Steel Drums : Old & New

The all-time best-selling Toucans album,
remastered in Fall of 2003.

• Invented in Trinidad in the late 1930's, the Steel Drum led a musical revolution which carried it around the world and into the Pacific Northwest.

• Now, the first steel drum band to originate in this area brings you a retrospective of the early days of Pan, the great songs of the Caribbean, and a choice selection of all-time favorites!

• Available on CD, both with beautiful letter-pressed original artwork.

• UPDATE: NEW AUDIO MASTER: In Fall of 2003, "Steel Drums: Old & New" was remastered for clarity and issued with new, full-color artwork and resequenced audio. Take advantage of the Toucans' new low low prices! (See our Merchandise Page for details)

• The Toucans are proud to present their newest full-length album, Steel Drums: Old & New. Their second collaboration with Seattle producer David Pascal, this is the best-sounding Toucans album yet! Although Steel Drums: Old & New is dedicated to grandmothers everywhere, we know that everyone will enjoy our musical journey through the Caribbean islands.

• Featuring such Toucan Classics as Brazil and Jump In The Line, this 60-minute album also contains the entire musical soundtrack from the Toucans' critically-acclaimed elementary school assembly program, Tales of the Caribbean. This program presents the story of the invention of the Steel Drum in a dynamic and entertaining manner, using puppets, dialogue, and music. And that's just the "Old" side!

• The "New" side of the album is chock-full of more great music, from Van Morrison to Harry Belafonte, from Henry Mancini to King Henry the Eighth. It just doesn't get any better than this, Toucan Fans! Each song has its own unique character, and there's also a sonic re-creation of the old Panyards, where steel drums were first invented. We even recorded the sounds of our steel drums being tuned!

1. Mongoose Hop (1929, by Lionel Belasco)
The Tales of the Caribbean theme song; this old tune modulates between C minor and Eb major, creating a fascinating harmonic texture not often heard in today's calypso music. Truly a Caribbean classic!

2. Panyard (1997, by the Toucans)
Featuring steel drum tuning by the Toucans Panmaker, Otto "Boots" Faustin, this medley includes the two songs Mama This Is Mas and The Gunslinger, as well as a variety of makeshift Iron Band instruments, including coffee cans, a fanta bottle, a popcorn shaker, a rusty old brake drum, a triangle, and the 45-gallon, two-note bass steel drum called the Du-Dup (doo-DOOP). This soundscape seeks to illustrate what the early panyards may have sounded like.

3. Take Me To The Carnival (1944, by Lionel Belasco)
This happy number is Toucan drummer Steve's favorite song. The Toucans found it in an old Calypso songbook and rescued it from obscurity. It's become the band's signature tune and never fails to get people dancing!

4. Brazil (1929, by Ary Barroso)
This song was first featured on the Toucans' 1992 release Socanut, and has been in high demand ever since. Since then, we've unearthed the original 32-bar introductory verse, and have also pumped up the disco section (?!?) with an out-of-this-world Theremin solo by producer David Pascal! You gotta hear it to believe it!

5. Tie-Tongue Mopsy (1945, by Lord Kitchener)
Grandma's Favorite! The slower, easy-going calypso beat of this song makes it a dancing sensation for all. Lord Kitchener, the famous Calypsonian, has been writing hit songs for Carnival for over fifty years! This was one of his first hits under the Carnival tents in the mid 1940's.

6. Steelband Music (1964, by Lord Kitchener)
A faster-paced calypso, this tune pays tribute to the individual instruments of the steel band. Its complex harmonic voicing and snappy counter-melodies make it a steel drum sensation!

1. Brown Eyed Girl (1967, by Van Morrison)
Born in Belfast, Ireland, musician Van Morrison has had many hits over the years, but none so widely recognized as his first, recorded in New York in 1967. Brown Eyed Girl was initially suggested by the Toucans' Minister of Good Ideas, Andy Etue back 1989, but his advice was ignored until just recently, when someone else suggested the same thing. Great idea, Andy!

2. It Had Better Be Tonight (1962, by Henry Mancini)
Featured in the first Pink Panther movie, this tune plays as people ski down the Italian Alps. Although originally performed on an accordion, for some reason the Toucans arranged it for their steel drums. This song also features Seattle Vibraphone Maven Susan Pascal in a stellar arpeggiated appearance.

3. El Cumbanchero (1943, by Rafael Hernandez)
Grandma's Favorite! Originally recorded by the Toucans on their 1989 cassette Loud & Clear, this song will not die. Bolstered by performances with Guinness World Record Holder King Limbo ("Six Inches!"), this tune features Andy "You're a killer on them drums" Etue on them drums. Toucan Historians will also appreciate the inclusion of the original jungle drums introduction as heard on Loud & Clear,with bird noises by professional Bird Noise Performance Artists.

4. How High The Moon (1940, by Morgan Lewis)
This tune has long been in the repertoire of jazz and lounge singers, but the Toucans' tropical treatment spices up this old chestnut with a danceable latin groove and a funky-on-down jam section!

5. Pan In Harmony (1976, by Lord Kitchener)
The most recent of the "New" songs, this tune features blazing melody lines and intricate inner voicing, showcasing the versatility and power of the Steel Band. The Iron Band rhythm section of brake drum and conga really makes this song jump up!

6. Jump In The Line (1962, by Leon Bell)
Made popular by Harry Belafonte, and even more popular by Winona Ryder, Jump In The Line was originally recorded by the Toucans on their 1992 release Socanut. A limbo-contest standard, this song is rarely not played by the Toucans. Our "New for 1998" version features a snappier ending.

7. Greensleeves (1580, attributed to King Henry the Eighth)
The oldest of the "New" songs, Greensleeves has been a popular favorite for over 400 years. Set in the key of D minor (the saddest of all keys) by an unknown composer, it is widely believed that King Henry the Eighth contributed the lyrics to an already existing melody, possibly much older. Hang on to your funny little hat, Grandma!