About the Songs

The Toucans took great care to select only the finest tunes for their new album.

Every song on Steel Drum Buffet has its own unique flavor.
Find out about the secret ingredients that make each song delicious!

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Two of the Calypso songs have such great lyrics in their original form
that we thought we should include them here.

David Rudder's "The Hammer" and "Believe It Or Not" by Spoiler,
both featured on the album, perfectly capture the spirit of Trinidadian culture.

Read the lyrics while you listen to the songs!

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appetizers | salads | soups | entrees | desserts

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Appetizers

Lisbon Antigua

garnished with a fresh sprig of G major
Raul Portela, Jose Galhardo, Amadeu doVale (1937)

This Portuguese melody was virtually unknown in America
until Nelson Riddle heard a version of the song played by a Mexican big band.
His version hit number 1 on the Billboard charts in February of 1956.

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Believe It Or Not

infused with essence of B-flat
Mighty Spoiler (Theophilus Phillip, 1958)

The Mighty Spoiler was an obscure but talented calypsonian.
He recorded many of his hit calypsos in the 1950’s.
This song is about the exaggerations made by calypsonians in their songs.

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Tico Tico

deep-fried in our tantalizing A minor batter
Zequina Abreu (1943)

A quirky song about a love-savvy cuckoo clock, this tune was famously performed by Carmen Miranda.
The Toucans found the tasty bridge to this song hiding in a dusty old busker’s book!

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Salads

Panman

tossed with fire-roasted D major peppers
Mighty Sparrow (Slinger Francisco, Winston Devine, 1971)

This lively calypso claims that pan players are always popular with the ladies. (It’s true!)

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The Tide Is High

with a splash of refreshing E-flat vinaigrette
The Paragons (1967)

This classic tune first appeared on an album by the Paragons, a reggae vocal trio from Jamaica.
Blondie also cut a great version in the early 1980’s.
The original author is unknown, according to the Paragons.

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My Pussin

with crunchy G major croutons
Lord Kitchener (Aldwyn Roberts, 1965)

A clever calypso about a Trinidadian man’s efforts to find his lost kittycat.
Popular with steel bands for years as a road march song.

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Soups

Yellow Bird / Jamaican Farewell

from an authentic Island recipe
Lord Burgess (Irving Burgie, 1955)

Two of our most-requested songs! This beautiful arrangement is a combination of two classic island melodies.
Harry Belafonte popularized both Jamaican Farewell and Yellow Bird on his 1956 album “Calypso”.

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You Won’t See Me

served ice-cold in the key of A
Lennon/McCartney (1965)
A lesser-known but awesomely catchy tune from “Rubber Soul”.

This song surprised the Toucans by sounding great on their pans, and is now their favorite Beatles song!

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Bacchanal Lady

slow-simmered sweet and spicy calypso stock
David Rudder (1987)

Possibly the best calypso from the hand of talented calypsonian David Rudder.
This is one of the Toucans’ oldest unrecorded tunes, and always a favorite at parties.

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Entrees

Mister Sandman

braised in the hearty key of C
Pat Ballard (1954)

The Sandman is traditionally supposed to put you to sleep,
but this song never fails to get everyone dancing!

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The Hammer

pan-seared to capture all the zestiness of B-flat
David Rudder/Pelham Goddard (1986)

David Rudder’s tribute to Rudolph Charles, one of the great pan tuners of Trinidad.

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No Woman No Cry

beechwood grilled in the key of C
Vincent Ford (1974)

Famously performed (but not written) by Bob Marley.
This beautiful song sounds great on steel drums!

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Tell Him

thick-sliced & slathered with our tangy Bar-B-Q sauce
Bert Russell (1962)

Sung by the girl group The Exciters in the early 1960’s.
Bib supplied upon request.

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Perfidia

baked inside a flaky D major crust
Alberto Dominguez (1937)

A lovely old tune, tastily sung by Linda Rondstat for “The Mambo Kings” soundtrack.

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Desserts

2001 Intro

perched atop a scoop of C major sorbet
from Also Sprach Zarathustra (Richard Strauss, 1896)

Originally a 10-section tone poem by the incomparable Richard Strauss.
It was immortalized in Stanley Kubrick’s magnum opus, “2001”.
Remember the scene with the monkeys and the monolith?

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The Monkey Song / That’s A Plenty

drizzled with a rich C minor glaze
Richard & Robert Sherman (1966) / Ray Gilbert, Lew Pollack (1914)

Sung by King Louie (voiced by Louis Prima) in Walt Disney’s “The Jungle Book”.
We spliced in a spicy hot jazz nugget from 1914 for your enjoyment.

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Hey Jude

a crispy F major confection (with a creamy center)
Lennon/McCartney (1968)

Featuring a special appearance by the Northwest Girlchoir.
Hands down, our favorite Beatles song!

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We couldn't fit the last song on the album,
so check out the internet-only MP3 bonus track of "Congo Man"!

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