Talk:Calypso music

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This article states that "Calypso is a style of Afro-Caribbean music which originated in the British and French colonial islands of the Caribbean at about the start of the 20th century." The 20th century would be the 1900s; however, later in the article, it says that Calypso music became more popular after "the abolition of slavery in 1834."

This seems to be contradictory...



I removed:

Lord Invader did not have a band called the Twelve Penetrators, and probably did not write "Zombie Jamboree" which is credited to Conrad Mauge. This story comes from a spoken introduction to the song by the Kingston Trio.

Because I don't understand it enough to incorporate the info, and I hate it when somebody contradicts the previous paragraph with new information that attempts to correct it. It's a roundabout way of doing things -- if the info on Lord Invader isn't correct, then correct it, but this schizophrenic method of adding contradictory information within the same article is just silly. User:Tokerboy

I agree. I removed the "Twelve Penetrators" from the main article; I don't know if he ever had a band called that but on the few Lord Invader cuts I have that isn't listed. -- Infrogmation

Sorry, I wanted to correct the mistake but didn't know if it was OK to just remove it. James Fryer (posted the removed section).

Contents

[edit] Harry Belafonte

Is it really appropriate to include him in an article about 'calypso'? After all, as it mentions, his best known song is a Jamaican folk song (no banana exports from Trinidad to speak of). Calypso is a matter of composition and originality as well as song - Belafonte re-made calypsos, but you might as well call the Andrews Sisters calypsonians for their re-make of Lord Invader's Rum and Coca-Cola. True, he had more respect for the art-form than they did, but I would not call him a calypsonian. In addition, by changing the beat and mode he changed the substance. When Sparrow sang 'The Slave' people said it was a great song, but not a calypso.

[edit] History of the term Calypso in "Calypso Music"

If anyone knows it, it would be very informative to add the actual history of the term Calypso and how the music came to be named (for example, I would guess that it is not based on the Greek Sea Nymph or the Cousteau ship or camera, but I don't know).

There are a few theories, but no-one knows for sure. Some say it derives from "Kaiso", others from a slave named "Calypso" (slaves were often given Classical names). I'll see if I can dig out some references. Guettarda 23:01, 13 September 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Elements of the Music

Someone should add the elements of calypso to this page. I can't because I'm the one researching, not the source of research.

[edit] A bit more description please, and what about soca?

How about you calypso fans sharing a description of what makes calypso calypso? Describe it so that someone who hasn't heard it before might be able to identify it when first listening to it - typical rhythms, instruments, lyrics, etc.

I also suggest adding soul calypso or soca as a subgenre.

Apocalypsolically yours :), DBlomgren 10:42, 22 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Wisky Tango Foxtrot?

Can someone explain what this means:

"Early forms of calypso were also heavily influenced by jazz such as Sans Humanitae, the extempo melody in which calypsonians lyricise impromptu, commenting socially or insulting each other, without humanity - once again the French influence."--24.15.11.254 06:54, 14 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Kitchener as melodic genius

I agree that he is, but I'm not sure that's something that's testable or encylopedic. I removed it. 129.79.32.239 (talk) 20:52, 25 March 2008 (UTC)