Search - Nonesuch Explorer Series :: Explorer: Bahamas - Real Bahamas in Music & Song

Real bahamas, real great

Riccardo Pelizzo | baltimore, maryland USA | 12/10/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This record reproduces some sixteen Bahamian songs recorded in 1965 by Peter K. Siegel and Jody Stecher and released respectively in 1966.
These songs were performed by extraordinary Bahamian singers and musicians, among whom the Pinder family (Edith, Geneva, and raymond), Frederick McQueen, Sam Green, Bruce Green, Clifton Green, Tweedie Gibson, Shelton Swain, Luoise Spence and Joseph Spence.
These songs included in this record (Don't Take Anybody to be Your Friend, Out on the Rolling Sea, Won't That Be a Happy Time, ...) are extremely beautiful. They bear the traces of African music, and yet anticipate in many ways the future developments of Caribbean music. They are reminiscent of the plantation music and yet they have the brightness of the Caribbean.
The best part of the record, in my view, is represented by Joseph Spence's guitar in Won't That Be a Happy Time (and in Don't Take Everybody to Be Your Friend). I might be wrong but I have the impression that when Mick Jagger wrote his Wandering Spirit had something like this in mind.
This record is a must for all those who love music."

SUPERNATURAL HARMONIES

Kris Nicholson | here | 06/26/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you like to hear supernatural harmonies woven together into a loose basket of island rhythms, get this CD. The voices of the Pinder family, Joseph & Louise Spence, the Swains, Rev. McPhee, Sam Green, Fredrick McQueen, Bruce & Clifton Green and Tweedie Gibson sometimes sound too high or too low or too odd to be from this planet. The vocal rhythms make you imagine you hear a drummer playing. This is what it sounds like when people who love music get together to have a good time and the inspiration flows. Buy this with The Incredible String Band's CD The Hangman's Beautiful Daughterand you will feel like you traveled halfway around the world only to meet your best friend from home."