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"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 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
44 comments:
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...
That's where i heard of him doin the Banana Boat song.
Love Harry’s songs especially Island In The Sun and Coconut Woman
Well I first heard him at about 16 too but some 10 years after you did.
Oh yeah, but we were sing teh oh teh oh. Haha. May he RIP.
Always sang this popular song Island in the Sun🏝️ during my island resorts performing as soloist for happy hour crowd... RIP HARRY BELAFONTE 🙏
Great Activist
Great Singer
Great Actor
Great Man.
RIP!
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.
Teh Oh!!!
Haha if Andy is still "young" I can't be older..
Thanks Ivor for your informative comment.
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.
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,,🙏🙏🙏
Ericbronson Wong
hey, thanks buddy.
You always deck the hall with lovely pictures.
I am sure Mr Belafonte will be happy to see them.
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.
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...'
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!
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.
I love BANANA BOAT song and like to sing it too.
RIP MR BELAFONTE
AT A RIPE OLD AGE OF 96
PAT BOONE: THE LAST ONE LEFT FROM THAT ERA.
Hi Andy
Growing up I loved listening to all of the songs you mentioned in your tribute piece and still do.
RIP B.
He made calypso a global phenomenon
RIP HARRY.
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.
He was a great singer.
I will sing one of his songs during myjamming session tomorrow, as a tribute to him.
RIP HARRY BELAFONTE.
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.
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.
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.
Used to play this song Island in the Sun 🏝️ very often at island resorts, suits so well ... RIP HARRY BELAFONTE 🙏
Freda Hanum lovely Jamaica farewell. Mary's boy child
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.
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.
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
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
RIP Harry Belafonte !
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.
Thanks Belinda.
It's an honour to have you visit the blog and pay a tribute to another great music maker.
He went home...
RIP.
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.]
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.
🥰🤗🤟🙏🌺🎼🎸🎸🎸🎤
Yip Dick yes, my friend your photo with a ukulele and banana trees behind is on my Belafonte post. Check it out... Cheers!
Harry Belafonte in "Carmen Jones"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIQQakZPU3Y
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.
Rest in peace! Another great singer/composer passed away too, Gordon Lightfoot. We are losing all these great names in music one by one.
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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