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	n/a	03:23
102	Ibo and Dem - Nation Big Drum Song	n/a	01:35
103	Ju Belle - Juba Big Drum Song	n/a	01:34
104	January Has Gone Away - Patois Song	n/a	01:17
105	Lillian - Calypso	n/a	02:13
106	Good South - Calypso	n/a	04:38
107	Raycan - Calypso	n/a	01:51
108	Mama Liza Canbulay - Kalinda Big Drum Song	n/a	00:56
109	Juvay Mama - Carnival Jab-Jab	n/a	01:22
110	Ladies and Gents - Carnival Speech	n/a	00:40
111	Political Discrimination - Calypso	n/a	01:35
201	Hello in Africa - Carnival Wild Indian Mas'	n/a	00:44
202	Mas' in Madison Square Garden - Carnival Steel Band	n/a	01:18
203	Mas' in Madison Square Garden - Carnival String Band	n/a	01:16
204	Who Go Cut the Wood Tirina? - Pass Play Ring Game Song	n/a	00:44
205	Christmas Serenading - Hosannah Bands	n/a	02:52
206	First Figure - Lancer's Dance	n/a	01:25
207	Bam Bam We Want to Soldier - Joining Wedding Song	n/a	01:11
208	In the Mood - Joining Wedding Music / Yankee Doodle - Joining Wedding Music	n/a	01:36
209	The Lord Is My Shepherd - Hymn	n/a	01:27
210	I'm a Born Believer - Sankey	n/a	02:15
211	Ring Down Below - Shanty	n/a	01:16
212	Second Figure Waltz - Quadrille	n/a	01:45
213	If I Were a Black Bird - Ballad	n/a	03:44