John Buddy Williams (Last Night the Landlord Nearly Kill Me Anthony’s Cari-Jazz Artiste of the Day

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John Buddy Williams - March 19, 2021 - Anthony’s Cari-Jazz Artiste of the Day
If this track sounds familiar it might be because its melody was “borrowed” by soca singer Olatunji Yearwood for his 2021 Covid Carnival offering called “Drunk History.” (https://youtu.be/FU4h0J6cbzM). The actual history of this song goes back more than half a century with the singer known as Lord Cristo – real name Christopher Laidlow (b.1916 d.1984).
Cristo made a living as a cabinetmaker and sang in church choirs before he became the lead singer for the John "Buddy" Williams Band in the 1940s. His calypso career began in 1952 when he appeared at Atilla the Hun's “Victory Tent”. He then joined the McLean Brothers and accompanied them on a tour of the USA in December 1952. He later moved over to the Young Brigade Tent in 1955. The Young Brigade Tent became the Original Young Brigade Tent (OYB) in 1956, and Cristo continued to sing with the OYB until he left for Chicago, Ilinois, USA, where he appeared at various nightclubs and on television. He returned to Trinidad in 1960 and continued to sing at the OYB for the rest of his career. Although he never won a title, Cristo's popular songs "Miss Universe" and "Chicken Chest" were tailor-made for steelbands and were played extensively on the road during the 1957 Carnival.” (Courtesy TUCO)
Which brings us to this rendition of the song. Taken from a 1961 album on the Emory Cook label called “Le Jazz Primitif from Trinidad” which featured Rupert Clemendore on the A side and John “Buddy” Williams on the B side. Cook recorded the track “Last Night The Landlord Nearly Kill Me”, as played by the John “Buddy” Williams band at the Little Carib Theatre on the cusp of Carnival. Cristo himself had earlier recorded this track for Cook Records on the 1956 album “Dance Calypso.” Aside from being one of the best-known Trinidad bandleaders of the 1940’s and 50’s John “Buddy” Williams is also the father of legendary jazz bassist David “Happy” Williams.
The beauty of this particular recording is the improvised call and response lines played by the musicians over a typical “lavway” groove. To me the lines are uniquely calypso in nature and the phrasing is wonderful. It’s a treasure trove of “licks” for any aspiring “kaisojazzer”.
According to the liner notes “The scene was a pre-carnival Saturday night dance at the Little Carib Theatre in Port of Spain. The hour was very late, the band on second wind. And the enthusiastic crowd of several hundred colored and creole people needed no rum in order to become unrepressed.”
Enjoy the John “Buddy” Williams band jamming Lord Cristo’s “Last Night the Landlord Nearly Kill Me.”

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This montage is produced by Anthony's Cari-Jazz for viewing and listening pleasure only. No sale or duplication permitted. All music and photographs are copyrighted and presented for artiste publicity, promotion and public education only. Downloading or sale of the material is strictly prohibited. Please see Artiste’s website or Online Retail outlets for purchasing of material.
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