NEW YORK CITY, 1956: Ask your friends whose LP was the first to sell a million copies, and you'll likely get answers of Elvis, Frank Sinatra or the Beatles. An especially clever friend might respond with Enrico Caruso -- a solid guess, as his single was the first to sell a million copies. However, Belafonte's Calypso is the record that holds this distinguished honor, and rightfully so; it is through this release that many Americans are first exposed to the wondrous music of the Caribbean.
Daaaaaay-o!
When Belafonte was five years old, he was sent to live with his grandmother in Jamaica, the birthplace of both of his parents. During his eight years there, he fell in love with the stories the sailors and dockworkers told and the classic folk songs they sang as they worked. Focusing his full attention on these childhood roots paid great dividends for Harry, as Calypso quickly rose to the #1 spot in album sales, where it remained for 31 weeks before being knocked from its position by Nat King Cole's Love is the Thing (nobody who's heard this album can begrudge Mr. Cole).
Daaaaay-ayyy-ayyy-o
This album opens with the song for which Belafonte would become best known. It segues into fan favorites I Do Adore Her and Jamaica Farewell before moving on to perhaps the best wedding song ever, Will His Love Be Like His Rum? It then wraps up the side with this week's featured song, Dolly Dawn (more below).
Daylight come and me wan' go home
Side two starts with Star-O, the day-shift reprise of his signature hit. The Jack-Ass Song will be familiar to those who enjoyed the songs of The Islanders and Lord Flea that rounded out earlier releases, and it's a Belafonte go-to that will be featured in different versions and medleys on later albums. Hosanna, a cautionary tale about establishing healthy relationships, is a peppy tune that really merited further musical exploration on later albums, but sadly didn't receive it. Come Back Liza and Brown Skin Girl fortunately did, as they really highlight the sweet tones in Harry's voice.
Day, me say day, me say day, me say day
Caypso ends with a playful ditty written by "King Radio" Norman Span, which he recorded a couple of decades earlier. Man Smart (Woman Smarter) has since been recorded by Joan Baez, The Grateful Dead and Robert Palmer. However, Belafonte's version remains the one that sticks in most people's minds. Span also wrote Brown Skin Girl, while the remainder of the songs were written in whole or part by standard Belafonte collaborators Lord Burgess and William Attaway.
Me say day, me say daaaay-o
While The Banana Boat Song would seem the logical choice for this week's feature, its time will come later, much later. Now, however, I'd like to direct your attention to:
Daylight come and me wan' go home
Next week we'll examine Harry's further interpretation of domestic and imported folk songs as we spend An Evening with Belafonte. In the meantime, if you want to talk Belafonte, leave a comment below!
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