Blind Blake Calypso singer???

Subject: RE: Blind Blake Calypso singer???
From: GUEST,David A. Greene
Date: 08 Jan 09 - 02:09 AM

A fan of Blake's since childhood, I wore out three volumes of his music on 50s vintage vinyl. Some years ago, I managed to track down less worn replacements on EBay. I am fortunate to have a longtime friend who is a very computer-savvy recording engineer. He is currently in the process of filtering and enhancing these recordings. I am a stickler when it comes to meddling with the original sound of music that I have been listening to for so long. I can tell you that the results this guy is getting are really superb. He works slowly and I can't say how soon the project will be completed; however, if anyone is interested in acquiring a copy of this material, I will to accomodate a few requests for only the cost of materials and shipping. I'll watch this site for responses.

Subject: RE: Blind Blake Calypso singer???
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 08 Jan 09 - 04:05 AM

Yes, David, but let's keep it on one thread, preferably This one to which you already contributed.

Good luck with the project.

Subject: RE: Blind Blake Calypso singer???
From: Fanatic Dave
Date: 10 Jan 09 - 09:30 PM

Murray,
             As you may have surmised, I am decidedly inexperienced in the proper use of a site such as this. I have recently noticed that there are two threads regarding Blake on which I have left postings. If, at any point, you could spare the time to look over my entries and pass along any advice or suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it. I was surprised to get so much response so quickly to messages about an artist who is, sadly, so little known.

Subject: RE: Blind Blake Calypso singer???
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Feb 09 - 11:57 PM

I recently received a remastered compilation of the original three-volume "Blind Blake: A Group of Bahamian Songs" records on one CD. Having played the entire collection through several times, I can attest that this version is super clean, and sounds just terrific. I set the project in motion because of a lifelong love of Blake's music. I am not seeking to turn this into a commercial enterprise but individuals interested in obtaining a copy, at cost, may contact me at [e-mail].

Subject: RE: Blind Blake Calypso singer???
From: GUEST,Fanatic
Date: 25 Feb 09 - 04:44 PM

As I mentioned on the other Blind Blake thread at this site, a recording engineer friend has re-mastered the three volume set of Blind Blake records onto a single CD. This project was undertaken for our personal enjoyment without any commercial objective in mind. The finished product sounds extremely clean and good. I could not handle any huge demand, but would be willing to send a few copies to interested Blake fans. I would want only to be reimbursed for modest material costs and postage.
                                                                                                          Dave Greene
                                                                                          email: [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Blind Blake Calypso singer???
From: GUEST,BRADLEY
Date: 30 Mar 10 - 01:44 PM

i am trying to contact kevin wilson about lps of blind blake higgs as he
talk about on the subject blind blake calypso singer????

Subject: RE: Blind Blake Calypso singer???
From: GUEST,Phil
Date: 24 Nov 15 - 09:43 PM

The old Higgs (And The Royal Victoria Hotel Calypsos) vinyl is readily available online:

Blind Blake And The Royal Victoria Hotel Calypsos
A Group Of Bahamian Songs, ART Records, AL3/ALP3, 10"LP, 1951
A1         J.P. Morgan
A2         Jones! (Oh Jones!)
A3         Yes!, Yes!, Yes!
A4         Pretty Boy
A5         Run Come See
B1         Love, Love Alone
B2         Lord Got Tomatoes
B3         Pigeon
B4         Watermelon Spoilin' On The Vine
B5         Never Interfere With Man And Wife


A Second Album Of Bahamian Songs, ART Records, ALP4, 10"LP, 1952
A1         Peas And Rice - Little Nassau
A2         Eighteen Hundred And Ninety-One
A3         John B. Sail (Wreck Of The John B.)
A4         A Conch Ain't Got No Bone
B1         Gin And Coconut Water
B2         Sara Jane
B3         Foolish Frog
B4         Hold 'Im Joe - Jump In The Line - Wheel And Turn Me

Reissued as ALP4A, 12"LP, 1957 ("bonus" tracks: A2, B2)
A1         Peas And Rice - Little Nassau         
A2         Bellamena         
A3         Eighteen Hundred And Ninety-One         
A4         John B. Sail (Wreck Of The John B.)         
A5         A Conch Ain't Got No Bone         
B1         Gin And Coconut Water         
B2         The Cigar Song         
B3         Sara Jane         
B4         Foolish Frog         
B5         Hold 'Im Joe - Wheel And Turn Me - Jump In The Line


A Third Album Of Bahamian Songs, ART Records, ALP6, 10"LP, AEP6, 2x7"EP gatefold, 1952
A1         Goombay Drum
A2         Eight Babies
A3         Never Mind The Noise In The Market
A4         Boat Pull Out - Bahama Mama
B1         Run Joe
B2         Delia Gone
B3         Curley Cay
B4         Brown Skin Gal - Mary Ann
(7" track#: A1, A2, B1, etc.)

Reissued as:
...With The Royal Victoria Calypso Orchestra & The Goombay Four
ALP6A, 12"LP, 1957 ("bonus" tracks: A2, B3)
A1         Goombay Drum
A2         Go Down Emanuel Road
A3         Eight Babies To Mind
A4         Noise By The Market
A5         Boat Pull Out - Bahama Mama
B1         Run Joe
B2         Delia Gone
B3         Sly Mongoose
B4         Curley Cay
B5         Brown Skin Gal - Mary Ann

More to follow...

Subject: RE: Blind Blake Calypso singer???
From: GUEST,Phil
Date: 24 Nov 15 - 09:49 PM

Higgs did one album side for Frank Penn's Freeport, Grand Bahama label.
A Cultural Experience, G.B.I. Recording Co. Ltd., LP109, 1976

Indigenous Bahamian Songs
A1         Jonah Swallowed The Whale
A2         Jesus The Son Of God Do
A3         The Shilling
A4         Under Mervin
A5         Prayer Time
A6         Aunt Elizabeth
A7         Good Friday
A8         The Rape
A9         Unity         
                
Indigenous Bahamian Comedy: (Pandora Gibson)
B1         Yes, Yes, Yes         
B2         What A Pain I Got         
B3         Peas A Rice & Coconut Oil         
B4         Jones Oh Jones         
B5         Foolish Frog


If you're still "vinyl capable" this is your holy grail:
Blind Blake And The Victoria Royal Hotel Calypsos, Moi J'Connais Records (Switzerland,) MJCR004, 2010
A1         Love, Love Alone         
A2         John B. Sail (Wreck Of The John B.)         
A3         Yes, Yes, Yes         
A4         Go Down Emmanuel Road         
A5         Monkey Song         
A6         Delia Gone         
B1         Run Come See Jerusalem         
B2         The Cigar Song         
B3         Jones (Oh Jones)         
B4         Hold 'im Joe / Jump In The Line / Wheel And Turn Me         
B5         Eighteen Hundred And Ninety One         
B6         Goombay Drum
180gr. Audiophile reissue compilation available for under U$20, mint, factory sealed.


Next up: CD reissues...

Subject: RE: Blind Blake Calypso singer???
From: GUEST,Phil
Date: 24 Nov 15 - 09:52 PM

Compact disc:
Note: Everything I've ever play-graded sounded like it was taken from Hal Doane's 1951-52 Nassau recordings (ART Records.)


Blind Blake, The Goombay Rock, P-Vine Records (Japan,) PCD-2861, 1994
1         J.P. Morgan
2         Jones Oh Jones
3         Yes, Yes, Yes
4         John B. Sail
5         Rum Come See
6         Eighteen Hundred And Ninety-One
7         Lord Got Tomatoes
8         Peas And Rice - Little Nassau
9         A Conch Ain't No Bone
10         My Pigeon Gone Wild
11         Pretty Boy
12         Sly Mongoose
13         Run Joe
14         Spirit Rum
15         Fisherman Bill
16         Loose Goat, Tie Goat
17         Boat Pull Out - Bahama Mama
18         Delia Gone
19         Goombay Drum
20         The Goombay Rock
Compiled by Fukazawa Yoshiki; distro by Blue Interactions; hard to find and pricey.


Compilation, Legends of Calypso, ARC Music (UK,) EUCD1774, 2002
(w/Peanuts Taylor; Andre Toussaint; et al)
4         De Pig An' Goat
5         Brown Skim Gal/Mary Ann
12         Gin & Coconut Water
15         Bahama Lullaby Rock
19         Bellamena
21.        O' Look Misery
23         The Monkey Song
U$5 boot/yard sale perennial.


Blind Blake And The Royal Victoria Hotel Calypsos, Bahamian Songs, Megaphone (France,) CDMEGA22, 2009
1         Love, Love Alone
2         John B. Sail (Wreck Of The John B.)
3         Jones (Oh Jones)
4         J. P. Morgan
5         Consumptive Sara Jane
6         Yes, Yes, Yes
7         Never Interfere With Man And Wife
8         Gin And Coconut Water
9         The Cigar Song
10         Run Come See Jerusalem
11         Bahama Lullaby
12         My Pigeon Got Wild
13         Delia Gone
14         Tanneray
15         Loose Goat
16         Lord Got Tomatoes
17         Bellamena
18         Hold ´im Joe / Jump In The Line / Wheel And Turn Me
19         Go Down Emmanuel Road
20         Watermelon Spoilin' On The Wine
21         O Look Misery
22         Foolish Frog
23         Peas And Rice
24         Eighteen Hundred And Ninety One
25         Monkey Song         
26         On A Tropical Isle
27         Goombay Drum
28         Better Be Safe Than Sorry
Available online used/new: U$10-18 and MP3 for download at AmazonUK.