‘High Noon Battle’ blazing good

The mammoth crowd, numbering in the thousands began flocking to the South Mecca of calypso for the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation, (TUCO), National Calypso Monarch semi-final from as early as 11am and soon transformed the venue into a veritable sea of colour as throngs of people, some wearing colour-coded T-shirts of lime green, brilliant blues and glorious yellows, staked their positions on almost every available spot in the Park.

And once again veteran calypsonians Michael Osouna, aka “Sugar Aloes,” Edwin Ayoung – Crazy” and Dr Hollis Liverpool, “Chalkdust”, proved to be strong contenders for the 2008 Calypso Monarch crown with vintage performances that wowed the crowd.

The Fiesta also saw the debut of the Kelly Green and Harmony orchestra which replaced the competition’s traditional band, the Police Service band, which had accompanied the calypsonians for the past 40 years.

The orchestra was well received by the crowd as they were able to keep pace with each artiste. The Park, which also underwent a facelift for the competition, with the construction of another covered bleacher-stand and the refurbishment of the old stand also gained the approval of patrons as they made use of the cushioned chairs to take in the competition.

The competition, which got underway at approximately 12.15pm, also saw a smooth flow of patrons as ticket booths and security personnel were in place long before the first patrons began trickling into the venue.

The competition also saw the return of veteran calypsonian, Samuel Abraham – “Brigo” after an absence of some 27 years, who performed a social commentary titled, “Green Limes Falling.” The “well-attired Brigo,” was warmly received by the audience as he implored the nation’s youth to stop the violence singing – “Long time the young used to bury the old, now it’s the old burying the young – there is no respect for the Almighty.”

But it was Sugar Aloes who really turned on the heat with a sizzling political commentary titled “Reflections” which recalled UNC A’s political leader, Basdeo Panday’s now famous address on November 5th 2007 when he, (Panday), admonished supporters of the Congress of the People, (COP), to look at themselves in the mirror whenever another murder or rape rocked the country.

His entrance, which featured that portion of Panday address over the PA system, saw Aloes walk onto the stage garbed in an orange UNC A T-shirt and Panday’s trademark red beret atop a mop of white hair, momentarily stunned the crowd as they mistook him for the Opposition leader. But they soon erupted into laughter when he showed them Panday’s own picture plastered on the inside of a mirror.

Also well-received was Dexter Parson- “Stinger”, who performed the social commentary, “Voices from the Van” about male prison inmates telling their “mammy” to bring toothpaste and soap for them during the court appearances.

Some 15 contestants are expected to perform at the Dimache Gras Finals on February 3 for the $500,000 first prize.