One of the major figures of early calypso music, Roaring Lion recorded copiously between the 1930s and '50s, and was instrumental in spreading the international popularity of calypso. His vintage sides are what many listeners think of as calypso at its best -- infectious rumba rhythms, lighthearted (sometimes nonsensical) lyrics, and a combination of Trinidadian musical elements with Anglo pop sensibilities.
Roaring Lion was born as Hubert Raphael Charles around 1910, although he later changed his name to Raphael de Leon. Already a writer of poetry as a boy, he launched his career as a singer in 1927, when -- much to his surprise -- he won a calypso competition. The event also occasioned his nickname of Roaring Lion, inspired by his style of vocal delivery (although if he was indeed a roaring lion, he was a pretty gentle and charming one).
In the '30s, Roaring Lion (with help from partner Attila the Hun) was crucial to the development of calypso, devising the calypso duet and calypso drama, and introducing new melodies to a style that originally had very few.
Between 1934 and 1941, he was the most prolific calypso recording artist, cutting nearly 100 singles, including some of the music's most popular standards, such as "Mary Ann," "Netty Netty," and "Six Feet High." One of his most famous compositions, "Ugly Woman" (originally recorded in 1933), formed much of the basis for Jimmy Soul's 1963 number one hit "If You Wanna Be Happy."
Roaring Lion performed and recorded in the United States occasionally during the '30s and '40s. In fact, he spent much of 1945 singing in New York clubs, including the Village Vanguard, where he was replaced by a young Harry Belafonte. Roaring Lion has claimed that Belafonte subsequently performed and recorded some of Lion's songs without crediting or compensating the originator.
11 Comments (since 10 Sep 2014)
music_xplosion
One of the major figures of early calypso music, Roaring Lion recorded copiously between the 1930s and '50s, and was instrumental in spreading the international popularity of calypso. His vintage sides are what many listeners think of as calypso at its best -- infectious rumba rhythms, lighthearted (sometimes nonsensical) lyrics, and a combination of Trinidadian musical elements with Anglo pop sensibilities.
music_xplosion
Roaring Lion was born as Hubert Raphael Charles around 1910, although he later changed his name to Raphael de Leon. Already a writer of poetry as a boy, he launched his career as a singer in 1927, when -- much to his surprise -- he won a calypso competition. The event also occasioned his nickname of Roaring Lion, inspired by his style of vocal delivery (although if he was indeed a roaring lion, he was a pretty gentle and charming one).
music_xplosion
In the '30s, Roaring Lion (with help from partner Attila the Hun) was crucial to the development of calypso, devising the calypso duet and calypso drama, and introducing new melodies to a style that originally had very few.
music_xplosion
Between 1934 and 1941, he was the most prolific calypso recording artist, cutting nearly 100 singles, including some of the music's most popular standards, such as "Mary Ann," "Netty Netty," and "Six Feet High." One of his most famous compositions, "Ugly Woman" (originally recorded in 1933), formed much of the basis for Jimmy Soul's 1963 number one hit "If You Wanna Be Happy."
music_xplosion
Roaring Lion performed and recorded in the United States occasionally during the '30s and '40s. In fact, he spent much of 1945 singing in New York clubs, including the Village Vanguard, where he was replaced by a young Harry Belafonte. Roaring Lion has claimed that Belafonte subsequently performed and recorded some of Lion's songs without crediting or compensating the originator.
music_xplosion
From : http://www.kaisoca.com/2010/01/roaring-lion-classic-stuff.html
debutch
Wonderful write-up. Thank you! ( The song is a joy btw!)
music_xplosion
My pleasure. Glad you enjoyed it @debutch :)
DavidShepherd
I was thinking of jamming this one next Monday after a week of bad-mouthing women in #GoodGirlsGoneBadWeek
UncannyUK
I like the post-modern lyrics.
cello_m
are violins used much in calypso? (that was a pleasant surprise). very enjoyable indeed, thanks!