The Essential Harry Belafonte

"Daay-O! Me say Daaaay-O!"

When I picked up this CD, the only Harry Belafonte songs I knew were The Banana Boat Song and Mary’s Boy Child.  But over the past couple of weeks I’ve been enjoying this collection that covers everything from bouncy Caribbean-flavored numbers like Zombie Jamboree to American folk songs (Jerry [This Timber Got to Roll]) to thunderous Gospel music (Goin’ Down Jordan).  Though there are a few entries that do little besides highlighting Belafonte’s silky-smooth voice, overall this album has enough upbeat energy to recommend it.  Sure, it’s commercial, but give it a listen and see if you don’t go around with “Angelina, Angelina, please bring down your concertina . . .” stuck in your head for the rest of the day.