Sold Date: January 21, 2018
Start Date: September 13, 2017
Final Price: $46.00 (USD)
Seller Feedback: 836
Buyer Feedback: 91

The Voodoo Gods of Haiti

Divine Horsemen

Lyrichord

Stereo

LLST 7341

In 1947 wire recorders (which could operate on automobile battery power) had just come on the market and Maya Deren brought the first one to Haiti.  Included in this album are some of the first recordings ever made during religious ceremonies near Croix de Missions and Petionville.  These selections serve as a soundtrack to the film she shot there from 1947-1951 documenting Voodoo ceremonies and festivals.  As the people walk to outdoor ceremonies we hear the sounds of nature…

…One hears the music of the Congo Cult who have ceremonies and dances devoted exclusively to Congo traditions.  Its roots hold firmly in modern day jazz.  There are two drums being played and a third drummer plays on the side of the mamman drum on a board attached to it.  It has the feeling of a galloping horse which also incorporates breaks.  This is followed by music of the Petro Cult, patrons of aggressive action, punctuated by cracks of whip and whistles.  There are two drums beaten by hand instead of the usual sticks.  The drumming has a distinctively intense almost nervous off-beat rhythm.  During ceremonials the songs are led by a houngenikon, and the devotees respond in chorus.  The language is Creole of 18th C. French derivation although with African grammatical structure and it contains African and Spanish words.  There are moments when the voices of the load can be heard talking and singing on this recording…

12 inch, 33 RPM, vinyl LP

1 page, double-sided Lyrichord advertising insert

Record Condition: Excellent.

Clean and glossy, free of scratches.

Sleeve Condition: Very Good+.

Bright and clean with some minor wear on the edges and corners. All seams intact. No markings.