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[kaisokonnaisseur]

REVIEW OF DIMANCHE GRAS: NATIONAL CALYPO MONARCH FINALS, QUEEN’S PARK SAVANNAH, PORT OF SPAIN, 19 FEBRUARY 2023

By Eugene McGuinness

On Sunday night, twelve calypsonians vied for the Calypso Crown on Dimanche Gras in the Calypso finals. As you know, I’ve been comparing this to the Super Bowl. Let me just say that Lord Kitchener was right: the results *did* surprise me. 

For the final, each calypsonian had an opportunity to present the same song they sang at semifinals, on a larger stage (at the Queen’s Park Savannah), with a new dance/costume arrangement. 

I’ll cut to the chase; the judges’ rankings are as follows:

1. Duane Ta'zyah O'Connor

2. Kerine Williams-Figaro

3. Karene Asche

4. Chuck Gordon

5. Tameika Darius

6. Terri Lyons

7. Ezekiel Yorke

8. Maria Bhola-Paul

9. Helon Francis

10. Heaven Charles

11. Mark Eastman

12. Carlos James

My rankings are below:

1. Mark Eastman 

2. Terri Lyons

3. Helon Francis 

4. Chuck Gordon

5. Maria Bhola-Paul

6. Tameika Darius

7. Kerine Williams-Figaro

8. Duane Ta'zyah O'Connor

9. Karene Asche 

10. Ezekiel Yorke

11. Heaven Charles

12. Carlos James

I’ll go straight to the similarities: judges and I both put Chuck Gordon in 4th place, and we agreed Carlos James was in last place. Heaven Charles, my 11th place pick, was placed in 10th place by the judges. The judges placed Tameika Darius 5th, and I placed her 6th.

The main differences were in how I placed Mark Eastman (1st), versus where the judges put him (11th). I am biased toward picking what I feel to be the best song, whereas the judges are strictly considering the performance on the night of the final, and this is separate from the consideration received during semifinals. In my opinion, Mark Eastman had one of the best songs, and the best in the national pride category. (On the TUCO (Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation) Facebook page, there were actually quite a few other fans disappointed about Mark Eastman’s standing. I noted to them that it seems we are not alone).

I rated Terri Lyons’s performance 2nd place, largely because I felt that as the reigning Calypso Monarch, she would be a strong candidate for the top three. Her song, “House Cleaning” was a serious song about promoting public vigilance in the face of crime, and doing a national house cleaning to rid the community of criminals. (She ripped off the Batman logo to this end). Considering rich pedophiles unlikely to see justice in court, she says “a good obeah [folk witchcraft] will reach them.” Her song was only released 5 days before the finals, since the Monarch doesn’t have to compete in the semifinals. Despite my expectation of a strong showing by Terri Lyons, and even a possible win, the judges placed her 6th.

Another big difference between my rankings and the judges’ own is our placement of Duane Ta’zyah O’Connor, the 1st place winner. I actually do not disagree with the judges’ decision to crown Ta’zyah the Monarch, because he gave a thoroughly solid performance. I only placed him 8th because there were a bunch of other songs I liked more.

By winning the Calypso Monarch title, Ta’zyah O’Connor follows in his father’s footsteps. His father, also named Duane O’Connor, won the title in 2012. Father and son joined each other on stage when Ta’zyah was named the Monarch, winning TT$500,000 ($74,000) and a new SUV worth TT$300,000 ($44,000). At 20 years old, he was the youngest contestant in the finals.

I join with TUCO and the National Carnival Commission (NCC) in congratulating Ta’zyah O’Connor, our new Calypso King! 

[kaisokonnaisseur]

REVIEW OF CALYPSO FIESTA: NATIONAL CALYPSO MONARCH SEMIFINALS, SKINNER PARK, SAN FERNANDO, TRINIDAD, 11 FEBRUARY 2023

By Eugene McGuinness

Nobody will read this review if I cover all 40 of the calypsonians who performed in the semifinals, but I will try to comment on a) the 9 calypsonians I included in my who’s who, b) the 11 finalists and 1 reserve selected by the judges and their songs, and c) other things that struck me as I viewed the performances.

Of the 11 finalists chosen through the semifinal, 3 have won the title of Calypso Monarch before: Karene Asche, Helon Francis, and Roderick “Chucky” Gordon. All finalists must compete against the reigning Calypso Monarch, Terri Lyons.

There were multiple themes evident in the semifinalists’ songs, but the biggest song topics were national pride, paying tribute to living and dead Calypso legends, and the COVID pandemic’s impact on life and Carnival.

Terri Lyons - appeared in last year’s Calypso final - Terri Lyons won the Calypso Crown for the 2nd year in a row in 2022, with a song entitled simply “Calypso” - the song was a deconstruction of the contemporary issues facing the genre, with a strong emphasis for people to respect the art form. At some point in the middle of the song she gave a speech (the judges love that). While I think it was a good song, a well written song, and an important song, the number of deaths of famous calypsonians later on in 2022 really changed the style and tone of the songs relevant to the topic of Calypso. In 2022, a generic song about Calypso could win, but in 2023 it was a more challenging song to write on a more specific topic; you wouldn’t win without naming multiple famous calypsonians who had died in 2022 Explainer, Black Stalin, Singing Francine etc. Terri Lyons comes from a family of calypsonians: she is the daughter of the legendary Calypso and Soca artist Super Blue, and her sister Fay-Ann Lyons is also a well-established Soca singer.

Karene Asche - appeared 3rd - I was rooting for her in the beginning because I really liked her song, but then I found out she had a songwriter for it. Her song “Oasis” was catchy and well-written, a song about longing for Carnival throughout the pandemic. My enthusiasm for her kind of died off when I saw how good the other performances were. She advanced to the finals, but I feel like there were some better performances.

Tameika Darius - appeared 4th - Her song, “Jahaji Bash,” was a powerful protest of racism that started out with a soundbyte of something racially offensive that was said by a prominent Indian political figure. The song “Jahaji Bash” really conveys the spirit of indignance in the face of racist offence, and it is quite designed to make the listener feel a strong sense of outrage. This song will definitely have Trinis talking about the woman who made the offensive remark. She advanced to the finals and I think this was definitely a rightful pick by the judges.

Carlos James - appeared 8th - His song, “The New Normal” had to do with the COVID pandemic. There was a strong religious theme with some biblical phrasing, not uncommon through the competition but I am a little more biased toward Calypso with secular themes. I don't think this song was exceptional enough to be in the final, it is a little duller than the others, but he said "God is a Trini" and the judges really really liked that I guess.

Ezekiel Yorke - appeared 10th - His song, “Being Human,” was a thoughtful observation of human behavior and morality and what makes us who we are. Also starts with a religious theme reminding us that God created us in his own likeness and image. He advanced to the finals, and it’s a great song, but you know, for me, I like a funny, angry, or dirty song, and these poignant moral ones bore me a little bit. Can I say the man doesn’t deserve to sing at the final on Dimanche Gras? Maybe no. Good song, strong message that we all need to be more human, but that kind of stuff isn’t very entertaining for me. 

Maria Bhola - Appeared 11th - Her song, “People Man,” conveyed a strong message and had a lot of humour to it. Basically, the song demands that the side chicks and the mistresses show some more respect for the wives, and come help with the chores and minutia of running a household, and if they can’t do that, then maybe they should find men of their own, and find a next home to wreck. She then goes on to point out that the married women in the audience are going to be the ones who really want to cheer her on the most. It was bold, funny, and feminist. Maria Bhola represents the all-women Divas International Cabaret calypso tent. She advanced to the finals, and I would say the judges were also super-right here. I must also add, that calypsonians struggle to advance to the finals with humourous songs.

Mark Eastman - Appeared 12th - His submission “Pride,” was a another stirring national pride song. I had seen him perform this multiple times on Youtube tent videos. He really brought his A-game, and had a good dance arrangement. His stage presence was solid, his singing was excellent, and the lyrics of the song were really strong. I say he definitely deserves to go to finals and he may even win the whole damn thing, to be honest. (I would only say this about two other performances).

Kerine Williams-Figaro - Appeared 18th - Her performance, “To You With Love” was a song of appreciation for the great Calypso pioneers who have passed on and the ones who are still with us today. She sang a really solid song and multiple songs came in with this theme. Did she wow me? Not hugely, but she was very good. Was it the best of the tribute songs, I don’t know, maybe not. It’s ironic that she sang of her appreciation for fellow calypsonian Mighty Chalkdust, and she advanced to the finals with this song, whereas Chalkie didn’t make it.

Caston Cupid - Appeared 19th - His song “The Saga of Truth” was just a jab at the judges, and I don’t know what he sang to make them choose him for this. He ended up on stage with actors portraying the judges holding up big placards with ‘0’s on them as he sang “some judges can’t judge, plenty of them can’t judge!” - attacking or criticizing or otherwise expressing frustration with the judges is somehow a notable thing in Calypso, but yeah, he didn’t make it.

Aaron Duncan - Appeared 20th - His song “The Mother of All Carnivals” was another celebration of a return to Carnival after COVID, and he had one of the most vibrant and involved dance performances, including stilt walkers. Aaron Duncan is a decorated junior calypsonian who is now 19 years old. He got the reserve spot in the finals, and I think if the judges wanted to say he’s good enough for that, they should just give him a spot in finals and let one of the other eleven sit in reserve. This song was catchier, and the dances were impressive, but the lyrics didn’t stir me as much as the others.

Lester Salandy - Appeared 21st - His song “Tribute to the Icons” was a very solid submission, paying homage to the legacies of Calypso legends who had passed on. It was full of references to famous calypsonians and their songs and themes. I don’t know if it was better than Kerine, who advanced, but this is a close alternative, comparably leading the pack among the tribute songs; but he did not advance.

Kurt Allen - Appeared 22nd - “We Are One” was a song celebrating the Chinese community and Chinatown in Trinidad and Tobago, with a strong theme of racial tolerance, national unity, and apparently a tribute to someone named Chinee Patrick. Kurt Allen was Calypso Monarch in 2011, and I thought this song was a contender for the finals, the theme was a little bit unique, but he also did not advance.

Helon Francis - Appeared 23rd - “Mighty” was the song about national pride that I liked the most after Mark Eastman’s “Pride.” And, in reality, this song may have the better lyrics. The two songs are extremely similar, they even both mention Trinidadian Marxist historian C.L.R. James. Helon’s song is also really inspiring, if you are Trinidadian it makes you reflect on all the greatness that’s come out of Trinidad, and it has a strong message for young scholars, musicians, even influencers to rise and take their place in the world. This song advanced to the finals, and I would also say Helon Francis, one of the competing former Monarchs, is one of the top three contenders for the Calypso Crown this year as well.

Philip Murray “Blacksage” - Appeared 30th - Extempo veteran Blacksage’s song, “Aggie’s Story” was one of nostalgia, about a dead comedian that I had to look up (Ramdeen Ramjattan aka John Agitation), but this song was also full of great jokes. Blacksage is always good for a humourous song, but unfortunately he didn’t make it to the final, either. 

Chuck Gordon - Appeared 31st - Chucky’s song “Maths Ain’t Mathsin’” was the first song I heard out of the 40 before competition, basically a searing indictment on the cost of living: very strong message, good lyrics. This is the song I’ve started memorizing and singing myself. Chucky can also go all the way, he’s a former Monarch, he’s now a finalist, certainly deserving of it, and the song is a catchy one. 

Duane O’Connor - Appeared 32nd - His song “D Ting Fix” is another song that swipes at judges, but it also goes global, he says everything is basically fixed, rigged, and corrupted, from these Calypso semifinals, to the finals, the Panorama, and the FIFA World Cup, like he has a whole verse suspecting that was rigged “to let Messi go out on top” - so this one was a fun one, but not very practical for winning, and no, he did not advance.

Michael Osouna “Sugar Aloes” - Appeared 33rd - His song “Hands of Mercy” was contemplative, and very pious, dealing significantly with the recent crises in Trinidad and Tobago. This song was not the only incidence of religious themes in the competition, but as I've said, generally the heavily religious songs don’t do it for me. Aloes has been to the finals a record consecutive 22 times, winning Calypso Monarch twice. He didn’t make it this year, and I can’t say I blame the judges. Lots of talented up-and-coming calypsonians in the field.

Ta’zyah O’Connor - Appeared 34th - His song “Sing Hallelujah” was another song about national pride. This song was happy and uplifting, similar to the others, slight religious hinting, even if I liked two of the other national pride songs more than his I can see why he was chosen, he sang very well and had great stage presence. Good to see him advance to the final.d

Hollis Liverpool “Mighty Chalkdust” - Appeared 36th - His song “The New Trend” wasn’t very spectacular, but seeing as Chalkdust is 81, the same age as Black Stalin, who just passed away two months ago, it’s good to see him in such good health. Chalkdust, as I mentioned in the who’s who is a university professor. He’s a 9-time Calypso Monarch, so it’s a real shock likewise as with Aloes to see him not advance to the finals.

Heaven Charles - Appeared 38th - His song “What Yuh Need Again Trinbago” was the weakest of the 4 national pride songs selected for the finals, in my opinion. The judges must have really liked the part where he said the Almighty put Trinidad’s reserves deep within the ground…He pointed out the the steel pan is the only acoustic instrument invented in the last century, that was a cool tidbit. Helon Francis also mentioned the pan.

Nichole Thomas - Appeared 39th - Her song “Carnival is We” was same theme as Karene Asche’s song, and won her the Tobago Monarch crown in October last year. I liked it, even though it wasn’t my favourite in the contest. So I was sort of surprised that she didn’t make the finals. Almost like these judges wanted to send a message that what the Tobago judges think doesn’t matter. I also think performing near to dead last in a ten-hour competition is probably a disadvantage.

I gave myself at least a day before starting to write my reactions down on the performances, so I guess I’ll close this with some overarching thoughts: most of the finalists deserved to advance, and there is a lot of talent, especially from the young former junior calypsonians. I think Aaron Duncan was unfairly relegated to the reserve spot, and the judges didn’t need the fourth national pride song. I agree with the judges the most about Mark Eastman, Chuck Gordon, Helon Francis, Maria Bhola, Tameika Darius, Ta’zyah O’Connor, and Kerine Williams-Figaro. I’m iffy about Karene Asche, and not so crazy about Carlos James and Heaven Charles.

The performances on Dimanche Gras this coming Sunday are going to be truly something to behold, and as the Grand Master of Calypso, Lord Kitchener said on Dimanche Gras 1988, “the result will surprise you.”

[kaisokonnaisseur]

A WHO'S WHO OF 2023 NATIONAL CALYPSO MONARCH SEMIFINALISTS

by Eugene McGuinness

1. Karene Asche: Won 3 Junior Monarch titles and National Calypso Monarch in 2011 (making her the youngest millionaire in T&T) - I remember her for her 2019 xenophobic masterpiece "Loco & Broko" - where she says Venezuelan illegals are invading the country and that they're gold diggers who are stealing all the men. She is affiliated with Kaiso House, the tent with the most monarchs.

2. Kurt Allen: Also a Calypso Monarch from 2010 - saw his winning performance "Too Bright" from that year.

3. Garth St. Clair: A new name. Came on stage dressed like Neo from The Matrix, then sang a song about life imitating movies & TV. He gets to a point where he hits over 50 movie/TV references, then it gets ridiculous where he starts constructing entire verses out of movie titles. Fun song.

4. Mark Eastman: Also new to me, but I've seen his song, a stirring one by the name of "Pride" over 3 times by now... He's a strong contender because Trinis love a song about national pride. Also affiliated with Kaiso House.

5. Hollis Liverpool (the Mighty Chalkdust): Nine-time Calypso Monarch champion, he's in his 80s, probably one of the greatest calypsonians alive today. His day job is university professor & he's known for his hard-hitting intellectual political lyrics. He's nicknamed "The Black Brain Power."

6. Philip Murray (Black Sage): This man is FUNNY. His song in 2019 "Humour for the Crown" was full of jokes. His song this year was about a funny friend he grew up with. He is also affiliated with Kaiso House tent.

7. Chuck Gordon (Chucky): Another one from Kaiso House. He's a monarch too. His song this year "Maths Eh Mathsin' " is a contender because it's the one I heard earliest before the competition. In 2019 he sang a song called "El Muro" about Trump's border wall.

8. Nichole Thomas: She won Tobago Calypso Monarch six times, including last October with her song "Carnival is We" - she is using the same song in this contest. Her brother, Dylan Thomas won 2nd place for Tobago Monarch last year also.

9. Michael Osouna (Sugar Aloes): Last but not least, Aloes is a two-time Calypso Monarch, a stalwart veteran, and known for his searing political tongue. Some of his songs are extreme - including "24 Hours" where he says if he were God every killer would only have 24 hours to make peace with the world before he smites them (so you can see where he stands on capital punishment). He also wrote a song intended as a guide to lovemaking.... where he claims that women's behavior during sex goes "according to their race." He doesn't leave it at that, he actually starts DESCRIBING what he thinks the attributes are. Politically incorrect kaiso at its finest. He's also one to watch!