Jamaica Farewell by Harry Belafonte.

OK, girls and boys, back to the 50s: This lovely calypso was written by Lord Burgess and first released on the '56 album "Calypso". It speaks of the beauty of the islands and of love left behind. Peaked at #14 on Billboard. The album was the 1st LP to sell one million copies.  #4 on Billboard's Top 100 Albums, spent 31 weeks at #1, 58 weeks on Top 10 and 99 weeks on the charts! Covered by Jimmy Buffett, Sam Cooke, Carly Simon and Sting. Artist? Song?




Yesterday's answer: "Jamaica Farewell" by Harry Belafonte. Sadly, he left us on April 25th of this year at the ripe old age of 96.  Many believe that the song is called "Kingston Town". Irving Burgie ("Lord Burgess") was a Brooklynite - his mother was from Barbados and his father from Virginia.  Very fond memories of playing "Jamaica Farewell" on guitar with my dear friend Dr. Richard M. de Andino during Phi Chi's Wednesday night parties in med school. 

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