'Bahamian'-v-'Tin Pan Alley'

Craton-Saunders on Lofthouse and the goombay era in general:

"This irresistibly danceable rhythm to mildly satirical or salacious lyrics probably originated among strolling barefoot players such as Philip Brice of Fox Hill and the ukulele-playing Shorty-the-Serenader in the 1920s. Curiously, it was taken up (and given some respectability) by a talented member of the white elite, Charles Lofthouse, who wrote the popular "Bahama Mama" and "Goombay Papa, Beat the Drum Again" in the 1930s."

[Craton, Michael, Saunders, Gail, Islanders in the Stream, Athens: U. of Georgia Press, 1998, pp.478-79]

Lofthouse was not a lyricist. If we're talking satirical or salacious where is L. Wolfe Gilbert and Tin Pan Alley? If the butcher of the Peanut Vendor is involved it's not just relevant. It is the subject. This and T. Rommen's treatment of the Gilbert, Lofthouse and Alice Simms legacies in Funky Nassau is on par with the usual 'Harry Belafonte's Yellow Bird' on the Haitian front.

IMO the majority of the difference in Bahamian-v-TPA is packaging and labels. Where do you need to place Charles Lofthouse or J. Rosamond Johnson… and why?


RE that and: "I did note the similarity to "Mama don't 'low" in an earlier message."

Helen Louise Dillet Johnson

Gentlereaders this is the face of a mother that did not allow.