Vintage Caribbean

“Vintage Fuh So – Caribbean Invasion” is the theme of the January 27 showcase which will feature songs from many of the top calypsonians across the Caribbean region, being performed by David Michael Rudder, Rupert “Swallow” Philo, Alston “Becket” Cyrus and Anthony “Gabby” Carter.

“We’re making history by bringing together calypso hitmakers from here and up the islands,” stated HNCPPA president, Priya Gomes-Mora. “Rudder will be singing the crowd favourites from his extensive catalogue… We’re also bringing back those memories associated with songs like “Government Boots”, “Jack”, “Party in Space”, “Wine on Something” and many more from the Mighty Gabby of Barbados and King Swallow from Antigua. With Vincentian “Becket” included, patrons can expect to hear classic calypsos such as: “Lord Laro”, “Winston Soso”, “Beckett”, “Gyal Ah Rush Meh”, “Small Pin Does Chook Hard”, “I Doh Mind”, “Tempo” and others from that era…” Backed by Vincent Rivers and his ensemble and complete with extempo extraordinaire, Phillip “Black Sage” Murray performing the role of MC, “Vintage Fuh So 2017” is guaranteed to thrill its audience who support this annual fund-raiser. Aside from the action inside the hall, “Vintage Fuh So” also pays tribute to the traditions of Carnival outside in the car park and the foyer with a pan-around-the-neck band and a host of “ole mas” characters appearing, including but not limited to: moko jumbies, bats, baby dolls, minstrels and jab devils.

The “Vintage” experience begins around sunset at 6.30 pm with on stage action from 8 pm.

This week, we profile Gabby from Barbados whose “Boots” was one of his most popular songs in TT.

Hailing from the Emmerton community in the neighbouring isle of Barbados, Anthony Carter was given the nickname “Gabby” as a child and first had success as a calypsonian in 1968, when his performance of the song, “Heart Transplant” won him the title of Barbados Calypso Monarch.

Gabby won the title again in 1969 with “Family Planning”, but rather than build on this success, he concentrated on acting for the next few years instead and joined the Barbados Theatre Workshop – then composing much of the music for its play, Under the Duppy Parasol – which had a successful run in New York. In fact, it wasn’t until 1976 that he returned to music and competition success, as his “Licks Like Fire” gave him the first of a string of victories at Crop Over.

He then earned the Folk Singer of the Year award for three successive years from 1977 to 1979 for “Riots in the Land” “Bridgetown”, and “Bajan Fisherman” and in 1979, “Gabby” won the Crop Over Road March title with “Burn Mr Harding” and went on to tour Cuba.

Gabby then courted controversy in 1985 with “Cadavers” – a commentary on the Barbados government’s decision to allow dead bodies from the US to be stored on the island. He was sued by the government, but then prime minister, Tom Adams died before the case came to court and the case was subsequently shelved. He continued to produce controversial material, including “The List” – which dealt with Aids; “Jack” – which criticised the local tourist industry for giving preferential treatment to foreign visitors and “Boots” – a scathing attack on the Barbados government’s assistance in the US invasion of Grenada in 1983.