Lionel Belasco Goodbye Ladies and Gents Rounder (www.rounder.com)
Belasco began recording before the classic age of calypso. His Trinidad-Venezuelan repertoire on this CD includes an archaic pre-calypso paseo recorded in 1914, Venezuelan waltzes, and early calypsos (featuring vocals of such luminaries as Houdini). Belasco is rarely out front, but his piano forms the backbone of the rhythm. Light the candles, put on your Panama hat, watch a black and white video and enjoy a breath of another time. Exemplary notes by producer Donald Hill are a plus. - Stacy Phillips |