POSER’S TRIBUTE OPENS REVUE SEASON

Posted By: Newsday
Date: Tuesday, 28 January 2003, at 12:20 a.m.

International Soca Monarch takes off...
POSER’S TRIBUTE OPENS REVUE SEASON

By DAVID CUFFY

THE distinction of singing the first calypso to publicly open the 2003 calypso season went to Poser (Sylvester Lockhart) when the Calypso Revue staged its traditional season opener at the Arima Velodrome last Saturday night.

Before a huge audience of calypso fans, the fashionably attired Sangre Grande bard who copped the 1979 Road March title with the composition “Ah Tell She”, confidently rendered a well-structured, upbeat selection titled “A tribute To The Revue” that won loud applause and an encore perhaps not only for its content, but moreso for its effectiveness at capturing the space moment.

The work is an accurate chronicle of the successes achieved in the calypso world over the years by past and present members of the Revue cast and puts forward several reasons that may have contributed to the tent’s longevity. Mayor of Arima, Elvin Edwards, delivered a short welcome address to officially open the programme at 8.45 pm, after which fans were treated to four hours of mainly good calypso from a talented and experienced cast inclusive of reigning National Calypso Monarch Sugar Aloes (Michael Osuna).

His new offerings were titled “Who Am I”, and “Where Is Dorothy”, The first, (“Who Am I”) set to Orisha rhythms, tells about the faith he practices, while the latter is a spin-off on Black Stalin’s (Leroy Calliste) 1985 title-winner “Wait Dorothy Wait”.

Hard-hitting political commentary, the domain of Aloes, was, on this occasion, presented by Skatie, who won several encores for “In Just Six Years”, a song that lambasts the former political administration for its excesses and corrupt practices. Social commentary of the highest order was offered by Pink Panther (Eric Taylor) in a calypso titled “This Is My Country”. The work highlights and addresses the current social issues including the ongoing impasse between doctors and officials in the health sector.

The Godfather of Calypso, the Mighty Bomber (Clifton Ryan), showed he is still a force to be reckoned with at age 75. “Once Upon A Time” and “Thunder At 75” were adequate proof of his continuing ability to educate and entertain. Cro Cro (Weston Rawlins), also presented good social commentary in “Put Down The Gun Mr Youthman”, but reverted to his usual style of direct confrontation with “Come In Town Yuh Go See”.

Young Unknown (Newton Roberts), newcomer to calypso, made a plea for “No More Domestic Violence”, while Sheldon Reid had a strong message in “Spasms Of The Bark”. Devon Seales, maintained his consistent efforts with a Gregory Ballantyne (GB) composition directed at officials of the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO) going by the title “Category My Donkey”.

Squibby (Stanley Cummings) made a welcome return to the stage with a humourous ditty called “What Men Does Want”, and lone female performer Denyse Plummer lighted up the Velodrome with her energetic and classy performance of the two songs “Loving Up” and “My Identity”. De Fosto (Winston Scarborough) continued to gain ground on the competition with “Pandora” and “Cultural Icons”.

But party songs by Strongy (Ian McKenzie) “Ah Found De Thief” and Impulse (Wayne Modeste) “Iwer Mudder Can’t and “Four Cars” seemed to suffer from over exposure and failed to generate much excitement.

Melodious musical accompaniment was provided by the Kenny Stephens Orchestra while show host duties were shared between radio personality CG and Super Lou, who proved he was as good a calypsonian as he was an MC by creating widespread mirth among all present with a spicy song called “Santa Branga”.

Calypso Revue was scheduled for another performance at Skinner Park, San Fernando, last night.

An estimated 10,000 at Samar in Debe

AS EARLY at 6 pm last Saturday evening, the crowds started flocking to the Samar Entertainment Centre, Debe, for the 2003 preliminary round of the Carib Chutney Soca Monarch competition.

By 10 pm more than 10,000 filled the centre as they cheered on their favourite chutney singer who entered the competition stage.

Members of the band JMC Trevini led by Varendra Persad provided music for many of the contestants while many others used recorded music to deliver their tunes.
At 12 midnight, 25 out of 50 contestants had already rendered their songs with another 25 artistes still waiting back stage. With top acts such as Drupatie, Sareeka Mahabir, Phulmatie Ramjattan and Nigel Salikram setting the pace for the other top stars to come on stage.

Members of the band Dil-E-Nadan came on during the intermission to entertain the crowds with a mixture of Calypso, Chutney and Bollywood tunes. Both Raymond Ramnarine and Daddy Chinee entertained the audience for just over one hour.

The competition resumed at 1am with the appearance of Anand Yankaran from Carapichaima. Among the big names performing in the second half of the show were former monarchs. Heeralal Rampartap and Rooplal Girdharie gave a heightened performance with their renditions of “Trini Style” and “Khataie Din.”

Top chutney star Devanand Gatoo also had the crowds in a frenzy. His performance which was followed by Carlene Wells had the crowds on their feet and dancing. Carlene’s song, “Mother-in Pressure” was one of the top songs of the evening. Members of the Clico Shiv Shakti Dancers, thrilled the audience with their chutney dance. The Nirvana Dancers also created a stir with their chutney dance.

The show ended with the performance of defending champ, Rikki Jai who performed his new tunes, “The River Lime” and “Mai Pyar Ho Gaya”. By 3 am on Sunday the crowds started leaving.

Among those who made it to the semi-finals are, Adesh Samaroo, Angela Ramoutar, Anil Suchit, Carlene Wells, Cecil Funrose, Colin Jackman (New York), Devanand Gatoo, Drupatie Ramgoonai Persad, Edward Ramdass, Heeralal Rampartap, Hemant ‘Sundar’ Popo, Lal Bharat, Lynette Steele, Lynn Khan, Marcia Miranda, Mario Hitman, Marva Mc Kenzie, Mohip Poonwasie, Nigel Salikram, Phoolmatie Ramjattan, Palphy Sookoo, Ranna Ramnarine, Rick Ramdehal (New York), Rooplal Gildharie, Roy Rampersad, Sharon Ghany (Canada), SW Storm (London), Sarika Mahabir, Trevor Gore and Vedesh Sookoo.

These singers will be vying for places in the final at the semi-final round which will be held at the Rienzi Complex, Couva, on Feb 1.

International Soca
Monarch takes off

THE PRELIMINARY round of the NLCB International Soca Monarch competition got going at Club Caribbean, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain yesterday.

Over 100 entertainers were expected to perform before the judges.
At 3.30 pm, 32 entrants including former Young King Tony Prescott, Nicole Greaves, Sherwayne Winches-ter and Nicky Cordner had already performed.

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POSER’S TRIBUTE OPENS REVUE SEASON
Newsday -- Tuesday, 28 January 2003, at 12:20 a.m.