Clang of the Yankee Reaper is a 1975 album by Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke Parks is an American composer, arranger, producer, musician, singer, author and actor. Parks is perhaps best known for his contributions as a lyricist on the Beach Boys album Smile....

, containing only one original Parks composition. It continues his exploration of Calypso music

Calypso music

Calypso is a style of Afro-Caribbean music that originated in Trinidad and Tobago from African and European roots. The roots of the genre lay in the arrival of enslaved Africans, who, not being allowed to speak with each other, communicated through song...

 started in the previous album Discover America

Discover America (album)

Discover America is a 1972 album by Van Dyke Parks released by Warner Bros., featuring Parks' take on Calypso music. Though only his sophomore release, it was considered a major departure from his debut record, 1968's psychedelic and folk-inspired Song Cycle...

. In particular, it contains several songs by The Mighty Sparrow

Mighty Sparrow

Mighty Sparrow or Birdie is a calypso singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Known as the "Calypso King of the World," he is one of the most well-known and successful calypsonians...

, and Lord Kitchener

Lord Kitchener (calypsonian)

Aldwyn Roberts , better known by the stage name Lord Kitchener , was one of the most internationally famous calypsonians. He was the son of a blacksmith, Stephen, and homemaker, Albertha.-Life:...

, as well as a diverse selection of past and present music in the tradition of the Americas.

Track listing

1. "Clang of the Yankee Reaper" (Martin Kibbee, Trevor Lawrence, Van Dyke Parks
   Van Dyke Parks
   Van Dyke Parks is an American composer, arranger, producer, musician, singer, author and actor. Parks is perhaps best known for his contributions as a lyricist on the Beach Boys album Smile....
   
   ) – 3:41
2. "City on the Hill" (Winston Monseque) – 3:00
3. "Pass That Stage" (Mighty Sparrow
   Mighty Sparrow
   Mighty Sparrow or Birdie is a calypso singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Known as the "Calypso King of the World," he is one of the most well-known and successful calypsonians...
   
   ) – 3:00
4. "Another Dream" (Sandpebbles) – 2:54
5. "You're a Real Sweetheart" (Irving Caesar
   Irving Caesar
   Irving Caesar was an American lyricist and theater composer who wrote lyrics for "Swanee," "Sometimes I'm Happy," "Crazy Rhythm," and "Tea for Two," one of the most frequently recorded tunes ever written. He was born and died in New York.Caesar, the son of Morris Keiser, a Romanian Jew, was...
   
   , Cliff Friend
   Cliff Friend
   Cliff Friend was an accomplished songwriter and pianist. A member of Tin Pan Alley, Friend co-wrote several hits including "Lovesick Blues," "My Blackbirds Are Bluebirds Now" and "The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down," also known as the theme song to the Looney Tunes cartoon series.-Early life:Friend was...
   
   ) – 1:12
6. "Love Is the Answer" (F. Williams) – 3:28
7. "Iron Man" (S. Cummings) – 3:05
8. "Tribute to Spree" (Lord Kitchener
   Lord Kitchener (calypsonian)
   Aldwyn Roberts , better known by the stage name Lord Kitchener , was one of the most internationally famous calypsonians. He was the son of a blacksmith, Stephen, and homemaker, Albertha.-Life:...
   
   ) – 3:37
9. "Soul Train" (Lord Kitchener) – 3:12
10. "Cannon in D" (Johann Pachelbel
    Johann Pachelbel
    Johann Pachelbel was a German Baroque composer, organist and teacher, who brought the south German organ tradition to its peak. He composed a large body of sacred and secular music, and his contributions to the development of the chorale prelude and fugue have earned him a place among the most...
    
    ) – 2:42

Notes:

- Lord Kitchener

Lord Kitchener (calypsonian)

Aldwyn Roberts , better known by the stage name Lord Kitchener , was one of the most internationally famous calypsonians. He was the son of a blacksmith, Stephen, and homemaker, Albertha.-Life:...

 is referred to as Aldwyn Roberts, and Mighty Sparrow

Mighty Sparrow

Mighty Sparrow or Birdie is a calypso singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Known as the "Calypso King of the World," he is one of the most well-known and successful calypsonians...

 as Slinger Francisco.

- Track 7, is often cited by other artists to be a Lord Kitchener

Lord Kitchener (calypsonian)

Aldwyn Roberts , better known by the stage name Lord Kitchener , was one of the most internationally famous calypsonians. He was the son of a blacksmith, Stephen, and homemaker, Albertha.-Life:...

 (Aldwyn Roberts) composition.

- Track 10, listed as Pachelbel's Canon in D

Canon in D

Pachelbel's Canon is the most famous piece of music by German Baroque composer Johann Pachelbel. It was originally scored for three violins and basso continuo and paired with a gigue in the same key. Like most other works by Pachelbel and other pre-1700 composers, the Canon remained forgotten for...

is in actuality Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott by Martin Luther

Martin Luther

Martin Luther was a German priest, professor of theology and iconic figure of the Protestant Reformation. He strongly disputed the claim that freedom from God's punishment for sin could be purchased with money. He confronted indulgence salesman Johann Tetzel with his Ninety-Five Theses in 1517...

, or as it is known in English, A Mighty Fortress is Our God

A Mighty Fortress is Our God

"A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" is the best known of Martin Luther's hymns. Luther wrote the words and composed the melody sometime between 1527 and 1529. It has been translated into English at least seventy times and also into many other languages...

. It is also not in D, but Ab.

Personnel

Van Dyke Parks - vocals

• Jesse Ed Davis
  Jesse Ed Davis
  Jesse Edwin Davis was an American guitarist. He was well regarded as a session artist. His death in 1988 is attributed to a drug overdose.-Biography:...
  
   - guitar
• Chilli Charles - drums
• Jim Keltner
  Jim Keltner
  James Lee "Jim" Keltner is an American drummer known primarily for his session work. He has contributed to the work of many well-known artists...
  
   - drums
• Bobby Keys
  Bobby Keys
  Bobby Keys is an American saxophone player, and has performed with other musicians as a member of one of the notable horn sections of the 1970s. He appears on albums by The Rolling Stones, The Who, Harry Nilsson, Delaney Bramlett, George Harrison's All Things Must Pass, Eric Clapton and Joe...
  
   - saxophone
• Fred Tackett
  Fred Tackett
  Fred Tackett, an American native of Arkansas, is an accomplished songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Originally a session player on guitar, mandolin, and trumpet, he is best known for his longevity as a member of the band Little Feat....
  
   - guitar
• Klaus Voormann
  Klaus Voormann
  Klaus Voormann is a German Grammy Award-winning artist, noted musician, and record producer. He designed artwork for many bands including The Beatles, The Bee Gees, Wet Wet Wet and Turbonegro. His most notable work as a producer was his work with the band Trio, including their worldwide hit "Da Da...
  
  - bass
• Bob Thompson - orchestration

External links

• Clang of the Yankee Reaper lyrics