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

John Harper's Singapore 50s Music Trail: Part Two

"For this second part, I'll be looking at the influences I encountered on the journey to Singapore and during our time there between 1957 and 1959.

During 1957 to mid 1958 we would go for family meals in Changi Village to either Tong Sing's Restaurant or next door to the air conditioned Milk Bar. The Milk Bar had a juke box and my father would often get up and put some money in and choose a few records. Most embarrasing, even to this day was Max Bygraves singing about those blue and pink toothbrushes. He thought he was putting something amusing on for my brothers an me. Fortunately he realised after only a few times that we were not amused.

1950s Changi Village, Singapore

His other choices always included Harry Belafonte, "Banana Boat Song" and his all time favourite "Island In The Sun". I think "Island In The Sun" was a favourite of the whole family because it more or less summed up our pleasure of being on a beautiful island in the sun that we all loved. Two others I remember from that juke box were "Tequila" and "Yakkety Yak".

A 50's juke-box playing vinyl records

This is where saxophones are beginning to raise their voices and I start to hear them and become interested in the saxophone, never did get round to learning to play one though! However my niece Deborah is a brilliant saxophonist, she actually played the saxaphone as she came down the aisle when she got married!

My own favoured instrument is the guitar and I have played bass guitar in a beat group (mid 60s term there) and played rhythm guitar in a few folk scenarios. With electric guitars I like a nice clean but twangy sound with bags of echo but do enjoy the sound of a good acoustic guitar played in a folky style. I think the twangy sound hit me when I first heard Duane Eddy playing "Rebel Rouser", it also has some evocative saxaphone working away contrapuntaly. Listening to it today it strikes me how it has a lot of amplitude tremolo and bags of echo.

Young Connie Francis

It was at this time that I became aware of vocal harmonies though I probably could not have described how it was done, my understanding of chords was to come a couple of years later from a school music lesson and when I took up playing the guitar. Liking of folky and country styles of music probably came from hearing Slim Dusty, mentioned in part one.

*Probably the greatest exponents of vocal harmony were the Everly brothers with "Bye Bye Love", "Wake Up Little Susie" and "Bird Dog". On the female front there are some nice harmonies going on on some of Connie Francis' records. I don't know whether this is another person singing with Connie or whether it is a second part sung by Connie and dubbed, However it was done, the effect is melodic and provides a warm richness to the music. Notable hits of this time, to me, were "Stupid Cupid" and "Who's Sorry Now".

Tommy Steele - British Pops late 1950s

Elvis appeared on the scene during these years and some of the favourite songs to sing on the bus to school along with the Everly Brothers "Bye Bye Love" were "Teddy Bear" and "Wear My Ring Around Your Neck". Also in there was Tommy Steele's "Singing The Blues". I think Sam Cooke's "Only Sixteen" was released just before we left to return back to the UK but might have been after we arrived back in England.

The Everly Brothers recorded album in mid 1966 but it didn't sell well.

In the third part I'll be looking at the rest of 1957 covering August to December which is the time we arrived back in England, just before the August Bank Holiday, our time in a transit hotel in Blackpool and our moving to Yorkshire."

Original article: John Harper Copyrights Reserved.

Same Cooke

(*It was at this time of the decade when vocal duets like The Blue Diamonds from Holland, The Cyclones comprising Siva and James Choy hit the Singapore stage with their own rendition of songs in harmony. Following the popular trend there were a few ladies who were called the "Connie Francis of Singapore". Up to this day no one really knows who owns the title or if there was ever such a singing competition honouring this singer with the clear diction and powerhouse vocals. Andy Lim.)

Images: from Google.

At The Market, Ladies Cry Out, "Salt Fish Is Nice"

The Ministry of Environment and Water Resources Facebook above highlights this blog's posting about hawkers and their calls. Thank you MEWR.

Even in another 60s pop song there is a description of the market place. A well-known calypso Jamaica Farewell, originally by Harry Belafonte, is another example that tells of ladies crying out their wares.

Jamaica Farewell by Lord Erving Burgess

(Only part of the song)

Down the way where the nights are gay
And the sun shines daily on the mountain top
I took a trip on a sailing ship
And when I reached Jamaica I made a stop

Chorus:

Down at the market you can hear
Ladies cry out while on their head they bear
*Ackie rice and salt fish is nice
And the rum is good any time of year

(*Ackee rice refers to the fruit of a tropical tree indigenous to the Ivory Coast taken to Jamaica in 1793. It is poisonous but if properly prepared is used as food additive.

Other well-known singers of Jamaica Farewell  include Kingston Trio, Sir Lancelot, Brothers Four, Sam Cooke, Nina n Frederik, Carly Simon and Sting. Information from Wikipedia).

Do you know of other pop 60s songs that refer to the market place and food calls?

Images from Ministry of Environment and Water Resources and Google.
Original article by Andy Lim.
You Tube Video by: aladywriter.

Connect: https://www.facebook.com/#!/MEWRsingapore

http://singapore60smusic.blogspot.sg/2011/02/singapore-street-hawker-calls-and-elvis.html

Of Wedding Bells, House, Baby, Papa And Mama

(a): 'Mama looka Boo Boo,' they shout.

Their mother tol' them, 'Shut up your mouth,

That is your daddy.'

'Oh no. My daddy can't be ugly so!'

'Shut your mouth, go away...'

(b): Somebody bad stole de wedding bell

Somebody bad stole de wedding bell

Somebody know but nobody tell

Cause somebody bad stole the wedding bell

Who's got the ding, dong, who's got the bell...

The songs I listened to during my youth are the ones I still remember today. The tunes and lyrics spin in my head all the time and can be turned on immediately. It's like clicking on to the song-list of an mp3 player or an i-phone. The explanation follows the list below:

l. Where Will The Dimple Be? - Rosemary Clooney

2. House Of Bamboo - Earl Grant

3. Looking For Henry Lee - Jo Stafford

4. High Noon - Frankie Laine

5. Ivory Tower - Gale Storm

6. Papa Loves Mama - Donald Peers

7. Somebody Bad Stole De Wedding Bell - Georgia Gibbs

8. Mama Looka Boo Boo - Harry Belafonte

Can you still remember the songs you love?

1> Rosemary Clooney (image), who is George Clooney's aunt, used to be a pop singer in the 50s and 60s and her version of, Where Will The Dimple Be (1955) was a favourite on Radio Singapore's request programme, Calling All Hospitals where Maisie Conciecao was the DJ (we use the term, 'announcer' those days). It was the most requested song for a baby dedication. And KK (Kandang Kerbau) Hospital was the maternity hospital then.

4> Tall and lanky actor Cary Cooper, the male lead in High Noon, was one of the icons for Westerns. The movie was a hit when it was shown in Singapore, drawing crowds at the cinemas. High Noon, the song (1952), by Tex Ritter, was a request favourite and played on the air everyday. The Frankie Laine version was more popular locally.

6> When Papa Loves Mama (1960) came on the air, it became the anthem for many Singapore families and a favourite for dancing the cha-cha-cha. The original and only version I know is by Donald Peers; so in this instance it's the song, not the singer. The giggling girl accompanying Peers could be Joan Regan.

7, 8> The other novelty tunes on my list, Somebody Bad Stole De Wedding Bell (1954) and Mama Looka Boo Boo (1956) must be heard to be appreciated. With humorous lyrics and a grand calypso beat, these two classics are hardly played on the radio today. The Georgia Gibbs version of SBSTWB is unavailable on You Tube. MLBB by Belafonte is on You Tube, accompanied by Nat King Cole (side-bar). Great songs for kids too!

(c): On the baby's knuckle, on the baby's knee,

Where will the baby's dimple be?

Baby's cheek or baby's chin

Seems to me it'll be a sin

If it's always covered by the safety pin...

Shall we discuss the other songs on another posting? Are you familiar with any of these songs?

Naturally BBC: English Gentleman Without The Stiff Upper Lip - Larry Lai Interview - (Part II)

Backstage with Larry, songstress Frances Yip in silver, before a show. 

"You speak and behave like an English gentleman. All you need is a bowler hat, an umbrella with a whangee handle and polished leather shoes. Like John Steed in The Avengers?" That was the truth about this celebrity broadcaster because he did not have a phoney accent and spoke as naturally as the announcers on BBC. And according to him, "The BBC was where I learnt my trade... yes... listening to the station daily... from home." So as we started on our Katong laksa, Larry Lai, who never liked to talk about himself, reluctantly related in impeccable Queen's English his 18 year relationship with Rediffusion.

He came with his family from Shanghai, China, had his education at Pearl's Hill Primary and studied commercial subjects at Outram Secondary. He started as a Rediffusion announcer in 1960 with Tan Swee Leong. They had replaced Tan Hock Lye and Steven Lee who left for Radio Singapore. Being a broadcaster was challenging but he loved his profession at the station, working with the Rediffusion family until he retired as manager and producer in 1978.

Straits Times Advertisement 29th September, 1966.

Larry remembered how difficult the job could be. Besides doing the routines where he had to broadcast, make announcements, play music requests, prepare scripts, etc. in the studio, Larry had also to carry out extra curricular activities outside.

When his boss Len Thorne phoned him in December, 1961 to interview U.S. crooner Frank Sinatra at Singapore Airport, he lugged his heavy, bulky tape recorder and sped all the way to the tarmac hoping to get a scoop. He was excited when Sinatra finally emerged from the plane but before he could approach "Ol' Blue Eyes", the singer made an about turn and disappeared. Larry was so upset, he refused to play Sinatra records on air for a week!

On another occasion, he and Tan Swee Leong climbed a tree, risking broken bones, to catch a glimpse of 60s Calypso singer Harry Belafonte at the Raffles Hotel. When the singer saw them perching precariously beneath the pale moon and fearing their safety, he quickly agreed to the interview. It was an exclusive for Rediffusion and a pat on the back for the "terrible twins" (Lai & Tan).

Clockwise: Larry Lai with the late Reim de Wolffe [Blue Diamonds], 

Andy [Blogger/Silver Strings], the late Jap Chong, Vernon [Quests].

But then there were other moments of joy too when Larry compered game shows with beautiful, perfume scented ladies. Like when he hosted and interviewed Philippino songbird Teresa Carpio, Hong Kong superstar Jennie Tseng (sidebar image), Cathay Pacific's ambassador, Frances Yip (above image) and other glamorous celebrities during live shows at the National and Victoria theatres, cinemas, shopping malls and the Rediffusion auditorium.

At this point of the interview I interrupted him and asked, "And the lady in your life, Larry. Tell us about your very pretty wife. We've been introduced, so perhaps you'd like to recall how you met her the first time? "

"Oh," he said, "that's with Saloma and Ahmad Daud... at the Lido Cinema. And she was with this gentleman. But it's another story... "

Image: Larry Lai Collection: (The lady next to Frances Yip is Katherine Kan from an earlier metamorphosis of Media Corp, possibly RTS. It was backstage at the National Theatre during an end-of-year show in the early 80s.)

Original Article: Andy Lim.

Check out: Saturday, May 08, 2010
Larry Lai King Of Singapore 60s Airwaves (Pt I)

'Banana Boat Song' Calypso Music 60s (Pt I)

SONGS I LOVE:

UP TO 2,000 VIEWS

(While searching for songs to entertain my grandson, I remember The Banana Boat Song with its sunny island rhythm, bongo backing and repetitive lyrics. Up till today his, "Day-o, day-o," has kept many neighbours wide awake.)

In the 50s and 60s when calypso music (from Trinidad) made its debut in Singapore and when Harry Belafonte (image below) became a household name with his signature song, nearly every Singaporean went crazy with this Jamaican folk.

Just as busy and in the limelight today Harry Belafonte is a thinker, a civil rights activist, a political and humanitarian activist and chairs many seminars dealing with racial prejudice.

Although its origin is not completely known, it is calypso and usually sung by Jamaican banana field workers who work on plantations and banana dock workers who load the fruit on the boats. They improvise the lyrics from time to time but the most common reference is "daylight come and we wan' go home".

Explanation:

1) Come Mr Tally Man, tally me banana/Daylight come and we wanna go home = when daylight comes and the shift is over, they want their work to be counted (tally) so that they can go home.

2) Six foot, seven foot, eight-foot bunch = the length of banana combs.

3) Hide the deadly black tarantula = these spiders are found on the bananas.

For younger listeners, the song was used in the comedy film, Beetlejuice where during the dinner scene, the possessed guests sang and danced,

*The Banana Boat Song.

Day-o, day-ay-ay-o/Daylight come and me wan' go home/Day-o, day-ay-ay-o/Daylight come and me wan' go home

Work all night on a drink of rum/Daylight come and me wan' go home/Stack banana till de morning come/Daylight come and me wan' go home/Come, Mister tally man, tally me banana/Daylight come and me wan' go home/Come, Mister tally man, tally me banana/Daylight come and me wan' go home

Lift six foot, seven foot, eight foot bunch/Daylight come and me wan' go home/Six foot, seven foot, eight foot bunch/Daylight come and me wan' go home/Day, me say day-ay-ay-o/Daylight come and me wan' go home/Day, me say day, me say day, me say day/Daylight come and me wan' go home

Beautiful bunch of ripe banana/Daylight come and me wan' go home/Hide the deadly black taransla/Daylight come and me wan' go home/Lift six foot, seven foot, eight foot bunch/Daylight come and me wan' go home

The black taransla = tarantula. These spiders are found in between the 6,7, or 8 bunches.

Six foot, seven foot, eight foot bunch/Daylight come and me wan' go ho
me/Day, me say day-ay-ay-o/Daylight come and me wan' go home/Day, me say day, me say day, me say day/Daylight come and me wan' go home/Come, Mister tally man, tally me banana/Daylight come and me wan' go home

Come, Mister tally man, tally me banana/Daylight come and me wan' go home/Day-o, day-ay-ay-oDaylight come and me wan' go home/Day, me say day, me say day, me say day....ay-ay-o/Daylight come and me wan' go home...

No underlying meaning. The slow version lulls my second grandchild to sleep. A beautiful song indeed. But maybe it's not a song for children? "Work all night on a drink of rum..." But the version by Wiggles group from Australia dismisses it all.

More than 6 foot, 7 foot or 8 foot. They are bunches of bananas, rhyming beautifully with the song. Below pix shows DICK YIP, our ukulele champion singing the same song beside his own bunch in his own garden. Cheers.

Image: From Andy Lim's Kitchen.

*http://www.digihitch.com/road-culture/music-lyrics/419

**http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqFSXcrPdyw

Mary's Boy Child Harry Belafonte 60s Christmas

SONGS I LOVE:

Mary's Boy Child is a 1956 Christmas song, written by Jester Hairston, first sung by Belafonte and covered by more than 30 singers far and wide.

Mary`s Boy Child (Harry Belafonte)

Long time ago in Bethlehem

So the Holy Bible say

Mary's boy child, Jesus Christ

Was born on Christmas day.

Hark, now hear the angels sing

A new King born today

And man will live forever more

Because of Christmas day.

While shepherds watched their flock by night

And see a bright new shining star

And hear a choir sing

The music seem to come from afar.

Now Joseph and his wife Mary

Come to Bethlehem that night

And find no place to born swee' child

Not a single room was in sight.

Hark, now hear the angels sing

A new King born today

And man will live forever more

Because of Christmas day.

By and by they find a little nook

In a stable all forlorn

And in a manger cold and dark

Mary's little boy was born.

Hark, now hear the angels sing

A new King born today

And man will live forever more

Because of Christmas day.

From: You Tube: Inky261. Thank You!

'We Are The World' Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Harry Belafonte, Stevie Wonder, Kenny Rogers, Tina Turner, Diana Ross, Paul Simon

This song is not from the 60s but some singers are, and as a tribute to Michael Jackson, it has to be posted. It is one of the greatest pop songs and it helped to raise much money for the poor in Africa.

We Are The World was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, produced and directed by Quincey Jones and performed by 45 of the best of America's current pop singers. Island In The Sun, 60s Calypso singing sensation Harry Belafonte suggested it, and proceeds from the single and album helped relief organizations in Ethiopia, Sudan and other African countries.

Michael Jackson skipped the American Music Awards ceremony that night, to record the chorus of the song, as a guide to the other singers. The lyrics and melody are similar, but each star put his or her own style of delivery. The whole gigantic effort, Hands Across America raised about $100 million for famine relief. Both the single and album won 1985 Grammies for Song of the Year and Album of the Year.

The singers, starting with Lionel Ritchie were, in order of appearance: Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Kenny Rogers, James Ingram, Tina Turner, Billy Joel, the late Michael Jackson and Diana Ross.

Then a new verse with Dionne Warwick, Willie Nelson, Al Jarreau, Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Loggins, Steve Perry, Daryl Hall, Huey Lewis, Cyndi Lauper, Kim Carnes, Bob Dylan and the late Ray Charles.

Backup singers were: Dan Aykroyd, Harry Belafonte, Lindsey Buckingham, The News, Sheila E.,Bob Geldof, Jackie Jackson, LaToya Jackson, Marlon Jackson, Randy Jackson, Tito Jackson, Waylon Jennings, Bette Midler, John Oates, Jeffrey Osborne, The Pointer Sisters, Smokey Robinson.

Watch out for the Springsteen, Wonder combination and the final fade out, going one full circle with Lionel Ritchie. Quincey Jones conducted and those who didn't turn up were: Linda Ronstadt, Madonna, Pat Benatar and Prince.

Catch them as they sing?

Original article: Andy Lim Collection.

From: http://www.open.saloon.com/