Cultural Pursuits

Anniversary of Calypso on the Billboards

On Saturday the 18^th May, 2013, our music industry would celebrate another milestone, that of adapted versions of calypso reaching the top spot(s) on Billboard charts.

All Recording Artists/Songwriters are aware a song reaching the billboard charts is a sign of a major accomplishment.   The Billboard charts have been around since the early 1940’s. To date these charts remain a tool in determining a song’s worldwide popularity.

In May 18^th, 1963 a song known as ‘If you wanna be Happy’, sung by American Jimmy Soul,  hit # 1 on the  Billboard Hot 100 charts. The significance of this happening to Trinidad and Tobago is the fact the song is based on a calypso ‘Ugly Woman’ originally written and composed, in 1933, by calypsonian Roaring Lion. It was recorded by him in 1934. Frank Guardia was the person who modified Ugly Woman, thus creating ‘If you wanna be happy’ andcreated history for the calypso. It went on to be featured in several movies including Mermaids, released in 1990 and My Best Friend’s Wedding, released in 1997.

Prior to this, there were other adapted Calypsoes also on the Billboard Charts.  Roaring Lion’s Marry Ann was composed in 1945. In 1957 both The Hilltoppers and Terry Gilkyson & the Easy Riders did versions. On February 9th 1957, The Hilltoppers’ version reached #3, while on April 6th, 1957 Terry Gilkyson’s version reached # 4 on the Billboard charts.  Rum ‘n’ Coca Cola is another example of an adapted Calypso that reached the charts in 1945, in fact it was #1. It was written by Lord Invader, composed by Lionel Belasco and that version was sung by the Andrew Sisters.

 Between the 1930’s to the 1950’s, Calypso music had a widespread presence internationally. Prominent American entertainers would often re-record Calypsoes written and composed by Trinibagonian Calypsonians. A noteworthy example of such an occurrence was when famed actor Robert Mitchum re-recorded the calypso ‘Ugly Woman’ in 1957 and renamed it ‘Logical Point of View ‘. Hollywood also used several calypsoes in films between 1940 to 1955.

Among these adapted versions is the very popular ‘Jump in the Line’.  This was recorded by Harry Belafonte  in 1961 under the name Shake Shake Senora. It was released on the album ‘Jump up Calypso’ and was later featured in the films Beetlejuice in 1998 and The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning  in 2008. Among the many other versions, the song was covered by American ska-swing band the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies for the soundtrack to the movie Basketball in 1998. It was sampled by Pitbull, featuring Sean Paul and T Pain, off his 2011 album, ‘Planet Pit’.

Barrack Yard Productions takes this opportunity to highlight these events and we  salute the late Roaring Lion for his contributions to our musical legacy..

Celebrating US

Though the article is  on Phagwa celebrations for 2013, we need to recognize, here in Trinidad and Tobago, we have so much to celebrate despite what  else may be going on. I am putting it out there we are perhaps one of the few countries that can peacefully celebrate  three different occasions of importance/significance. we can say there is no real prejudice or fear in expressing our selves through  art, religion or which ever form of expression we choose. we may  for the most part mis- understand some of what is present (or for the younger ones) there may be some who do not know of some of our treasures- but the fact remains treasures we do have; whether we see them as such, is a different kettle of fish.

This year for Easter Weekend, there will also be Baptist Liberation day observances as well as Phagwa  celebrations. The wind will be carrying Kites, abeer and invocations to all corners of the twin islands. benediction to deities will be plentiful during this time. It is a great occassion for all the religions to pray even more fervently for this nation, for guidance, for understanding and for wisdom.

All I really want to say is be joyful in the fact we can celebrate our differences, try to appreciate what we have and if you don’t know,  go and seek.

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/featured-news/Phagwa-199080251.html

I have not  done the research as yet , but these are from Rio Carnival which dates back to 1723. These characters remind me of some of T&T’s traditional figures; Not necessarily individuals but  more of a mixture of them. See if you can figure out which ones.

riosecretgarden:

Off Rio Carnival.
Bate bola.

(via riosecretgarden)

Goodbye Rio, Hello Recife: A Taste of Brazil’s Best Hidden Carnival

“Forget about Rio, its massive floats and feathers, its buxom dancers dressed in tiny and strategically placed dollops of fabric, its exclusive Sambadrome and its booming battalions of samba drummers. It’s a carnival for the cameras, for the travel agency brochures, for overweight tourists from Arkansas. Ask anyone who knows whats up, and they’ll tell you: Brazil’s realest Carnival is in Recife.”

The things we in Trinidad and Tobago see as we go about  our daily business.

When last have you stopped to just appreciate things like:

a seascape- being an island state we take it for granted we will always be able to go observe the surf at anytime, but what if one day we wake up and it is  no more? what if one  day we wake up in a metropolis unable to hear the music of the water or see the sun’s rays glistening on the water? Nothing will be able to replace that feeling.

a landscape: what pictures would the following generations have to see the natural beauty of a place?

a house: so many do not have the privilege of having a roof over their heads. some are in tents others in cardboard boxes while others get shelter where they can.

a church: aplace of worship, a place of refuge. Many have been turned into places of decay because society has moved away from the notion of fellowship. These monuments stand alone and empty. just like the elders who need taking care of they are neglected and crumble.

a flower: the cycle of flowers symbolic of renewal. we do not have to wait for an entire year to pass to be given an opportunity  to start arfesh, the possibilty is there in every new bloom.

a tree laden with fruit: when last you ate a fruit straight from a tree? Do we still have enough trees? all we want is fast food, prepackaged and yet we wonder why  certain health issues are on the rise.

a memory: we chose to throw away the memories that remind us where we came from and those that show us the core of who we are.

a sunset that heralds the end of the day and is precursor to a new tomorrow.