Traditional Music and Folklore of St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John
On Zoop Zoop Zoop (a traditional children's game) over 40 musicians capture an enticing Caribbean feel that is distinctive to the U.S. Virgin Islands. The music is rhythmic, percussive, and upbeat with an exciting, tantalizing sound. Two types of music and dance always included in holiday celebrations are bamboula in St. Thomas and cariso in St. Croix. The songs tell local news and scandals through high energy drumming, dancing, and singing. Both of these styles have developed since the time of slavery and more than any other music in the Virgin Islands show distinct African characteristics.
The quadrille is a relaxed social dance still performed in St. Croix. During every major holiday, groups of people in costume, each with its own musicians, perform in the streets of the towns; this is known as masquerading. These groups make the festivals buzz with an air of excitement and get the people dancing in the streets.
Most of the examples of folklore traditions included in this collection are valuable relics of the past. Much of the old-time music is remembered only by the elderly who enjoyed it in their youth. A few musicians—the most notable ones are featured in this collection—have made an effort to save at least scratch band music from oblivion. As a result, a great number of Virgin Islanders still enjoy listening and dancing to the old tunes.
Zoop! Zoop! Zoop!
| MP3/320 | $16.00 | |
| FLAC | $16.00 | |
| WAV | $16.00 | |
| CD-R+ | $25.00 |
A *.pdf of the notes may also be accessed here free of charge.
Track Listing
|
Matty Gru
|
Buy
|
|
|
Sly Mongoose
|
Buy
|
|
|
Zoop Zoop Zoop
|
Buy
|
|
|
Mazurka
|
Buy
|
|
|
Cigar Win The Race
|
Buy
|
|
|
Mr. Moore
|
Buy
|
|
|
Polka Mazurka
|
Buy
|
|
|
Quadrille
|
Buy
|
|
|
Twenty Cents for The Pan Cover
|
Buy
|
|
|
Carbay Man
|
Buy
|
|
|
All Gone In Lagoon Mouth
|
Buy
|
|
|
Spanish Retreat
|
Buy
|
|
|
Baa, baa, hvide lam
|
Buy
|
|
|
Clear The Road
|
Buy
|
|
|
Queen Mary
|
Buy
|
|
|
Payne Dead
|
Buy
|
|
|
White Frock
|
Buy
|
|
|
Lazzy Barry
|
Buy
|
|
|
Boss Borine
|
Buy
|
|
|
Me Mother Had Tell Me
|
Buy
|
|
|
Ask Mr. Jackson
|
Buy
|
|
|
LaBega Carousel
|
Buy
|
|
|
Crab and Garlin
|
Buy
|
|
|
One Bright Summer Morning
|
Buy
|
|
|
Masqueraders: The devil and The wild indians
|
Buy
|
|
|
King George play
|
Buy
|
|
|
Jig
|
Buy
|
|
|
Seven step
|
Buy
|
|
|
French polka
|
Buy
|
|
|
Tway She She
|
Buy
|
|
|
Four White Horses on a Rainbow
|
Buy
|
