss this very strong and handsome person.

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  9. MD JALANI [PIANIST EXTRAORDINAIRE]26.4.23

    Teh Oh!!!

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  10. MICHAEL LEE [SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA]26.4.23

    Haha if Andy is still "young" I can't be older..

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  11. Thanks Ivor for your informative comment.

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  12. CHIT CHAT26.4.23

    Manny Said
    Jalani Mohamed apa la Lu!!!!
    Berguroa saja
    🤣🤣🤣

    Andy Young
    Manny Said yes, one of the nicest pianists I know.
    No airs about him Manny.
    Once he told off a 'famous' arrogant local 60s singer.
    "Why you always sing girls' songs?
    You got no other ones to sing huh?"
    Actually Jalani BERGURAU SAJA.

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  13. ERICBRONSON WONG [HONGKONG]26.4.23

    𝙍 𝙄 𝙋 𝘽𝙞𝙜 𝘽𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙃𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙮 𝘽𝙚𝙡𝙖𝙛𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙚 𝙊𝙣𝙚 𝙊𝙛 𝘿 𝘾𝙖𝙡𝙮𝙥𝙨𝙤 𝘿𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙃𝙚 𝙒𝙖𝙨 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙊𝙛 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝘼𝙡𝙡,, 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙄𝙨 𝙈𝙮 𝙄𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄𝙣 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙪𝙣 𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙈𝙮 𝙋𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙃𝙖𝙨 𝙏𝙤𝙞𝙡 𝙎𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙏𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝘽𝙚𝙜𝙪𝙣,,,𝘿𝙖𝙮 𝙊 𝘿𝙖𝙮 𝙊 𝘿𝙖𝙮 𝘿𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙄 𝙒𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙖 𝙂𝙤 𝙃𝙤𝙢𝙚,,, 𝙅𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙁𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙏𝙤 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙏𝙧𝙪𝙚 𝙇𝙚𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙂𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝘿𝙞𝙨 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙚𝙩,,🙏🙏🙏

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  14. Ericbronson Wong
    hey, thanks buddy.
    You always deck the hall with lovely pictures.
    I am sure Mr Belafonte will be happy to see them.

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  15. Andy Young
    Ericbronson Wong hey, thanks buddy. You always deck the hall with lovely pictures. I am sure Mr Belafonte will be happy to see them.

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  16. If you all can remember, he also has a song called, MAMA LOOKA BOO BOO: 'Mama, looka BooBoo', they say, Their mother told them, 'That is your daddy!' 'Oh no my daddy can't be ugly so'. 'Shut your mouth, go away...'

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  17. Manny Said26.4.23


    Andy Young Betol tu. Jalani suka bergurau. I can’t for the life of me think how spell BERGURAU. No spell check for Melayu language. Unfortunately 😏
    How are you my good buddy. Still trying to work out music video
    for you. I’ve tried but doesn’t sound right. Beside I tried to find an appropriate songs to play, something to soothe your ear. Take care bud and have a great day. Say hello to Audie for me. Cheerio!

    ReplyDelete

  18. Manny Said hi, thanks for your always cheerful reply and positive attitude. I saw your dog video and got worried. 🙂 Let me know when you are ready to publish your story. I am not in touch with Audie, only on SMS sometimes. Yes la, Jalani is a good friend, indeed. He doesn't TEMBAK like some people do, but is jovial.

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  19. ALFRED WONG26.4.23

    I love BANANA BOAT song and like to sing it too.

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  20. MICHAEL BANGAR [PROFESSIONAL GUITARIST/BLOG CONTRIBUTOR]26.4.23

    RIP MR BELAFONTE
    AT A RIPE OLD AGE OF 96
    PAT BOONE: THE LAST ONE LEFT FROM THAT ERA.

    ReplyDelete
  21. JIMMY CHNG [DRUMMER - THE DECIBELS]26.4.23

    Hi Andy
    Growing up I loved listening to all of the songs you mentioned in your tribute piece and still do.

    RIP B.

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  22. OLIVER B. [DRUMMER/SEC SCHOOL PRINCIPAL26.4.23

    He made calypso a global phenomenon
    RIP HARRY.

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  23. CHOW WEN HING [SINGER/COMPOSER/WRITER]26.4.23

    Sorry to hear the passing of another legend.

    As a novice in the good old days of romantic and idyllic songs of exotic places, I can clearly remember many of the highly hummable tunes - although I'll have to admit I didn't his name then.

    RIP MR BELAFONTE, your voice will continue to echo through the ages.

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  24. ANNA LAW [TEEPEES/SINGER/UKULELE PLAYER]26.4.23

    He was a great singer.
    I will sing one of his songs during myjamming session tomorrow, as a tribute to him.
    RIP HARRY BELAFONTE.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Growing up in the 50s and 60s the music and the artists performing wove a tapestry that wrapped us up in a warmth of great memories. Today as we mourn the passing of one of these artists, Harry Belafonte, we can but remember songs and moments that have brought great joy to our formative years. RIP Harry take your rest on the Island In The Sun and watch the Banana Boats come in.

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  26. Thank you Cedric, who writes from Australia, for the warm and enchanting letter you wrote about the demise of Mr Belafonte.

    A singer never to be forgotten...

    Taking this moment to thank more than two dozen comments from readers of this blog who wrote in to tribute our Calypso King.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Manny Said26.4.23

    Manny Said
    Andy Young Right you are. I second your opinion. Jalani’s a fine young man. Handsome and talented. We were together in a band before New Faces doing gigs. It was a fine band. As a matter of fact a great band solid as a rock and so damn tight. We had a great singer. I throughly enjoy it . Unfortunately, back in the day being all Malay musicians, it was considered taboo. Tak boleh charik Makan. So 10 Storey split us up and put me in with New Faces and so the new chapter begins. Truth be told.

    ReplyDelete
  28. FREDA HANUM26.4.23

    Used to play this song Island in the Sun 🏝️ very often at island resorts, suits so well ... RIP HARRY BELAFONTE 🙏

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  29. JIMMY APPUDURAI (GUITARIST EXTRAORDINAIRE)26.4.23


    Freda Hanum lovely Jamaica farewell. Mary's boy child

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  30. Manny Said26.4.23


    Andy Young Right you are. I second your opinion. Jalani’s a fine young man. Handsome and talented. We were together in a band before New Faces doing gigs. It was a fine band. As a matter of fact a great band solid as a rock and so damn tight.

    We had a great singer. I thoroughly enjoyed it . Unfortunately, back in the day being all Malay musicians, it was considered taboo. Tak boleh charik Makan [can't manage to earn a living]. So 10 Storey split us up and put me in with New Faces and so the new chapter begins. Truth be told.

    ReplyDelete
  31. DICK YIP26.4.23


    Andy Young ..am fine as can be. It's like 6th sense to me, for the last 2 months I've been teaching a most enchanting calypso uke style I developed personally " Jumping fingers " in my advanced class and using his great songs.

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  32. IRENE YAP [70S RECORDING ARTISTE]26.4.23


    Though his songs were recorded way earlier probably in the 50s, they were very much requested in the early 70s. Used to sing a medley of Jamaican Farewell, Yellow Bird and Island in the sun with The Pebbles at the Ion Bar.

    A few years back I was teaching my grand daughter to sing the 'Banana Boat' song and had such great fun and laughter at her interpretation of the lyrics. Thank you for the songs and the memories, Harry Belafonte.

    Rest in peace

    ReplyDelete
  33. FRED CHING26.4.23


    My second elder brother and myself used to stand on my Dad’s feet and he would dance me around the room to this song. He and my brother George are both gone now.. but I still have my memories. God bless your soul.. R.I.P. Harry. Gone, but not forgotten!..

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50JW4aHHm5Q

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  34. CEDRIC CORK [DRUMMER]26.4.23

    RIP Harry Belafonte !

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  35. BELINDA SUNSHINE [LEGENDARY BROADCASTER, PROGRAMME/MUSIC DIRECTOR]26.4.23

    So sad to hear of HARRY BELANFONTE's passing. A great singer who touches the hearts of both fans and peers. I always enjoyed him singing MARY'S BOY CHILD one of my favourites. He sings with such fervour and it really is awe inspiring... what a voice the way he caresses the words.

    Rest in peace Harry, continue singing with the angels.

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  36. Thanks Belinda.
    It's an honour to have you visit the blog and pay a tribute to another great music maker.

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  37. WINSTON KOH [THE TRAILERS VOCALIST]26.4.23

    He went home...
    RIP.

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  38. SU JANEY27.4.23


    哈里·贝拉方特是一位传奇的音乐人和歌手,他用他的音乐将加勒比海的文化传递给全世界。他的音乐在许多人心中留下了深刻的印象,无论是那些在他的音乐中长大的人,还是那些后来被他的音乐吸引的人。虽然他已经离开了这个世界,但他留下的音乐将继续在人们的心中流传。让我们怀念哈里·贝拉方特,同时也感谢他为我们带来的美妙音乐。

    [Harry Belafonte is a legendary musician and singer who uses his music to bring Caribbean culture to the world. His music impressed many people, both those who grew up in his music and those who later became attracted to his music. Although he has left this world, the music he left behind will continue to live in people's hearts. Let's miss Harry Belafonte and thank him for the wonderful music he brought us.]

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  39. DICK YIP27.4.23

    In my regular Wed night Uke Jam tonight, we had a special Tribute of calypso songs played and sung in memory of this great singer...Yellow Bird, Marianne, Banana Boat song, Jamaica Farewell, Island in The sun, Mama Look Up Boo-Boo De...

    And I recounted his early life to my group of minstrels.
    🥰🤗🤟🙏🌺🎼🎸🎸🎸🎤

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  40. Yip Dick yes, my friend your photo with a ukulele and banana trees behind is on my Belafonte post. Check it out... Cheers!

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  41. JAMES KWOK27.4.23


    Harry Belafonte in "Carmen Jones"

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIQQakZPU3Y

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  42. CHIT CHAT27.4.23

    Colin Colin
    Irene Yap
    Ericbronson Wong
    James Kwok
    Angela Leow
    Somkid Lakhawat
    Francis Anthony Rozells
    Stephen Han
    Roop Singh
    Fred Ching
    Jennie Law
    Jimmy Appudurai-chua
    Kali Dass S
    Patrick Teng
    Yip Dick
    Ser Kiong Tan
    Patrick Chng
    Jalani Mohamed
    Freda Hanum
    Michael Lee

    MANY THANKS TO THE ABOVE READERS WHO LOVE THIS POST.

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  43. Rest in peace! Another great singer/composer passed away too, Gordon Lightfoot. We are losing all these great names in music one by one.

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  44. Hello there STP
    Thanks for the very positive attitude.
    I must re-visit your blog more often.

    Stay safe with much Blessings!!!

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