Wednesday, March 13, 2019

“Kum Ba Yah” #54 3/8/1969

The only known chart version of this spiritual from the days of slavery (and a campfire song, too) was by Tommy Leonetti, a singer, songwriter and actor. The tune has roots in the Gullah dialect of coastal South Carolina and Georgia, along the lines of “Michael, Row The Boat Ashore.” Leonetti later recorded a tune called “My City Of Sydney.” Think a Tony Bennett mashup with Steve Irwin, mate. Crikey!


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