It was a slow gathering on Friday night. But the sparse crowd enabled for better appreciation of the transformation of PSU. What a fantastic job. The ambiance, the lights, the festive decorations, the space. A fantastic job indeed. As the patrons took their time to arrive, the show took its time to begin. In fact, one could almost say that the tent began at the end. The All Star Band did their best to warm us into a jovial mood, and I dare say, they are improving from year to year. But it was really the comedic efforts of our Mcs, Val the Young Bull and Peter Pros that proved to be the gem and draw of the evening. Their quick humour, playful sarcastic banter, as well as their ability to laugh at themselves, made the evening worth it. What made them even more impressive is that their bag of trips extended beyond the usual sexual euphemisms we’ve come to expect from Dominican hosts.
As the show rolled along into its beginning, and the patrons slowly filled in, the consummate hopefuls did what they could to entertain us. Inciter, continued to insist that he Will Sing Calypso, Mighty Acre contributed with Ou Pa ni Toilet, while Sugar S addressed the issue of Leaders Living Beyond their Means. The parade continued with Pick Lock’s amazing idea of Boom Boom Burst to be followed, quite unbelievably, with Open the Hole from Lady B. Among them, Triumph stood like a giant with his witty Progress. But when the new doesn’t quite cut it, it is wise to resort to the old. A successful strategy employed by Boople, who really teased the crowd out of their calmness with his lucky charm, Pirates. But that was just the beginning of the blast from the past. Choke Choke took us to 1982 with Mafia La, while WCK, yes, WCK, gave us some old school calypso-soca from the likes of Baron. Indeed, I asked myself, where am I, and after looking around to confirm that it was a calypso event, I settled in to listen to their calypso birth with Cat. An interesting concept, merging the two art forms of calypso and bouyon. Not quite ready to master calypso this year, but soon CK, soon. They did however chorale the crowd.
The show was getting ready to really begin by this point. Mas Camp’s more renowned contenders, took the stage each to requested encores, as the crowd chanted the mantra of the evening, “we want more.” Trendsetter, competition angst for the year over, was more relaxed with Malpapaie. Lightning, with his lion’s mane, facial make up and tail, passionately delivered Lion in the Jungle. Then came Walksup’s bouncy Photograph. The fire that is Mas Camp had finally been lit. Leona electrified with Do Unto Others. Sye, the hype man, broke us in with his Road Match hit Burning to ease us into his 2013 One Day. Daddy Miller thrilled us all with Illegal King, Deros truly at his peak, owned the crowd with Ba Yo Blanc Balen. Vigilante, had everyone moving as he comfortably delivered Put Your Hand Between your Legs. Bobb wisely kept the energy level with his yesteryear, Jamming, before he went into concert mode to showcase his vocal abilities in Find A Way. Calypso truly has become the excuse, the opportunity, the gateway, to an audience and a stage!
Formula successful, Soul Puss also went for the old before the new. Never Be a Slave Again was soothing and was the perfect introduction to Not a Dictator. With the people properly roused, the showstopper, King Dice took the stage to bring the curtains down. He performed a medley of Send Me and On My Own, sending his fans into rapture before settling everyone down to Beat me Mama Beat me, Teach me Mama Teach me. The applause was wild.
So, Mas Camp has settled into a new home, and has settled into their Friday night. It took a while to pull out the energies of their patrons, but their heavyweights came out in succession and proved just why they are the heavyweights. But even more than the heavyweights, it was the glory days of something old, which allowed us to embrace something new.
But it was really the comedic efforts of our Mcs, Val the Young Bull and Peter Pros that proved to be the gem and draw of the evening….that is what our calypso has been reduced too. Thats what I though.
And Mr Excited Ossie, the crowd was not as humongous as you said…but good sales job anyway.
I guess the politics have no more bite.
Nice set up venue.
I really enjoyed mas camp on friday..job well done to evryone especially the WCK band!!brought in some bouyon into d kaiso!!!really enjoyed myself…can’t wait for friday!!!!!
When all you done all you saying the country dont have money, all the people that complain about how things hard in DA, need to take a look at how much money is being spent for the next month or so by local people to go to these shows and to invest in costumes and the likes, then tell me the country poor, tell me you dont have food to feed your children, and I will tell you, change your priorities and you will see the difference
sound system needs more power….it was light on the night
good Job Mas Camp! Pat, Bobb and the others, keep up the good work
Well written commentary!!!!!
well said, well written…….mas camp to the world……
It was a fantastic show,the band was at its best.I was very close to comparing the performance of the All Star band with Swin-in Stars. In my opinion,the disappointment of the night was the MCs.Many people have commented that the judges of the calypso competitions should undergo some kind of education as regards the judging of calypsos, I beleive the same should be done with the MCs.They depend to much on the comments of the crowd in order to entertain the audience. For instance, whenever Mr. Franklyn Moses is on stage,he is well armed with his own jokes.Maybe the Calypso Association should get the assistance of entertainers such as Tommy Joseph of Trinidad and Franklyn Moses.Them guys were terrible on Friday.
Doc. Love.
Greetings:
I rise in defense of the MCs.
I understand that different people execute the art differently, but in great parts the show is about the people and everything that goes on around the people. If the MCs chose to concentrate on the crowd, this is probably because the crowd demands it. I note, however, that MCs should not depend on the audience for content.
Tommy and Frankly [whom you refereed to] are great, there is no doubt about that, but Bull is fabulous and Peter P is working hard. We are very short on good and effective MCs and yes, a little training [intercontinental flair] could help. However, let us not put down the guys…it is NOT easy doing what we do. TRUST me my friend.
Thanks for the opportunity.
Peace
You find Picklok’s song and amazing idea? The song is so distasteful and low; as of WCK’s |Cat” song it is beyond distasteful…and then we complain about the young ones. Where is our moral filter? When do we chastise artistes for crossing the line? When will we tell them that we the public will not support lyrics that are just too lewd and smutty? I understand that your piece was not for criticising the songs but just for highlighting the evening.
the wck was writiten for dominicans like u who are very hypocrtie ….and tend to acceptt smutty calypso…from other artistes the first set of lines in that wck song says that calypsonians can sing any thing soo much smutt and then young bull vocie uttters no man good masking…..soo maskk away
What have you really said? I am a WCK fan for life, from their inception to now ( I am over forty)..WCK does not need to go down that road…I understand evolution and change, but we have set some standards for the younger ones, they are influenced by lyrics.so just keep it tasteful please…thanks
WOW!! nuff said;
I think the camp is growing.Good luck to mas camp
I enjoyed the show – the calypso and the surroundings. A really good job have been done with the physical surroundings. I felt like I was in a little community. The bars are out in the open at the back, for those who time out to drink and socialize. Back under the tent when you want to give the calypsonians your undivided attention.
It goes to show that we must embrace change, even when it entails leaving our comfort zone. The location, for Mas Camp, have changed for the better. Also, parking is no problem – you park anywhere in town and just walk.
To the organizers, there is a small wall separating the tent from the outside – please put some lights there so folks can see it. A few people tripped on it – they did not fall.
Ramen, Ramen on Friday.