Ah Feeling Ah Feeling

Imani whining up in de Bacchanal Road at Pan Pun de Sand-photocredit-nationnews.com

What If...

Mega Monday on Soca Sunday perfromed by Santuary during the Sweet Soca competition he tied with Imani for 2nd in the Road March-photo credit-facebook/BajeIntl Inc

If there were a song which captured the experience and spectacle of Kadooment... I would say it was Sanctuary with Mega Monday...If there were a song that captured the experience of crossing the stage and hitting the road in costume Imani and Bacchanal Road definitely...If there is a  song, however, that captured the spirit-pun intended- of Crop Over whether cruising the high seas or  liming or partying at Bushy Park, Farley Hill  Spring Garden or  it was Lead Pipe and Saddis Ah Feeling...


Congratulations to...
 Lead Pipe and Saddis Road March winners for Crop Over 2014 whose Ah Feeling Tune of the Crop- the most popular on the road for Kadooment Day.
Their alter egos Porgie and Murda who also tied for 1st place with Giddyup for the Jam Tune most popular tune on Foreday Morning with Gorg's Meh Rum

Porgie and Murda as Lead Pipe and Saddis on the road photo credit-nationnews.com

Picks of de Crop

Karaoke is clearly the most popular form of entertainment among bajans as King I Web illustrates...photo credit barbadostoday.bb

The Judges decision is questionable...
I should hope to arrange an interview with Dr. Agard chief judge for this year's Pic-o-de-Crop competition. After this is should be able to answer the following questions for myself and all and sundry who read this blog. 

1. If judging of a song is done during and completed immediately after a performance, and said results are immediately collected from each judge-with no deliberation- and placed in a sealed envelope bearing the name of the performer, should that not be immediately passed to the auditor for tabulation?
2. Based on the latter premise of the former question, would this not mean that the only score to be tallied would be that of the final performer after he or she has performed?
3.  Based on the latter premise of the former question, should results then be available within 20 minutes maximum of the ending of the competition?

I am not being facetious here, I honestly want that aspect of the judging explained to me...the others maybe too shareholderised-past tense verb of shareholderism, to be explored in a later post-for my irrational kaiso brain to comprehend.

It would appear to me, based on my own observations that the longer the results take to emerge...the more inexplicable they become...often leaving a greater part of the audience wondering if the judges had been watching some other competition besides the one we had all seen. Last night's show ended according to my timepiece ended at 3 minutes past 12 with results emerging at around 12 minutes to one...if my math serves me correct that is 45 minutes taken to tally scores from professional auditors...of course they must recount etc. for surety...but based on my earlier questions...seems a bit long, my Q and A with Dr. Agard is a must.

My Picks...

My expected top three before the final based on a combination of semi-final performances, anticipation of the defending monarchs charisma and presence and judgements of the past suggested to me that Ian Webster would retain 1st,with Crystal Cummings Beckles a closer 2nd than last year and Blood still not knowing how to win in 3rd. After viewing the competition, based on their performances and judgements of the past-you done know agendas operate for and against various calypsonians-my top three was almost unchanged but I thought Blood had bested the monarch. Ian Webster's Still My Home intentionally sombre and reflective I can appreciate, came directly before Blood's Hold on together which was essentially more of the same but packaged more optimistically and solution oriented...I thought this song lyrically, performance wise and also based on crowd response and that dramatic ending did it better. The question would be, had Webster scored highly enough in his Karaoke Song compared to Blood to still hold on to the title.I f crowd response was anything to go by-he absolutely flattened Kensington with big people running bout like dem was inna playpark-he certainly had, I had my own reservations about how the constructing choruses using unoriginal melodies and lyrics would impact his scorecard, so Blood whose I don't know how to Win was no frills and well executed was in with a shout especially since Webster's voice started to crack in his latter performance.

Crystal Cummings Beckles had delivered, but for some strange reason her first half offering Enough is Enough which dealt with the topical violence against women issue the best of any calypso this season was not as impactful as it was at the semis or arguably Headliner's judging night, I cant explain it but it just lacked oomph. On the strength of those aforementioned performances...Queen Rita coming home could have forshadowed the crowning of a new queen. Her transormation of Another View into a defense of Mia Mottley was admirable and vaguely reminiscent of TC stating Dame Billie's case in Woman in Front. Her 'good night ladies' however was enough is enough, the woman agenda was overdone.

Kaiso, Kaiso...

Based on performances and my own observations and interpretations of calypso and competition...Announcer The Man they Love to Hate won my first half. I think he should have left AC for his Second Song and stuck with party politics...for many, myself included the verse about AC knowing the second song would share more licks was unnecessary and weakened that offering by straying off topic. The entertainment value however, of Ronnie's sharp wit, and lyrical prowess was unmatched on the night -I am also a fan of the unapologetic Cro Cro as well. Kid Site his first time at a final for sometime was in good form and had two songs each strong enough on its own. His performances were vintage Kid Site-circa 3peat-but his diction suffered a lot especially in his second performance. Site needs to fix this now obvious problem which is seriously affecting his ability to effectively render a calypso. That said he was still in my top 5 at the end of the night as was Miguel. On his first time at the big yard Miguel ignored all the politics and jibes and gave to nearly flawless rendition of his calypsos. For me Miguel's strong point was his rendition, I found Gun Town to be musically unsuited to the lyrical content but his presentation was on point here too. Lobbying for a Jury I liked more and showed his improving ability to phrase and not just sing calypso well but was a bit dry and some parts of the story development did not work for me-which extra-regional jury member would know 10 calypsos before 1982? That aside he was good enough for my top 5 or a close 6th but maybe he was sixth, who knows? 

This announcing only the top 5 is suitable for Junior Monarch but unnecessary and insulting to paying patrons at this level and gives room for more inexplicable irregularities and speculation in the results. That said I had Blood at 1. Webster 2. Announcer 3/4. Crystal 3/4. Kid Site 5.

AC/Fan Breeze...

I was not impressed by AC in either performance even though Calypso MP as are all of AC's performances well rendered and the presentation though he was too much of the set for me worked well. The song Calypso MP could have been more of an ode to calypso without any attempts to mention politics or respond to Announcer in which he was below par. Below par is what I and a significant number of patrons must have thought of AC's seemingly hurriedly put together Tribute to Fans -or whatever it was called-as they began walking out after realising no improvement after verse 1. The song's repetitive lyrics and video presentation with pictures of fans seemingly at a concert in Europe based on their hue surrounded by the word fans in bold print with exaggerated exclamation marks interchanged with pictures of fireworks cemented in my mind that this was Adrian Clarke's begging song. It would appear based on his shocking second place finish that the AC has some fans among the judges -or tabulators or whoever manipulates the final results...

Kaiso Sweet, Sweet, Sweet...

I  am sorry I had no place for Biggie in this competition period but as expected he rendered well and makes excellent use of his dancers and props which are a necessity in soca competitions but there was no way I placed him before guys that rendered genuine calypso on the night. I missed Mikey and Classic in the first half but I like Turn Up the Love but having missed it at semis too, Iv'e never seen it performed live so decline further comment beyond saying it is certainly not a traditional calypso and I dislike the use of sampling and certain types of synthesizer instrumentation in this type of calypso. That said I think his presentation of Time for We was too Broadway and must have offended purists with its strong latin overtones, costuming and choreography included-not the same as Ole Ashe. Classic was okay in the repetitive Freundel Nose which I hope does not usher in a trend of abandoning band choruses in calypsos-I do not like it at all. On that note Adonijah who always has great classic brassy calypsos, strong lyrics and silky smooth rendition would have made my final before a few mentioned in this paragraph. Serenader I may have swapped with Classic whose Outta Wuk was similarly repetitive and upbeat like Freundel Knows-I did that on purpose-and I would have love to see the presentation for Fine Ants on de Pork, it would have been Crispy...lol!

The Judges decision is final...

It is what it is Announcer, Kid Site, Miguel and Blood must feel hard done, Biggie and AC should be pleasantly surprised but it is what it is.

That said all of the songs and performances were fairly well planned and executed but some better than others...congrats to the King Ian Webster!

Meh Rum...Rules the Party

Gorg, the 2014 Party Monarch of Barbados during his winning routine...HAAAAAAA!!!
photo credit barbadostoday.bb

Aftermath...
Making my way out of  Bushy Park about half hour after the thrilling conclusion of Soca Royale, I run into Gorg the man who emerges the biggest winner along with Biggie Irie-against such competition this is no lean feat...lol-winning the Party Monarch with apparent ease after years of struggling to even reach the final. My posse and I gave my heartiest congratulations to the new king with much conch shell blowing and loud repeated chants of Aye..Aye etc. Gorg while seemingly thankful for the impromptu coronation...didn't seem fazed...at all.

Action...
It was this same relaxed easy going approach with which, Gorg dressed in what his grandmother approved as ' half decent'-jacket,straw hat, flip flops and baggies included - took the Party Monarch competition and turned it on its head. It was a short skit,no more than 2 minutes, Just four or five dancers, DJ Hardware and a bicycle?That was all it took for the laid back, self proclaimed Mr.Sexy to endear himself to the judges and the audience on hand at Bushy Park.

Build up...
Fact of the matter is that, from the time the song hit the airwaves early in the season it grew and grew until it became apart of the collective consciousness of Barbadians appealing to persons from all age ranges and all walks of life, ignoring the existence of any such myths as the  generation gap or a gender divide . This rum shop anthem with its simple lyrics and catchy sing along melody had already endeared itself to the nation. All Gorgy Worgy was left to do was render the song and that he did in a no frills to the point performance.

Wasn't My Winner...
I'll admit this, he wasn't my winner. The song, at just a shade over 130bpms-a requirement for Party Monarch these days-featured no:

• big brass licks,except for 'the horn section/but not really the horn section, '
• jump and wave, no extensive list of instructions to move the crowd, 
• seemingly steroid enhanced gyration routine by the performer, 
• elaborate choreography executed by an army of dancers camouflaged in a kaleidoscope of colour
• onslaught of confetti, assault of fireworks or other pyrotechnics,
• superhero movie inspired outfit, not even a pair of now necessary for soca artistes-even at night-pair of huge sunglasses....

 So How did he win?
I was most impressed by the now expected high energy performances of defending champions Soka Kartel with Turn Around, Mikey's hype but familiar feeling No Shame,Ian Webster and Khiomal's thriller of a presentation with Terror, Kirk Brown's pulsating  Energy and big props to first timer in Party Monarch but former -beating Apollo into second place- 2012 UWI Calypso Monarch Shaquille who's Release looked and sounded the part...fireworks and all.

Another Crown? 
But still Gorg won.When myself said Yow...who would have won if not Gorg, self had no answer to give. How did he do it? The song did. It connected with Barbadians better than any other song in the competition and the laid back but straight forward Gorg realized a solid performance, for which he must be credited, was all that was needed to explode the hills of Bushy Park into a national chorus...'Oh, ohh/oh, ohh/I got my Rum.' 
As this tune approaches folk song status Meh Rum could also rule the Road...Time will tell!

The Sweet Soca Conundrum

Biggie Irie performing Pankatang at the 2014 Sweet Soca Finals dressed for the top spot...he is no longer the best man but the bridegroom-photo credit-barbadostoday.bb

Congratulations to... 
Biggie Irie on winning his first Sweet Soca competition in Barbados but Sanctuary with Mega Monday was my winner, which in my opinion the strongest sweet soca concept and lyrics wise. His 'highway overload' idea can be applied to any Caribbean Carnival culture in or outside the region. This song needs to be heard on Eastern Parkway in a few weeks time and cross the Savannah next year. Sanctuary must be commended for putting together a great performance on his first showing among the big boys as he is more known for his writing talents. Alas crowd response was on the criteria and  neither performer, performance nor song -from a man many thought was Trinidadian and many more have but a vague idea of what he looks like-were able to match the presence of the Red Plastic Bag's Roller Coaster  or Biggie Irie's  Pankatang arguably the most infectious song of the season next to Lead Pipe and Saddis' Ah Feeling which I expect to take the Road March but time will tell.

Enter Conundrum...
Biggie Irie one of the island's sweetest voices and a veteran performer remains the only non Trinidadian to capture the coveted Groovy Soca Monarch title the Trinidadian equivalent and predecessor of the Sweet Soca competition. I point out competition because healthy debate can be had about which island was first to develop the genre of slower groovier soca known outside of competition in Barbados for many years as Ragga soca. Such debate might be an exercise in futility but I can think of quite a few songs from the early 90's which would have been Sweet Soca title contenders. Adrian Clarke's Nice Time springs to mind but I digress.
Yes, Biggie in the absence of a Sweet Soca competition in Barbados took a sweet groovy ragga soca to Trinidad and Tobago and infected everyone with the chorus Nah going home. Despite this success abroad and a string of consistent hits and strong performances at home Biggie was unable to capture the coveted Sweet Soca crown as Miss TC took the first two crowns with Hot Sun and Riddim and Whole Day, followed by the stalwart Red Plastic Bag Once Upon a Wine Mikey's We Loose  and veteran Blood piping him at the line in 2013 with Can't Wait a.k.a King of the Stage. The latter competition Biggie was the expected victor with the infectious Need ah Riddim but despite a fantastic performance was out performed by Blood whose costume changes and addition of Sax man Arturo Tappin to the performance took him over the edge, plus his was the refrain everyone sang as Crop Over 2013 came to a close 'Ah can't wait for Crop Over/Carnival to come again.' Thus up until this year Biggie stood as proof to the biblical saying 'a prophet is honoured everywhere except in his own country among his own kin.'

Conundrum Continuum 
The Connundrum does not end here however as Biggie has entered Pankatang and Get Over a duet sung with upcoming songstress Imani which was reserve for the Sweet Soca final for the Pic-o-de-Crop where the latter was sung solo. History would show that Miss TC was unsuccesful at the Pic-o-de-Crop with Hot Sun and Riddum which strangely enough won not only the inaugural Sweet Soca but the Party Monarch-a competition in which the groovier ragga socas were said to be at a disadvantage to the uptempo pulsating party numbers...more on this in another post-that year making it a double monarch but the biggest loser on the Pic-o-de-Crop stage. Blood attempted the same last year when he took the King of the Stage to Pic-o-de-Crop to partner his social commentary. He fared better than TC emerging in the top four but still no cigar. So as one of my now embattled former history teacher's Rev.Charles Morris would say 'History does not repeat itself , People repeat history' and Biggie is set to do just that. The differences with Biggie and the aforementioned however  are Biggie's lack of experience in this competition as both TC and Blood were both perennial finalists, plus Biggie makes no pretenses of being a kaisonian armed with two sweet socas. Admittedly he tried that route last year when Need ah Riddim accompanied by a Mighty Gabby penned commentary took him to Pic-o-de-Crop semis but a missed cue in the latter saw him out of the contest. Biggie has learned from that experience and has instead this year brought the two sweet socas that took him to the crown and reserve for their rightful competition. Outspoken calypso critic Admiral maintains ad nauseam that despite the rules of the Pic-o-de-Crop do not state that it is 'Calypso' competition explicitly, that it is implicitly understood. I, never surprised by a decision in an NCF competition unless it favours the underdog-Still surprised Popsicle was allowed to win-think otherwise. Now only 'time will tell' as we await Friday's Pic-o-de-Crop, The conundrum continues...

Welcome

Apollo

Welcome to Apollo Kaiso, the blog of two Calypso enthusiasts sharing the same body. I imagine that requires some explanation; 

Well, The Apollo sometimes known as Mighty Apollo is a young Barbadian calypsonian with a traditionalist outlook in his approach to the artform. He has been the Calypso Monarch at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus in 2010 and 2013 placing 2nd in 2009,2011, and 2012. He has judged in the preliminary stage of the Pic o de Crop competition (Barbados' National Calypso Competition) with the Kingdom of the Super Gladiators Calypso Tent since 2009 but has failed to advance to the semi-final or final stages of competition. Yet Apollo remains true to calypso by injecting wit, humour, irony and stinging sarcasm in creating calypsos which deal with social and political issues.

Andre Layne

Andre Layne is a graduate of the University of the West Indies with a Bachelor's Degree in History with Literature (Upper 2nd Class Hons.). His undergraduate thesis 'Power to the People: Calypso and the development of mass Political Consciousness In Post - Independent Barbados' means that Layne is also an avid calypso researcher. Layne is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in History with a continuing focus on the Calypso and other cultural and entertainment activities. 
Thus the calypsonian and the calypso researcher share the same personage. Certainly this represents the rule rather than the exception as this was also the case with pioneer calypsonian and calypso historian Raymond Quevedo a.k.a Atilla the Hun author of Atilla's Kaiso and Trinidad and Tobago's most winning Calypso Monarch the Mighty Chalkdust whose alter ego Dr.Hollis Liverpool is-like myself a school teacher by profession and historian by training - author of numerous books on Calypso and Carnival. 
From time to time Quevedo and Liverpool's names will emerge in the articles written on this blog as will the names Louis Regis, Keith Warner and Gordon Rohlehr all of whom have undertook significant research and writing on the Calypso in Trinidad and Tobago. Herein lies part f the problem this blog hopes to address. Calypso research and scholarly publications have remained quite limited in Barbados save for the efforts of  a few. Namely, the reverred former Director of Culture and inaugurator of the Festival Band Elombe Mottley who may be credited with the 'nationalisation of calypso' and U.W.I Cave Hill's head librarian Elizabeth Watson with her discographies on 10 time Calypso monarch Red Plastic Bag and 2 time winner and perrenial favourite John King. A handful of theses also exist on Calypso in Barbados-mine included-which remain unpublished and relatively unknown and inaccessible. 
Thus, this blog aims to remove central ideas and others from my thesis and future theses from the archives at the University onto the worldwide web where they can foster healthy informed discussions on the state of Calypso in Barbados.It is hoped that this blog can be used as a resource by calypso researchers, calypso fans, commentators and calypsonians alike in creating a better understanding of our artform. Having said that this blog does not claim to be the authority on Calypso in Barbados but rather presents perspectives based on observations and but not always scholarly research. That being said some articles may seem very wordy and academic while others will be, well the opposite.
Without further ado, WELCOME