The three record set was made in the early 1970s by Count Ossie and The Mystic Revelations of Rastafari.
Count Ossie and his drumming group had first been recorded on the Folkes Brothers’ Oh Carolina (1959) which marked a first step along the Ska, RockSteady, Reggae path.
They included a version of Oh Carolina on Grounation
but it mostly comprises extended drumming and chants relating to the traditions of Rastafarianism and the teachings of Marcus Garvey.
Who does not love listening to Duke Ellington’s classic tune Caravan? I know I do and with its driving rhythm and ample opportunity for noodling one never tires of hearing a new version. The tune was written by Ellington and Juan Tizol in the 1930’s. Here they (Ellington – piano, Tizol – valve trombone) are performing it in the 1950’s…
Such was the tunes popularity that bands were often requested to play it. Frank Zappa alludes to such a request on the first Mothers of Invention‘s album Freak Out! in the song You’re Probably Wondering Why I’m Here and again in America Drinks & Goes Home on their next album Absolutely Free.
One may surmise just which Caravan with a drum solo was being referenced in the request. As John French recalled “Every lounge act in the sixties played Caravan with a drum solo. It was as standard as Louie Louie later became and achieved the status of a “running joke.” and Zappa related the origin of the quote “When we worked at a gig in El Monte some drunken buffoon in the audience requested it: ‘I wanna hear Caravan with a drum solo!’ There are certain things you remember from your career, like that line.”
But for my money it could only have been the definitive version of Caravan with a drum solo by The Ventures recorded live in Japan in 1965
Having spent nigh on 50 years listening to music I still struggle to define just what it is that appeals and satisfies. Whatever it is Olimpia Splendid ooze it from every pore.
Fearlessly rejecting the sensible walking shoes and the map clearly showing the well worn route with robust fences to keep them safe; they stand, bare footed, with their toes dangling over the edge of the cliff. At any time they may tumble over the edge or the cliff may crumble beneath them (and if one goes they all go) but they hold their nerve deftly dancing their bold dance. As palm sweatingly exciting as anything I have heard in a long time. Splendid indeed.
