Luta is TUCO King

Luta’s energetic song "Kaiso, Kaiso" complained of the poor quality of many of the modern Calypsos, including bias. "Today when you sing about politics, it’s only one set of people getting licks. Every song is about the UNC and Panday. They can’t find anything else to say."

Heather McIntosh placed second with a bizarre song about an old woman losing control of her bladder in the middle of a bank which had refused to let her use the toilet. Singing of "Ma Terese’s deposit," McIntosh sang "They won’t forget, that liquid assett." Third was Roderick Gordon who sang of the plight of a Trini woman overstaying her visa in the USA in "Doing Time." Living in poverty and in fear of discovery, he said, was worse than doing time. "She holds two jobs just to pay lawyers fees. And employers do with her as they please." Gordon, who also sings soca under the stage name "Chucky," gave a very confident delivery of his good lyrics and a fairly musical tune.

Fourth-placed Karene Asche in her song "Fear" urged all to exorcise the spirit of fear covering this land. She was passionate and confident, but the song remained as just an impassioned plea that seemed to go nowhere in terms of an unfolding sequence of events.

Fifth was Anthony Johnson, an angry young man. He lamented the breakdown in respect for authority in a clean-cut and competent performance, that was also a bit boring. And he made a dubious choice of role model in the late "Elephant Walk." Kizzie Ruiz, a young singer with great potential, was too strident. She placed sixth with "Developed Country Status." Trinidad Rio was hard-done in placing seventh. He told a simple story in a wholesome, matter-of-fact way: "I’ll get old, I’ll get older, and I’ll die."

He regretted that as a boy he used to tease "old man Sabu," while he himself was now facing old age. Rio was so masterful that he was confident enough to hold back to give a nice cool delivery, which deserved to place him higher.

Lady Gypsy came eighth lamenting the demise of one-time unbeatable soca champion, Super Blue, her ex-husband. Ninth was Derrick Seales in a rousing song urging us to reclaim sweet TT "if we really want to."

Tenth-place went to Nesta Boxill, son of the late Merchant, a prolific songwriter. Boxill had the sweetest tune of the night, an infectious reggae beat bravely appended to a Calypso. He was beautifully backed up by the band’s two trumpeters and the trombonist. Boxill had a very nice stage presence. He looked sharp in his Duke-styled zoot-suit. With his height, his sharp hand motions, and melodious voice, his father would have been very proud of him. His anti-drug song was called "Say No."

Three of these contenders are also finalists for the TUCO National Calypso Monarch competition due on Dimanche Gras night at the Savannah. They are Roderick Gordon, Luta and Karene Asche. The show had guest performances from Brigo, Black Prince and Pink Panther.