Skip to main content

Calypso and Meringues

Various Artists
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

icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
101
Lord Caresser and Calypso Orchestra
01:54
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
102
Lord Invader, Felix and His Internationals
02:27
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
103
Duke of Iron and Calypso Group
02:52
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
104
Lord Invader, Felix and His Internationals
02:23
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
105
Macbeth and Calypso Group
02:52
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
201
Jazz Majestic Orchestra
01:37
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
202
Jazz Majestic Orchestra
02:37
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
203
Jazz Majestic Orchestra
03:09
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
204
Jazz Majestic Orchestra
03:34