Let me confess here that I have long had a love of Classic Calypso. I’m referring specifically to the lively and witty Trinidadian music recorded before the Second World War. Before anyone discovered that they could get music by banging on an oil drum, before Harry Belafonte sang about banana boats, there were remarkable calypsonians: Atilla the Hun (Raymond Quevedo), Roaring Lion (Rafael de Leon), King Radio (Norman Span), Growling Tiger (Neville Marcano), and many others.
I never would have begun my journey of musical exploration had I not first found a scratchy and almost unplayable Camden LP that somehow lodged itself among the family’s record collection. It was free-range vinyl, shorn of its sleeve, rubbing abrasively up against other records in the cabinet. Until I was about 20, I never even thought to play it. I must have been expecting Belafonte-esque pop. What I heard instead captivated me.
The needle skipped all over the surface, so I put my finger on the cartridge to get the selections to play through. But in so doing I discovered the curiously fascinating lopsided stanzas of Wilmoth Houdini. The bizarre scansion and weird syllable stresses drove me nuts—but I couldn’t not listen. And here he was, name-checking Rudy Vallee, Bing Crosby, Guy Lombardo, and Paul Whiteman!
Wilmoth Houdini (Photo Gottli
You've read three articles this month! That makes you one of a rare breed, the true jazz fan!
The Syncopated Times is a monthly publication covering traditional jazz, ragtime and swing. We have the best historic content anywhere, and are the only American publication covering artists and bands currently playing Hot Jazz, Vintage Swing, or Ragtime. Our writers are legends themselves, paid to bring you the best coverage possible. Advertising will never be enough to keep these stories coming, we need your SUBSCRIPTION. Get unlimited access for $30 a year or $50 for two.
Not ready to pay for jazz yet? Register a Free Account for two weeks of unlimited access without nags or pop ups.
Already Registered? Log In
If you shouldn't be seeing this because you already logged in try refreshing the page.