r/calypso

Today we have Congo Bara, an interesting song, and one which isn't wholly English, highlighting the multiculturality of Trinidadian Culture and History, it is sung by the "Keskidee Trio" Which consisted of Attila the Hun, Lord Beginner and The Growling Tiger, one could call this group a superpower within the Calypso Scene considering the figures it held.

Alas, the Keskidee Trio recorded Congo Bara in 1935 alongside other recordings such as "The Duke and Duchess of Kent", Congo Bara is certainly an interesting record as it comments or more portrays a story, from what i gather, from the website "Mustrad.co.uk" it claims that the song is about "The unlamented prison warden 'Congo Bara'"

Regardless, a fascinating glimpse into the golden age of calypso, and a catchy song.

Hello, r/calypso! I transcribed 208 20th century Calypsos of social and historical significance and put them into a research book. I want you to have it. I've decided the only way to ethically share my findings is to give it away as a PDF to the people most likely to have a use for it. So, here's the Drive link.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1D-mEsG6le8363XZpumO\_GCW8Rq-tM7Wl/view?usp=drivesdk

Donations are accepted, not required! DM for any questions.

Viva Calypso!

Logan Davis

Via Wikipedia: "Lord Executor (c. 1878-84 – 1952) was a Trinidadian calypsonian. He belonged to the first generation of calypso pioneers that consisted of Julian Whiterose (Iron Duke; not to be confused with Duke of Iron), Norman le Blanc (Richard, Coeur de Leon), Henry Forbes the Inventor (Senior Inventor) and Black Prince (Christopher Howell). Unlike these other early figures, however, Executor recorded extensively during the golden age of calypso of the 1930s and early 1940s, producing 28 record sides (78-rpm) and directly exerting influence on the second generation of calypsonians he worked alongside. According to the Roaring Lion, Executor "helped raise the general standard of the Calypso genre, gaining it more respect and acceptability in the public eye".

The La Diablesse is one of the most known and fearsome folklore figures in Trinidad and Tobago. Also via Wikipedia: "La Diablesse or Ladjablès is a character in Caribbean folklore. According to folklore, she was an enslaved African woman who made a deal with Le Diable (the Devil) to give her soul to him, becoming a demi-human, in exchange for eternal beauty.

To others, her poise, figure, and dress make her seem beautiful. However, her hideous face is hidden by a large brimmed hat, and her long dress hides the fact that one leg ends in a cow hoof. She walks with one foot on the road and her cow hoof in the grass at the side of the road. She smells distinctly of a mix of fine perfume and deadly decay. She can cast spells on her unsuspecting male victim, whom she leads into the forest. When in the forest, she disappears. The victim (confused, lost, and scared) runs around the forest until he falls into a ravine or river, or gets eaten."

This calypso was recorded in 1938 and tells the story of a man, Narbadeen of St. James Village, who fell prey to the legendary La Diablesse. 1938 was the year after Lord Executor suffered an eye injury that plagued him for the rest of his life, a time when he was still a renowned and respected calypsonian. He passed in 1952 and his music has never been forgotten.