Merrick's Orchestra - Cipriani Calypso

Subject: Merrick's Orchestra - Cipriani Calypso
From: GUEST,Alan Warhaftig
Date: 14 Nov 04 - 04:25 PM

There is a song I would very much like to locate. It is a 1925 (?) Victor recording by Merrick's Orchestra, of "Who You Votin' For? Cipriani!" The song is a calypso supporting populist leader Captain A.A. Cipriani in Trinidad's first election. I would love to have a copy of the recording and/or the sheet music for a project I'm working on.

Any ideas?

                                                    Alan Warhaftig
                                                    [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Merrick's Orchestra - Cipriani Calypso
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Feb 12 - 03:13 AM

Seven years later, I'm still looking for this recording. Any ideas where I can find it?

Subject: RE: Merrick's Orchestra - Cipriani Calypso
From: GUEST,999
Date: 09 Feb 12 - 04:20 AM

Merrick's Trinidad Harmony String Band.

BVE-33576        10/19/1925        Who you voting for?        
Merrick's Trinidad Harmony String Band
Instrumental ensemble, with male vocal duet

from

http://victor.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/talent/detail/14303/Merricks_Trinidad_Harmony_String_Band_Musical_group

I hope that site means something to you.

Subject: RE: Merrick's Orchestra - Cipriani Calypso
From: GUEST,999
Date: 09 Feb 12 - 05:11 AM

From

http://countrystudies.us/caribbean-islands/39.htm

The labor movement began to assume importance after World War I, spurred by the return of Trinidadians who had fought with the British armed forces. The most important of these was Captain Andrew Arthur Cipriani, a white man of Corsican descent, who had served as commander of the West India Regiment. Cipriani resented the fact that the West India Regiment was not allowed to fight for the British Empire but instead was sent to Egypt, where its forces served as labor battalions. Upon his return to Trinidad, Cipriani organized the masses, giving them national pride and teaching them to oppose colonialism. He revitalized the Trinidad Workingman's Association, which was renamed the Trinidad Labour Party (TLP) in 1934; by 1936 the TLP had 125,000 members. Because Cipriani was white, he was able to transcend the black-East Indian racial dichotomy and became known as "the champion of the barefoot man." In the first elections held for the Legislative Council, Cipriani was elected in 1925 and remained a member until his death in 1945. He was also elected mayor of Port-of-Spain eight times. In these two offices, Cipriani struggled against racial discrimination and fought for constitutional reform, universal suffrage, and better rights for workers.

Subject: RE: Merrick's Orchestra - Cipriani Calypso
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Jul 18 - 10:23 PM

Still interested to find this. I don’t need to own the disc - an MP3 copy would do. Thank you.