George Symonette - George Symonette Plays and Sings Calypso (2020)

This is George Symonette's final full album of seven recorded (along with several EPs and singles) from 1955 to 1964 for Bahama Records. There's some overlap in titles from album to album, but all of the encores are retooled versions (and are flagged as such in our digital releases). This album is credited (on the back cover) to the "Famous Symonette Sextette," and features Berkley "Peanuts" Taylor on Goombay drums.

This release was hailed as a "Tenth Anniversary Album," celebrating Symonette's long-term association with the Harold E. Doane-owned Art and Bahama Records labels. Symonette did not record for any other label, and he never had a record issued in the U.S. There is no indication Symonette ever performed anywhere except the Bahamas, which would have limited the market for his titles. He was strictly a local artist and, hence, a local commodity.

All Symonette sessions were recorded with small combos (including some solo and duo works), and all tracks sound like Symonette was smiling when he recorded them. (He is, in fact, smiling in every existing photo.) His artistry is undeniable, his charisma self-evident. He was referred to in print as the "Dean of Bahamian Entertainers," "Nassau's Foremost Night-Club Entertainer," "The Undisputed Calypso Champion of the Bahamas," and as "Nassau's Number One Ambassador of Goombay." He might have been none, some, or all of these things, but if there was a challenger, show us the recordings and let us judge any potential rivals. In the absence of known regional competitors, Symonette is sublime as an interpreter of traditional calypso tunes and as an adapter of works by other writers.

The original LP featured 12 songs. Track 13 on this digital collection appeared on a 7" three-artist EP entitled "Hits from Bahama Hot Spots" (which included two tracks by Symonette, and one each from Harold McNair and Eloise Lewis). Tracks 14 and 15 originated on the Symonette album IN STEREO; the album's channels were almost binary in separation, and the transfer was remixed for a more natural sonic balance.

Tracklisting:
01. George Symonette - The John B. Sail (1964 Version) (2:36)
02. George Symonette - Sky Blue Pink Caribee (2:26)
03. George Symonette - Peel Peel Peel de Banana (1:58)
04. George Symonette - Doin' the Gooma in Exuma (2:12)
05. George Symonette - Delia Gone (1964 Version) (3:19)
06. George Symonette - Love Alone (1964 Version) (2:28)
07. George Symonette - Come to Paradise Island (3:09)
08. George Symonette - Eight Babies to Mind (1964 Version) (2:44)
09. George Symonette - Jones, Oh Jones (1964 Version) (2:18)
10. George Symonette - J. P. Morgan (1964 Version) (2:40)
11. George Symonette - Boat Pull out and Bahama Mamma Medley (1964 Version) (2:51)
12. George Symonette - Uncle Lou and Lazy Man (1964 Version) (2:47)
13. George Symonette - Momma out De Light (Bonus Track) (2:48)
14. George Symonette - Hip-So Calypso (Bonus Track) (2:06)
15. George Symonette - Pretty Boy (Bonus Track) (2:00)