Hellish Calypso

Why "Hellish"? The liner notes explain that it's in part because of the very apparent "pear-shaped atrocities" a listener hears in out-of-tune melodies and unintelligible lyrics. But this is a "basic misconception" of what makes good music. While calypso orchestras can play on "true pitch," they often choose not to because love and politics are "targets for the jeering crossfire of calypso" and the musicians are "laughing while playing" or disguising "unspeakable lyrics into the mouthpieces of the horns they blow." Incidentally, the tuning isn't so bad, and the lyrics, while pointed, are quite easily understood. With song titles like "They Ballin Me Name" and "Donkey Must Wear Pants" sung by King Fighter, Wrangler and Viper, this is a must-hear.

Track Listing

101	They Ballin' Me Name	King Fighter	03:16
102	Indo Law Na Say So	Lord Inventor	03:16
103	He No Dead Yet	King Fighter	03:23
104	Chinese Wife	Mighty Wrangler	02:35
105	Life in Hawaii	Mighty Bomber	02:53
106	Kiss of Fire	Mighty Bomber	02:50
201	Donkey Must Wear Pants	Nat Hepburn	03:19
202	Limbo Teacher	Mighty Wrangler	03:00
203	Bongo Man	Mighty Wrangler	02:49
204	Gloria	Mighty Bomber	02:54
205	Can-Can Girls	King Striker	03:15
206	Dog Better Than Man	Viper	03:08