Alvin Daniel's annual compilation, 1999 Calypso Compilation should in the stores any day in time for big launch on January 6. The artists include Sparrow, Steve Sealy, Prowler, Melanie Hudson, Wayne Rodriguez, Shanaqua and a couple others. Sparrow sings Play my Music composed by Pelham Goddard, Sparrow and Daniel. It will be the Panorama tune for Exodus. Sealy sings Trini know How composed by Brian Griffith and Daniel. Daniel's The Panman on Tenth Avenue tells of the dream of every pan man to make it big in the US of A. I can't wait to hear this!
One early and rather cynical song of his that I like that was never recorded is:
Good Name (1963)Regrettably, Conquy is never given his due as a calypsonian!Good name is to men and women
A very precious gem so they say
And if you kind-hearted, friendly and gentle
Never despair you must find your way
But I feel that they lying
Cause I tired trying
So correct me I may be wrong
Charitable Rouse dead in the poor house
Honest Jobe living in shanty town.
Chorus:
Good name ain't for people who poor like me
That is for men living in luxury
What's the sense you have good name
Ah big set ah false fame
And still you catching your donkey
Better they call you bad say you lousy and hard
And you living grand like a king
Then they pat you on your back
And call you kind hearted Jack
And you ain't got a blooming thing
The best policy to be honest
I sure you heart this from since you small
But ah want you to stop and take notice
Honest people don't prosper at all
If you get two out of twenty
Well say you get plenty
The balance don't care how they try
Is a grin or a smile from the fellow with the pile
Who accustom living in style
What a very confusing quotation
To my opinion take it from me
Well it don't worth the paper it write on
You don't believe it you look and see
Alright you kind and you friendly
You love everybody but you poor like me
A blooming door mouse
And your neighbor Mr. Gruff
Who always rough and tough
Have he TV he car and he house
Well you make many friends when you friendly
But when you cashy you make more
So that's the sense having good name
And you broken to buy a pants
You have to band you jaw
I learn from hindrance
Put this in the back of your head
To be poor and have a good name
Nothing but this false fame
Believe me better you dead.
Ray Funk
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