[.ca] Goodnight Ladies and Gents: The Creole Music of Lionel ...

From Amazon.com:
In the world of Calypso, Lionel Belasco is an iconoclast. He was born in Barbados; his father was a Sephardic Jew who sang baritone and played the violin, his mother a Trinidadian who classically trained the young pianist in their various homes in Barbados, Venezuela (whose music is highly in evidence in his work), and eventually Trinidad. But the young musician had a penchant for the local music and the local sports like stick fighting, and when he decided to become a professional, all of these images collided to create one of the most unique Calypsonians of any era. Classical piano, violin that crosses easily between Beethoven and European folk fiddle styles, and not a little of the "sweet band" jazz of American bands like the Paul Whiteman Orchestra are brought together by Belasco to great effect in these recordings made mostly in New York City, a place where he became something of a star in the '20s and '30s. The musicians are a star-studded lot: vocalist Wilmouth Houdini, violinist Cyril Montrose, and guitarist Gerald Clarke pepper these recordings, punctuating and counterpointing the structured songs of Belasco with a looser jazz feel. An added bonus on this 27-track collection are a number of solo performances and short interviews with Belasco in 1961, where he retells his story and explains the music. His songwriting was legend, his voice a charm, and his music some of the best of the era. --Louis Gibson

sly mongoose:
i was turned on to the musical word of lionel belasco through the ghost world sound track. i loved the songs, "miranda" and, "venezuela." with the purchase of this disc, i was hoping to pick up more great calipso music. luckily for me (and you), it's full of dazzling and highy energetic tunes. the piano stylings of belasco and the vocal efforts of houdini are truly unique, unlike anything i've come across before. check this one out.

This is one to cherish:
Like a previous reviewer, I was introduced to Lionel Belasco through the Ghost World soundtrack. I loved all three of the songs and decided to look for more music by him. I was pleasantly surprised to find this. Its a great blend of calypso and some jazz and each song is different from the other but always top notch. There are fiddles, vocals and piano. All of the songs on here are wonderful and completely unforgettable. Houdini's vocals make some of these shine, and the instrumentals are moody at times, haunting at others and always compelling. There are also a few tracks that have Lionel speaking which are memorable as well. The liner notes are very complete and perfectly done. This cd gives you great music and history all at the same time. I'm very glad that I have discovered music like this especially at a time when music is very bland. If you like old music, get this. Or if you want to try something new, this is the one. Timeless and wonderful, this is a masterpiece.

Belasco-Bellringer supreme:
Belasco was an outstanding calypsonian of his era or any era for that matter.He emerged from a background that was unlike most of his calypso comrades. His songs were a masterful tapestry of life and love and struggles. He was able to couch his memorable ditties under the watchful eyes of the ever present censors working on behalf of British-bourgeois interests and sensibilities. He was a musical master who helped other calypsonians of that age. This album is an extraordinary mirror of the times. His rendition of "sly mongoose" is an overt attack on sexual exploitation by those with power in pre-independence Trinidad. With "Rufus hold me tight" he alluded to the sexual extravagance of a newly wed couple. Belasco rung the early bells of calypso with marvellous vitality. Future calypsonians and those who love this art form will always be grateful that the wind was able to blow his voice beyond Trinidad just like he extolled "Blow wind blow"

• Good Night Ladies and Gents
• Roses of Caracas Waltz
• "I Used to Do All the Heavy Things"
• Panama Paseo No. 1
• Miranda - Lionel Belasco,
• Blow Wind Blow
• Venezuelan Little Tune
• I Used to Just Play the Piano
• Prohibition
• Sly Mongoose - Lionel Belasco,
• Carmencita
• Caroline
• Maysotis
• Treasury Fire
• Caracas
• Hits and Run Away
• Iris
• Why Me Neighbor Vex With Me
• Palms of Maracaibo
• Esperanzas
• You Bob
• Oh Rufus Hold Me Tight
• Bournes Road
• Rosa Negra Vals Venezolano
• Go Away Gal
• Standing up Behind the Bridge
• Venezuela