BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IT could be argued that some of the most entertaining story telling moments take place under calypso tents. And the calypsonians who performed under the Proud Sounds Tent on Sunday evening (Nov. 27) delivered compelling stories so well that they had the audience begging for encores.
Despite the almost two-hour late start, the tent – which was held at Atlantic View – eventually got into full swing with the stories of politics, relationships, olden days, family affairs and animals being brought forth.
Story time
Daddy Nature’s conviction in ‘Voice of the Poor’ is that while politicians line their pockets and take advantage of the poor, such unscrupulous action results in suffering of the underprivileged and the manifestation of poverty through teenage pregnancy and crime.
In Dwighty’s ‘Family Affair’ story, he spoke of how there was a cry to get rid of the former administration, and now that has taken place the ship of state is drifting. He said the current administration seems to be a family affair as he referenced “the court” and the “bank” as specific places where this is evident.
Godfree reminded of the ‘Stem Cell’ scandal, outlining the ways that such therapy could assist men’s physical ailments.
Mighty Honesty, who was also the MC for the evening, told the story of how a woman called him on the phone and began prattling and complaining about a ‘clear’ man with uncombed hair, who together with his brother destroyed the Easterama Festivities. He said she gave him an earful about her grievances and it was not until some time had elapsed that he told her she has the ‘Wrong Number’.
Last year, during the Sugar Mas 44 Calypso Monarch Competition, a commentator said that I-Soursop, having been performing for 11 years, should not be singing out of key. I-Soursop used this backdrop to tell the story he named ‘Out of Key’.
He said 20 years of leadership under the previous administration made him sing out of key and now that the leadership of the country has changed, he can finally sing on key. He however warned that if things begin to go south, he would sing out of key again.
The Unexpected told his story like only he can. ‘Salt in d Gasoline’ is his interpretation of why the proverbial vehicle of St. Christopher and Nevis is stationary. He suggested that when expectations of the forward movement of the vehicle are not met, the former Prime Minister is enjoying a laugh.
From La La’s ‘Sugar City Jam’ to Pa-ula’s ‘Blame Dem’, to Queenie G’s ‘The Missing Element’ and ‘When Kaiso was Kaiso’ to Queen Kibi’s ‘Political State of Mind’, to Lady Genesis’ ‘Warrior Cry’ to Blanchie’s ‘Don’t Sing’ and Lord Kut’s ‘No Money’, the audience appeared to have relished the stories, their deliveries and, in several cases, requested that the artistes return to the stage for an encore.
Other performers for the evening included Lord Mat, Quantash, Merlin De Black and Zenith.
The next Proud Sound Tent is scheduled for Friday (Dec. 2) at RAMS Food Court.
