Calypso at Midnight! (1946)

Here's a wonderful recording by Alan Lomax of a concert performed on 21 December 1946. The performers include Lord Invader, Macbeth, and The Duke of Iron - all outstanding Calypsonians. Preceding every song is an introduction or dialogue by Lomax and each artist - greatly informative and highly entertaining. If you were at all interested in the previous post's citation from Lyotard, you'll love this. Lomax and the Calypsonians spend a lot of time discussing the importance of folk traditions and how they serve to share knowledge among Caribbean people. Definitely check out "Do Lai Do", a traditional Trinidadian work song. Sadly, I cannot find the original liner notes, but if I find them I will post them.

Great bit of trivia: Lord Invader's song "Rum and Coca-Cola" was never played on an American radio station, despite its popularity, because of Coke's claim that Invader was infringing on their copyright of the word "Coca-Cola". However, the song was made insanely popular by The Andrews Sisters. It's a great version, but very very "white".

Get it here: Calypso at Midnight!