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Lord MessamAugustus "Lord" Messam was a Jamaican mento singer who performed throughout the 1950s up until the mid 1960s. With his band, Messam released several records that consisted of a mixture of original and traditional material on the Stanley Motta record label, under the name Lord Messam & His Calypsonians. CareerLord Messam was a regular performer on the Montego Bay mento scene. Gigs featuring Messam as frontman are known from various flyers and advertisements covering the period 1949 to 1966.[1] In 1953, thirteen Jamaican bands competed in the "First Annual All-Island Calypso Band Contest". Lord Messam placed second in the competition behind winner Lord Power.[2] The 1955 "Calypso Pepper Pot" show was judged by Louise Bennett, Mapletoft Poulle and Stanley Motta. Besides Lord Messam & His Calypsonians, the bill featured local artists such as Lord Tanamo, Sir Horace, Lord Lebby, and Count Lasher, as well as some Trinidadian calypsonians. Lord Messam’s entry – "If You're Not White, You're Considered Black" failed to place in this contest — Messam's set was considered "tame" and aimed at tourists — though he did win the prize for best costume.[2] Messam performed regularly at hotels and collaborated with early recording stars such as Higgs and Wilson.[3] Later in life, Messam became a mentor to some of the next generation of local musicians.[4] Reggae and ska songwriter Clancy Eccles was one such artist who worked under Messam.[5] StyleMessam's Calypsonians are characterized by their utilization of tight polyrhythms, with banjo parts that have been described as "pointillist."[2] The opening bars of Messam's version of the traditional number "Linstead Market" have been compared to the sound of a music-box, and the few recordings that Messam left behind have been praised for their "dreamy" and "otherworldly" quality.[1] The melodies are typically backed with a "proto-reggae" rhythm.[1] Like many mento artists, humor formed an integral part of Messam's music. The self-composed "Poun' Paper" takes a comic look at dating. In this song Messam warns about giving a woman cash too early in the date — the song describes his unsuccessful attempts to retrieve the "poun' paper" when the narrator's expectations are not met. Another Messam composition "Holiday Number", also examines relationships:
Lord Messam incorporated many traditional songs into his sets, such as the folk-song "Linstead Market". He made only a few recordings, perhaps as a result of his focus on live performance. A trained dancer, he was known as much for his dancing as for his singing.[1] Discography78 rpm
Albums
"Linstead Market" also appears on the MRS album Calypso Date, and on the CD compilations Mento Madness (2004, V2 North America) and Jamaica - Mento 1951-1958 (2010, Fremeaux). See alsoReferences
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