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Veterans Rule Calypso Fiesta
The 'Cold Sweat' Crew at Calypso Fiesta
TriniSoca.com Reporters
Event Date: February 10, 2007
Posted: February 13, 2007
Thousands of Calypso lovers journeyed from all over the country to Skinner Park, San Fernando, for Calypso Fiesta, the semi finals of the National Calypso Monarch Competition. The show got underway at about 1 o'clock with a guest performance by Uprising. Forty-nine contestants would thereafter do battle for one of the fifteen places in the Calypso Monarch Finals on Dimanche Gras night. Contrary to previous years of competitions, competitors were required to perform one song, rather than two, with the number of contestants also increasing from 24 to 48.
The contestants in order of appearance were:
Name / Sobriquet / Song
1. Marsha Charles / Lady Adanna / Pan in D Yard
2. Errol Ballantyne / Bally / Blind Man Country
3. Wendy Thomas Garrick / Another CEPEP Gang
4. Winston Scarborough / De Fosto / Police Money
5. Joseph Adams / Blacklash
6. Edwin Ayoung / Crazy / Paradise
7. Monique Hector / Princess Monique / Why we Lost
8. Ann Marie Parks Kojo / Twiggy / Tell the Authorities
9. Anthony Hendrickson / All Rounder / CTT (Calypsonians Tongue Tied)
10. Eric Taylor / Pink Panther / Ah Easy
11. Weston Rawlins / Cro Cro / Just Because of Greed
12. Rheena Riley / Be Careful of the CSME
13. Terri Lyons / Ah Fell It
14. Wendell Etienne / Wicked Stepmothers
15. Ainsley Mayers / El Drago / Tribute to Rhythm Bands
16. Wendy Lewis / Wen D / No Boy No
17. Lynnette Steele / Lady Gypsy / She
18. Karen Eccles / A Mother's Response
19. Peter Cipriani / Bad Cards
20. Francelia Adams-Jackson / Lady Tallish / Equal Justice
21. Dianne Hendrickson-Jones / Lady Wonder / The Choice is Yours
22. Carlos James / Skatie / Eat Yuh Cake and Still have it
23. Victor Mc Donald / Mister Mac / Press One
24. Kenneth Nathaniel / Hindu Prince / Gambler
25. Mark John / Contender / Let the War Continue
26. Karene Asche / Conversion
27. Maria Bhola / I love you
28. Anthony Emrold Phillip / Bro Valentino / Pioneers
29. Stanley Adams / Ah Next Cross to Move
30. Dexter Parsons / The Stinger No Rapist
31. Sandra Des Vignes-Millington / Singing Sandra / Sudan
32. Hollis Liverpool / Chalkdust / Soca Warriors
33. Winston Bailey / Shadow / If Ah Coulda
34. Sean Daniel / No Ring, No Ting
35. Milton Murray / Mazzini / To Hell with what Judy Say
36. Wilfred Barker / Young Creole / Satanic Voices
37. Carlton Collins / Man Child / No Principle in Politics
38. Phillip Murray / Black Sage / Send for Somebody
39. Duane O'Connor / Satorial Elegance
40. Allan Fortune / Bro Mudada / Ever living Calypso
41. Leslie-Ann Ellis / Little Girls
42. Michael Legerton / Protector / My Love
43. Patrick Lewis / Revealer / Like the Red House Move
44. Kizzy Ruiz / No One is above the Law
45. Heather Macintosh / Heather / Check I
46. Devon Seales / One Song
47. Jervae Caesar / Mr. Caesar / Carry Me
48. Maxwell Gottsleben / Calypso Max / Play One
49. Roger Mohammed / Bodyguard / D Ungrateful Pastor
Despite the blazing afternoon sun, a sizable Skinner Park crowd gathered to take in the days proceeding. Within the 48 Calypsonians there was a good mix of young and veteran singers with a number of Calypsonians gracing the semi-final phase for the first time. Many of the topics dealt with crime, equality within the judiciary system, politics and corruption, reflecting the issues that have been foremost on the minds of many in the country. Francelia Adams-Jackson also known as 'Lady Tallish' gave a rendition of her song "Equal Justice" in which she outlined that there is one law for the rich and another law for the poor. In a similar vein Kizzy Ruiz sang "No One is Above the Law". Both songs influenced, no doubt, by the number of high profile court cases within the past year. Patrick Lewis also known as 'Revealer' sang "Like the Red House Move", a comical Calypso in which he expressed that it seems that more members of parliament was in court than in Parliament.
Maria Bhola gave an outstanding performance of her song "I Love You", an interpretation of the incident in which Member of Parliament Larry Achong is alleged to have cussed an anti-smelter activist. Dressed up in a white wig, she deftly imitated Larry Achong, much to the amusement of the Skinner Park crowd.
Mark 'Contender' John humorously explored the corporate war between cellular companies TSTT and Digicel in his song "Let the War Continue", outlining the benefits to the country.
Veteran singer Brother Valentino gave a smooth rendition of "Pioneers", in which he explored the controversy around who invented the steel pan, while highlighting some of the persons who contributed to the early development of the pan.
Singing Sandra gave a sterling performance of her song "Sudan". Coming on stage with a huge banner that asked, 'Is it poor health care or genocide', Singing Sandra argued that Sudan existed right here in Trinidad and Tobago. She was well-received by the audience.
Veteran Calypsonian 'Allrounder' delivered a powerful composition titled "Calypsonians Tongue Tied", questioning the silence of named Calypsonians on certain issues. Seven-time Calypso Monarch Chalkdust also had an excellent performance in his rendition of "Soca Warriors" while Shadow in his typical black suit and trademark black hat scored well with the audience with his song "If Ah Coulda".
Phillip 'Black Sage' Murray in his song "Send for Somebody" intelligently explored the dependency syndrome of Trinidadians.
After being initially left out of the semi-finals 2007 Young Kings winner Roger 'Bodyguard' Mohammed performed in last position with his political commentary "D Ungrateful Pastor" to a warm response from the audience. His performance brought an end to the competition and opened the way for the guest artistes who included Lord Nelson, Super Blue, Calypso Rose, Explainer, Black Stalin and Poser.
The Calypsonians chosen for the National Calypso Monarch Finals are: Weston Rawlins (Cro Cro), Winston Scarborough (The Original De Fosto Himself), Anthony Emrold Phillip (Bro Valentino), Winston Bailey (Shadow), Maria Bhola, Edwin Ayoung (Crazy), Jervae Caesar (Mr. Caesar), Carlos James (Skatie), Hollis Liverpool (Chalkdust), Duane O'Connor, Sandra Des Vignes (Singing Sandra), Devon Seales, Sean Daniel and Heather McIntosh. The two reserves for the night are Phillip Murray (Black Sage) and Kizzie Ruiz.
Calypso Fiesta 2007 in pictures:
www.trinisoca.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=57725
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