Explainer's Message Trumps jam 'n' wine

Winston Henry 'Explainer'

By Terry Joseph
Posted: January 27, 2006

Among the major surprises in the international Soca Monarch semi-final line-up is veteran calypsonian Explainer, who shared the astonishment when his song 'All Inclusive' was not only included but ranked second, ahead of current fete favourites like Mr. Vibe's 'Ting for the Road' and offerings from former road march monarchs Iwer, Faye Ann-Lyons and defending champion Shurwayne Winchester.

"Firstly, I thought my chance to get to the next level would have been in the Groovy Monarch aspect of the competition, so you could imagine how surprised I was to hear them call Explainer in the International Soca Monarch semi-final but I am extremely pleased about being included," he said.

Written by Explainer but recorded in collaboration with Maximus Dan, 'All Inclusive' is essentially a plea to hooligans to leave their weapons at home when attending fetes. "Sure it is a message song but I agree and was always of the view that you don't necessarily have to sing a dreary calypso in order to communicate a serious point," Explainer said.

"I like the philosophical approach to calypso but if you notice, songs like 'Out of Control' and 'Kicksing in Parliament' have a bounce to them while the message was still coming through with the same strength. People do not want to hear the dragging music anymore and calypsonians must realize that and respond accordingly. If you have something to say, let it be said in a compatible rhythm of the day.

"I put together 'All Inclusive' when I came back from a European tour last year and it struck me more forcefully than before that people were afraid to go to regular parties because of the likelihood of fighting or some other kind of crime, be it mugging or car theft, so everyone was looking for all inclusive fetes where the problem is at least reduced. I decided to let the bandits know how people feel about them," he said.

Explainer, 52, is the eldest competitor in an event famous for high-energy performances by athletic youth. "If I am blessed with an advance to the final round, I will do my best to represent the mood of Fantastic Friday, because you can't go there and not measure up to the level of production, choreography and theatre for which the show is famous, simply because you are older than the majority of contestants," he said.

He has released over 20 full length albums since debuting in 1978 and was a finalist at the national calypso monarch contest on ten occasions, several times publicly favoured to win but never getting the judges' nod. "I am hoping that the International Soca Monarch judges do not factor in age instead of music," he chuckled.

"But seriously, I don't believe you have to say 'put yuh hand in the air' or 'get on bad and mash up the place' to get people in a good mood at a show or a fete. Last weekend at the CT Vibe 105FM boat-ride, there was a problem with the backing tracks for "All Inclusive and I just sang the chorus a capella and everyone joined in. They didn't want me to stop, which told me the lines were infectious even without dressing up, so when we apply some presentation it should be able to hold its own.

"At the end of the preliminaries, the judges have indicated that I have a good chance in the next round, so it is already a pleasant feeling. If I advance further, at least the audience on Carnival Friday night will have a chance to get some variety with the Latin flavour. I am not one for predictions but I feel optimistic things will work out for me this time around," he said.

'All Inclusive'

(Lyrics reproduced courtesy Explainer)

Intro:

We doh want no potow pow in the party
All we want is to have some fun
We can't take the badai bai in the party
We can't fete when we hearing gun

(Repeat all four lines)

Verse 1:

For this celebration
Hear my request
I want to play mih mas
Without any stress
Tell all dem bad boys
When they going and roam
Try their best
Leave the guns at home

Chorus:

We doh want no potow pow in the party
All we want is to have some fun
We can't take the badai bai in the party
We can't fete when we hearing gun

(Repeat all four lines)

Cause we want to fee up
Jump and shake we waist
Shake we hips
'Til they outa place
We want to move left, move right
And shake we behind
If you want to join
Form a line and wine

Bridge

Blow yuh wihistle
Just leave your piece there
And let it increase yuh
Just bring yuh love here
Jah blessing is on yuh

Chorus:

Verse 2:

All the fancy daughters
Who come out to play
To the latest soca
Jump and dingolay
They mustn't feel frightened
When they partying
We want them safe
Like a safety pin

Chorus:

Verse 3:

This is a party
This is not a war
This kind of business
We didn't know before
So come and shake up in the soca feast
And show the nation
We could fete in peace

Chorus and Out-tro

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