OLD ROAD, St.Kitts – MELODIOUS social commentary on a wide range of topics echoed throughout Sprat Net last night (Nov.18) when 17 calypsonians - including two females - performed at the Proud Sounds calypso tent.
As expected in the ‘kaiso’ arena, some of the songs were pro-government, anti-government, crime and violence, nationalistic pride, pleas and, of course, the usual ‘jokey’ songs based solely on witty contents.
Calypso lovers went out in their numbers which saw well over 150 persons - both young and old in attendance.
The show was emceed by Calypso Reggie who had the audience in stitches with his usual unique comedic style. As fittingly put by one patron: “Come like Reggie got one joke book.”
The opening batsman, according to Calypso Reggie, was D Persuada with a tune called ‘Play it’.
Lord Matt followed with a one called ‘Dey Crazy’ in which he expressed the careless and wayward attitude of some of today’s youths.
“…Young people crazy dey crazy…they lazy dey lazy...lawd dey head no good”, is what he is claiming.
With a suggestive tune called ‘More Out Dan In’ was Abba Lively. He marched around in staggering circles during his performance to the crowd’s delight.
Shango followed with ‘Rey Rey’ and Godfrey sang a tune called ‘It Goes Wid D Territory’, which generally said that politicians must have ability to perform and deliver when they get into office.
According to Godfrey, “It’s not easy...it comes with the territory.”
Bra Bread, with a passionate belting of his song ‘Where Do We Go From Here’, touched on his desire to see nationals taking vested interest for the betterment of the Federation.
“Where do we go from here…do we give up or stand up fight?” he questioned.
Pahoola, as much as he made the audience laugh, appeared very serious when he sang on ‘VAT’.
“When a go in d store and buy a find d’ price so high”, he expressed.
Pungwah followed with a song called ‘Rat Race’.
Some of the lyrics went like this: “...We can build an environment that is satisfying...no matter who you are, we can make it happen...together we can make it better….Look at d’ Chinese and the Indians, d’ Guyanese and d’ Jamaicans, they believe in establishment, but in my little St. Kitts and in my little Nevis, it's a rat race”.
First-timer Lady Charismatic, with a song entitled ‘Kitty’, sang in number nine position. The penned lyrics included: “St. Kitts I love you no matter where I go…68 square miles of pristine beauty.”
Lala did a song called ‘Worm In D’ Pumpkin’. Of course, Lala did his usual fixing of his tie and adjusting of his pants and belt, followed by the self-back pat.
The video camera guy had to move the lens much quicker for Lala’s rendition while he danced and pranced in his usual fast-pace merriment, unlike the other calypsonians.
The other calypsonians performed in the following order: Ayatollah (Perrilous Days), News Flash (Nuttin For Arwe), Solution (Memories of the dead), Zinet (Our children) and I-Soursop sang ‘One out of three’.
I-Soursop told the audience that he had “missed a tent”, so he sang a second song called ‘Campaign’.
Next was King Rockafella with his signature red colour shirt singing ‘Land for Sale’.
Seemingly, Rockafella had forgotten some of his lines and he apologised to the audience saying, "A gone til anoda night."
In his song, Rockafella sang about getting a call while in Dubai and insinuated that instead of going to a debtor's court, Duggie did the land-for-debt-swap.
Big Lice sang a tune called ‘Ask D’ PM’ and, nearing the end of his rendition, he pulled out his phone and said that certain a politician, whom he called “Ghost”, messaged him some more lines to sing.
NewsFlash had also forgotten some of his lines, which caused Calypso Reggie to poke fun at him, noting that the calypsonian had lived in a country where snow falls and some parts of his brain were still thawing off.
Following the last act of the night, Calypso Reggie announced that Unexpected would not be performing, much to the audience’s disappointment.
The first calypso tent was held last Tuesday (Nov. 13) and the second one on Thursday (Nov. 15).
Three more calypso tents are scheduled to take place between this week and next week. Tomorrow (Nov. 20) a tent will be held at the Cayon Pub and this will be followed with another on Thursday at Barry's (Nov. 22) and back to 17 Degrees next Sunday (Nov.25).
