Customer Reviews

Bahamian Ballads

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you want to infuse your house with Island Flavor, this CD will certainly do it. Toussaint's lilting voice and appealing accent will have you imagining virtual ocean breezes and humming along to familiar melodies tropically renedered. However, if you speak Spanish, singing along will present a real challenge. Several of the songs; especially Cu Cu Ru Cu Cu Paloma, have taken on a Fractured Fairy Tale aspect. The lyrics are all there (sort of) but it is like they have been cut and pasted randomly together. Other songs insert or delete the final "s" on words creating odd verb endings.The last song on the album , Granada, comes to a sudden halt mid-song as if they just plain ran out of room. As long as you care more about the melody than the lyrics, you will enjoy this album...

Bahamian Ballads showcases the work and performance skills of Haitian emigre Andre Toussaint whose repertoire of songs in French and Spanish enjoyed considerable acclaim in his adopted island of Nassau. This distinctive calypso beat originated in Trinidad and quickly spread through the popular music culture throughout the Caribbean islands, including the Bahamas. Several of the twenty-two songs comprising Bahamian Ballads are Andre Toussaint's highly recommended original compositions, while others feature his impressive personal arrangements of traditional tunes. Included are Island Woman (2:36); Gondolier (2:40); Est Es Felicidad (2:14); Complaini D'Amour (2:29); Calypso Island (2:07); Little Nassau-Bahama Mama (3:48); School of Cha Cha Cha (1:56); C'est Si Bon (2:48); Perfida (2:37); Bambino (2:26); J'attendrai (1:38); Cu Cu Ru Cu Cu Paloma (3:57); Watermelon Spoilin (2:44); Jusque Bout Du Monde' (3:07); Come Closer To Me (2:43); Hold 'm Joe (1:26); El Reloj (2:19); Mi Yiddishe Mama (2:41); Nadie Me Ama (2:54); Marisa (1:58); Ciao Ciao Bambino (1:49); Granada (2:50). Total Time: 50:37.

It's a very nice CD with a mix of classic music with modern rithm and exotic interpretation in many languages.

What a great sampling of classic Caribbean music from a classic Caribbean troubador. With a silky smooth voice and great guitar playing, it doesn't get much better. Go and buy this record immediately!