The Big Drum and Other Ritual and Social Music of Carriacou

Donald R. Hill overviews the musical scene of the island of Carriacou in the Grenadines, tracing the series of cultural roots branching out to West Africa, Europe, the Mediterranean, the greater Caribbean and, even, North America. Representing the West African lineage, the Big Drum Dance is one of the most significant musical rituals on the island, which is prepared for special festivals such as marriage ceremonies, tombstone raisings, fishing boat launchings and in the case of ill-health or ill-fortune. Meanwhile, carnival calypsos carry their distinctively Caribbean flavor, Christmas serenades include favorite European hymns like “Joy to the World,” and the use of the ballad and quadrille genres reveal specifically British and French presences, respectively.

Track Listing

101	Cromanti Cudjoe (Beg Pardon Big Drum Song) Sugar Adam, Mary Fortune, Lucien Duncan, Caddy John, Grace Roman, Faith Lawrence and others	03:23
102	Ibo and Dem (Nation Big Drum Song) Mary Fortune, Lucien Duncan, Caddy John, Fernan' Mitchel, Prince Lawrence, Grace Roman and Faith Lawrence	01:35
103	Ju Belle (Juba Big Drum Song) Sugar Adam, Mary Fortune, Lucien Duncan, Caddy John, Grace Roman, Faith Lawrence and others	01:34
104	January Has Gone Away (Patois Song) Morgan Longland, Augustus Providence	01:17
105	Lillian (Calypso) Desmond Bristol	02:13
106	Good South (Calypso) Mighty Tangler and the Sunrise Combo	04:38
107	Raycan (Calypso) The Sunblister's Combo	01:51
108	Mama Liza Canbulay (Kalinda Big Drum Song) Caddy John, Fernan' Mitchel, Fenderson Lawrence, Mitchel Lawrence	00:56
109	Juvay Mama (Carnival Jab-Jab) Jab-jabs, Jouvay morning, Hillsborough	01:22
110	Ladies and Gents (Carnival Speech) St. John Joseph	00:40
111	Political Discrimination (Calypso) Desmond Bristol	01:35
201	Hello in Africa (Carnival Wild Indian Mas') Masqueraders, Jouvay morning, Hillsborough	00:44
202	Mas' in Madison Square Garden (Carnival Steel Band) Solar Symphony Steel Orchestra	01:18
203	Mas' in Madison Square Garden (Carnival String Band) Carnival string band with saxophone, Hillsborough	01:16
204	Who Go Cut the Wood Tirina? (Pass Play Ring Game Song) Teenagers on All Saint's Night, L'Esterre	00:44
205	Christmas Serenading (Hosanna bands) Desmond Bristol, Gordon Cayanne, Billy Lynch, and friends	02:52
206	First Figure (Lancer's dance) Cecil Chase, Simon Alexander, Milton Coy, M. Caldwell Roberts, Kaison Augustine	01:25
207	Bam Bam We Want to Soldier (Joining Wedding Song) Brison Bristol, Jones Corrion, Alton Joseph, Canute Caliste	01:11
208	In the Mood / Yankee Doodle (Joining Wedding Music) Mr. St. Hilaire, Mr. Benjamin of Petite Martinique, unknown chac-chac player	01:36
209	The Lord Is My Shepherd (Hymn) Singers at a tombstone feast, Top Hill	01:27
210	I'm a Born Believer (Sankey) Mr. Steady Clement and singers at a prayer meeting, Hillsborough	02:15
211	Ring Down Below (Shanty) Charlie Bristol with male chorus at a Tombstone Feast	01:16
212	Second Figure Waltz (Quadrille) Canute Caliste, Jones Corion, Alton Joseph	01:45
213	If I Were a Black Bird (Ballad) Mr. and Mrs. Bethel and son of Windward	03:44