Merrymen Of Barbados

Merrymen of Barbados

The nations in the Caribbean have contributed to the world one of the most beautiful music, the calypso. Calypso in Greek mythology is the nymph of the sea, and probably from which the inspiration of the folk music of the Caribbean Sea has originated.

Barbados is most distinct with its own flavorful artistic blend of music that is both folk and pop. The elements of the religious music and the influence of the Western classical is what make Barbados music truly unique and unusual. The amalgamation of the African and the English cultures is evidenced in the Bajan music. Most prominent of all is the calypso music in Barbados.

Barbados is not be outdone when it comes to calypso music in fact it is a country to be reckoned with when it comes to this field. Barbados has produced its own superstar in calypso type of music, which is the Merrymen. The Merrymen of Barbados has been first seen in the limelight way back in 1966 when they released their first album bearing the title, Introducing the Merrymen.

Rightly so, the album did not only introduce the music of the Merrymen of Barbados to his country but also make Barbados renowned to other countries in the Caribbean and other parts of the world. Thanks to the brand of calypso music of the Merrymen of Barbados. The members of the Merrymen of Barbados were Emile Straker who was the lead vocalist of the band and played the guitar at the same time; Robin Hunte, who played the tenor guitar and the electric mandolin; Stephen Fields, is the lead guitarist of the group; Chris Gibbs is in charge with the bass guitar; and Peter Roett who played the drums and the percussion.

Since historically the English's influence in music is very obvious, Barbadians seemed not to forget to pay tribute to their African roots by developing the calypso band of music. And perhaps in paying tribute to the nymph that has guided the seas of Barbados in particular and in the Caribbean in general.

Some of the greatest hits of the Merrymen of Barbados were Land of the Sea and Sun, Fun in the Sun, The Merrymen Go From Dusk "til Dawn, Sun Living, Merry Moods, Sugar Jams, You Sweeten Me, and Sing and Swing with the Merrymen, which had symbolic reference to the seas, sun, the abundance of sugarcane in the island, and the happy nature of the Bajans. Other hits include Just for You, Beautiful Barbados, Caribbean Treasure Chest, The More the Merrier, Standing Room Only, Don't Stop the Carnival, Come to My Island, and the Barbados Memories. All these hits are still widely patronized in the island and other countries of the Caribbean.

The Merrymen of Barbados is truly one of the country's prides. They may not live long but surely their music will.