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Lingo is TUCO's 2007 Extempo Champion
Joseph 'Lingo' Vautor-La Placeliere
TriniSoca.com Reporters
Event Date: February 15, 2007
Posted: February 18, 2007
Extempo singer, Lingo, emerged winner in TUCO's 2007 Extempo Competition after a keen battle against Black Sage. Lingo's biting picong eventually overpowered the sharp wit of Black Sage. Black Sage was gracious in defeat, holding up Lingo's hand acknowledging him as the champion as the battle ended. Lingo, who is visually impaired dethroned the reigning Extempo Monarch Sheldon John, walking away with the first prize of $50,000. Other finalists included Contender (Mark John), Lady Africa (Leslie-Ann Bristow), Short Pants (Llewellyn Mac Intosh), Francois Ottley and Myron Bruce.
A medium-sized crowd gathered to witness TUCO's Extempo and Categories Finals. The Categories being contested were Social Commentary, Political Commentary, Humorous Commentary and Soca Chutney.
In the all female Social Commentary Category, Wendy Garrick-Thomas emerged winner with her stinging critique of Calypsonians. With three 'CEPEP workers' accompanying her on stage, she launched into her selection titled "Another CEPEP Gang". In her song she said that long ago, Calypsonians were the voice of the people, and could be relied on to tell it how it is. However, she lamented, in this era where the state is paying Calypsonians' salaries, very few Calypsonians are willing to call a spade a spade, rendering them, "another CEPEP gang".
Runner-up in the social category, Leslie Ann Ellis sung "Little Girls" in which she expressed the power of woman by saying that women were acting like little girls by being concerned with bad-talking each other and fussing and fighting.
Karen Eccles also had a strong performance with her rendition of 'A Mother's Response' in which she admonished a neighbour for spreading nasty rumours about her daughters. Asserting her right to defend their honor, she declared, "a mother's love is right to the end".
In the Humorous Category, Shadow (Winston Bailey) was announced at the winner with his song "If Ah Coulda". In his song, Sparrow sung that, "...if's and but's are words we use when we want to make excuse," telling the crowd that, "If yuh coulda, yuh woulda, and if you woulda, yuh shoulda". Actor and Gayelle television presenter, Wendell Entienne, amused the crowd with his double entendre-filled 'Wicked Stepmothers'.
Young Calypsonian Maria Bhola, who has been having a very successful season with her political commentary "I Love You" emerged as winner in the keenly contested Political Commentary Category. The song is based on the incident in Chatham in which Member of Parliament, Larry Achong, allegedly cussed an anti-smelter activist. Dressed in a suit and wearing a white wig, Bhola's look and antics were indeed reminiscent of the Member of Parliament, much to the delight of the Jean Pierre audience. Allrounder (Anthony Hendrickson) also gave a powerful performance of his selection "Calypsonians Tongue Tied". With a similar sort of focus to that of Wendy Thomas Garrick's "Another CEPEP Gang", Allrounder explored how Calypsonians are silent on certain issues, even going so far as to call some names.
In the Soca Chutney Category, it was no surprise when Heeralal 'Hero' Rampartap was announced the winner. The Hero from Rio (Claro), as he is known, gave a energetic performance of "Old Man", accompanied on stage by a bevy of colorful chutney dancers. In his song, Rampartap, reminded the crowd that though he is "old by the face, he is young, by the waist" and he brought some old men on the stage who by their movements also seemed to share that attribute. Tricia 'Sexy Tricia' Hamilton also captivated the audience with "Callaloo" being adjudged second. Lynette 'Lady Gypsy' singing "Lall" came third.
Guest performers on the night were Nester Boxhill (son of the late, great Merchant), Twiggy (Ann Marie Parks-Kojo) and Lady Aeisha (Elizabeth George). Singers were backed up by the solid band Kelly Green and Harmony.
Calypso Categories Finals 2007 in pictures:
www.trinisoca.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=60018
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