Thursday, January 24, 2008

Lord Christo - Re-post by request


Another calypso record from Brick Lane picked up in the 80's. It's on the cleverly titled Kalypso label and released in 1963.

"Christo made a living as a cabinet-maker and sang in church choirs before he became the lead singer for the John "Buddy" Williams Band in the 1940s. His calypso career began in 1952 when he appeared at Atilla the Hun's Victory Tent. He then joined the McLean Brothers and accompanied them on a tour of the USA in December 1952. He later moved over to the Young Brigade Tent in 1955. The Young Brigade Tent became the Original Young Brigade Tent (OYB) in 1956, and Christo continued to sing with the OYB until he left for Chicago, Ilinois, USA, where he appeared at various nightclubs and on television. He returned to Trinidad in 1960 and continued to sing at the OYB for the rest of his career. Although he never won a title, Christo's popular songs "Miss Universe" and "Chicken Chest" were tailor-made for steelbands and were played extensively on the road during the 1957 Carnival."

A great archive of old calypso HERE at Irwin Chusid's radio show in the last hour. Well worth a listen if you like this kind of stuff. The first couple of hours is good too!


Lord Christo - Englishman

Lord Christo - Johnathan

Lord Christo - Bad Luck Man

Lord Christo - Injection

Lord Christo - Dr. Francis

Lord Christo - Obeah Beach


These Send Space files are available for seven days or until exhausted.

8 comments:

la peregrina said...

What do you know, I've seen this man on television. They show old I've Got A Secret episodes on The Game Show Network each night. Lord Christo (using his real name) was on the show twice displaying his ability to come up with a song off the top of his head.

Wastedpapiers said...

Thanks peregrina for that snippet of info. I guess calypsonians are pretty adept at making up songs on the spot as they have to be quick , using daily news and current affairs as inspiration for their calypsos.

Ben The Balladeer said...

Thanks
Is this a 6 song album?
great stuff
I only have Dumb Boy & Parrot by him on Trojan Calypso Box
thxs
Ben

Wastedpapiers said...

This is just one side. I will try and upload the other side sometime. Glad you are enjoying Lord Christo.

pam said...

Hi, my name is Pam and I live in miami. I am the daughter of Lord Cristo and he wrote a song about me called Calloo. If anyone has this Kaiso could I please have a copy. you can contact me on my email address. Thanking you kindly.
Pam.

Ben The Balladeer said...

Could you please upload the other songs of the album.
thanks in advance
Ben

Wastedpapiers said...

I think there is a big scratch on one side which I s why I only uploaded the other side. I will find it soon and see if any tracks will play all the way through without jumping.

Ben The Balladeer said...

If it's a repeating pop/click, it's Ok, I can remove them, others to if the records is not to much damaged.
After I've cleaned them I'll send them back to you.
If you want we can do that before posting so others can get thee clean ones to.