Strike up the band at Stardom

A generally successful show that yielded a good blend of calypso and that chronicled a return “home” to the Sisserou Hotel/Reigate Downtown – that assessment of the first Stardom calypso tent for the 2012 Carnival season, from one of the Tent’s executive members, Davidson “Observer” Victor.

Observer admits that the crowd was slow to warm up to the performances at the start of Wednesday night’s show, but puts it down to the fact that many of the early songs were not uptempo numbers, coupled with the majority of the songs being new to most of the audience.

The Tent spokesman says he took heart from the performances of several calypsonians who were able to rouse the crowd, and singled out Cheko with his AM/PM number, Beno’s Gangsta King, and Unwanted who had the calypso-loving crowd rocking with his “Sa Yo Di Yo Di ‘(What they say they say).

Observer feels that others including Scrunter, Karressa, Logus, Twana and himself also performed creditably.

That, in contrast to the popular Sour Sour who was so “good to go” last year but on Wednesday night forgot his lyrics on stage and twice tried to stop the Swinging  Stars band to get them to start up the tune again (they obliged once but later just kept on playing).

Sour Sour felt it necessary to apologise, and with a little encouragement from  some in the audience, took the cue to bow out early.

But it was all in good fun as far as the cheering calypso fans who came out for their first real taste of live calypso were concerned.

Many of those who crowded the former Sisserou Hotel will also likely be seen on Friday at the Mas Camp Tent, eager for a fresh sample of Pat Aaron penned calypso and more, and hearing from a different set of calypsonians.