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Alien has landed!, UK Calypso Monarch Finals
Written by : Stephen Spark
Location : London
Posted : Sep 4, 2006 : 12:20:00 PM |
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In the closing stages of the UK Calypso Monarch contest, the outgoing monarch, Helena B, announced that the title of her song Woman is Champion was a prediction of the night’s results. Helena was right, but not in the way she anticipated, for it was Brown Sugar (Beverly Brown) who walked away with the crown.
The result surprised more than just Helena B, for a few jaws dropped when MC Donald Chambers made the announcement. Many people seemed to have been expecting to hear the name of Lord Cloak or perhaps even Alexander D Great. It is not first time the Finals results have confounded the audience’s expectations, but the 2006 contest was particularly close and a convincing case could have been made for any of the finalists.
Admiral Jack gave us two of his gentle-paced numbers, Your Carnival is Magical, a tribute to those involved in mas, pan and calypso, and Secrets. The latter was distinguished by a “politician” seated on stage reading a copy of Soca News, presumably hoping to learn where Ken buried Carnival’s money in Hyde Park!
Ever-popular Lord Cloak looked to have a strong chance of regaining a crown that once had seemed to be his by right, yet he did not even place in the top four. Startling in a pink suit, he had Carnival chairman Professor Chris Mullard – and the rest of the audience – in stitches with Since Claire Gone, a witty and pointed commentary on the state of Notting Hill in the post-Holder era, delivered with his usual élan and point-perfect timing. In terms of lyrics, Self-destruction was less distinguished, but its melodic chorus and Cloak’s warm-honey tones made listening a real pleasure.
As erudite as Chalkdust and a master of sweetly infectious musical arrangements, Alexander D Great adds real class to the Tent, although this is not always matched by popular acclaim or competitive success. This year, however, in Bribery and Calypso Warriors Alexander had two strong songs that earned him well-deserved applause. The lovely pan-flavoured rhythm of his second song cries out to be adapted for steelband – is there a band-leader with the courage to opt for a British-based composer rather than always importing from Trinidad?
Fourth-placed G-String has quickly established himself as a Tent favourite. A consummate showman, the amazing G flings his lanky frame around the stage with restless and reckless abandon, throwing caution and underwear to the wind. Bounding up the ramp in gold lamé boxing gear for Trouble Again, G-String was so enraged that “everybody want to book me for free” he had to be mopped down in his corner during choruses! His second number, Happiness, is a summery, feel-good tune that could really go places if ever given the chance.
A section of the crowd was certainly rooting strongly for last year’s monarch, Helena B. When she sang her first song it looked like she would be hard to beat, because Hard Work marries a beautiful tune and strong lyrics to Helena’s luscious, smoky vocals and a committed, convincing performance. Woman is Champion is a party song with a driving beat that made good use of steelpan accompaniment, although the crowded stage and a jewellery malfunction were distractions she did not need.
When Wen’D regally takes up her position on stage the men in the audience know they are going to come in for some lyrical licks, but she can be just as hard on those of the sisterhood who fail to measure up. Sound problems did not stop the message coming over loud and clear in Man Don’t Like That, a plea for girls to protect their dignity. In her first song, No, Boy, No, she urged a man to think twice before leaving beautiful Trinbago for the uncertainties and difficulties of a new life in Britain – a well-conceived song with a strong message.
And so to this year’s winner, Brown Sugar. She cut a striking figure in a silver and black spacesuit and alien mask to comment wittily and pointedly on that bizarre term used by the immigration authorities, Alien. Her second song, Man Not Made for Dat, courted controversy by criticising effeminate men who swing their hips, flick their wrists and powder their faces, underscored by a powerful, even intense, delivery – not to mention a brave guy in a powder-blue dress!
Once the competitive part of the evening was over we were treated to the UK Junior Monarch, Latifah, singing One Look, a song that had the absolute ring of truth (and we promise we won’t mention the hair!), followed by T&T Junior Dariem Charles entertaining us with his take on That Blimping Thing – Trinidad’s “eye in the sky”, which “can’t see a thing”. Tiger’s sentimental ode to tabanca, A Broken Heart, brought us on to the star guest, the Mighty Duke, resplendent in red and gold. The “Wup Wap Man” was in great form, charming all with his fine voice and wide smile, amusing with Pinch Yourself (a practical guide to recognising the signs when you are being horned) and making a serious (and sadly still relevant) call to give proper recognition to calypsonians in Great Composers. The evening ended with Duke’s timeless classic, Thunder.
The closeness of the competition this year is proof that the standard of home-grown UK calypso just keeps on improving. It is an achievement of which the Association of British Calypsonians can be proud. And it certainly makes for an unforgettably entertaining evening. |
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