Swing Dat Hammer
Harry Belafonte · 1960
37 min · 10 tracks · folk music
A vibrant fusion of calypso rhythms and folk storytelling that transports listeners to the Caribbean's lively culture.
Top tracks — play these first
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Swing Dat Hammer — The title track captures the essence of Belafonte's style, combining rhythmic energy with vivid imagery of labor and resilience from the Caribbean experience.
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Another Man Done Gone — This song stands out for its poignant narrative on loss and injustice, reflecting the struggles faced by African Americans and resonating deeply during the civil rights movement.
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Look Over Yonder Start here — The track showcases Belafonte's powerful vocal delivery alongside a rich arrangement, making it an unforgettable example of his ability to convey emotion through music.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends calypso rhythms with folk storytelling, showcasing strong craftsmanship and distinctiveness in its sound.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of calypso rhythms, with upbeat tempos dominating the first half before transitioning to more reflective tracks.
- Several songs incorporate call-and-response vocals, enhancing the communal feel typical of Caribbean music.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo flow
- engaging storytelling elements
- vibrant cultural celebration
- consistent listening experience
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Further solidified Belafonte's reputation post-Calypso, enhancing his cultural impact.
- Career context
- Released in 1960, Swing Dat Hammer marked Harry Belafonte's continued ascent following his breakthrough album Calypso in 1956, which popularized the genre in America. This album further solidified Belafonte's status as a leading figure in both calypso and world music, showcasing his unique ability to blend traditional Caribbean sounds with broader folk influences.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Miriam Makeba· Pete Seeger· Odetta
Tracklist
- 1 Look Over Yonder Start here 2:51
- 2 Bald Headed Woman 3:30
- 3 Grizzly Bear 3:27
- 4 Diamond Joe 3:36
- 5 Here Rattler Here 3:57
- 6 Another Man Done Gone 2:21
- 7 Swing Dat Hammer 4:38
- 8 Go Down Old Hannah 3:47
- 9 Rocks and Gravel 4:10
- 10 Talkin’ an’ Signifyin’ 5:08
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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