Rakin n scrapin

Figured it's about damn time I do another blog post.  Crossed the pond 4 weeks ago and have been seriously busy studying - hence the lack of activity.  With over 60 tunes posted so far, most of them have been some form of electronica or hip-hop.  Not long after leaving the rock I was lil home sick and went on a rampage trying to download some good ole Bahamian music.  Therefore this post, my 25th(!!!), is mainly for the Bahamians abroad who just wan a taste of dat sweet island calypso to remind you of our country.  OR for those of you still home, who always hear dat song on da radio, but cyan find it anywhere to buy/download/nuttin.  Been meaning to finish this post for a while, and today seems appropriate -
Happy Columbus Day Bahamas!

1) Geno D - Stagger Lee

First up is one of my favourite Bahamian tunes ever recorded.  I recently learned that "Stagger Lee" is not penned by the great Gene Davis, aka Geno D - but is actually an old folk song dating back to the 1920's which has been covered countless times, by some of the greats like James Brown, Bob Dylan and Ike & Tina Turner, to name a few.  I can't speak for these other artists, but Geno D makes this song his own with the perfect melody of rakin saw and cowbells, adding that distinct Bahamian flair.  This song takes me back to my childhood, as it was one of my Dad's favourites too.  Thanks to my friend Sue-Lin for sending me this hard to find track!  :) 

2) D Mac - Diggin in ya Boongie

Next I present perhaps the most ridiculous Bahamian song ever recorded.  Heard this on the boat with my boy Metri in early Sept. and neither of us could believe what they were saying.  This track, by the artist Dillon McKenzie, has taken most DJs by surprise but still gets regular airplay, just listen to the chorus!  Bahamians gotta stop, hahahahaa

3)  Puzzle - Jobless


Puzzle is a relative newcomer to the Bahamian music scene, but has real promise which has led some to draw comparisons to the legendary Ronnie Butler - probably due to his knack at telling stories and rambling in between verses offerring his wisdom.  One of his latest is called "Jobless" and basically appeals to Hubiggoty to give him a job, lol.  Instant classic.  Listen to Puzzle's impersonation of Hubert Ingraham towards the end, quality!

"I hear bout Baha Mar, so what I need to apply?"
She say, "All you need is one flat flat boungey and two slanted eye (like a Chinese!)"

4) Geno D - Dig Up


Geno D's latest proves that Bahamians will make a song about ANYTHING.  "All da road dem dig up, dig up ... so many diversion, causin' frustration".  Gotta admit it was damn confusing driving around Nassau with the road works this summer, but it'll be nice when it's all finished!

5)  K.B. - Jus Cuz She Fat


Another classic song from the hitmaker himself, K.B. - singing bout Bahamian gals who could be described as "pleasantly plump", or more colloquially referred to as a gussy mae!

6) Blind Blake - John B. Sails (Wreck of the John B.)


For my final tune I'm taking you BACK IN DA DAY.  I'm talking 60 years ago!  Blake Anthony Higgs, known as Blind Blake, is probably the most famous Bahamian musician from the 30s, 40s and 50s.  It seems fitting then that his initials are BAH.  Apparently he used to play at the Royal Victoria Hotel in Nassau as the lead singer and banjo player for a calypso band.  Despite being influenced by some American folk music at the time, his Bahamian accent is as strong as anyone today and his sweet music captures that era perfectly.  Many of you will recognise this song, "John B. Sails" from a version popularised by The Beach Boys in 1966 called Sloop John B.  There has been some question over whether they stole the song from Blind Blake, but I think the truth is the tune is an old West Indies folk song that's been around since the 1920s.  According to Wikipedia our version is based on a Bahamian sponger boat, 'John B.', whose crew were notorious for getting a bit wild whenever they pulled into port, which eventually sank in Governor's Harbour in Eleuthera in 1900.

I hope you enjoy this mix of old and new Bahamian tunes.  Please share the post and leave a comment if you like em!