Guanábana: In Focus ~ The Merrymen
03.16.25
Guanábana highlights the sounds of islands across the Caribbean, Polynesia, and beyond — covering music from regions between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. Island hop with Madeleine Sturma and Hatt Merlino as they showcase genres like bachata, zouk, mele, morna, and more.
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For this episode, we decided it was time to sail over to the beautiful, beautiful island of Barbados for a deep dive into the Bajan band, The Merrymen. This special episode takes a closer look at The Merrymen’s five-decade career, from their early days in the 1960s to the 2000s, highlighting the early projects of bandleader Emile Straker, tracks from the group’s formative years, and records released on their label, Merrydisc, or recorded at their own R.E.C. Studios.
Tracklist:
The Merrymen songs: Something’s Gone Wrong Archie Silver Earring Island Woman It’s All Over You’ll Always Be A Friend Sitting in Limbo Land so Dear Take Your Hand Away You Sweeten Me Will You Break My Heart Again Mangoes Sweet Marie Bang Bang Lulu For Loving Me (Sweet Sweet) Bom Bom The Hands I Love Legend of Sam Lord Yellowbird Tracks from early Merrymen projects, their recording studio and record label – Merrydisc Records. Merrymen early projects, Merrydisc Records or REC Studios: Arthur Lyman – Yellowbird The Fabulous Calypso Bandits – Calypso Girl Emile Straker & The Pete Jones Combo – Sweetheart Twist Merriboys – Wonderful Feeling The Brothers of Barbados – 9th Avenue (Put On Your Wings And Fly) The Revelations (of Barbados) – Set Me Free Ronald ‘Kitten’ Watson & Atlantic Combo – Let’s Get Together Generation Bridge & Young Cassius Clay – Snowcone Checkmates – Cream Puff The Seranaders – If I Could See You Just One Time Gabby – Bridgetown Ronald ‘Kitten’ Watson & Atlantic Combo – You Think It Easy The Troubadours – Gimme Some More Lawrence Baptiste – Please Come Back To Me El Verno del Congo – Message to Keibu Blue Rhythm Combo – Romance Blue Rhythm Combo – Take The Funky Feeling Harmony – All By Myself Brothers – How Do You Say Goodbye
