Can anyone shed some light on the lack of preserved recordings of the following renditions: -
1) Mama Dis is Mas by Desperados
2) Ascot Gavotte by Starlift
These are the first two that immediately come to mind. There are, no doubt, many more. The fact that I heard these on Radio Trinidad back in the day, I know they must have been recorded. Somehow every time Mama Dis Is Mas is mentioned, only North Stars or Highlanders is offered as recordings.
Has someone placed Despers’ version in a safe place and forgotten where?
Regarding Starlift, I know there was an album back in 1964/65 which featured Ascot Gavotte, I feel Pretty, and possibly Brazil (memory not very reliable these days).
Anyway, I have searched high and low on the Internet and can find nothing. Not even when I searched Cook Records. Most of their catalogue was left to The Smithsonian institute. Their Trinidad recordings however were purchased by someone in Trinidad and therefore cannot be re-released.
Does anyone have any information?
Replies
My suggestion is to get in touch with the mentioned bands. They may be the best source. If not the COTT (Copyright Org of T&T. If not get in touch with Ray Holman the arranger of Starlift at the time. He just might have an old copy in his stacks. Not sure of who was the arranger of Despers at the time but you can get in touch with the local Radio Stations especially the older ones.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQgEYtdTm58 Previously uploaded by Glenroy Joseph on this forum. He is another source of old time hits to ask.
Thanks Sidd,
Beverley G was arranger at the time I used to hear him play it on the piano with my cousin's band.
Yes I thought so too but didn't want to put his name. Thanks for the great music in the sixties fetes and records.