Growling Tiger - Money is King

recorded at Variety Sound ,New York sept.1979
The album is a great surprise, even if "Money Is King" remains, IMO, the highlight of the lot. Neville Marcano, aka The Growling Tiger (1915-1993) was a calypsonian from Trinidad, an ex-boxer who became a star in the 1930s, when calypsonians started exporting their music overseas, and big names emerged like Lord Kitchener, Lord Invader or Roaring Lion (I don't know which one of Roaring Lion or Growling Tiger earnt his nickname first).
After a semi retirement, Growling Tiger was recorded by Alan Lomax in Trinidad in 1962 with an acoustic band, playing a traditional form of Calypso and even older styles. You can find these recordings on the Alan Lomax Series under the name The Growling Tiger Of Calypso.
Then 15 years later American enthousiast Steve Shapiro rediscovered a 64 year-old Tiger and recorded him again, this time with a more "modern" band featuring horns. These sessions gave birth to Knock Down Calypsos.
It is difficult to resist the Tiger's charms. His music, a sum of various influences from French, Spanish, English and African traditions, ranges from old-school minor-key calypso ("Money Is king") to derivations from more ancient styles like kalinda (a stick-fighting dance popular in Trinidad carnivals) or songs with a strong African heritage like "Youruba Shango".

A common trait in calypso, the lyrics and the singer's personality are very important. The singer must forge himself a strong identity in order to outshine the competition. Growling Tiger, with his deep barytone voice, was famous for his political and social lyrics, and never ceased to mock the rulers and the system, in pure carnaval tradition.

"Money Is King", both funny and serious, is a great example of his consciousness. The album also features bawdy songs like "The Train Blow". I couldn't understand the whole thing but it looks like the story of a romance on a passenger train. If somebody could help me with the lyrics exact meaning, that would be great (same goes for "Money is King") !

As Robert Leaver says, "A master of improvisation (extempo) and the competitive Calypsonian duel, Tiger could rhyme on diverse subjects with intelligence and wit. Rappers take heed -- Growling Tiger could school you".
http://riversinvitation.blogspot.com

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Calypso
• Growling Tiger

[likatyga]

I first saw the Rounder LP in a shop closing down in Cairns, Far-Q, (north) Australia. I ummed and ahhed over this or Rosehip String Band for some time until selling on the string band as that was what I was keen on at the time. Luckily for me A friend bought the Tiger and, after 1 minute of listening, I commenced a relentless campaign to wrestle it out of him. Both Albums are now part of the inner circle of my 3000+ LP collection.

[nondescript11]

GREAT STUFF! I'll send the words, as taken from German singer Willie Salomon's version, to your link. One verse missing - sorry, just can't get it! Tim

[TheMonsieurVerdoux]

Damn! I love this song! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrowling tiger!

[ximenao1]

Most uptempo calypsoes like this one try to be happy and jaunty but Tiger here is very dark and brooding… definitely one of the greatest calypsoes ever.

[DeeperDiamond]

if you can find the tape you should DEFIANTELY give it a listen. every song is a treasure.

[DrunkenPiano]

growling tiger ripped off roaring lion's name lol

[3on3off]

excellent kaiso...true artist growler

[PokemonRaichu26]

I HEART THIS SONG!

[jazzyblue2]

.........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.....­.........