Belafonte - The Midnight Special (1962)

Today I'm posting the last of my Harry Belafonte records. This is the first one I actually bought, and it was because of the beautiful album cover. Love that cover. And I also love the way he sings. This one is different from the other two I have (and have posted) in that he's not doing the calypso thing (and that accent). It's a really great album, and even features Bob Dylan's first appearance on record, playing harmonica on the title track, "Midnight Special". Another interesting thing about this record is, that according to the liner notes, "a large proportion of the words are his (meaning Harry's), written in dressing rooms on tour, wrestled with for hours in his workshop". This is the mono version (if anyone has the stereo version, please share!). Go give it a listen!

Track listing for Belafonte - The Midnight Special (link has been deleted - go buy CD on Amazon):

Side 1:
1. Midnight Special
Let the Midnight Special shine in everlovin' light on me
2. Crawdad Song
You don't miss water till the well runs dry
And you don't miss your man till he says good-bye
3. Memphis Tennessee
I got a new way a-spellin' Memphis, Tennessee
4. Gotta Travel On
There's a lonesome freight at 6:08
Comin' through the town
And I feel like I've got to travel on
5. Did You Hear About Jerry?
Timber, Timber, Lord this Timber's gotta roll

Side 2:
1. On Top Of Old Smokey
If you ever see a dark cloud rollin' in the sky
It's my woman goin' to heaven, with a teardrop in her eye
2. Muleskinner
I can carve my initials on any ol' mule's behind
3. Makes A Long Time Man Feel Bad
My baby sister keeps writin', "Come on home"
And my tears run down because my time's so long
4. Michael Row The Boat Ashore
So Christian soldiers off to war, Hallelujah
Hold the line in Arkansas, Hallelujah

Harry Belafonte - Calypso (1956)

Back in June, I posted one of Harry Belafonte's early albums (not sure if it was his first), and tonight I'm posting the one that was probably his breakout album - "Calypso". This is the one that has the song "Day O" on it. It is a great album! Many of you probably already have it, and there were several copies in the HPB bargain bin (this was the best copy) when I bought it. So, it's not exactly a rare or hard-to-find album, but I wanted to share my copy with you. Hope you enjoy it!

Track listing for Harry Belafonte - Calypso (link has been deleted - go buy CD on Amazon):

Side 1:
1. Day O
2. I Do Adore Her
3. Jamaica Farewell
4. Will His Love Be Like His Rum?
5. Dolly Dawn

Side 2:
1. Star O
2. The Jack-Ass Song
3. Hosanna
4. Come Back Liza
5. Brown Skin Girl
6. Man Smart (Woman Smarter)

Here's Harry singing "Jamaica Farewell":

Harry Belafonte - Belafonte (1956)

I really like Harry Belafonte, and I wish I had a better copy of this album. But, I haven't been able to find a posting of it, so I thought I would go ahead and record and post my copy. I ran it through the click removal five times, but there is still noise, and several of the songs have skips. So, if anyone out there has a better copy, please post it and let me know!

This is one of Harry's early albums (I think it was his second), and the liner notes say that "most of the songs in this collection will be familiar to all". Well, I've only heard three of them, but the entire album is good. As the liner notes say, "great folk themes are immortal and timeless". The three songs that I'm familiar with (and thus my favorites on the album) are "Matilda" (makes me want to sing along), "Scarlet Ribbons" (it's so sweet it always makes me cry), and "Unchained Melody" (always a beautiful song). I hope you like these songs, and the rest of the album!

Track listing for Harry Belafonte - Belafonte (link has been deleted - go buy CD on Amazon):

Side 1:
1. Water Boy
2. Troubles
3. Suzanne (Every Night When the Sun Goes Down)
4. Matilda
5. Take My Mother Home

Side 2:
1. Noah
2. Scarlet Ribbons (For Her Hair)
3. In That Great Gettin' Up Mornin'
4. Unchained Melody
5. Jump Down, Spin Around
6. Sylvie


BTW, the last four records (and this one) were recorded on my new ION USB turntable! I got the TTUSB05 and it works great! Also, I haven't received any comments on Sharlene Sharp. Doesn't anyone out there have any info on her or Sonny Look???