Street and Gangland Rhythms, Beats and Improvisations by Six Boys in Trouble

This album features jams on homemade percussion instruments by six 11- and 12-year-old African American boys living in New York City public housing, about 1955. These young, untrained musicians improvise the tunes and tales of their upbringing on this rhythmic release and draw inspiration from family folk traditions and popular radio and juke box hits of the era. The group’s enjoyment is apparent in their school yard musical expressions, as is their self-identification with the community in which they live. The album is divided into three parts: Percussion Ensembles, Rhythms with Voices, and Rhythms with Verses. The liner notes provide a deeper look into each section, as well as a subsequent transcription of the lyrics.
Track Listing
101
|
Two Bongo Drum Sets and Sticks | n/a | 0:59 | |
102
|
Bongo Drums and Sticks | n/a | 1:19 | |
103
|
One Boy Playing Three Sets of Bongo Drums with His Hand and One Drum Stick | n/a | 0:31 | |
104
|
Rhythm Ensemble with Voices | n/a | 1:12 | |
105
|
Zum, Zum | n/a | 1:11 | |
106
|
Ole | n/a | 1:33 | |
107
|
Bo Diddlie | n/a | 2:16 | |
108
|
Gugamuga | n/a | 1:25 | |
109
|
Riding Hood Boogy Man | n/a | 1:07 | |
110
|
Sister Suki | n/a | 1:23 | |
111
|
Why Can't I Get it Too | n/a | 2:21 | |
112
|
Cha Cha Cha | n/a | 1:25 | |
113
|
The Fox | n/a | 1:14 | |
201
|
Gang Fight | n/a | 2:21 | |
202
|
Shoe Shine | n/a | 2:42 | |
203
|
Shoe Shine Shakedown | n/a | 4:37 | |
204
|
Dumb Boy | n/a | 4:37 | |
205
|
Money Honey | n/a | 2:48 | |
206
|
I Want Some Food | n/a | 5:12 |