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'All Rounder' is Veterans Calypso Monarch 2007
Anthony Hendrickson aka 'All Rounder'
TriniSoca.com Reporters
Event Date: February 12, 2007
Posted: February 15, 2007
Calypsonian Anthony 'All Rounder' Hendrickson is the Veterans Calypso Monarch of 2007. He was adjudged winner after a keenly contested competition hosted by the National Action Cultural Committee (NACC) at the St. James amphitheatre. 'All Rounder' (Anthony Hendrickson) delivered a stinging commentary titled "Calypsonians Tongue Tied". 'All Rounder' commented that Calypsonians are the mouthpiece of the nation and went on to question the silence of named Calypsonians on certain issues. 'All Rounder' ended with the assertion that he will not allow his tongue to be tied, to raptus applause from the audience. 'All Rounder's' second selection "Talking Baby" was quite funny and also scored well with the enthusiastic audience.
The show was an excellent and exciting production and the NACC needs to be strongly commended for its commitment in promoting and furthering the Calypso art form with its many Calypso shows. Twelve Kaisonians sang two songs each on the colorfully decorated stage nestled comfortably between two mango trees. The show consisted of two segments, one in which the veterans were required to sing a new song, and the other in which they had to sing an older composition.
The night started with the sweet melodic voice of guest artiste Baron, who had the audience grooving in the chairs to his song. Explainer (Winston Henry) kicked off the competition with a dramatic rendition of "The World is a Jungle". In decrying the barbaric slaughter of human beings Explainer sung that, "...we living in a jungle where lions are tigers more peaceful than us." Explainer's second song "The Government" was a biting political commentary that also turned the focus on the population as he expressed that, "every country gets a government they deserve."
Power (Sonny Francois) sung "My Intention" which was well-received by the audience. His second song "Line Up" was an interesting social analysis of how without having contacts, that is, knowing someone somewhere, persons have to line up for everything, including justice. Calypsonian Poser (Sylvester Lockhart) explored the many social problems such as poor roads, the judiciary system and the health system and expressed satirically that if we had money, "we coulda fix that." His second song was titled "Think About It".
Bro. Mudada (Allan Fortune) was well-received by the audience as he performed his "Ever Living Calypso". In his composition, Bro Mudada dismissed the notion that Calypso music is dying and posited that Calypso would outlive even those who say that it is dying. His second song was titled "Ah Want a Song".
Contender (Mark John) performed "Let the War Continue" in which he explored the benefits of the corporate war between telecommunication giants TSTT and Digicel, arguing that, "as long as the war benefits me and you, let the war continue." His second song "Karate" was also well-received by the audience. Tobago Rio (Kenrick Andrews) in his song "Caribbean Unity" expressed that the CSME (Caribbean Single Market and Economy) is a sign of Caribbean unity. His second song was "Rumours".
Bro. Valentino (Anthony Emrold Phillips) performed "Pioneers", a composition that explored the controversy around the invention of the steel pan, while also applauding the pioneers who contributed to the development of the pan. His second song "Dis Place Nice" that highlighted that despite the popular refrain 'Dis Place Nice' there is deep social problems that has to be addressed. Donrick Williamson lived up to his sobriquet of 'Funny' with a humorous ditty titled "No Means No". Funny's second song "Hoky Poky", was just as funny and he had the audience in stitches as he told of a story of a local entertainer building a house.
King Wellington (Wellington Quashie) gave a solid performance of "What the Problem is" exploring the nature of the problems facing Trinidad and Tobago while calling for a 'revolution of new ideas'. His second song was "Steel and Brass". The lone female in the competition, Singing Francine (Francine Edwards) gave solid performances of her two songs "Method of Approach" and "Cultural Controversy".
The veterans with their poise, polished wit and smoothness certainly showed the benefits of their years of experience in the Calypso arena and the audience was extremely responsive to their offerings. An excellent production by the NACC.
Results of the Veterans Calypso Monarch 2007:
Position / Artiste / Composition
1st / 'All Rounder' / CTT Calypsonian Tongue Tied & Talking Baby
2nd / 'Funny' / No Means No & Hokey Pokey
3rd / 'Bro. Mudada' / Ever-Living Calypso & Ah Want A Song
4th / 'Singing Francine' / Method of Approach 7 Cultural Controversy
5th / 'Valentino' / Pioneers & Dis Place Nice
6th / 'Contender' / Let the War Continue & Karate
7th / 'Explainer' / The Government & The World is a Jungle
7th / 'King Wellington' / The Problem Is & Steel and Brass
Veterans Calypso Competition 2007 in pictures:
www.trinisoca.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=59088
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