Calypso and Meringues

Calypso and Meringues, released in 1953, juxtaposes the song traditions of two Caribbean islands: Haiti and Trinidad. The first half of the album presents renowned calypso masters Lord Invader and Macbeth the Great, along with other performers, performing renditions of calypso classics like “Mary Anne” and “Dorothy One Morning.” Versions of lesser-known calypsos appear as well. The second half of the album features Port-au-Prince-based septet, the Jazz Majestic Orchestra, performing four traditional Haitian meringues in a contemporary style. In the liner notes, jazz scholar Frederic Ramsey Jr. provides information on the origins and cultural meaning of calypso. In addition, noted folklorist and song collector Harold Courlander, who recorded the meringues in Haiti, supplies a history of the music and dance.

Track Listing

101	Carnival Is Bacchanal	Lord Caresser and Calypso Orchestra	01:54
102	Mary Anne	Lord Invader, Felix and His Internationals	02:27
103	Druscilla	Duke of Iron and Calypso Group	02:52
104	Cousin Family	Lord Invader, Felix and His Internationals	02:23
105	Dorothy, One Morning	Macbeth and Calypso Group	02:52
201	Nous Allons Dodo (We Are Going to Sleep)	Jazz Majestic Orchestra	01:37
202	Trois Fois Trois (Three Times Three)	Jazz Majestic Orchestra	02:37
203	Angélique, Oh (Oh, Angélique)	Jazz Majestic Orchestra	03:09
204	Ménage Qui Belle (Beautiful Sweetheart)	Jazz Majestic Orchestra	03:34