"Mark Twain" and other Folk Favorites

LP mono RCA             LPM1022
LP pseudostereo RCA LSP1022
LP Victor Japan        HP5049
LP HMV  UK             CLP1122  (see below)
LP RCA Australia      L10021
All songs are also on the album BCD16262
and on the CD box RGMCD006
EP: EPB-1022
Released in 1954

Accompanied by Millard Thomas (guitar)
Orchestra and Chorus Supervised by Hugo Winterhalter
Session Producers : H. Winterhalter, Henri René, Jack Lewis and Joe Carlton.

Recorded in RCA Victor's Manhattan Center and
24th Street Studios, Apr. 9, 22 & 29 and May 13, 1954
Cover Art: Kysar
Liner-notes: Leonard Feather

A1 Mark Twain # 3:42
A2 Man Piaba # 3:30
A3 John Henry # 3:27
A4 Tol' My Captain # 2:45
A5 Kalenda Rock (Mourning Song) 3:22
A6 The Drummer And The Cook # 2:04
B1 The Fox # 2:43
B2 Soldier, Soldier # 1:37
B3 The Next Big River # 0:20
B4 Delia # 2:58
B5 Mo Mary # 2:15
B6 Lord Randall # 4:07

Harry Belafonte's first album features a solid variety of songs from American folk tradition, learned during his studies of folk music at the Library of Congress in the early 1950s. He had signed with RCA Victor in 1952, recording a series of well-received singles. Belafonte's new-found love for music of the West Indies can be found in songs such as "Man Piaba" (which he wrote) along with songs from English and Scottish tradition such as "Lord Randall" and "The Drummer & the Cook." Songs from African-American tradition include the chain gang song "Tol' My Captain" and the ubiquitous "John Henry." Mark Twain was a good initial effort, but Belafonte's repertoire and delivery would get stronger with the next album.
~ Cary Ginell, All Music Guide

HMV CLP-1122 (UK) front

HMV CLP-1122 (UK) rear