I haven been posting anything here lately, but I have been posting in nthe SVG Blog and doing some non-musical writing. Right now I have a bunch of mp3s in various traditions that are all on HDs that I have here in St Vincent. I'm spending my music time trying to make sense of them. Power Tunes lets one control multiple music libraries and I'm learning how to use that. But I've got so many mp3s, some with the same tune under different titles, that it is taking time.
But I'll get back to this blog eventually. In the meantime there are some things reprinted from Ceildh Columns, the publication of the SMU (U Mass Dartmouth) Eisteddfod that I edited for Howard Glasser. That may still be of some interest.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
"Doctors" In Calypso

This is the kind of event that should be record live and streamed on the Internet!
Wilma
--- On Fri, 10/9/09, Clevil James
From: Clevil James
Subject: [Limers] TUCO to honour Calypso's Doctors
To: limers@yahoogroups.com
Received: Friday, October 9, 2009, 5:17 PM
http://news. bn.gs/article. php?story= 2009100915584937 0
Friday, October 09 2009 @ 06:00 PM AST Contributed by: LieslThomas More: 52
“Celebrating the Doctors in Calypso” is set to take place at Queen’s Hall, St Ann ’s from 6:30 pm on Monday, October 19, 2009. The event is being produced by TUCO to honour the Doctors of the Calypso fraternity: - Dr. Slinger Francisco ‘Sparrow’ - Dr. Hollis Liverpool ‘Chalkdust’; and - Dr. Leroy Calliste ‘Black Stalin.’
Dr. Slinger Francisco, ‘The Mighty Sparrow’ or ‘Sparrow’ as he is affectionately called, was born in Grenada on July 9, 1935 and moved to Trinidad as a toddler where he launched and sustained a lengthy and successful career as a calypsonian. Sparrow began performing on major competitive circuits from the 1950s and continued into the 1990s. During this time he won several Calypso Monarch and Carnival Road March titles. Probably his most notable win occurred in 1956 for the song ‘Jean and Dinah’; claiming both the Calypso Monarch and Road March titles that year. Sparrow’s lyrics are known for being witty. His songs have touched on several subject areas to give him the term social commentator, his music has made the masses dance and sing in unison so that he can be called a renowned entertainer, and his contributions to calypso and culture have touched the shores of so many nations, making him an ambassador extraordinaire. Dr. Slinger Francisco is truly a calypso icon.
Dr. Hollis Liverpool, ‘Chalkdust’ was born in Trinidad in 1941. His music generally addresses the social and political issues of society and the lyrical content of his songs is hailed for having a high quality literary content. He was once a principal at Trinity College and is currently an Assistant Professor of History in the University of the Virgin Islands . He holds a PhD in History and Ethnomusicology from the University of Michigan . Chalkdust regularly conducts lectures and workshops on the history and culture of calypso music. He is even going to be lecturing on “Smut in Calypso” on October 20, 2009 at the Nalis Audiovisual Room from 7:00 pm. Chalkdust has been singing calypso since 1967 and has captured eight Calypso Monarch Crowns beginning from 1976 with the songs ‘Three Blind Mice’ and ‘Ah Put on Meh Guns Again’ to his most recent win in 2009 with the song ‘Doh Touch My Heart.’ He has won numerous titles in countries outside of Trinidad and Tobago as well. For his exceptional contributions to calypso music on both academic and entertainment levels, Dr. Hollis Liverpool is a calypso icon.
Dr. Leroy Calliste, the “Black Stalin” was born in San Fernando , Trinidad and Tobago on September 4, 1941. He is the most recent inductee, having received his honorary doctorate on October 31, 2008. He was also awarded the Hummingbird Medal Silver for his outstanding contributions to culture. Black Stalin is a five time Calypso Monarch title holder, wining with notable hits like ‘Caribbean Unity,’ ‘Wait Dorothy,’ 'Look on the Bright Side’ and 'Black man feeling to party.' Black Stalin’s music and entertainment persona generally exudes a feeling of optimism, fun and happiness. Dr. Leroy Calliste will forever be a calypso icon.
The event “Celebrating the Doctors in Calypso” will feature performances by younger calypsonians, such as Heather Mackintosh, Karen Asche, Jervae Caesar, Erphann Alves and Kizzie Ruiz, who will be singing the songs of these calypso icons. At least three selections from each of the icons will be sung by a younger member of the calypso fraternity in their honour. ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - CREDITS: - Story by Liesl Thomas - Photo of TUCO President Eric Taylor by GISL
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Pint & Dale Concert at Woods Hole
Since July, we've been singing and playing our way across the continent, venturing up as far as Canada's Maritime Provinces, traveling down the coast, and exploring the beautiful Chesapeake Bay area. It's been a tremendously fun trip.
Our east coast tour continues with a trip back up to Massachusetts for a concert at one of our favorite places to play. It's hard to imagine a setting more perfect for songs of the sea.
Woods Hole is a beautiful spot steeped in the history of whaling, fishing and shipping -- all stuff we love to sing about!
We'd love to see you at this one. We'd also love for you to pass the word along to any friends or family who might be in the area.
Sunday, October 4th
The Woods Hole Folk Music Society
Concert at the Community Hall
68 Water Street
Woods Hole, MA 02543
508-540-0320
Map
7:30PM
Tickets $15.00
Our east coast tour continues with a trip back up to Massachusetts for a concert at one of our favorite places to play. It's hard to imagine a setting more perfect for songs of the sea.
Woods Hole is a beautiful spot steeped in the history of whaling, fishing and shipping -- all stuff we love to sing about!
We'd love to see you at this one. We'd also love for you to pass the word along to any friends or family who might be in the area.
Sunday, October 4th
The Woods Hole Folk Music Society
Concert at the Community Hall
68 Water Street
Woods Hole, MA 02543
508-540-0320
Map
7:30PM
Tickets $15.00
Monday, September 21, 2009
Tucott Website
http://www.tucott.com/news.html
Is the website of Trinidadian calypsonians and has a lot of interesting information
Is the website of Trinidadian calypsonians and has a lot of interesting information
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Howard Glasser Archive
Howard Glasser

Posted in Howard T. Glasser Archives of Folk Music and Letter Arts by jfarrar1895 on June 18, 2009
On June 17, Howard Glasser toured the new Archives and Special Collections facility and met with archivist Judy Farrar regarding next steps in planning for the future growth of the Howard T. Glasser Archives of Folk Music and Letter Arts. Established in 2003, the mission of the Howard T. Glasser Archives of Folk Music and Letter Arts is to preserve the artistic and musical collecting legacy of retired design professor Howard T. Glasser. The initial donation, digital copies of his Scottish recordings, many original Eisteddfod recordings, and programs and flyers from the Carnegie and URI ceildhs, forms the core of the collection. The Howard T. Glasser Archives Fund was established the following year to help maintain these fragile materials, many of which reside on ageing magnetic reel to reel recording tapes. To date, the fund has enabled staff to pay for digital conversion of a related collection, the recordings of Paul Clayton, and a selection of the Eisteddfod recordings. The fund will also be used to begin conversion of the Tryworks concert recordings.
The archivist welcomes suggestions for donations of potentially important historic material to the collection from folk song groups, coffeehouses and other folk music venues, collectors, artists and musicians to document the folk music “scene” in New England. Contact Judy Farrar via email at jfarrar@umassd.edu.

Posted in Howard T. Glasser Archives of Folk Music and Letter Arts by jfarrar1895 on June 18, 2009
On June 17, Howard Glasser toured the new Archives and Special Collections facility and met with archivist Judy Farrar regarding next steps in planning for the future growth of the Howard T. Glasser Archives of Folk Music and Letter Arts. Established in 2003, the mission of the Howard T. Glasser Archives of Folk Music and Letter Arts is to preserve the artistic and musical collecting legacy of retired design professor Howard T. Glasser. The initial donation, digital copies of his Scottish recordings, many original Eisteddfod recordings, and programs and flyers from the Carnegie and URI ceildhs, forms the core of the collection. The Howard T. Glasser Archives Fund was established the following year to help maintain these fragile materials, many of which reside on ageing magnetic reel to reel recording tapes. To date, the fund has enabled staff to pay for digital conversion of a related collection, the recordings of Paul Clayton, and a selection of the Eisteddfod recordings. The fund will also be used to begin conversion of the Tryworks concert recordings.
The archivist welcomes suggestions for donations of potentially important historic material to the collection from folk song groups, coffeehouses and other folk music venues, collectors, artists and musicians to document the folk music “scene” in New England. Contact Judy Farrar via email at jfarrar@umassd.edu.
Tryworks Archive
Tryworks Coffeehouse Memorabilia Donated to Howard T. Glasser Archives of Folk Music and Letter Arts
Posted in Howard T. Glasser Archives of Folk Music and Letter Arts, Uncategorized by jfarrar1895 on June 12, 2009
On June 5th the Archives and Special Collections received the records of Tryworks Coffeehouse through former managers Maggi Peirce and Jody Heck. Many boxes were neatly packed and ready to go at the First Unitarian Church in New Bedford, the home of Tryworks since it moved from the Pilgrim United Church. Tryworks was in operation from 1967 to 2002 and was a popular venue for young people and budding musicians and poets. Coffeehouses were popular during the 1960s revival of folk music and remained relevant for many years. Tryworks was the second-oldest continuously-running coffeehouse in the country before it closed in 2002. The collection includes recordings, photographs, scrapbooks, programs, and flyers. The Tryworks archives will be part of the Howard T. Glasser Archives of Folk Music and Letter Arts. Read the article in the Standard Times at http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090606/NEWS/906060329
Posted in Howard T. Glasser Archives of Folk Music and Letter Arts, Uncategorized by jfarrar1895 on June 12, 2009
On June 5th the Archives and Special Collections received the records of Tryworks Coffeehouse through former managers Maggi Peirce and Jody Heck. Many boxes were neatly packed and ready to go at the First Unitarian Church in New Bedford, the home of Tryworks since it moved from the Pilgrim United Church. Tryworks was in operation from 1967 to 2002 and was a popular venue for young people and budding musicians and poets. Coffeehouses were popular during the 1960s revival of folk music and remained relevant for many years. Tryworks was the second-oldest continuously-running coffeehouse in the country before it closed in 2002. The collection includes recordings, photographs, scrapbooks, programs, and flyers. The Tryworks archives will be part of the Howard T. Glasser Archives of Folk Music and Letter Arts. Read the article in the Standard Times at http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090606/NEWS/906060329
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Sandy Paton RIP
From The Folk-Legacy Site
In memory of Charles Alexander (Sandy) Paton, who passed from this life,
July 26, 2009 at 6:32 pm, at the age of 80
Folk-Legacy Records founder Sandy Paton passed away on Sunday July 26 around 6:30pm. He had been hospitalized the last few days after becoming extremely fatigued. Sandy had been in poor health in recent years, suffering from emphysema which required that he was constantly connected to oxygen. About a month ago, Sandy & Caroline’s grandson died tragically – drowning in a river in Connecticut. Friends have said that Sandy took the loss extremely hard.
Sandy, with his wife Caroline and the late Lee Haggerty, founded Folk-Legacy Records as an independent recording company specializing in traditional and contemporary folk music of the English-speaking world in 1961. Over the 48 years Folk-Legacy has existed, they have produced over 120 recordings with Sandy doing the actual recording and taking cover photographs.
Sandy was a terrific singer in his own right, as well. He and Caroline were designated as the Official Connecticut State Troubadours for 1993-1994.
Sing Out! editor Mark Moss adds: “In a world where meeting your “idols” rarely works out very well, Sandy Paton was an inspiration. His love, dedication and vision for traditional music was unwavering … but he was never strident, pushy or rude about his impressive knowledge. This was a guy who was all about loving the music and wanting to share his love for the songs and singers. And each Folk-Legacy release exuded that passion. Once I “met” my first Folk-Legacy release (the original Golden Ring recording), I was hooked … and am proud to own almost every release from the label. Hardly “hi tech,” but the music Sandy captured, made and shared was the real thing in the truest sense of the words. It was an honor to have known him. My heart was already breaking for the family (after the loss of his grandson Kaelan in June) … I can’t imagine the pain the family is feeling now. A sad, sad day.”
Memorial service Oct 10. Check the Folk-Legacy site for details
In memory of Charles Alexander (Sandy) Paton, who passed from this life,
July 26, 2009 at 6:32 pm, at the age of 80
Folk-Legacy Records founder Sandy Paton passed away on Sunday July 26 around 6:30pm. He had been hospitalized the last few days after becoming extremely fatigued. Sandy had been in poor health in recent years, suffering from emphysema which required that he was constantly connected to oxygen. About a month ago, Sandy & Caroline’s grandson died tragically – drowning in a river in Connecticut. Friends have said that Sandy took the loss extremely hard.
Sandy, with his wife Caroline and the late Lee Haggerty, founded Folk-Legacy Records as an independent recording company specializing in traditional and contemporary folk music of the English-speaking world in 1961. Over the 48 years Folk-Legacy has existed, they have produced over 120 recordings with Sandy doing the actual recording and taking cover photographs.
Sandy was a terrific singer in his own right, as well. He and Caroline were designated as the Official Connecticut State Troubadours for 1993-1994.
Sing Out! editor Mark Moss adds: “In a world where meeting your “idols” rarely works out very well, Sandy Paton was an inspiration. His love, dedication and vision for traditional music was unwavering … but he was never strident, pushy or rude about his impressive knowledge. This was a guy who was all about loving the music and wanting to share his love for the songs and singers. And each Folk-Legacy release exuded that passion. Once I “met” my first Folk-Legacy release (the original Golden Ring recording), I was hooked … and am proud to own almost every release from the label. Hardly “hi tech,” but the music Sandy captured, made and shared was the real thing in the truest sense of the words. It was an honor to have known him. My heart was already breaking for the family (after the loss of his grandson Kaelan in June) … I can’t imagine the pain the family is feeling now. A sad, sad day.”
Memorial service Oct 10. Check the Folk-Legacy site for details
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
