To me, as a Trinidadian born in a certain era, this is the best and most meaningful piece of street theatre ever recorded on audio.In 1956, a brash young singer who called himself the Mighty Sparrow was just about to establish his dominance of the calypso world that would last decades.We were being introduced to rock and roll music with hits like Bill Haley's "Rock Around the clock"This was the year that Dr Eric Williams and the Peoples National Movement changed Trinidad politics for ever.The steel-band was beginning to explore its potential as a serious musical entity, and had already established itself as the predominant musical sound on the road at Trinidad's carnival.The local music scene was changing, but it was still a time when a band could learn a tune overnight to be played on the road, as happened with "Yankees Gone", which had won Sparrow the Calypso crown the night before at Dimanche Gras.On J'ouvert morning that year, American audiophile Emory Cook hung up his microphones on Frederic Street, Port of Spain and recorded the proceedings as the steel-bands paraded by.The steel-bands featured were North Stars playing 'Puerto Rican Mambo', Starland - 'Back Bay Shuffle',Invaders-'Yankees Gone' Cairo-"Yankees Gone".and Trinidad All Stars playing Puerto Rico Mambo.Interestingly, only one calypso was played by the steelbands as they paraded by.A brass band also hurried by in the quick tempo style that was popular with those bands back then in contrast to the more laid back tempo of the steel-bands.You can also clearly hear the sound of hundreds of feet "chippin" along to the music.Interestingly , the band Starland was led by a youth named Clarence Curvan who also played bass, and the arranger was another youngster named Beverly Griffith.As we all know, both these young men were to become musical icons of T&T.
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Clive Bradley, as a young arranger, had two bombs, Poor People In Paris and I Who Have Nothing, with his Diego Martin band, Mellow Stars. Also, Ebonintes dropped Slaugher On Tenth Avenue.
My information was that Emory Cook also hung his microphones from that same balcony, Edward. He was such a perfectionist that I doubt he'd let Radio Trinidad engineers do it for him.
Very interesting history concerning the bands and which tunes they played, also the piece about Starland and Clarence and Beverley who lived nearby. I not too sure about the recording part though.There was a balcony over hanging Frederick Street just above Stetchers, seen on LP cover, from where the recordings were done by engiineers from Radio Trinidad.[I was told this many years ago, of course the info could have been wrong, but not about the balcony and the engineers from Radio T'dad] They most likely used Cook's mikes. Frederick Street was, for many years, the centre of carnival',especially on Jourovert morning.
Memories, memories, memories. I was 4yrs old at the time, and was already 'playing Mas' both my parents were masqueraders, my father was 'Carlton Barneswell' alias 'Man Dancing.'
As kids, we were in costumes, but not allowed to 'chip' on the streets, we were placed on what they called at the time 'Floats.
HI Glenroy, Thanks for sharing this exceptionally wonderful piece of our culture. Yes, the chipping of the feet by the patrons were, indeed, very clear.
I was still a youngster back in those days and the only steelband that I knew was a steelband from St Joseph by the name of Silver Harps. This band practised in our backyard in St Joseph where I grew up and was led by my neighbour Clive Pierre. Iclearly remember learning to play the tenor pan and my grandmother who visited us, was truly upset and advised that playing pan was only for hooligans and she instructed my mother to stop me from playing in a steelband. Wow! "Yuh tink it was easy back on those days?
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The good old days !
Love the engine room in these recordings. A pity we continue to down play the importance of the engine room
Clive Bradley, as a young arranger, had two bombs, Poor People In Paris and I Who Have Nothing, with his Diego Martin band, Mellow Stars. Also, Ebonintes dropped Slaugher On Tenth Avenue.
My information was that Emory Cook also hung his microphones from that same balcony, Edward. He was such a perfectionist that I doubt he'd let Radio Trinidad engineers do it for him.
Thanks for the ID of Zambee, I always thought the word was "Gamby' which was a nick name for rum at that time.
Very interesting history concerning the bands and which tunes they played, also the piece about Starland and Clarence and Beverley who lived nearby. I not too sure about the recording part though.There was a balcony over hanging Frederick Street just above Stetchers, seen on LP cover, from where the recordings were done by engiineers from Radio Trinidad.[I was told this many years ago, of course the info could have been wrong, but not about the balcony and the engineers from Radio T'dad] They most likely used Cook's mikes. Frederick Street was, for many years, the centre of carnival',especially on Jourovert morning.
Memories, memories, memories. I was 4yrs old at the time, and was already 'playing Mas' both my parents were masqueraders, my father was 'Carlton Barneswell' alias 'Man Dancing.'
As kids, we were in costumes, but not allowed to 'chip' on the streets, we were placed on what they called at the time 'Floats.
Thanks for the memories.
Terry,You'll find the seniors inTrinidad All Stars and Starlift and the other SENIOR bands of the steelband movement.
HI Glenroy, Thanks for sharing this exceptionally wonderful piece of our culture. Yes, the chipping of the feet by the patrons were, indeed, very clear.
I was still a youngster back in those days and the only steelband that I knew was a steelband from St Joseph by the name of Silver Harps. This band practised in our backyard in St Joseph where I grew up and was led by my neighbour Clive Pierre. Iclearly remember learning to play the tenor pan and my grandmother who visited us, was truly upset and advised that playing pan was only for hooligans and she instructed my mother to stop me from playing in a steelband. Wow! "Yuh tink it was easy back on those days?
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