Members pogo97 Posted April 19, 2015 Members Share Posted April 19, 2015 My next retirement home gig has, I'm told, a Caribbean theme. Much as I like Calypso, Reggae, etc. it's not a big part of my repertoire. I'll probably plump it up with some bossa nova and maybe even trot out the only Jimmy Buffet tune I do, "Nautical Wheelers," even though neither bossa nova nor Buffet are strictly "Caribbean." And some from my songbook: REGGAEBook of RulesStir it UpI Can See Clearly CALYPSOMatildaOld Man and DonkeyIf You Want to Be Happy CUBANSiboneyEl Manisero (The Peanut Vendor) BOSSA NOVABossa DoradoThe Girl from IpanemaHow InsensitiveManha de CarnavalOne Note SambaQuiet Nights of Quiet Stars (Corcovado)Summer Samba (So Nice)Watch What Happens Any other suggestions? I have a "plays old music" reputation to uphold, so the older the better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted April 19, 2015 Moderators Share Posted April 19, 2015 Mentally playing my Harry Belafonte records...classic calypso stuff [i was in a calypso band {the only American, and only 'white boy'} in the mid 70s, but we mainly did covers of pop standards with steel drums]Hold'im Joe,Shake, Shake Shake, Senora [was used in Beetlejuice!]Man Smart, Woman SmarterDay-o [the banana boat song] mentally looking at my Burning Spear, Jimmy Cliff and Marley recordsNo, Woman, No CryRastaman VibrationMarcus Garvey [maybe not for a retirement home-'no food to eat, no money to spend']The Harder They ComeRoots Rock Reggae [This Is Reggae Music]One Love / People Get Ready there is also a whole 'salsa caribe' subgenre of latin jazz, but I am not very knowledgeable on this at all...Cuban and Dominican, merengues, boleros... I see you do 'Manha de Carnival'...I have not played that in ages...I think I will go refresh that one...I like the Baden Powell version better than Joan Baez'... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pogo97 Posted April 19, 2015 Author Members Share Posted April 19, 2015 Mentally playing my Harry Belafonte records...classic calypso stuff [i was in a calypso band {the only American' date= and only 'white boy'} in the mid 70s, but we mainly did covers of pop standards with steel drums] Hold'im Joe, Shake, Shake Shake, Senora [was used in Beetlejuice!] Man Smart, Woman Smarter Day-o [the banana boat song] mentally looking at my Burning Spear, Jimmy Cliff and Marley records No, Woman, No Cry Rastaman Vibration Marcus Garvey [maybe not for a retirement home-'no food to eat, no money to spend'] The Harder They Come Roots Rock Reggae [This Is Reggae Music] One Love / People Get Ready there is also a whole 'salsa caribe' subgenre of latin jazz, but I am not very knowledgeable on this at all...Cuban and Dominican, merengues, boleros... I see you do 'Manha de Carnival'...I have not played that in ages...I think I will go refresh that one...I like the Baden Powell version better than Joan Baez'... Wow! What a great bunch of suggestions. I could do some instrumentally (as I'll do with any Spanish/Portugese songs). "Hold 'em Joe" is a great song. I'd forgotten about it. I first heard it by Andre Toussaint from the Bahamas. Wonderful version from a wonderful album. Couldn't find it on YouTube but here's an iTunes link: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/ho...86?i=606539484 I'll have to check out: Shake, Shake Shake, Senora [was used in Beetlejuice!] Roots Rock Reggae [This Is Reggae Music] I learned "Manha de Carnival" from the soundtrack of "Black Orpheus," a fabulous film and a must for anyone interested in music at all. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwn4vYR_3Y4 maybe not for a retirement home-'no food to eat, no money to spend' yeah, nor Concrete Jungle, I suppose, or Burning and Looting nor Kinky Reggae it's interesting how the popular image of Bob Marley has been co-opted and modified since his death there is also a whole 'salsa caribe' subgenre of latin jazz, but I am not very knowledgeable on this at all...Cuban and Dominican, merengues, boleros That's okay. It's a mistake, I think, to cast too wide a net in case you can't pull it in. I have some depth of listening in calypso and reggae (a little depth, anyway) and a smattering of other genres but it's a big big sea, that Caribbean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted April 19, 2015 Moderators Share Posted April 19, 2015 I remembered Manha from Black Orpheus [yes, probably the best Brazilian film of the 50/60s], and remembered the Baez version [and Astrid Gilberto's], with the singing...but I needed to learn it a few years back for a duet gig, and it was strictly instrumental, so the version was more of my guideline, as well as the Luis Bonfa version. I learned it on steel string acoustic, a bit more challenging, IMHO, than on classical/nylon. funny, now [years after learning it] I see there are tutorials and dozens of lesson versions...dang! Marley's 'One Love' can be a great singalong song if done right, btw... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Notes_Norton Posted April 20, 2015 Members Share Posted April 20, 2015 Anything Bob Marley, "I Shot The Sheriff", "Three Little Birds", "Is This Love", "Buffalo Soldiers" are some of the best received ones. "Hot Hot Hot" (Arrow version, not the wimped out Buster Poindexter one) - Soca (sometimes Calypso songs can be modernized with a soca beat). "Big Panty Woman" is cute, but not recognizable in North America. "Maryanne (Mary Ann)", "Man Smart Woman Smarter", "Shame And Scandal", "Rum And Coca-Cola" "Mama Look A Bo Bo" "Big Bamboo" "Jump In De Line" are calypso offerings. "Yellow Bird" "Jamaica Farewell" and "Island In The Sun" go well with an older crowd. Notes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted April 20, 2015 Moderators Share Posted April 20, 2015 ah, 'Jump in de Line'...I should have remembered that one! 'Rum and Coca Cola'...the Andrews Sisters covered that one...perfect for Pogo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ski219 Posted April 20, 2015 Members Share Posted April 20, 2015 Sloop John B. What Do You Do WIth A Drunken Sailor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted April 20, 2015 Moderators Share Posted April 20, 2015 I think of those as more sea chantys than calypso... ah, then there is always Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pogo97 Posted April 20, 2015 Author Members Share Posted April 20, 2015 ah' date=' then there is always Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Shaster Posted April 20, 2015 Members Share Posted April 20, 2015 Last few times I played an old folks home, Jamaica Farewell was king. Girl From Ipanema and Yellow Bird were also very popular. Matilda was not so much - I think that one needs Harry to deliver it. A calypso version of Stand By Me would probably go over. Even, Dock of The Bay done as is. That tune rocks the retirement homes that I've played. Calypso versions of Beatles tunes could also work, as the Beatles (and Elvis) are big now, well back then, well you know what I mean... Instrumentals: St. Thomas usually fits the "island" vibe. Blue Bossa is another easy one to consider. I don't know why, but Black Orpheus is not a go to song for me anymore. Maybe too many years of playing it. Maybe because I sang it at a birthday, or maybe a wedding, and realized that "a day in the life of a fool" was not an appropriate lyric. Good tune though. Hot Hot Hot - well if you need to get a conga line started, that's the tune to do it. Just be careful with the old folks. Last time I started a conga line, I almost lost someone in the pool! Perils of outdoor gigs. And way back when, I did one on a harbour cruise. The whole conga line decided to go downstairs, and for what seemed like an eternity, I was playing to no one. They did eventually come back upstairs, but that was surreal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pogo97 Posted April 21, 2015 Author Members Share Posted April 21, 2015 Instrumentals: ...realized that "a day in the life of a fool" was not an appropriate lyric. Good tune though. The English lyrics are idiotic. As are the English lyrics of "The Peanut Vendor" "Siboney" and 'way too many other latin songs. What a parasitic little industry -- provide stupid English lyrics for foreign songs and watch the money roll in. For me it's either learn Spanish/Portungese or play them instrumentally. Easy choice, since it's the music that caught my ear in the first place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pogo97 Posted April 21, 2015 Author Members Share Posted April 21, 2015 Anything Bob Marley, "I Shot The Sheriff", "Three Little Birds", "Is This Love", "Buffalo Soldiers" are some of the best received ones. "Hot Hot Hot" (Arrow version, not the wimped out Buster Poindexter one) - Soca (sometimes Calypso songs can be modernized with a soca beat). "Big Panty Woman" is cute, but not recognizable in North America. "Maryanne (Mary Ann)", "Man Smart Woman Smarter", "Shame And Scandal", "Rum And Coca-Cola" "Mama Look A Bo Bo" "Big Bamboo" "Jump In De Line" are calypso offerings. "Yellow Bird" "Jamaica Farewell" and "Island In The Sun" go well with an older crowd. Notes You are a cornucopia of useful advice and I thank you, Notes Norton. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted April 21, 2015 Moderators Share Posted April 21, 2015 You're reaction, although cribbed, is completely understandable....I'm sure you noticed that was not in my original suggestions... And, yes, Norton is a fount of info! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pogo97 Posted April 23, 2015 Author Members Share Posted April 23, 2015 You're reaction, although cribbed, is completely understandable....I'm sure you noticed that was not in my original suggestions... Yes. The Beach Boys recorded some great songs and some emetic crud. "Kokomo" is among the latter. Successful, though. What's with that? The trick for this gig is to play familiar Caribbean songs without violating my policy of only playing songs I enjoy listening to. I need about fifteen at most. Here's my long list at the moment: Samba de Uma Nota Só (One Note Samba) Antonio Carlos Jobim The Girl from Ipanema Antonio Carlos Jobim, Astrud Gilberto, Joao Gilberto & Stan Getz So Nice (Summer Samba) Astrud Gilberto & Walter Wanderley Trio Black Orpheus_ Manha de Carnaval Breno Mello Corcovado (Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars) Frank Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim Dayo (Banana Boat Song) Aaron Collins Matilda Aaron Collins Jamaica Farewell The Air Canada Steel Orchestra Mr. Walker Sparrow Big Bamboo Sparrow Old Man and Donkey Sparrow Yellow Bird Steel Band Hold 'm Joe Andre Toussaint Out On the Rolling Sea Bahamian Traditional Singers Canto Siboney Alfredo Brito El Manisero (The Peanut Vendor) Don Azpiazu Shame and Scandal Ainsworth Rose I Shot the Sheriff Bob Marley One Love/People Get Ready Bob Marley No Woman No Cry Bob Marley Three Little Birds Bob Marley The Israelites Desmond Dekker & The Aces Book of Rules The Heptones I Can See Clearly Now Johnny Nash Rivers Of Babylon The Melodians Pomp and Pride Toots & The Maytals Sweet And Dandy Toots & The Maytals Stop That Train The Wailers Stir It Up The Wailers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted April 23, 2015 Moderators Share Posted April 23, 2015 Good compilation! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pogo97 Posted April 23, 2015 Author Members Share Posted April 23, 2015 Vivian Vance sings "Yellow Bird" [video=youtube;F4fhEgIcGE0] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pogo97 Posted April 28, 2015 Author Members Share Posted April 28, 2015 First the pool gets bigger, then it gets smaller again. I've expanded my list of Calypsos (and Mentos and Goombays) that I think are most likely known outside the West Indies plus a couple I especially like. The performer is usually the originator of the song, where I could find one, rather than the American popularizer. Big Bamboo Lord CreatorBoo Boo Man (Mama Look a Boo Boo) Lord Melody And The Caribbean All StarsBrown Skin Gal Unknown Female SingerChoucoune (Yellow Bird) Emy de Pradines et son orchestreDay-O (The Banana Boat Song) Lord Foodoos And His Calypso BandDrink-a-Rum Lord KitchenerGin & Coconut Water Wilmoth HoudiniHold 'm Joe Mac Beth The GreatIsland in the Sun Count Owen And His CalypsoniansIsland Woman Vincent Martin and the BahamiansJamaica Farewell Harry BelafonteJean & Dina SparrowJohn B Sail (The Wreck of the John B) Blind Blake & The Royal Victoria Hotel CalypsosLabel Labor Day (Jump in the Line) Lord KitchenerMan Smart Woman Smarter (Not Me) King RadioMary Ann Roaring LionMatilda King RadioMr. Walker SparrowOld Man and Donkey SparrowOut On the Rolling Sea Bahamian Traditional SingersRum and Coca Cola Lord InvaderShame and Scandal Sir LancelotUgly Woman Roaring Lion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted April 28, 2015 Moderators Share Posted April 28, 2015 ah, Ugly Woman, I forgot about thay one..'if you wanna be happy fo' de res'o'yo' lyf..'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Notes_Norton Posted April 29, 2015 Members Share Posted April 29, 2015 Thanks for the kind words. The list looks great to me. Remember, what we do is play memories. As long as most people recognize most of the songs, you should do just fine. Personally I like Soca and Salsa the best, but a lot of my favorites wouldn't go over with a plain, vanilla, B-flat audience, so as with all my songs, I compromise, play most of them for the audience, and sprinkle in a few for myself. Notes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pogo97 Posted April 30, 2015 Author Members Share Posted April 30, 2015 I'm trying to strike a balance here. The recreation director asked me to include some Caribbean material because "it's Caribbean month." The residents enjoy me for my old (pre-1950) popular songs. So I'm trying to do songs they might know. But that gets a bit uncertain when you're talking world music. In addition to calypso, I want to include some Cuban music that was popular in North America in the 30s/40s: Siboney, Peanut Vendor, Amapola, Green Eyes, and that's where I run out of titles. Googling "Cuban songs that were popular in the USA" didn't get me very far. There are almost certainly more, but finding them (or "English" songs based on Cuban melodies) is proving challenging. I'll likely cover a few pseudo-latin songs, like "Begin the Beguine" and songs that lend themselves to a latin feel, like "For All We Know" or "I've Got You Under My Skin." I've got a couple of weeks to find them and polish them up. I love Soca, but it's really too recent for this crowd and just me on piano seems a bit thin to try to cover, say, "Pump it Up" or "Hot Hot Hot" or (god forbid!) "Who Let the Dogs Out." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted April 30, 2015 Moderators Share Posted April 30, 2015 Look up Desi Arnaz if you want popular cubano material from that era...'Cuban Pete' comes to mind right away...and there is also, of course, Xavier Cugat... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pogo97 Posted April 30, 2015 Author Members Share Posted April 30, 2015 Thanks, daddymack. Would you do this for me, please? Would you go through the list below (from iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/100-cuban-100-essential-cuban/id658749723 $5.99) and delete any you don't recognise. I'm assuming that the remaining songs are, somehow, "known" and I'll give them special listening attention. Adios Machito & His Afro CubansAdios Palma Soriano Benny MoréAsia Minor Mario BauzaBabalu Desi ArnazBarbaro del Ritmo Beny Moré y su Banda GiganteBee Ree Bee Kym Bee Machito & His Afro CubansBesito de Coco Celio González & La Sonora MatanceraBien, Bien, Bien Machito & His Afro CubansBodas de Oro Ibrahim FerrerBongo Fiesta Machito & His Afro CubansCanción Mario BauzaCandido Tito PuenteCao Cao Mani Picao Celia CruzCarnival In Rio Desi Arnaz & His OrchestraCógele el Golpe Israel "Cachao" LópezComiendo y Cantando Pio LevyaComo Esta Mi Conuco Benny MoréComo la Piel de Canela Ibrahim FerrerComo Lo Decia El Raul DiazConocí la Paz Benny MoréCuba Libre Xavier Cugat & His Waldorf OrchestraCuban Love Song Xavier CugatCuban Rock Pérez PradoCubana Chant Arthur LymanCubana Mulatta Les BaxterDescarga Cubana Israel "Cachao" LópezDon Pantaleon Celio GonzálezEl Amor Es una Cosa Esplenndosa Rubén GonzálezEl Bodeguero Orquesta AragónEl Botellero Ibrahim FerrerEl Cumbanchero Desi Arnaz & His OrchestraEl Jarabe Loco El Negro PeregrinoEl Mecanico Ibrahim FerrerEl Platanal de Bartolo Con Los Bocucos & Ibrahim FerrerEl Yayabo Rubén GonzálezEn Guantanamo Abelardo BarrosoEscucha, Dos Trompetas Israel "Cachao" LópezEso Se Hincha La Sonora MatanceraEstudio en Trompeta Israel "Cachao" LópezFrancisco Guayabal Beny MoréGuajiro de Verdad Benny MoréGuede Zaina Celia CruzHabana Camilo Ibrahim FerrerIsle of Cuba Les BaxterLa Campina Cubana Alfredito Valdez & Trio CaneyLos Tres Violins Rubén GonzálezMacorina Pio LevyaMadre Rumba Celia CruzMambo a la Savoy Machito & His Afro CubansMambo Cubano Pérez Prado and His OrchestraMambo del Amor Celia CruzMambo Inn Machito & His Afro CubansMambo Mucho Mambo Machito & His Afro CubansMango Mangue Aldemaro RomeroMarianao Benny MoréMe Diras Que Sabroso Compay SegundoMe Voy a Morón Benny MoréMelao de Cana Celia CruzMerengues, No Bebo Valdés & Sabor de CubaMi Oriente Ibrahim Ferrer & Conjunto Los BocucosMicaela Cortijo & His ComboMonte Adentro Ibrahim FerrerMosaico Lecuona Cuban BoysNo Hay Tierra Como La Mia Benny MoréNo Lo Hago Mas Vicentico ValdesNosotros Rubén GonzálezNuestras Vidas.... Mi Corazón Es para Ti (De la Rosa) Rubén GonzálezOboe Mambo Machito & His Afro CubansOkiedoke Charlie Parker & Machito & His Afro Cuban OrchestraOye Mi Ritmo Omara PortuondoOyela, Gozala Celia CruzPatricia Pérez PradoPerhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps Desi Arnaz & His OrchestraQue Bueno Baila Usted Beny MoréQue Voy Hacer Celia CruzRecuerdo de Varadero Pio LevyaRossana Ibrahim FerrerRumbas Cubanas Lecuona Cuban BoysSantiago de Cuba Benny MoréSorpresa de Flauta Israel "Cachao" LópezSoy Campesino Benny MoréSoy del Monte Benny MoréSuena Tu Bongo Roberto FazTabelen Orlando ContrerasTanga, Pa Katanga Israel "Cachao" LópezTico Tico Desi ArnazTin Tin Deo Chano PozoTinguaro Tito PuenteTirando Tiro Bebo ValdésToque Oyo Angel RolandoTremendo Cumban Machito & His Afro CubansTrombon Criollo Israel "Cachao" LópezTu No Eres Nadie Tito PuenteTumba Celia CruzVoy Pa' Mayari Compay SegundoYa Soy Feliz Ibrahim FerrerYa Tu Lo Ves Campeon Chapotin & His EstrellasYayabo Orquesta RiversideYo Si Tumbo Cana Cuarteto D'AidaZambia Machito Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted May 1, 2015 Moderators Share Posted May 1, 2015 how soon do you need this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pogo97 Posted May 1, 2015 Author Members Share Posted May 1, 2015 I don't, really. Just hoping to add some meaning to your otherwise empty hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted May 1, 2015 Moderators Share Posted May 1, 2015 Bless your little black heart! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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