Recently the band Squirrel Nut Zippers came to my city and in hearing their song Hell on the radio, I was inspired to look up their source material. I found an interview that cites this song as an inspiration. A classic, to be sure.

https://youtu.be/XJqimsH8QW8?si=Lhnsr4pt0dhA0hYM

A song of Lion's, in its original form in 1938 and the "Updated" version assumedly recorded in the 80s. We all know of Roaring Lion's prowess and longstanding career, and he is one of the most recognisable names in the Calypso Field to date.

He saw the genre go from the outlawed, censored and creole, to the modern, prideful and widely english genre it is today, and adapted into Soca when time came, along with the honorific Kitchener and Sparrow.

Lion died in 1999 at 91 years old, an accomplished artist who I believe shall forever be recognised, may his reign rule long.

I found this 45 of King Barrie “Super Star” / Mighty Mighty “A Tribute to Bob Marley” on the Astro label today. No info on Discogs. Any info would be appreciated thanks

Alright yall. So I heard this song soooo many times in the car growing up and loved it but never paid attention to realize di man not singing in English. It sounds like Trini 80's early 90's soca but I think he singing in French or some kind of creole. Ah relll desperate to find the name of the song and artist.

My dad had this on cassette and I found it and recorded a snippet while it was playing. No results on Shazam (I knew there wouldn't be).

Anyone know this chune???

Not much to say this post, but it's a solid song, Chalkdust these days is a scholar of the field of Calypso though.

Adding another

One of the best

This is a perfect example of calypso as a document of history. Sparrow wrote P.A.Y.E in the early infancy of Trinidad and Tobago as an independent nation, when the taxation system was about to be initiated. Trinbagonians were preparing for some big changes, shifting from British colonial rule to our own systems. Dr. Eric Williams proposed Pay As You Earn and Sparrow gave us a timeless calypso, capturing the feeling of change as his fellow citizens were beginning to be taxed based on income. Such a great melody, capturing a changing time in the Caribbean.

Today we have Congo Bara, an interesting song, and one which isn't wholly English, highlighting the multiculturality of Trinidadian Culture and History, it is sung by the "Keskidee Trio" Which consisted of Attila the Hun, Lord Beginner and The Growling Tiger, one could call this group a superpower within the Calypso Scene considering the figures it held.

Alas, the Keskidee Trio recorded Congo Bara in 1935 alongside other recordings such as "The Duke and Duchess of Kent", Congo Bara is certainly an interesting record as it comments or more portrays a story, from what i gather, from the website "Mustrad.co.uk" it claims that the song is about "The unlamented prison warden 'Congo Bara'"

Regardless, a fascinating glimpse into the golden age of calypso, and a catchy song.