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Grassroots Calypso in East Port of Spain
Members of Crosstown Carnival Committee. LEFT: Vaughn Caton, Michael Prescott,
Wayne 'Rafiki' Morris, John 'D Sideways' Absalom and Anthony 'Porky' Dick
TriniSoca.com Reporters
Event Date: February 09, 2007
Posted: February 12, 2007
Last Friday, the Crosstown Carnival Committee held an outdoor Calypso show at the corner of Prince and George Streets. For many years, East Port of Spain has been a reservoir of creativity and artistry, especially in the areas of the Steelpan, mas making and Calypso. The famed Canboulay riots even took place around the George Street area. The organizing committee was headed by Micheal Prescott, John 'D Sideways' Absalom, Vaughn Taton and Anthony Dick. The MC for the night was the capable 'Santa'
Prince Street was buzzing with activity, a small crowd of spectators looked on at the Calypsonians, cars passed, school children passed on their way home, and hustlers pushed trolleys loaded with vendors' goods. This grassroots setting was the perfect place to experience Calypsos that one would not usually hear on the radio or see in the big Calypso shows.
Lord Jahman started the ball rolling with "Mr. Africa". Ishaba then came on the stage to sing "Cat in the Bag" and "Feeling the Feeling". Next on was Mike 'D Mechanic' Brown who got a warm response from those gathered for his song "Jackass Driving" which looked at the prevalence of dangerous driving on the nation's roads.
Elvin Lewis aka 'Crescendo' graced the stage next singing "Sugar Dumpling" and "Prove it". Spectators danced in the street as he rendered his selection. Prince Danny followed with "Solution to Crime", in which he advocated harsher punishment for offenders. 'Calypso Mack', came to the stage singing "Friends Abroad". The young singer Kevin 'KP' Paul san, "World Wide Recession" and "All Cat is Cat" to a receptive audience.
'Young Bomber' sang his father's popular tune "The United States of the West Indies" calling for free unity amongst Caribbean countries by way of free trade and free movement of peoples. His second song was "Bed Bug" in which he explained why he would like to come back in another lifetime as a bed bug.
The sweet-voiced Donna Silpa came on stage singing a tribute to Uriah Buzz Butler. She was well-received by the spectators. Natasha Nurse aka 'Sexy Suzy' came to stage, and warmed up the crowd with her seductive song "Cock Fight" that had the crowd singing along. John 'D Sideways' Absalom with "Ah Bad" and young Calypsonian Kwesi with "Cultural Mentality" followed.
The Calypsonian Squero performed "Sampling" next in which he sang that artistes who sampled the work of others are so successful that he is considering sampling as well. He went on to list some of the (female) singers who he would sample from. By this time the horn man came on the scene blowing his horn to the Calypso songs.
The famous King Austin then graced the stage, singing his two mighty hits "The Price of Progress" and "Who will Guard the Guards". The crowd was delighted by his renditions and sang along to these popular songs.
The Raghu Boys Tass group performed next, playing some energetic tassa rhythms for the enthusiastic spectators. A spectator taken up with the music stood up close to the stage swirling and dancing to the music.
They were followed by 'Allan Welch' who sang "Thinking of You" and "A little bit of wine". Calypsonian 'Llylo' sang his humourous song "Long Tong" which thoroughly entertained the spectators. The MC, Santa then switched roles to perform some songs much to the delight of the crowd. He sang a song in tribute to the famed composer 'Merchant' as well as "Picker", "Miss Tourist" and "Steelband Clash" all of which scored favourably with the audience.
Young Calypsonian Amrika Mootroo delivered a solid social commentary, drawing praise from the audience. Her younger brother also performed credibly his song "Only Twelve Years Old". Wendell Scantlebury then sang "Match Them Pound for Pound" to close off the show, in which he outlined the rich contribution of Trinidadians to the world. Other performers for the night included Singing Annette, Trevor 'Original Doc' Franklin, 'Chickey Chong', 'Disciple', 'Flying Man' and 'Tempo'.
Crosstown Carnival Committee Soca Tribute in pictures:
www.trinisoca.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=57713
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