Midnight Special cover

Midnight Special

Harry Belafonte · 1962

37 min · 9 tracks · folk · calypso

A vibrant blend of folk and calypso rhythms that celebrates storytelling through song.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • steady mid-tempo storytelling flow
  • vibrant rhythms for group sing-alongs
  • nostalgic warmth for evening gatherings
  • engaging narratives with rhythmic pulse

Maybe skip if you want

  • seek fast-paced instant gratification
  • prefer standalone tracks over cohesion

Where this album fits

Career context
By the time 'Midnight Special' was released in January 1962, Harry Belafonte was already a significant figure in music, following the success of his groundbreaking 1956 album 'Calypso'. This release came during a peak phase in his career, as he was not only popularizing Caribbean music but also using his platform to address social issues. The album solidified his reputation as a crossover artist who could transcend genres and cultures.
Stylistic neighbors
Miriam Makeba· Pete Seeger· Odetta

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Midnight Special 3:45
  • 2 Crawdad Song 3:37
  • 3 Memphis Tennessee 4:59
  • 4 Gotta Travel On 4:20
  • 5 Did You Hear About Jerry? 2:57
  • 6 On Top of Old Smokey 4:59
  • 7 Muleskinner 3:31
  • 8 Makes a Long Time Man Feel Bad 5:47
  • 9 Michael Row the Boat Ashore 3:56

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata