BASETERRE, St. Kitts – THIS year (2013), Devon ‘Lord Kut’ Liburd is celebrating his 40th anniversary as a calypsonian and he is of the view that his best piece to date is the 1991 release called ‘Only in St. Christopher’.
In an exclusive interview with this publication, Lord Kut said, “I think I have one of the most popular songs on the island. My song is one of the biggest songs on the island…‘Only in St. Christopher’. Some people call it the national anthem.”
He also shared the first positive review he got about the song following its release.
“There was a gentleman who died, the late Austin Eddy. When I released the song he was the first person who came and told me - you know he was an ‘ageable’ man at that time - ‘Lord Kut, this song is going to make you a hero.’
“Yeah, he said, ‘Only in St. Christopher is going to make you a hero’, and I have lived long enough to see that almost happening in truth, because people from all over the world, Kittitians, do send back to get a copy of ‘Only in St. Christopher’.”
“If you check carefully you will hear it all over in talk shows, almost every breakfast table, almost every dinner table, they discuss ‘Only in St. Christopher”, Lord Kut added.
When asked how he views the calypso art form, Lord Kut described it as “social commentary”.
“I see calypso as a very important art form. To me, calypso is almost like an outlet for the public; people who can’t speak out. In my career, people meet me daily…up til today people come and tell me what they want me to sing. Sometimes they give me the song and they don’t know. So I see calypso as an avenue for people to vent their frustration.”
In response to if he enjoys being a social commentator, he quickly replied, “Oh yes! Oh yes! Calypso is part of me!”
As for the inspiration which lead to him penning ‘Only In St. Christopher’, the veteran calypsonian said, “As I tell you, I always look forward to carry the message for the people.”
Lord Kut talked more about the lyrical content of the song, which he claimed has historical elements.
“It’s the most truthful thing that could happen and I live long enough to see history repeat itself. I live long enough cause if you check a part of the song it says the Prime Minister reach late and vex with those who come early. That is really a strong part of the song that everybody likes.
“I live long enough again to see the Prime Minister reach late again and the Prime Minister still vex with those who come early. So the song has lived up.”
He continued: “When the judge said he was disappointed in our Attorney General, I lived long enough to see the judge make two judgements against him...”
On Saturday (Apr. 6), Lord Kut celebrated his 40th anniversary in grand style with a calypso show held at The Paddock in Newtown, and veteran calypsonian Elston ‘King Ellie Matt’ Nero was a special guest performer.
In regards to the recent event, he highlighted that it was “a 40th anniversary celebration for Lord Kut of doing forty years of doing calypso in St. Kitts. I started in 1973 as a schoolboy until today and still going strong, and I still can go for forty more”.
According to Lord Kut, the event was the "first in a series of celebration. We got about four or five activities planned for the year. Our celebrations will finish on January 15, 2014”.
Asked about King Ellie Matt’s involvement in the celebration, Lord Kut praised the veteran calypsonian for contributing to his development.
“Ellie Matt contributed tremendously to Lord Kut's career because he was always the musician who I always sang with him in the tents, go by him to work out privately with music and getting my songs arranged. He has contributed tremendously and I could tell you, when I first started singing he was the first person who touched me as a calypsonian, so he is a great part of my career.”
King Ellie Matt currently resides in the US.
Lord Kut talked about former calypsonian Irvin ‘King Sweeney’ Sweeney, who he said in 1973 started the Junior Calypso Competition in St. Kitts.
Sweeney was a Mathematics teacher at the Basseterre High School and, as gathered by this media house, he too resides in the US.
“I used to go the Basseterre High School. It was two sections of schools. It used to get a Burdon Street section and Park Range. I used to be on the Burdon Street section and there is where Mr. Sweeny was based and he did start us out there.”
Lord Kut was also high in praise of the late King Barky, who he said had contributed tremendously to his career as a calypsonian.
He also said that he is a “favourite fan” of King Short Shirt of Trinidad.
“I do a lot of Short Shirt songs. Short Shirt is one of the people who inspire me”, he remarked.
Lord Kut pointed to his stage performance, including his dancing which he linked to an “Imitation of Short Short”.
Lord Kut is known for other hits such as ‘Sucking Labour Breasts’ and ‘Ho-mea’
