Swing Dat Hammer

by Harry Belafonte

Swing Dat Hammer cover art
  • Type: Album
  • Released: April 1960
  • Label: RCA Victor
  • Country: United States
  • Length: 38:40
  • Community rating: 3.2/5 from 2 ratings

Album Notes & Community Reviews

Delving into the grueling history of African American prison chain gangs, the vocalist brings a polished, theatrical intensity to traditional labor songs. The stark, rhythmic vocal arrangements, punctuated by the simulated sound of striking steel, earned the project a Grammy award and highlighted his ongoing commitment to socially conscious folk material.

Genres

Descriptors: Folk

Tracklist

  1. Look Over Yonder (2:56)
  2. Bald Headed Woman (3:33)
  3. Grizzly Bear (3:31)
  4. Diamond Joe (3:43)
  5. Here Rattler Here (4:02)
  6. Another Man Done Gone (2:24)
  7. Swing Dat Hammer (4:43)
  8. Go Down Old Hannah (3:52)
  9. Rocks and Gravel (3:52)
  10. Talkin' an' Signifyin' (5:59)

Credits

  • Harry Belafonte - primary artist, written-by
  • Robert DeCormier - primary artist, conductor [the belafonte folk singers], written-by
  • Lawrence Gellert - written-by
  • Bob Corman - written-by
  • Milton Okun - written-by
  • Millard Thomas - guitar
  • Anita Carter - written-by

More from Harry Belafonte: full discography