Poor but Ambitious: Calypso Classics from Trinidad 1928-1940

Although born in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Wilmoth Houdini (born Frederick Wilmoth Hendricks) achieved musical recognition performing calypso music in New York City in the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. His songs covered a variety of topics and styles and were sung in a mix of English and Trinidadian patois. This collection, recorded in New York between 1928 and 1940, features Houdini performing with several different calypso bands. The liner notes provide a brief biography of Houdini and his music.

Track Listing

101	Sweet like a Honey Bee	Wilmoth Houdini, Gerald Clark's Iere String Band	03:01
102	Song No. 99	Wilmoth Houdini, Gerald Clark's Iere String Band	02:59
103	Uncle Jo' Gimme Mo'!	Wilmoth Houdini, Gerald Clark's Iere String Band	03:11
104	Trifling Men	Wilmoth Houdini, Gerald Clark's Iere String Band	02:59
105	No Mo' Bench and Board	Wilmoth Houdini, Gerald Clark's Night Owls	03:10
106	Sweet Papa Willie	Wilmoth Houdini, Gerald Clark's Night Owls	03:15
107	Honey I'm Bound To Go	Wilmoth Houdini, Gerald Clark's Night Owls	03:14
108	The Cooks In Trinidad	Wilmoth Houdini, Gerald Clark's Night Owls	03:18
109	Arima Tonight, Sangre Grande Tomorrow Night	Wilmoth Houdini, Gerald Clark's Night Owls	02:27
110	Black But Sweet	Wilmoth Houdini, Gerald Clark's Night Owls	02:33
111	I Need a Man	Wilmoth Houdini, Gerald Clark's Night Owls	03:24
112	Stop Coming and Come	Wilmoth Houdini, Gerald Clark's Night Owls	03:05
113	Tiger Tom Kill Tiger Cat	Wilmoth Houdini	02:52
114	That Big Black Woman	Wilmoth Houdini	03:08
115	West Indian Sugar Crop	Wilmoth Houdini	03:06
116	Unfortunate Milley	Wilmoth Houdini	02:51
117	Teacher Nose Gay the Shouter	Wilmoth Houdini and His Humming Birds	03:04
118	Mickey Cipriani's Career	Wilmoth Houdini	03:11
119	Glorius Centenary	Wilmoth Houdini and His Humming Birds	02:53
120	Cipriani's and Bradshaw's Death	Wilmoth Houdini	02:51
121	Bandsman Shooting Case	Wilmoth Houdini and His Humming Birds	02:54
122	African Love Call	Wilmoth Houdini and His Humming Birds	02:56
123	The Devil behind Me	Wilmoth Houdini and His Calvary Bamboo Band	03:08
124	Poor but Ambitious	Wilmoth Houdini and His Calvary Bamboo Band	03:07