Chalkie: Calypso for intelligent people

Calypsonian Winston “Gypsy” Peters has openly criticised the song as the worst calypso sung by Chalkdust. He said Liverpool played on the sentiments of the judges and crowd.

Dethroned monarch Michael “Sugar Aloes” Osuna also questioned the judges choice saying his composition “Obama the First” deserved a higher placing than eighth position.

However, Liverpool yesterday expressed surprise that the talk had reached radio and television stations. He did not want to comment on criticisms saying, “I don’t take part in those things. I leave it to the public to deal wit that.”

“I sang the essence of calypso. That’s what it’s about. It’s journalism. It’s using the mask, figures of speech to recreate an event,” Liverpool continued. Liverpool, whose witty calypsos earned him the monarch title seven other times before equalling Sparrow’s record of eight titles this year, had a few words for his critics.

“Calypso is for intelligent people.”

According to the criteria used for judging 30 points are awarded for melody, 30 points for lyrics, 20 points for rendition, 10 points presentation and 10 points for originality.

Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO) General Secretary Lutalo Masimba said he could not give a breakdown of Chalkdust’s scores as he did not have the score sheets and only Chalkdust could release the information if he requested it.