REVIEW: Calypso Final 2013

DSC_0963It’s all over.

As the calypso curtains came to a close on Saturday night, Dice and Caressah stood neck to neck wondering who would take the crown. I felt relaxed knowing that whichever one was crowned King would have been just fine. At first, judging along was hard, and then it became easy–too easy. In other words, as is too often the case, it was a one-round competition. The show proved to be a night of contrasts, a battle between elaborate and simple, less and more, highs and lows–a entertaining trip through bipolarism.

Standards were set when the defending monarch opened the show with simplicity. Simplicity in props and in delivery–simple, easy, beat me, teach me. A message to mama, or a message to his fellow competitors: Beat me, I dare you, teach me, that you can do better. Standards became even tighter when Ras Kelly, took the challenge, opting for elaborate, greatly elaborated in presentation and brilliant lyrical detail that Papa, it’s you.

Elektra, task at hand to prove that she was a Woman of Worth, worthy of the crown, was even more convincing than the semis. She showed ease, confidence and class in her impressive rendition, despite the sing-screams. Karessah, the theatrical maestro, thrilled with his Rogers and Hammerstein musical, Gentle Rest, complete with a hospital, coffin and funeral. As with Karessah, the focus often becomes the act than the song. As with Karessah too, the song is often enough a stroke of genius, and that’s just what Gentle Rest is, genius. We were on a high.

Coming off that high, Soul Puss, accompanied by the All Star Band, was brave enough to step up in the unfortunate absence of Ghetto Prince, but his bravery, or eagerness, was eclipsed by the obvious lack of preparation. Simplicity, not by choice but by circumstance. All he was able to execute was a first verse and chorus. From there, Money Masters became a schizophrenic mix. Sadly, we will never know the true possibilities of that song. Webb compensated though and rose to expectations. His Legacy was well delivered as the spirits of the Congo ancestors were called by the drum and by the dance to uplift his performance even further. The crowd, usually just appreciative towards Webb was pleased. The hit of the high was back. Deros’ performance of The Country too Free also proved to be quite formidable–simple point, simple lyrics, simple flow. There was no telling that this was his first trip to the big yard.
But with every high comes the inevitable crash. Daddy Chess, despite his smooth style failed to resonate with the heavy whirlpool of Diasporan requests and suggestions. Likewise, Black Diamond’s Power of Calypso, left us still waiting to hear just why calypso is powerful. The first round ended with Bob’s Find a Way. Elaborate in many aspects, but especially in presentation, musical production and vocals, there is no doubting that he delivered with skill although there has been some questioning the total purity of the song as a calypso. Nonetheless the power of his voice brought a fitting end to Act One.

The second round easily accomplished the task of ranking. Usually a more upbeat experience, the tensions of the first round disappeared, the pressures of the tight race loosened. Dice’s Dominica Story, and his usual wardrobe changes, again set a standard that only Karessah, despite a more vulgar in-labour presentation, would challenge. Ras Kelly contributed The Shoe Squeezing Me. A nice storyline, a fair effort at a mask but not enough ammunition for this final battle. Elektra’s vast, expansive Dream could not come true when stacked against the solid realities of Kung Fu Politics and Blanc Balen. Web’s Kung Fu Politics was entertaining in presentation, and interesting in composition although there were some minor obscurities that many felt needed clarification. Blanc Balen sealed any naysayers that Deros does have the required fire for a big stage. Daddy Chess’ Madness, without question is a powerhouse that justifies itself, but something just seemed to be missing. Soul Puss wisely decided to just have fun with Not a Dictator but truth be told, he never truly recovered from his first appearance. Black Diamond seemed lost, and not even totally convinced that he himself Wanted Black Diamond for King. Bob, playing the magician, used all the magic he could to show that Nothing plus Nothing is Nothing. To drive home his point, he too vanished into nothing on stage. But magic is an amazing thing, because he reappeared in the top four.

Just as last year, the judges saw Bob and Webb copping 4th and 3rd place while Dice outranked Karessah to claim a 6th crown. Overall, the patrons seemed satisfied. Perhaps Deros many thought could have inched his way in, but considering the mysteries the judges had designed in earlier shows, we could accept their decision this time. No bipolar reactions, we were finally balanced.

The season was a short but curious one with many twists and turns along the way. The controversies proved more fascinating than some of the calypsos. Certainly not a year that resembled the glory years of calypsos gone, even as recent as 2010 and 2011 which brought hit after hit, but still a rather good year. The Mc’s, Val, Alex, Peter Pros and BaBa ransacked their minds to keep us entertained. Swinging Stars regardless of the quality of the song, or type of song was excellent, often elevating a calypso by their accompaniment. Their brass will live with me for the next twelve months. Going into 2014, my wish list for calypso is seven wishes strong:
-that judges be fair and consistent from eliminations to finals
-that issues can be resolved without always resorting to litigation
-that calypso association will be more proactive and less reactive in setting guidelines
-that the experts would decide if calypso is a song (voice) contest or not
-that the introductions/presentations would not be too long and calypsonians wont be distracted by their own presentations
-that the must-have back up dancers would no longer be a must-have for every calypso unless appropriate to the act
-that calypso not become over-intellectualized so the simple grassroots feel won’t disappear

That’s my list, what’s yours?

 

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48 Comments

  1. unsung
    February 14, 2013

    This is a handsome patriotic king and as he matures, I am getting to like him more and more. His music does magic to the down-trodden and releases stress. He is a hero in many ways.
    It is people who destroyed Michael Jackson. They worked hard at bringing him down.

    Dominican Singing Sandy said it all….When they think they bringing you down, they make you stonger. I think this also fits our dear king. So, just dont touch that dial!

  2. Anonymous
    February 14, 2013

    how could caressa win when he was not very clear in his second song.He ate words.Please look at the replay of the show.Dice deserves his crown, no doubt.

  3. Elle P
    February 14, 2013

    I truly love and admire Karessah. However if you take away his theatrics and he is left alone with his song -he fades away. Dice on the other hand has more charisma in his little toe than all of the calypsonians put together. If you take away everything from dice down to the music… he could still win. He simply has raw talent!

  4. ,
    February 14, 2013

    The management of Stardom Tent, need to consider Ghetto Price, your suffering brotheren, and give the man $8,000. After all, charity begins at home. So show some charity. You all too selfish in this shot life.
    Happiness and sorrow have its base in our attitude towards life.

    • Confused
      February 14, 2013

      Don’t you mean Calypso Association? He will still get paid for making it to the finals! What are you talking about?

      • ,
        February 14, 2013

        Both he and Hunter made it but did not make it on the final stage. But if you are correct, I am happy.

  5. dawo
    February 13, 2013

    6 times tell them beat that

  6. Anonymous
    February 13, 2013

    6 times tell them beat that

  7. lovely Nature Lover
    February 13, 2013

    “I doh no how I win, I doh know how the judges judge”But i am king. Who said that in an interview? Was he drunk when these words were echoed? Tasha Peltier won the crown and was awarded a Scholarship , she is studing in Trinidad. After Dice won the Third crown he was awarded a piece of land in Jimmit and a scholarship, wat has he done with the land? did he accept the scholarship? No! Why? I have no idea, I think in order that nour King goes to study he has to change his attitude. Congratulations to the King where we like it or not, but after calypso what is in it for him? He can’t accept a gig without first obtaining permission? Have u heard Dice promoting himself overseas after carnival? Hunter did it and made a name for himself. Look what happen to soul puss on Saturday night he made a fool of himself. his management team knew he was not ready but just to obtain the MONEY on the night for being part of the finalist they rush him to sing and said “he is ready”. Because his righter has a cutt from the money. This was in poor, poor taste. It is time that writer stop limiting and tiring down their singers to the bare basics. The art form of calypso will slowly die in Dominica, because of too much roro. Let me hear my calypso king is studing in some university, or he is a roll model to the school BOYS of our land. Not one that is behaving unrully.

    • nonamenowarrant
      February 13, 2013

      why are u talking about our king dice..mostly all his song is sending a message to all of us teenagers out there. its his life to chose what he wants but by the end of the day he is sending very great messages in his songs thank u!!!

    • hmmm
      February 13, 2013

      Doesn’t one need a high school diploma to study in a University. Well an American university that is, for a British one or UWI he will need more than a high school diploma. Judges cannot give him that so good luck on that one.

      • wonders never cease
        February 14, 2013

        I did not go to high school like him, and now I have my masters. Are you jealous?

    • tk7
      February 14, 2013

      Why do you carry so much venom? You need to pray and ask God pardon for your sins. You always seem to be casting the first stone. I hope your pants does not pull you down; you sound like nature hater, big time.

    • no lie
      February 14, 2013

      I am happy Soul Puss entered the competition. I paid my money to see 10 competitors.His second song was refreshing and educational.

  8. ImustSAY
    February 13, 2013

    This is a very well written article.

    I wish al DNO’s articles were up to this standard.

    I got a very visual understanding of the show and can relate to what I read. I can imagine/picture what went on.

    Great writing….

    • bwadiab
      February 13, 2013

      As a student of English, I have to agree with you wholeheartedly. I love to read a well written piece that shows deep thought. So many times I find that lacking in some of DNO’s articles. Does anyone know the writer is? Kudos to him/her…

  9. Dominican by birth
    February 13, 2013

    CONGRATULATIONS to the six-peat king, love you

  10. February 13, 2013

    DNO I posted a comment on this topic a few days ago, up to yesterday it said awaiting moderation. Today I see it has disappeared completely what is the reason for this.

  11. Just Reading
    February 13, 2013

    Congrats on a very good analysis of the calypso season.

    I think that DCA is a joke, who makes their ego dictate their way forward. I couldn’t understand the rigidity of the DCA, when Dominicans resoundingly call for them to include Daddy Miller as a People’s Choice participant.

    I also think the line of judges need retraining or replacement. I sit down a listen to songs like “I cannot eat Concrete”, “When I die”, “What can I do” “On the same boat”, “Bail”, “Violence” and I cannot understand why songs like “Madness” etc made it to the finals and not any one of these songs. Too me, the judges are turning Calypso into a song contest like American Idol, where voice quality is the key. I can recall calypsos of yesterdays lend themselves more to lyrics and tempo than voice quality otherwise men like Ency, etc would have never stand a chance. I agree with Mr. Letang: you cannot have men who know no music judge calypso..Most of the judges are people of law and education, and though they may have the power of language that doesn’t qualify them to judge music…something must be done about the judges…

    Year after year, the DCA shouldn’t be complacent that Dominicans will attend the Calypso so, no matter what, without trying to correct the deficiencies that is being lamented about every year.

    • February 13, 2013

      your hand doesnt hurt you

      • tk1
        February 13, 2013

        That’s a joke, as compared to the gospels I see on DNO.

  12. Natasha
    February 12, 2013

    All those dancers and other stuff going on during the rendition is not a plus – it`s a distraction. What we want to look at during the song is the Calypsonian.
    If your delivery is brilliant, then the dancers are a waste of time. If your delivery is not so good, we look at the dancers and forget about you.

  13. CHARMER
    February 12, 2013

    -That the number of judges be reduced to five or maybe even three.
    -That the present usual judges take a break for a few years.
    -That Ozzie be less judgmental and bring less of his biasness to the public on national radio.
    – That we may no longer hear Ozzie telling the non-Dice fans ‘who vex can lump it’
    -That DBS exclude Ozzie from their commentary team

    • Captioned
      February 13, 2013

      Totally agree with your comments

    • Dominican by birth
      February 13, 2013

      Didn’t you hear Duncan bashing the king also??

    • Carlot
      February 13, 2013

      You are a damn dictator rathan than a charmer. You sound just like the man who says this country is too free.
      You better go lock yourself in toilet or sit by the bay and put put your…….
      Leave Ossie out of your business. He does not hold back the truth; so what?

  14. February 12, 2013

    u can do it next year

  15. February 12, 2013

    way to go dice

  16. Anonymous
    February 12, 2013

    Excellent excellent article, I agree with all your suggestions.

  17. Valda
    February 12, 2013

    Another excellent piece! You have a gift that you must continue to nurture. Well Done!

  18. TBINB
    February 12, 2013

    Well said, very nice synopsis of the show!!!!!

    I watch the show and I called it exactly as the judges. Well judged show..thumbs up!
    Dice is a master at his craft…the only way to de throne him is to give him competition. Caressa, Bob and Kelly was his competition but they all fell short on execution and delivery. People need to understand that Dice is in his element. I beleive the kid was born for this. That’s why it will be a challenge (not impossible) for some one to beat him at his own game. I always say that Dice will only loose the crown by his own default.
    The kid is a GENIUS.
    Congrats to all the Calypsonian. It was an amazing 2013. Don’t be discourage…simple master your craft and bring the best that you can. Dice have set the standards, it’s now the calpsonian responsibility to study his craft and attempt at beating him at his game. With that being said Good Luck becuase again Dice is in his element and the kid was born for this.

  19. Proud
    February 12, 2013

    I think Dice and Caressa were really neck and neck throughout the show. You can’t win by being on par with the monarch. To win the crown Caressa needed to clearly beat Dice.

    • hmmm
      February 13, 2013

      Which he did! Did you hear Dice screaming, yelling his song? Or is that what we call singing?

      • Happy
        February 13, 2013

        Again.u mean is scream he screaming. No an

      • February 13, 2013

        i dont know what show you were at but dice definately was not screaming in fact i find he was better composed than 2011. Now there has to be emphasis for some words and lines. you should know that if u know what kaiso is all about.

  20. Happy
    February 12, 2013

    Is this a new crown? If it fitting that it is the color of his shirt.
    Was a good show, enjoyed myself immensely.

  21. Anonymous
    February 12, 2013

    Great wish list but I dare say one which will never be realised. I too was saddened with the line up of the finals, when in my view the best, most carnivalish songs were left out. Songs like de rum and de party, illegal king and can’t eat concrete were more than worthy to find themselves on the finals. These songs are simple and catchy yet conveyed a message without being overly intellectual. Sadly the current crop of judges seem to think that their job is to correct some university thesis.
    What makes it even more ridiculous, is the fact that all these songs are so disjointed in their construction. In most instances all there is are phrases with no meaning whatsoever

  22. February 12, 2013

    I agree with your analysis what you have outlined were to the point and all of us should try to understand if we want the Art Form to strive.
    The Calypso Association must decide what sort of RULES are necessary going forward it’s very important to be able to stop all the controversies that keep happening year after year it’s their responsibility to make sure the RULES are in forced and both Judges and Calypsonians must adhere to them.
    I’m a fan of the Dice and Karessah they are two powerfull artists their songs were very good and that was a hard decision to make but I ask should that be so if their were proper guidlines in place,why wasnt their something in place where a Calypsonian can only win the Crown a maximum of ….. as it stand the judges have nothing to follow and we cannot blame them untill it’s corrected we will continue on the same path right now because guildline lines are missing it’s up to the Calypso Association to look into especially for the up comming artists.
    For me DICE was the man and I congratulate him but that shouldnt take anything away from the others we had some wonderfull songs they had depth and the contents were in our faces those who reacted in one way or other tells us that the messages in each song touch a nerve and that’s what they were ment to do .
    So let us all agree that good RULES and Guidline going forward is what we need and we look to the Calypso Association to move on that .
    The words of the Black Diamond, RESPECT !

    • Anonymous
      February 13, 2013

      You want a limit on number of times someone can win? MADNESS

  23. Calypso Paro
    February 12, 2013

    Very good critique of the finals. To say the least, the finals was again an anticlimax for another beautiful calypso season. I think the DCA should consider the suggestion that one song is sang in the quarters and a different song be sang in the semis.

    Dice will win again and again if calypsonians are not prepared to fight to beat him. Karessah and Webb definitely had a chance this year but they both failed into thin air in the second round while Dice exploded in true kingly fashion in the second round.

  24. Anonymous
    February 11, 2013

    Well said Ms. Riviere. An analysis I agree with wholeheartedly.

  25. T mama
    February 11, 2013

    good article..Dice has this charisma that shines when he performs…..I believe for elemenation or even the quarter finals there should be at least three sets of judges…one set of judges cannot judge so many singers it is not fair….

  26. Matriculation
    February 11, 2013

    A fair take in indeed. The only thing is that this opinion is credited to DNO yet it comes across as a personal opinion. If it is credited to DNO it ought to be written in the 3rd person.

  27. True
    February 11, 2013

    I share your list. I would add new judges every year and or foreign judges (outside of Dominica) even outside Roseau will help.

  28. Ebeh weh
    February 11, 2013

    My number one wish is to dispel the myth that every calypso has to be a serious,political social commentary per se…nothing wrong with ” Rum and de party”…we need songs like dat in de mas….it is a calypso too. Enough of the concept of strong lyrics etc…

  29. Patriot
    February 11, 2013

    My wish is that;
    – people realize that the best presentation may not be the best calypso.
    – Dominicans must support the art form and not criticize persons after their favorite did not win
    – Introduction/presentations are too long

  30. poe-ki-toe
    February 11, 2013

    Love this! Wish I could like it lika a facebook post!

    • Anonymous
      February 19, 2013

      yea me 2 :lol:

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