Costa Rica's finest calypso artist recorded Babylon, his first CD, at the age of 83. His songs speak of the life of simple, poverty-stricken Caribbean coast, using lots of irony and humor. Walter Ferguson is probably our last traditional calypsonian.

13 MP3 Songs
WORLD: World Traditions, FOLK: Traditional Folk



Details:
Walter Ferguson is, without a doubt, one of the most important and ingenious popular songwriters in Costa Rica. His songs have a balanced combination of form and content that shows the presence and evolution of Afro Costa Rican culture, departing from their Caribbean roots.

This âblessed calypsonianâ, as said in one of his songs, is one of those rare artists, which is why we are so fortunate to have the chance of knowing his work and him. This disc wishes to pass this good fortune to all its listeners.
From his tiny and beloved Cahuita, Mr. Gavitt âas his people call him- has managed to project himself, thanks to the authenticity of his compositions.

His first CD Babylon includes his dearest songs, the songs that write the history of his hometown with a peculiar style in calypso music. Anecdotes, facts, fiction, his neighborhood or imaginary characters all come together in a stage created by Mr. Gavitt. This CD includes episodes and melodies in a sort of musical play of Afro Limonese life.

Episodes such as the King of Calypso facing an asian singer in perfect mandarin; the calypsonian abandoned by his once faithful woman; the musician replaced by a hi-fi appliance and a t.v.; the schoolboy misunderstood by his teacher are just a few of his themes, treated with humor, irony and great honesty.

When Costa Rica opens its eyes to the richness of its diverse cultures and ethinic groups and value it as strength instead of as a threat, then Walter Ferguson's name will have a well-deserved place next to the biggest name of Costa Rican culture and will be remembered by the next generations.