Calypso Drift – A Critique

Calypso Drift

Author          : Steinberg Henry

[email protected]

Publisher:        Xlibris

Date published: 2014

Calypso Drift archives over forty years of Dominica’s history and showcases it skillfully and beautifully utilizing the Calypso art form in context. It comprises 119 chapters 14 segments and 421pages. The book answers to the needs of an archive that gushes out with melodious outpours of entertainment pleasure and education in the history of Dominica in a single scoop. Steinberg Henry was born in the Commonwealth of Dominica in the Eastern Caribbean. His personal journey has taken him from teacher to broadcast- journalist, to the corridors of universities. Now he resides in the USA from where he penned his “memorable remembrances.”

Steinberg Henry’s book is compelling. The story flows powerfully and is quite easy to catch the ‘drift’ of what the author is trying to say in the book. His mastery in mass communication, critical thinking and sociology assures us that we are can safely tag along as he leads us down the ‘Calypso Drift’. His writing style is coherent and intelligently structured.

The book begins with an account of the author’s life experiences such as his management of GIS, meeting with Queen Elizabeth the second, training in the social sciences, networking of learned friends he created locally and regionally and the sad passing of his father the ‘Zion king.’ This is a foreshadowing of things to come.

In the 70’s the Caribbean Parliament would convene meetings, to debate all matters of interest to the State.  These debates were usually coded.  Among such matters debated were The Black Power movement and the Rastafarian/Dread. These were considered anti social groups. Tumba, a man “dress only in grass skirts,” Derek, and Nikroy were Rastafarians feared by the communities in the north. In November 1978 these guys, it was believed, seized three women in the hills. Parliament ruled on the matter and the Dread Act was implemented thus resulting in the shooting death of Tumba. Street language also attempted to enter the parliament.

The ‘70s were generally challenging times in the Caribbean. Winston ‘Gypsy’ Peter sings, “We are the children of the ‘70s/We are the children of the revolution/ We are fighters if you please.”The Black Movement’s reasoning and discourses contributed to the Latin America and the Caribbean’s sons partaking in the priesthood.

Methodically the introduction of “As I read” would ‘prompt’ you into a completely different trend of the author’s thoughts or ‘remembrances.’ The memorable therapeutical black sand beaches of Mero, land distribution by the State, Kalinago sensibilities, organic foods, the Kweyol language.

The last fifty chapters are dedicated to seven years of Calypso lyrics.“Dominicans not smart” and “Power to them who is king” were sung by Srunter in 1991.He contextualized. “For our votes you wanted our referendum/ You talk and talk/You brag your mouth Mammo all over town/as soon as you won 1980 election/You said you would improve election/ But you ban parliament on the radio station. This she did so that “the world will not hear the voice of Patrick John again.”

This book is a work of art. The author uses symbols quite effectively. From his introduction of the Caribbean Parliament, he was preparing us for the Calypso platform. A parliamentarian trying to bring the streets in the parliament is the inciting of problems and issues in Calypso or it can also mean attending to the concern and plight of the ordinary man.

The title Calypso Drift is also a pun. Critically analyzing it, I think it could imply the meaning or interpretation of Calypso taken in context. One may say for instance,” Do you catch the drift? Do you get the gist, meaning or understanding?” It can also personify Calypso, to mean Calypso is going adrift in the direction of where ever issues are found. In both cases Steinberg Henry has done justice with the title. In chapter 66, with regard to the Kalinagos, he instructs, “This is social studies by way of Calypso demographics.” Awesome .

The author did maintain chronological sequence of thoughts in Calypso Drift very effectively but when he was about to go off track he would prompted with the phrase “As I write.” This I must say is a creative method. Even the general writing style of this book is not in keeping with the rules of sentence structure. Looking at it from face value it would be considered unacceptable to the least. Now we know this is intentionally done by the author. This is Calypso Drift. His very writing style has to maintain the theme. Therefore subject verb agreement, syntax, parallelism are not all that important in Calypso.

From the authors writing I perceive his simplistic qualities and his proud black identity rooted in his African heritage. He aligned this sentiment with the Black Movement of the70s, the Rasta/ Dread, Kweyole, bouyon, bellere and Calypso of course. This strong image of identity brought about revolutionary changes in the70s.

Steinberg Henry furnished the book with portrait/drawings depicting steel pan, a Calypso King a guitarist and what looks like a jingping band. These are emblems of our culture. This strengthens the theme and purpose of the book which is to create in song a historical archive of our history.

Calypso Drift will comfortably appeal to the taste of students in natural and social sciences, performers, musicians, composers, and song writers. The book is a must for Calypso lovers globally and to cultural enthusiasts.

Calypso Drift bringing to you an archive of forty years of Dominica story in song. A myriad of calypsonians are featured and one will certainly find his/her king or queen among them. Follow the drift and you’ll not regret it.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013922902

ISBN   HARDCOVER      978-1-4931-5465-4

SOFT COVER       978-1-4931-5464-7

978-1-4931-5466-1

Rev. date       :      02/04/2015