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05 Feb 01 - 01:54 PM (#390555) Subject: RE: What's the diff btwn calypso and reggae? From: Trapper A Brief History of Carribean Music CALYPSO A type of folk music that comes from the island of Trinidad in the Caribbean. Calypso songs are in the 2/4 or 4/4 time, with a strong beat similar to the rhythm of African songs. . . . Some think [the word Calypso] comes from the African word Kai-so, meaning bravo, used to praise a good singer. Calypso originated in the songs of African slaves who worked in the plantation fields of Trinidad. They were forbidden to talk to each other, and used calypso to communicate feelings and information. To fool their masters, they sang in a French-creole dialect called patois. Annual calypso singing competitions were held at carnival time. After slavery was abolished in the 1830's, these competitions became more popular and attracted many visitors to Trinidad.
SOCA
MENTO
R&B / SOUND SYSTEMS
SKA
ROCK STEADY
REGGAE
LOVER'S ROCK
DUB
Dubs were then taken to the dance halls and played next to the original version of the song. Then one Jamaican MC made history by talking, chatting and singing over the dub version of a song for his particular sound system (today this is known as a "special").
RAP / HIP-HOP
DANCEHALL
SLACKNESS / GUN TALK
CULTURE
Sources: |
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05 Feb 01 - 01:56 PM (#390562) Subject: RE: What's the diff btwn calypso and reggae? From: Trapper Oops - missed the tag! Also the http://www.vinow.com/culture/music.htm" tag at the bottom... Help Joe! Thanks! - Al |
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05 Feb 01 - 02:07 PM (#390579) Subject: RE: What's the diff btwn calypso and reggae? From: Jimmy C Forgot to add that Trappers response is great - it certainly enlightens me - Thanks trapper. |
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05 Feb 01 - 02:08 PM (#390582) Subject: RE: What's the diff btwn calypso and reggae? From: Sarah2 Thank you, Trapper. Sarah |
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05 Feb 01 - 02:12 PM (#390588) Subject: RE: What's the diff btwn calypso and reggae? From: mousethief Yes, thanks Trapper. Very informative, if a bit large. :) Alex |
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05 Feb 01 - 08:16 PM (#390953) Subject: RE: What's the diff btwn calypso and reggae? From: GUEST,BigDaddy |
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06 Feb 01 - 01:52 PM (#391513) Subject: RE: What's the diff btwn calypso and reggae? From: mousethief Harpgirl, maybe you're thinking of "hereonout" or "henceforth"? |
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06 Feb 01 - 03:37 PM (#391584) Subject: RE: What's the diff btwn calypso and reggae? From: Trapper Metchosin- "Blue Beat" was the name the UK gave to "Ska". See this page. - Al |
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06 Feb 01 - 03:47 PM (#391590) Subject: RE: What's the diff btwn calypso and reggae? From: Metchosin Thank you Trapper! |
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06 Feb 01 - 03:54 PM (#391594) Subject: Erm... From: Bernard Don't forget Whenceforth - an older brother of Wenceslas, I think... |
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06 Feb 01 - 04:43 PM (#391625) Subject: RE: What's the diff btwn calypso and reggae? From: mousethief Wasn't that Dan Quayle's middle name? Whenceforth? |
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04 Aug 02 - 08:24 AM (#759558) Subject: RE: What's the diff btwn calypso and reggae? From: alanabit Good question - so I'm going to refresh. |
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15 Feb 07 - 10:28 AM (#1968606) Subject: RE: What's the diff btwn calypso and reggae? From: Azizi Here's a couple of links to Bob Marley [roots reggae] videos for those who can get YouTube: bob marley - roots rock reggae - rasta vib http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWo-p43bgJQ&mode=related&search= Added December 29, 2005 ;From sinapoyo ** Stir It Up http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiBteP0qdFE&mode=related&search= Added November 27, 2005 ;From badassgail |
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15 Feb 07 - 10:40 AM (#1968613) Subject: RE: What's the diff btwn calypso and reggae? From: Azizi Here's a link to a YouTube video of Mighty Sparrow {calypso; Kaiso} video: Mae Mae http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U66isr7L8Dg&mode=related&search= Added November 11, 2006 ;From mack8710 And for comparison's sake, here's a link to a Youtube soca video Arrow - Hot Hot Hot (clip) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-D9SPn1M0Y Added June 12, 2006 ;From n00ner "Arrow performing his blockbuster, international hit. Taken at the OECS Awards show 6/10/06" [Btw, I personally don't like either of these examples. However, they serve the purpose of demonstrating the difference in the sounds of calypso and soca. Fwiw, I really like both of the roots reggae examples I shared in my previous post.] |
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15 Feb 07 - 11:05 AM (#1968642) Subject: RE: What's the diff btwn calypso and reggae? From: Azizi Here's the full online article about Calypso: http://caribplanet.homestead.com/101.html "Caribbean 101-Trinidad's Calypso Music" "The Golden Age of Calypso The year 1914 was a landmark year in the history of calypso. This is the year that the first calypso recording was made. The late 1920s gave birth to the first calypso tents. Originally, calypso tents were actual tents where calypsonians would practice before Carnival. Today calypso tents are showcases for the new music of Carnival season. By the late 1930s, exceptional calypsonians such as Atilla the Hun, Lord Invader and the Roaring Lion were making an indelible impression on the calypso music world. Lord Kitchener rose to prominence in the 1940s and dominated the calypso scene until the late 1970s. Lord Kitchener continued to make memorable hits until his death in 2001. In 1944, the Andrews Sisters (an American trio) did a cover version of Lord Invader's hit Rum and Coca Cola. Since then the United States and the rest of the world has identified calypso with the Caribbean. In 1956, Harry Belafonte recorded his Calypso album containing the famous Banana Boat Song ("Day-O") - probably the most internationally well known calypso song. His Calypso album also became the first album ever to sell over one million copies. This was also the year the Mighty Sparrow burst onto the scene and took the calypso world by storm with his legendary hit Jean and Dinah. Jean and Dinah, which celebrated the departure of US troops from Trinidad, ushered in a new era of politically charged calypso. This politicized form of calypso, allying itself with the People's National Movement (PNM) party, facilitated Trinidad's independence from Britain in 1962. Socially and politically conscious calypso has had a major influence on many of Trinidad's most important social and political movements. Together with Lord Kitchener, Mighty Sparrow dominated the calypso scene until the late 1970s. The Mighty Sparrow has continued to record and to date has produced some 90 albums. The National Carnival Commission (NCC) declared Carnival 2001 as "The Sparrow Carnival" in honor of his contributions. Also, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has awarded the Mighty Sparrow with the Caribbean's highest award, the Order of the Caribbean, for outstanding contribution to the development of the region. Calypso typically involves social commentary, oftentimes laced with humorous satire on current events. Calypso is the voice of social conscience. However, not all calypsos are socially conscious calypso has always had its risqué side too. Most of the top calypsonians from the golden age have been male; The Growling Tiger, Lord Executor and Lord Pretender, just to name a few. However, the 1960s saw the rise of Calypso Rose, the undisputed "Queen of Calypso." Over the years, Calypso Rose has written and performed songs with themes ranging from political commentaries to party songs, and has won numerous awards. Her 1996 hit Fire In Me Wire has become a calypso anthem. Calypso Rose has managed to excel in this otherwise male dominated genre. The 1970s saw a decline in the popularity of calypso due to outside musical influences. Jamaican reggae made its presence known as did disco and R&B from the US. Musical fusions were bound to happen. As a result, the 1970s gave birth to a more uptempo, less socially conscious version of calypso called soca. While calypso is the voice of social conscience, soca is party music. Rapso, with its calypso style lyrics and rhythms influenced by American hip-hop has also become popular. Other styles such as soca-chutney and ringbang give listeners even more musical choices. Does this mean that calypso is a dying musical form? On the contrary, contemporary calypsonians such as David Rudder have very successfully combined calypso lyrics with dance rhythms - making the music accessible to a larger audience. There's also the annual resurgence of calypso at Carnival time lets us know that calypso is very much alive and vibrant with a bright future." |
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15 Feb 07 - 11:08 AM (#1968652) Subject: RE: What's the diff btwn calypso and reggae? From: GUEST,From Here to Four. One's worse than the other. |
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15 Feb 07 - 11:08 AM (#1968653) Subject: RE: What's the diff btwn calypso and reggae? From: Azizi Here's an online article from Lion of Zion Entertainment about the differences between a number of different types of Caribbean music: "Frequently Asked Questions History and Definition of Reggae Question: "Is there any possibility to get a description of the differences between Ska, Reggae, Dancehall, Rockers, Roots, Rocksteady etc...?" Answer: That is a very good question, there is a lot of confusion regarding the various types of reggae music. There are many different styles within the overall genre of reggae. Out of one root there are many branches. Birthed in Jamaica in the late 50's this music was first an emulation of American rock and roll and rhythm and blues. The tempo of the music was fast and was created for dancing. Out of this emulation of American music mixed with African and Caribbean influences was birthed "ska". The Christafari song "Keep on Looking up" on our "Valley of Decision" album would be considered ska. In the sixties, as ska music progressed it evolved into a similar yet slower style called "rocksteady". The only significant difference between ska and rocksteady was the tempo, besides this, both styles had the famous Jamaican rhythm guitar and organ bubble complemented by drums, bass, horns, vocals and a groove that kept you moving. As the music in Jamaica continued to evolve, it slowed down in tempo once again, giving birth to "reggae music". This is where there is some confusion. Many believe that reggae came first, however it is quite the contrary, reggae came third, after ska and rocksteady. "Reggae" was a phrase first coined by Toots and the Maytals and means "to the King" in Latin. The only other significant differences between reggae and its predecessors besides its tempo were its strong emphasis on a treble-less bottom end bass line, a one drop on the drums and its new spiritual emphasis in Rastafari. This reggae in its early or traditional state is what many now call "roots". This is by far one of the most infectious styles of the genre, made famous worldwide by Bob Marley. Other styles that fit under the reggae genre include lover's rock. Lover's rock is an intimate roots music with a lyrical theme of love and relationships that was pioneered by such artists as Gregory Isaacs, Freddie McGregor and Dennis Brown. There is also another very popular style of reggae called "dub". In Jamaica whenever a song was released it was put out first as a single on a 7 inch record (what Americans call a 45). On the other side of this 7 inch was what is called the version, or the dub. In America today some would call it a sound track. It was the same song (often times with a different and psychedelic mix) that did not include the lead vocal. Dubs were then taken to the dance halls and played next to the original version of the song. Then one Jamaican MC made history by talking, chatting and singing over the dub version of a song for his particular sound system (today this is known as a "special"). His name was Daddy U-Roy. This creative combination eventually birthed countless other musical styles. When this music reached its Jamaican counterparts then residing in New York it gave birth to what is now known as rap, or hip hop. Yes, you got it, rap was originally birthed in Jamaica out of reggae music! However, in Jamaica this dub evolved into something different. People began reading poetry over these dub versions and it became "dub poetry". Made famous by such artists as Mutabaruka, Oko Onoura and Yasus Afari, dub poetry is still alive and strong today. By far the greatest child to be born out of this dub reggae is "dancehall". Often considered the sister of rap music, this music has been called many names such as "ragga", "dj style", "Jamaican rap" and the most popular "dancehall". This music began using traditional reggae rhythms and having artists rap (for lack of a better definition) in Jamaican Patois over the dub. This rapping is also known by other names such as "chatting", "chanting" or "toasting". With dancehall came the computerization of reggae. These digital beats created a large gap between Dancehall and its predecessors. Originally made world famous by such artists as Shabba Ranks and Buju Banton, early versions of dancehall were often categorized as "slackness" (containing explicit sexual lyrics) or "gun talk" (containing violent lyrics). Since then dancehall has reached world wide fame by other artists such as Shaggy, Snow, Bounty Killer and even the Fugees. In the mid Nineties, dancehall again evolved turning from slackness and gun talk to conscious lyrics. With the conversion of Capleton and Buju Banton to Rastafari, many other artists began singing about Selassie instead of sex or guns. Recently, dancehall has taken a turn to its foundation by going back to using standard roots rhythms. Accompanied by spiritual lyrics, artists such as Tony Rebel, Sizzla and Anthony B became famous singing Rastafarian lyrics over this new type of dancehall known as "culture". Other types of music birthed from This large tree whose roots are ska are; "two tone ska" (from the U.K. in the 70's), the "third wave of ska" (an American hybrid of two tone ska, punk and hard edge alternative), "niyabingi" (tribal Africa and Jamaican hand drums accompanied by songs and chants of Rastafari), "jungle" (The U.K.'s hybrid of techno and dancehall), "drum and bass" (The second phase of jungle) and "ragga-hip hop" (a combination of dancehall and American hip hop). Other Caribbean rhythms that are cousins of reggae/ska are "mento", "calypso" and "soca" just to name a few." http://www.lionofzion.com/faq/78da3334050000990067/History+and+Definition+of+Reggae.html |
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15 Feb 07 - 11:25 AM (#1968669) Subject: RE: What's the diff btwn calypso and reggae? From: Azizi Of course, there are many other genres of Caribbean music besides calypso, reggae, and soca. For those interested, http://www.zoukstation.com/index2.php is an online Afro-Caribbean radio station that plays reggae, salsa, zouk, kompa, African mix music and more. Here's an excerpt from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zouk : "Zouk is a style of rhythmic music originating from the French Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique. It has its roots in Cadence music from Dominica, as popularised by Grammacks and Exile One. Zouk means 'party' in the local creole of French with English and African influences, all three of which contribute the sound. In Europe it is particularly popular in France, while on the African islands of Cape Verde they have developed their own type of Zouk". -snip- Here's an excerpt from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kompa: "Kompa(sometimes written Compas Direct, konpa direk, konpa or compa) is a musical genre as well as a dance that originates from Haïti. It was first explicitly named «Compas Direct» by Nemours Jean-Baptiste on a recording released in 1955. It involves mostly medium-to-fast tempo beats with an emphasis on electric guitars, synthesizers, and either a solo alto saxophone, a horn section or the synthesizer equivalent. Unlike zouk, the lyrics are mostly in Haitian Creole, and it has a faster rhythm than zouk. In North America, kompa festivals take place frequently in Montreal, New York, Miami, and Boston." |
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08 Jul 11 - 03:10 AM (#3183579) Subject: RE: What's the diff btwn calypso and reggae? From: Joe Offer I'm listening to the Alan Lomax Calypso at Midnight, 1946 album. On the CD, the Duke of Iron says that Calypso comes from only one place, the Island of Trinidad. Messages above seem to indicate that's the truth. A message from Trapper above explains that mento is music from Jamaica that is similar to calypso, but without the political expression typical of calypso. Agreed? -Joe- |
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22 Mar 15 - 02:14 PM (#3695971) Subject: RE: What's the difference between calypso and reggae? From: GUEST,Potatoman1773 Calypso has less weed |
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04 May 15 - 12:40 PM (#3706390) Subject: RE: What's the difference between calypso and reggae? From: Ed T I can't vouch for tge accuracy of this site, providing a brief historical perspective on Carribean music. the evolution of Carribean music |
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05 May 15 - 02:13 AM (#3706541) Subject: RE: What's the difference between calypso and reggae? From: Gibb Sahib If by chance anyone is interested, I have "studied" the development of reggae sound pretty explicitly (i.e. rather than just casual observation), so I can offer a few examples to start hearing what reggae was in its earliest years. The following track is mostly the rhythmic groove known as "rocksteady" (which was still in effect in 1968), however it is overlaid with some elements —most notably the organ part — that foreshadow "reggay." The original instrumental groove was created in early 1968 and produced by Clancy Eccles. "C.N. Express" The next track was produced at Studio One with their session band, Sound Dimension. The guitar sound was new, using a delay pedal to give the "double" sound. There are still elements of rocksteady, but occasional syncopations and business in the drums depart from the norm of rocksteady. "Nanny Goat" This track produced with Harry J's group, in a way, combines the new elements of the preceding, namely the heavy "bubble" played on the organ, and the regular double-hits of the guitar. "No More Heartache" This later Clancy Eccles track moves the development forward with a drum rhythm that is a complete departure from rocksteady. While the preceding examples could all be called reggae, this track and ones like it marked the real turn into new stylistic territory. "Don't Brag Don't Boast" There's lots more variety, and all that is just in one year, 1968. The reggae grooves continue to develop in the hands of a half-dozen studio bands, and they will get more different before they get more similar to the groove known to international/non-Jamaican audiences. Early reggae rhythms were energetic and/or intense, not languid. However, as mentioned earlier, live bands (especially outside Jamaica) that would be inspired by the cultural movement exemplified by later Bob Marley, have tended to adopt a sparser, perhaps more simplistic and softer groove. Such groups are essentially anachronistic, since after Marley's death in 1981 most of the Jamaican music scene shifted to gritty dancehall music, which in the beginning (in terms of rhythm) was first largely a throwback to rocksteady and thereafter developed into completely new rhythms. Few latter day live bands seem to master (or bother with?) earlier/other forms of reggae rhythm, but one that has done a great job with this is the California-based group The Aggrolites. Here they show their mastery of a 1969/70 era groove: "Mr. Misery" I included that last example, though I could have chosen hundreds of other examples of period music played by Jamaicans, to illustrate that non-Jamaicans can get on fine mastering the Jamaican rhythms -- that it's all about putting all the parts together. Reggae is not some plain off-beat guitar thing! Nor is much of it droopy, stoned-out music for people about to fall asleep and off their stool. |
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05 May 15 - 03:29 PM (#3706689) Subject: RE: What's the difference between calypso and reggae? From: Ed T Not sure if it is Raggae or Rocksteady, but, I can detect the Jazz impact in many of Prince Busters songs. Enjoy yourself |
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06 May 15 - 02:24 AM (#3706757) Subject: RE: What's the difference between calypso and reggae? From: Gibb Sahib Ed T, "Enjoy Yourself" would be labeled by most as ska, the predominant rhythm variety of 1963-65. However, one can distinguish this form of early ska, which is little more than Jamaican musicians' interpretation of boogie-woogie, from more unique ska grove that came to prominence in 1964, when drummer Lloyd Knibb innovated a new beat. I call the former "ska-shuffle, and it was a main style from '62-'63. The latter style came in in late '63, with tracks like this: "Artie Bella" It's still a type of jazz, as all the musicians were active jazz players though they'd developed new Jamaica-specific rhythms. The drum set playing is very syncopated and absolutely thrilling. And during the ska revival as "two tone" in UK, you really didn't hear groups that could manage that. What they (two played) really was indeed more akin to polka, and gave birth to the very plain rhythm that I think international audiences associate with "ska" today. The Jamaican popular music industry began in earnest with local musicians replicating or adapting the predominately African-American popular music styles, jazz and r&b (in various shades), so yes, the impact is there in most of it. |
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07 May 15 - 11:41 PM (#3707390) Subject: RE: What's the difference between calypso and reggae? From: Gibb Sahib GUEST, I'm surprised they're not on YouTube. I think they're historically important. Maybe I should digitize them and upload them. Of course they're there :-) You just need to know the songs to look for. In terms of tracks by the Wailers that are totally in the style of U.S. r&b (doowop, etc), there are a few. It Hurts to be Alone I Need You So And this one which I posted myself, alongside the original by The Moonglows: The Ten Commandments of Love But remember why the Jamaican music industry mainly started: to provide the local market with the U.S. r&b style records that the sound systems had been playing. So they absolutely were emulating Motown, etc artists. In the first half of the 60s some Jamaican artists made recordings like the ones above, in full on 12/8 meter doowoppy style. An early example is this 1961 recording: My Heaven After that, with the advent of the rocking' ska rhythm in 1964 (the remainder of the Wailers' early recordings), the US r&b/soul/whatever influence remained in the vocal part, but the accompanying rhythms were distinctly Jamaican. |