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Friday, March 4, 2011

Who will carry on Calypso?

Over the last few weeks, a local pub on Ariapita Avenue - SHAKERS, had local Calypsonians perform on a wednesday. It is after all, Carnival time and 'tis the season for Calypso, Soca and Mas.

I went ever wednesday and I saw 'Crazy', 'Shadow' and the 'Mighty Sparrow' (not their real names of course, that's their 'sobriquets').

It was great to see them live, up close and personal, Sparrow is unfortunately getting much older and had to sit for his performance. But his voice was strong and sharp as always, maybe that's why people call him the 'birdie'.

There's is one sad reality though, after these guys are gone, who will carry on the tradition of Calypso?

Calypso is our version of the Blues, it's the Caribbean's man tale of life, of love, of social and political situations, you name it. Calypso covers it.

Soca, it's predecessor, only deals with partying, it's mainly music for the season. And the beat is only ten thousand times faster that Calypso. Lyrically, it's not too intelligent either. Not all soca songs are this way, but most are unfortunately.

Calypso in the early years was always supposed to 'take off' just like reggae did for Jamaica. Although it has reached very far, and many foreigners come every year to experience the sensation of Carnival and listen to all the music we have to offer, I honestly do feel Calypso as a music form stayed more low key than Reggae and Soca. But that's just my opinion.

I myself have travelled the globe with KOBO TOWN playing our own version of what I call 'Renaissance Kaiso'. And I know for a fact, people love Calypso.

That is not to say individual calypsonians don't tour the word. On the contrary, many artists travel to Europe and the States on a regular basis promoting our original art form.

But after the old guards have passed on, who will carry the flame? Who will keep the legacy of Calypso alive? Not soca artistes, they're too busy writing a party hit with minimal lyrics.

I hope Calypso will live on somehow, I hope new calypsonians will emerge to carry on this tradition of great lyrical content, political and social satire.

As the calypsonians would say 'Kaiso, Kaiso!'

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