The Theme of Creolization: The English-Speaking Caribbean Music

5th February 2022

Professor: Dr. Christine Gangelhoff 

Chapter One 


Creolization in the English Caribbean

 

Earlier in this blog, I explored the theme of creolization in the book Tour de Force, and how throughout this blog, that theme will be more explored within the context of the Caribbean. Chapter 1 of Tour de Force surveys music in 4 main Caribbean Islands: Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, United States Virgin Islands, and The Bahamas.

One example of creolization used in chapter 1, is Calypso, a musical genre mostly related to Trinidad and Tobago. According to Tour de Force, the authors describe Calypso as a “mix of French Caribbean, European, African, and possibly Venezuelan music” (Gangelhoff & LeGrand, p. 72, 2019). According to Gangelhoff and Legrand, the lyrics of Calypso songs speak about social, controversial, and political issues that are in the form of “satirical or humorous form” (p. 72).

Here's an image of Linda McCartha Monica Sandy-Lewis, known as Calypso Rose. A famous Calypso singer from Tobago, performing at Coachella.

Image is taken from: https://www.billboard.com/culture/events/calypso-rose-coachella-interview-8506479/


Here's a video of Calypso Rose performing at Coachella. 

 The video was adapted from:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTlpWDP7o1c.
 Calypso Rose performed Abatina at Coachella n 2019, the theme of the song focused on 
being respectful to your mother. At 78 years old, she is full of energy and has a unique singing voice. 

 Another example of creolization found in the book Tour de Force of the English Caribbean is Ska from Jamaica. Ska is a fusion of mento and rhythm and blues (originated in the US in the 1940s). The music is lively and an up-tempo with syncopated rhythms, with a popular horn section (Gangelhoff & LeGrand, p. 48, 2019).

Below is an image of the Skatalites, one of the original ska groups, that set the tone for the style.


Below is a video of Skatelites performing at The Glastonbury Festival in 2003.

Adapted from:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPv_BAKIhlo
In this video, what is important is to notice the horn section, which is important in Ska music. The song playing in the video is a very popular song of theirs called: Guns of Navarone.


One more example of creolization comes from Rake and Scrape, the main music genre of the Bahamas. According to the culture section of the Bahamas High Commission in London, it says, “Rake and Scrape’ has its origins in the family island of Cat Island where it developed as a hybrid form from European and African music cultures” (BHC, n. d). Rake and scrape according to the BHC, is popular folk music that takes the form of classical folk, folk plays, and folk operas. (BHC, n. d). Some instruments used in rake and scrape are the accordion, goombay drum, carpenter’s saw, etc. 

Below here is an image of Ronnie Butler, a popular Bahamian artist (b 1937-2017).

photo adapted from: https://www.bahamascustoms.gov.bs/ronnie-butler-stileet-and-lady-e-at-bahamas-junkanoo-carnival-kickoff-at-taino-beach/

Here's an audio version of Ronnie Butler singing his famous song "Burma Road"
Adapted from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrX7zFpxZvU. In the video, you should be able to hear the carpenter's saw, piano, percussion, etc. 


References

Gangelhoff, C., & LeGrand, C. (2019). Tour de Force: A Musical Journey of The Caribbean.

Culture of the Bahamas: Rake and Scrape. The Bahamas High Commission London. (n.d.). Retrieved February 6, 2022, from https://www.bahamashclondon.net/default/culture/#:~:text='Rake%20and%20Scrape'%20has%20its,European%20and%20African%20music%20cultures.

Meschino, P. (2019, April 10). 78-year-old Caribbean Trailblazer Calypso Rose on her history-making Coachella gig. Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2022, from https://www.billboard.com/culture/events/calypso-rose-coachella-interview-8506479/

Ronnie Butler, Stileet, and Lady E at Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival kickoff at Taino Beach. The Bahamas Customs Department. (n.d.). Retrieved February 6, 2022, from https://www.bahamascustoms.gov.bs/ronnie-butler-stileet-and-lady-e-at-bahamas-junkanoo-carnival-kickoff-at-taino-beach/

The skatalites. The Skatalites. (n.d.). Retrieved February 6, 2022, from http://www.skatalites.com/#the-skatalites-1

 

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