Ota Benga

The May Day Orchestra   CD/Vinyl   2010

The second ‘folk opera’ by The May Day Orchestra tells the story of Ota Benga, a pygmy man who was taken from Congo and put on display at the 1904 World’s Fair in Saint Louis. A simultaneous narrative about Roger Casement weaves into the songs as does a lead pedal steel and the occasional string section. More of a rock angle than the folk arrangements of the previous release. Lyrics by Tim Rakel. Music by Rakel and The May Day Orchestra. String arrangements by Brien Seyle.

1.   Never A Fair Wind Home   6:20

2. Dreamed Another Circus   4:23

3.   Forced March   3:43

4.   Death Walks Along This Road   2:54

5.   The Irish Orphan   2:54

6.   Forced March II   6:50

7.   The Horror   4:24

8.   The Spectacle   3:11

9.   The Execution of Sir Roger Casement   2:24

10.   The Suicide of Ota Benga   8:22

ota benga cover

May Day Orchestra

CD$10

Vinyl$15

Other works involving the may day orchestra, music, st. louis, africa, ireland