Mitchell Torok ’Caribbean’ - 1953 & 1959

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   I'm hoping that someone can clear up a matter regarding Mitchell Torok's 'Caribbean', and that is whether the 1953 and 1959 releases are the same recording.

The song was initially a #1 country hit in 1953 on the Abbott label credited to "Mitchell Torok & The Louisiana Hayride Band". It did not become a pop hit until the 1959 release on the Guyden label which was credited to simply "Mitchell Torok". I have the 1959 Guyden 45 but do not have a 1953 Abbott 45 or 78.

Joel Whitburn seems to have changed his mind over the years as to whether the two releases are the same or different recordings. In Top Pop Singles 1955-1986, he states the two are the same version, but in the sixth edition of Top 40 Hits (published in 1996), he states "original version by Torok hit #1 on the Country charts in 1953 on Abbott 140", thereby implying that the two releases are different recordings.

The song did not appear on a domestic CD until last year's Eric/Hit Parade release Fabulous 50s Crooners Sing Their Hard To Find Hits. This CD has confused me even more. The track list states it contains the 1953 version and credits the song to "Mitchell Torok & The Louisiana Hayride Band" and the booklet states that the 1959 release is a re-recording. But the version on the CD is definitely the same as my 1959 Guyden 45, which means that the current database information is (perhaps inadvertently) correct.

Does anyone have a 1953 Abbott 45/78 to clear up whether the 1953 Abbott and 1959 Guyden releases are in fact the same or different recordings?

(Side note: Until the release of the Eric/Hit Parade CD, the last time the song was available in the U.S. was in the 1980s on a Jamie/Guyden re-issue 45. However, this re-issue 45 has handclap overdubs not on the 1959 Guyden 45.)

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Paul C Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Music Fan Joined: 23 October 2006 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 9	Post Options Post Reply Quote Paul C Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Mitchell Torok ’Caribbean’ - 1953 & 1959 Posted: 12 May 2007 at 7:33am
	I'm hoping that someone can clear up a matter regarding Mitchell Torok's 'Caribbean', and that is whether the 1953 and 1959 releases are the same recording. The song was initially a #1 country hit in 1953 on the Abbott label credited to "Mitchell Torok & The Louisiana Hayride Band". It did not become a pop hit until the 1959 release on the Guyden label which was credited to simply "Mitchell Torok". I have the 1959 Guyden 45 but do not have a 1953 Abbott 45 or 78. Joel Whitburn seems to have changed his mind over the years as to whether the two releases are the same or different recordings. In Top Pop Singles 1955-1986, he states the two are the same version, but in the sixth edition of Top 40 Hits (published in 1996), he states "original version by Torok hit #1 on the Country charts in 1953 on Abbott 140", thereby implying that the two releases are different recordings. The song did not appear on a domestic CD until last year's Eric/Hit Parade release Fabulous 50s Crooners Sing Their Hard To Find Hits. This CD has confused me even more. The track list states it contains the 1953 version and credits the song to "Mitchell Torok & The Louisiana Hayride Band" and the booklet states that the 1959 release is a re-recording. But the version on the CD is definitely the same as my 1959 Guyden 45, which means that the current database information is (perhaps inadvertently) correct. Does anyone have a 1953 Abbott 45/78 to clear up whether the 1953 Abbott and 1959 Guyden releases are in fact the same or different recordings? (Side note: Until the release of the Eric/Hit Parade CD, the last time the song was available in the U.S. was in the 1980s on a Jamie/Guyden re-issue 45. However, this re-issue 45 has handclap overdubs not on the 1959 Guyden 45.)

PaulEschen Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Music Fan Joined: 28 December 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote PaulEschen Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 13 May 2007 at 7:34am
	I compared the two 45s of "Caribbean" and it's my belief it's the same take, but brightened up on the Guyden version with a little reverb; it's certainly a much better sounding song on the latter version. According to the notes from Mitchell Torok - Mexican Joe In The Caribbean (Bear Family BCD 15 906 DI), the owner of Abbott Records, Fabor Robison, sold much of the old Abbott catalog to Jamie/Guyden records, and they re- issued the song.

Paul C Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Music Fan Joined: 23 October 2006 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 9	Post Options Post Reply Quote Paul C Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 13 May 2007 at 4:25pm
	Thanks for the info, Paul.

Pat Downey Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 01 October 2003 Status: Offline Points: 1	Post Options Post Reply Quote Pat Downey Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15 May 2007 at 9:12pm
	The version that appears on the Hit Parade cd is the 1953 version that appeared on the Abbott label and is not the same vocal take or instrumental take that appears on the pop hit from 1959 on the Guyden label. Also the speed of the Guyden version is much faster so unfortunately this is another 45 that has not yet appeared on cd in the U.S. in its pop hit incarnation.

Todd Ireland Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Music Fan Joined: 16 October 2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 18	Post Options Post Reply Quote Todd Ireland Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15 May 2007 at 9:28pm
	Drat... Eric/Hit Parade label has a stellar reputation for issuing correct hit versions on all their CD compilations, but I think I know why they went with the 1953 non-hit version on the Fabulous 50s Crooners Sing Their Hard To Find Hits. Recordings older than 50 years old become part of the public domain in Canada and Europe and therefore no longer involve licensing restrictions. Therefore, the 1953 version would fall under the public domain category, while the hit 1959 version is still copyrighted and must be officially licensed to appear on a CD compilation.

Robert Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Music Fan Joined: 04 March 2006 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Robert Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 19 October 2009 at 7:10pm
	I don't have the Abbott release, but I can tell you there are two different Guyden 45 issues of this song. They are both numbered GUYDEN 2018 with MT-1 printed above the time and the production credit on the right hand side; however there are different deadwax numbers. The one I remember as the 1959 version has the deadwax #MT-1B. This version has a shorter intro and does not contain handclaps and bongos. Or maybe I should say that it does, but they are very low in the background. Also, Pat is correct. It is close, but not the same take as the Eric/Hit Parade version (e.g. at :39 the line "...miles away" is just one difference). I agree that it was an alternate take from the same session. It's just too close not to be. The other pressing has deadwax #MT-1 with 126-A scratched out. It has a longer intro than the other 45 and it matches the Eric/HP CD with one exception. There are prominent bongos and handclaps. (Okay 2 exceptions) The vocal and the backing match the CD version. So Pat would be correct in listing the ERIC/HP version as NOT the 1959 version. And that the 1959 version is not available on domestic CD. However, is the ERIC version the 1953 version or is it the other 1959 version without the overdubs. And what about the difference between two 45's neither of which match the CD version. Which is the real 1953 version? The one with or without the bongos and handclaps? And where did the other 45 come from? Might there be some backing tracks floating around somewhere? Incidentally, after sampling the Bear Family CD "Mexican Joe In The Caribbean" I believe I am correct in saying that the version marked "Alternate take" is indeed the 1959 version. The intro wasn't on the clip and it might have the longer intro - which is easily edited down.

Santi Paradoa Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Music Fan Joined: 17 February 2009 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 14	Post Options Post Reply Quote Santi Paradoa Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 21 October 2009 at 7:08pm
	The only version I have of this song on cd is from the 1995 canadian disc "Treasured Tunes" on Stardust CD-1015. In the 90s they released several volumes in their series of hard to find 50s and 60s tracks with this track running 2:25.
	Santi Paradoa Miami, Florida

satchdr Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Music Fan Joined: 22 February 2007 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote satchdr Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 21 October 2009 at 9:50pm
	Folks, this tune has always intrigued me and I have what is apparently the 1959 version on both a Jamie Golden Hits 45 (J 912) (deadwax is "JAMIE 912-B") and on "The Jamie/Guyden Story" Bear Family German import 2CD set (LC 5197). I believe both these versions are identical except the 45 has a longer intro. The 45 is also an absolutely horrible recording and the phasing is so bad it has the "doppler effect" throughout. After reading the recent postings, I've ordered a copy of the original Abbott 45 and the Eric/HIt Parade Fabulous 50s Crooners CD. Once they arrive, I'll do a comparison and report to y'all. Dan

Gary Mack Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Music Fan Joined: 06 February 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Gary Mack Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 October 2009 at 6:55am
	My yellow/black label 1959 Guyden 45 has different information in the dead wax: MT 1B-RE. The songwriter is credited to Mitchell Torok and the publisher is American Music, Inc. Run time is just under 2:25 and yes, it's the fast version. GM

Yah Shure Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Music Fan Joined: 11 December 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Yah Shure Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24 October 2009 at 9:26pm
	My Guyden 45 also has "MT 1B-RE" in the dead wax, but just to add to the confusion, the label itself states "45-MT-1A" on the left side. The other info matches Gary's description; the intro time is (:02.8) and the total run time is (2:23).