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Vintage Calypso Brigade Stalwarts
Samuel 'Brigo' Abraham
TriniSoca.com Reporters
Event Date: January 22, 2007
Posted: January 25, 2007
"I don't want to smell the roses when I die, I want to smell the roses while I'm alive," was the request that Calypsonian Samuel 'Brigo' Abraham expressed to the crowd at the Strand Entertainment Centre for Kaiso House's Vintage Calypso Brigade. Brigo, who gave the Vintage Calypso fans songs like "Mama Popo", "Limbo Break" and "Voodoo Man" boasts of a repertoire of one hundred and seventy-two Calypsos and is more than deserving of recognition for his tremendous work. Brigo, as well as most of the other members of the Vintage Calypso Brigade are some of the last remaining Calypsonians who have lived through the Golden Age of Calypso and who have produced legendary hits during their lifetime.
Eleven of the world's greatest Calypsonians, many of whom have not been publicly recognized for their invaluable contributions to the culture of Trinidad and Tobago had performed for the huge crowd on Monday 22nd January, 2007. The performances that these Calypso greats had given can be described as powerful, awesome, inspirational and nostalgic and there is no doubt that these majestic Calypsos cannot be recaptured without the direct influences of these geniuses.
The Vintage Calypso programme began with a benediction by Dean Knolly Clarke followed by short words by Gemma Redman of Relevant Theatre Productions and Robert 'Mighty Trini' Elias, on behalf of the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organization.
Some of the magnificent songs for the night backed by Tony Voisin and the Band included: Emrold 'Valentino' Phillip's "Life is a Stage"; Fred 'Composer' Mitchell's "Child Training"; Andrew 'Lord Superior' Marcano's "Crime Pays", Sonny 'Power' Francois' "Keep He Dey"; and many others. Other iconic Calypsonians included Kelvin 'Mighty Duke' Pope, Allan 'Brother Mudada' Fortune, Leroy 'Conqueror' Paul, the two members of Regeneration Now and Sylvester 'Poser' Lockhart.
Also present at the Vintage Calypso Brigade was the head of the Yoruba tradition worldwide, Supreme Leader Araba Agbaye, Chief Adisa Aworeni Mokoranwalei and his entourage who are in the country for a two-week visit. They made their entrance before Fred 'Composer' Mitchell's performance and he warmly welcomed them to the show. Agbaye is second in rank to the King of Nigeria, His Royal Highness, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubisi II and is regarded highly by the Yourba people all over the world.
The Vintage Calypso Brigade was a resounding success if only for the participation of these Calypso heroes. These Calypso icons would not be around forever and people should get to know more about these historical record-keepers before they pass over.
Vintage Calypso Bregade in pictures:
www.trinisoca.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=51743
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