Origins: History of 'Kilindini Docks' ???

Subject: RE: Origins: History of 'Kilindini Docks' ???
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 03 Apr 19 - 05:49 PM

It's described as "Calypso" on this Amazon listing.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/KILINDINI-DOCKS-UNA-CHICA-IMPACTO/dp/B005AT2P4K/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=kilindini+docks&qid=1554314534&s=ga

Ross

Subject: RE: Origins: History of 'Kilindini Docks' ???
From: GUEST,Bruno
Date: 03 Apr 19 - 11:25 AM

In Swahili (East Africa’s lingua franca) Madi or Mamadi is the very common short form for the proper name Mohammed.
In the song he is most likely a stevedore/coolie.
The first line is non-standard Swahili and recites ‘Madi nakwenda Kilindini Docks’ = Madi is going to Kilindini Docks (name of the deep-water harbor facilities of Mombasa, Kenya).
I first heard the song in Italy by Katyna Ranieri in the late 50’s. The structure reminds me of Harry Belafonte’s Banana Boat. As a matter of fact, it came out in the wake of the calypso fad.

Subject: RE: Origins: History of 'Kilindini Docks' ???
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 28 Apr 13 - 09:30 AM

The song does appear to be from 1959/60 time and written by the Italians above. The words may be Swahili Madina kwenda Kilindini Docks = Madina to Kilindini Docks, (old city to KD).

The French version has variations on Coolie conduit moi KD - Coolie take me to KD.

The notes on the youbube Flo Sandon recording say that the tune is based on one of the tunes from the film Orpheu Negru (Black Orpheus), but I listened to the likely parts and failed to identify it from there.

Mick

Subject: RE: Origins: History of 'Kilindini Docks' ???
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Apr 13 - 07:19 AM

Peggy March is accompanied on this recording by The Dutch Group ''The Hunters'' on sologuitar as member of The Hunters : Jan Akkerman . Jan Akkerman also was a member of Focus and Brainbox.

Subject: RE: Origins: History of 'Kilindini Docks' ???
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 13 Jun 12 - 03:41 PM

Kilindini Harbour is a deep-water port serving Mombasa and a vast hinterland.

Were you ever there, Ron?

Ross

Subject: RE: Origins: History of 'Kilindini Docks' ???
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 13 Jun 12 - 03:39 PM

Tried Swahili in Google Translate (the ONLY African language option listed bar Afrikaans). Nothing sensible comes out.

"Madi" seems to be replaced by what sounds like "coolie" (ie "Coolie no guenda") in one of the sung versions.

Ross

Subject: RE: Origins: History of 'Kilindini Docks' ???
From: Sailor Ron
Date: 13 Jun 12 - 05:53 AM

Kilindini Dock is the main harbour fot Kenya, could the words therefore be Swaheli? Any Swaheli speakers on Mud Cat?

Subject: RE: Origins: History of 'Kilindini Docks' ???
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 12 Jun 12 - 11:00 PM

It sounds like it had a life before it became a pop song. And another life long before Little Peggy March's version:-
Peggy March ‎â€" Kilindini Docks / Too Long Away
Label:
RCA Victor â€" 47-9655
Format:
Vinyl, 7", Single
Country:
Germany
Released:
1965
Genre:
Pop
Style:
Schlager

JOHNNY (DORELLI) Calipso Romance bw Kilindini Docks LIBERTY (both sides presented); dated 24/07/57.

FLO SANDONS CON IL QUARTETTO RADAR Kilindini Docks CERA GREY

This recording of Flo Sandons (1959) on YouTube carries an image of the record-label, where authorship is credited to "Lecorde - Lorenzi".

This site (FAQS.ORG) http://www.faqs.org/copyright/kilindini-docks-original-w-lecorde-aldo-locatelli-english-w/ has this entry on copyright:-

"Kilindini docks. Original w Lecorde (Aldo Locatelli), English w Sunny Skylar (Marguerite Almeda), m J. Lorenzi (Federico Bergamini)
Type of Work:
Musical work
Array
RE0000436311 / 1989-06-08
EU0000663965 / 1961-03-27
Title:
Kilindini docks. Original w Lecorde (Aldo Locatelli), English w Sunny Skylar (Marguerite Almeda), m J. Lorenzi (Federico Bergamini)
Basis of Claim:
New Matter: English words.
Variant title:
Kilindini docks.
Copyright Claimant:
Marguerite Almeda (Sunny Skylar) (A)
Names:
Marguerite Almeda
Aldo Locatelli (73 documents)
example document: T'insegnero' a baciare
Federico Bergamini (26 documents)
example document: La Svolta. w Aldo Locatelli, m Federico Bergamini, E. Beltempo, pseud. of Filippo Bellobuono
J. Lorenzi (4 documents)
example document: Cling to me. m J. Lorenzi, English w Horace Linsley & Gerald Ross
Lecorde. (1 documents)
example document: Il Blues del mandriano. Italian w Aldo Locatelli, w & m Jimmie Rodgers & George Vaughn

Read more: http://www.faqs.org/copyright/kilindini-docks-original-w-lecorde-aldo-locatelli-english-w/#ixzz1xdULettX"

Also a French version, with words by Jacques Larue

http://www.78discography.com/RCA207000.htm lists a 78rpm disc RCA 20-7120 by PEREZ PRADO & HIS ORCH. KILINDINI DOCKS Lecorde - Lorenzi

PEREZ PRADO KILINDINI DOCKS

Buy it for 5 Euros! perez prado - patricia / why wait / a lo loco / kilindini docks

Enjoy!

Ross

Subject: RE: Origins: History of 'Kilindini Docks' ???
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 12 Jun 12 - 01:12 PM

Hi, Ross. Thanks for posting the links about this song. I enjoyed listening to it.

Subject: RE: Origins: History of 'Kilindini Docks' ???
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 12 Jun 12 - 06:11 AM

I had a look at this before, but hadn't come up with anything. I'll forward the lyrics to the Merchant Navy thread as well.

Ross

Subject: Lyr Add:- Kilindini Docks (Madi Madi Song)
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 12 Jun 12 - 06:09 AM

Almost sounds like a shanty, or maybe a work-song. That would fit with the location:-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kilindini_Harbour
Many other versions on YouTube.

Lyrics from here seem to accord with umpteen other lyric sites (no author attributions found):-

http://10000lyrics.com/lyrics-madi-madi-song-peggy-march-227066.html

Madi-madi song

Madi madi madi
Madi madi madi
Madi
Madi
Madi madi madi
Kilindini Docks
Balla balla balla
Balla balla balla
Madi no guenda, Kilindini Docks

(Madi no guenda, Kilindini Docks)
(Madi no guenda, Kilindini Docks)
Deep in the jungle, along the riverside
(Madi no guenda, Kilindini Docks)
Men keep on working, morning to the night
(Madi no guenda, Kilindini Docks)
Kerry and Gary can't carry that cable
(Madi no guenda, Kilindini Docks)
You can hear them singing sad and lonely songs
(Madi no guenda, Kilindini Docks)
Oh mister captain, that sun is very warm
(Madi no guenda, Kilindini Docks)
Oh mister boatsman, my heart's no longer strong
(Madi no guenda, Kilindini Docks)
(Madi no guenda, Kilindini Docks)

Madi
Madi
Madi

(Oh mister captain, the sun is very warm)
(Madi no guenda, Kilindini Docks)
Deep in the jungle, along the riverside
(Madi no guenda, Kilindini Docks)
Men keep on working, morning to the night
(Madi no guenda, Kilindini Docks)
(Madi no guenda, Kilindini Docks)

Madi no guenda, Kilindini Docks
(Madi no guenda, Kilindini Docks)
(Madi no guenda, Kilindini Docks)
Madi madi madi
Madi madi madi

Subject: RE: Origins: History of 'Kilindini Docks' ???
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Jun 12 - 05:23 AM

A year and a half, still no answers. :( I found another version by Flo Sandon & Quartetto Radar, but still don't know much about the song itself. Also cant find a translation of the lyric "madi no guenda" any ideas?

Thanks again,
Gidian Maker

Subject: Origins: History of 'Kilindini Docks' ???
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Dec 10 - 04:04 PM

This started out as a bit of a puzzle for me. I had a mis-tagged album of Little Peggy March, all the labels were wrong, and at the end of the album was this song that didn't seem to fit. After much lyric searching and album look-ups it turns out to be her after all. I've found the song titled either "The Madi Madi Song" or "Kilindini Docks". I found out she recorded it in an Amsterdam studio per their request, specifically for that market.

What's the history of this song? It seems like it could be interesting. Here's a link to a version of it on YouTube

Kilindini Docks - Little Peggy March

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Gidian Maker