Calypso in New York [Extra tracks, Live]

Lord Invader | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 26, 2000)
• Original Release Date: September 26, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Live
• Label: Smithsonian Folkways
• ASIN: B00004X0L3
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #94,872 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #15 in Music > World Music > Caribbean & Cuba > Trinidad
  • #15 in Music > World Music > Caribbean & Cuba > Zouk
  • #19 in Music > World Music > Caribbean & Cuba > Haiti

Editorial Reviews

Inspired improvisation and compelling rhythms, created by piano, small orchestra, and sometimes a drum and hand clapping, characterize these performances, which Lord invader (Rupert Westmore Grant, 1914-1962) recorded for Moses Asch in the 1940s and 1950s. Whether recounting events in Trinidad, describing his experiences in New York City, performing traditional songs, or criticizing American racism, Lord Invader combines rhythms and ideas in his unique calypsonian fashion. Thirteen of the 26 tracks are released here for the first time. Extensive annotations by John Cowley include lyrics, bibliography, and discography. 73 minutes. 32-page booklet. Compiled and annotated by John Cowley.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pepsi not Coke, March 16, 2002

By 

Lawrence Waldron (Queens, NY United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Calypso in New York (Audio CD)

Well, you probably have Rum and Coca Cola somewhere in your collection if you are a Calypso fan. So this recording is a nice, breezy supplement to your Lord Invader discography. It's really quite a crisp and clever collection of Invader's best including a mischeivous number on covert beach excursions with a girl who'll do anything for Pepsi Cola, say what is it with Invader and cola anyway? I'm beginning to think the black bubbly is a naughty analogy for something. There's a great number about getting lost on the New York subway and another misadventure involving Invader's hapless sojourn in a tranvestite bar in Germany. Boy that Invader sure gets around. There's lots of Kalinda chants in between the more dolled-up numbers, making for a nice tension between an unplugged Carnival Monday sound versus the more crafty favorites like Tied Tongue Baby and Sly Mongoose.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Deserves 5 stars, May 13, 2009

By 

C. Rocklein - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Calypso in New York (Audio CD)

This awesome little collection will deepen anyone's understanding of the word 'calypso' - at least for me it had that effect. The numbers are catchy and clever and the rhythm section seems like it was pulled right out of Tahiti or something. The drumming of the tribal sounding chants that intersperse these charming little ditties is kind of intense and complex and seems to show you what the entertainment is rooted in and that it is in fact close to it's roots while being savvy in the New York music of the era as well. I think anyone would like this music.