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Calypsonians at Ryan's Pub
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Chatting with Calypsonians at Ryan's Pub
'Simple Man', 'Squero' and Donna Silpa
TriniSoca.com Reporters
Interview Recorded: January 13, 2006
Posted: February 10, 2006
We are interviewing calypsonians at Ryan's Pub on Prince Street Port of Spain where John Absalom aka 'D Sideways' is launching his new CD.
Gregory Carty aka 'Simple Man'
Gregory Carty aka 'Simple Man'
TRINISOCA: This calypsonian calls himself 'Simple Man'.
TRINISOCA: What is your full name sir, and how long have you been singing Calypso?
SIMPLE MAN: I am 'Simple Man' but most of my friends from school really know me as Gregory Carty. I haven't been singing Calypso for a long time, but I have been writing Calypso for a long time. I only recently came out and started to perform.
TRINISOCA: Who would you say has been the major influence in your Calypso music?
SIMPLE MAN: If I start to tell who the people are, I would finish in the morning (smiles). All of them worked so nice with me. Fellas like David Rudder, Merchant, Explainer and many more.
TRINISOCA: Do you have any advice to an upcoming calypsonian?
SIMPLE MAN: Well, he will meet a lot of obstacles. He has to be strong and not get frustrated. He has to keep on his path and pray.
TRINISOCA: You said there are many calypsonians who influenced your music, but is there anyone in particular who stands out the most?
SIMPLE MAN: Actually, there are five people. They are Super Blue, David Rudder, Explainer, Merchant and Scrunter. I especially like these artistes because they are different from everybody else. They have their own style, they are original and I really admire them. I look forward to hearing them every year.
TRINISOCA: Is there anything you would like to share with those reading this interview?
SIMPLE MAN: I know the crime is a problem in our country now. The majority of the crime is between certain sectors and would remain in those sectors. Although a lot of foreigners may think twice before they visit Trinidad, they can feel free to come and enjoy themselves. It still has plenty love in Trinidad.
TRINISOCA: Thank you very much for your time sir.
Eugene Caresquero aka 'Squero'
Eugene Caresquero aka 'Squero'
TRINISOCA: Another calypsonian here with me is 'Squero'.
TRINISOCA: Could you give me your full name sir?
SQUERO: My name is Eugene Caresquero and my sobriquet is 'Squero'.
TRINISOCA: How long have you been singing Calypso now?
SQUERO: I have been singing Calypso for about twenty three years now.
TRINISOCA: What has been the major influence in your career as a calypsonian?
SQUERO: Kitchener's music has been a major influence in my life.
TRINISOCA: What is it about Kitchener's music that you like?
SQUERO: His music is different. His melody and the way he structured his music was unique, he was magical. Whenever I hear Kitchener's music I go crazy.
TRINISOCA: Do you know of anyone who is following in Kitchener's foot steps?
SQUERO: I have seen 'De Fosto' trying, but Kitchener's footsteps are really hard to follow.
TRINISOCA: Are you also into pan?
SQUERO: No, I am not into pan.
TRINISOCA: Do you have any advice for anyone who wants to go into Calypso, or to the calypsonians out there?
SQUERO: My advice to them is to be strong because it is not that easy. I believe in rich melodies and good lyrics. People say lyrics do not sell, but Bob Marley's lyrics sell, it's good lyrics. If your melody rhymes nice, I think your lyrics will sell if you market it properly.
TRINISOCA: Would you like to share anything in this interview with the world that you think we should put out there?
SQUERO: I want to tell people out there to listen to Calypso music more because there are good messages in it. When you look at Sparrow's song 'Education', that should be an anthem in the schools in the morning. As the children reach to school in the morning, they should begin with the song 'Education'. Without an education that's it for you. Education is an important thing. Calypsos have great messages and if you could play the one that could uplift the people that would be great for Trinidad and Tobago. That is the message I want to send out to the world.
TRINISOCA: How has Calypso made you different?
SQUERO: Calypso has made me different when I listen to some of the calypsonians like Merchant singing...
"If you see ah man you know that was bad... real bad
Turning ah new leaf then you should be glad ... so glad"
I got my inspiration from these things and I started to write songs. Another calypsonian who also influenced me apart from Kitchener was deceased Ras Shorty I. He introduced the Soca to beef up the Calypso. I think he will turn in his grave if he hears what is passing for Soca. I do not know if there is a plan to kill the thing. I am a Calypso lover and I am turning off my radio because I am not hearing the sweet melodies again. If you ask anybody, the same thousand people that are jumping up today with flag and rag, what was the Road March three years ago and to sing two lines from it, they might not be able to sing it. Where is the melody? Today you can still sing songs like 'Margie' because of the melody. Melody is very important. I do not know what is happening. I do not know if there is a plan to kill our thing, but I do not like it.
TRINISOCA: Thank you sir.
Donna Silpa
Donna Silpa
TRINISOCA: I am chatting here with the third senior calypsonian who performed at Ryan's Pub tonight and her name is Donna Silpa.
TRINISOCA: Ms. Silpa what is your sobriquet and how long have you been singing Calypso?
DONNA SILPA: My sobriquet is the same as my name, Donna Silpa. I have been singing Calypso for the past twenty years.
TRINISOCA: What influenced you to go into Calypso?
DONNA SILPA: Calypsonians like Calypso Rose, Lady Francine, Lady B. and Lady Wonder. They were the ladies in the art form back in the late sixties. I always liked the art form and Best Village from since I was a young girl in Primary School. I was good in Best Village but I loved the art form of Calypso. I used to participate in the Calypso Competition in school and I won first place. After that I always knew I had the talent. The person who brought me into the art form was calypsonian Crazy. These were the people who saw the talent in me and really supported me in the art form.
TRINISOCA: As a female in the Calypso world, what advice do you have to offer and what were your experiences like?
DONNA SILPA: Being a female in the art form has both its positive and negative sides. Let's deal with the negative first (smiles). When you are a woman trying to get ahead, some men try to exploit you because they find you might be looking good. They will promise you all kinds of things and if you take it, they are not sure to get anything in return. You have to be strong and say no. The good part being in the art form is that you meet people from all walks of life. You get a chance to educate yourself and learn more about your country and your history. You interact with people starting from the youngest to the oldest. Being on stage and entertaining people is the one time in your life you have full control of people who will stand up and eat from your mouth because they are paying attention to the lyrics that come out of your mouth. It is beautiful because you meet people. It's nice, you get to educate yourself and what you learn you can pass it on.
Last year I worked at the 'Classic Russo' Calypso Tent with 'Lady Wonder', 'All Rounder' and a few others. It was beautiful. My experience with these female calypsonians was really nice. This year I am with the 'Unique' Calypso Tent and we are looking forward to giving the bigger Tents a challenge.
I would like to see the older ones who made it in the art form reach out to help people more, including me who is struggling. At present I do not have a manager or a producer. I do everything on my own. I depend on God to open a way for me or that somebody will see me and say, "Ok, that lady has talent, let me see what we could do to help her." At times, I gave up and ran because its twenty years and I still haven't reached anywhere. I am not going to give up. I have my talent and I know I could do it, it just takes one song. My advice to most people in the art form is to be strong and do not give up. Anytime you feel you want to give up, fight more, keep pursuing and be strong.
TRINISOCA: Thank you Ms. Silpa.
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