A stellar line-up of regional calypso legends, including 95-year-old Lord Nelson, will headline the fourth annual One Caribbean concert at the Wildey Gymnasium on Saturday, as organisers intensify efforts to revive and sustain the art form across generations.
At Friday’s media launch at the Hilton Barbados Resort, veteran entertainer Ras Iley said the event was created to help preserve and revive the calypso art form while showcasing some of the region’s most celebrated performers.
“The generation that I came up in, the people felt as though there’s nothing more for them because everybody went on a particular road and the kaiso ain’t really travelling like it used to,” he told reporters. “Having this Ras Iley and Friends every year is reviving the art form.”
Speaking on the calibre of performers involved, Iley pointed to legendary calypsonian Lord Nelson, who is set to perform just weeks before a special birthday.
“This gentleman to my left will be 95 years old in another month and he’ll be performing tomorrow night,” he said.
Tobago-born calypsonian and soca pioneer Lord Nelson (Robert Alphonso Nelson), is revered for a career spanning more than six decades. Known for his witty social commentary and infectious party anthems, he helped popularise the fusion of calypso with soul, funk and disco that would evolve into modern soca. His catalogue of classics includes enduring hits such as King Liar, La La, Meh Lover, Disco Daddy, Shango and Garrot Bounce, many of which remain staples at fetes and vintage calypso events.
Alongside Lord Nelson, this year’s concert features regional legends Winston “Gypsy” Peters, Edwin “Crazy” Ayoung, Superblue (Austin Lyons), Kernel Roberts – son of the legendary Lord Kitchener (Aldwyn Roberts), and Antigua and Barbuda’s King Short Shirt (Sir MacLean Emanuel), with Barbadian favourites Anthony “Mighty Gabby” Carter, Edwin Yearwood, Natahlee (Natalie Burke), and other star performers. (SB)
Ras Iley noted that the concert appeals to multiple generations who grew up listening to the music of the featured artists.
“A lot of people would have grown up hearing our music, two or three generations, and in this time we have to revive the music now with this Caribbean flavour to bring it forward to the people,” he said.
The 40-year veteran calypsonian also expressed concern about the current state of calypso, arguing that many modern songs lack the musical depth and storytelling that characterised earlier generations of performers.
“What’s happening in this country right now where kaiso is concerned is that the music is very watered down. The melodies are very poor,” he said.
Pointing to the enduring popularity of classic songs, he added: “Spring Garden is 40 years this year. So why is it that our melodies still standing up and you can still enjoy it 40 and 50 years after? Because these are the examples in the art form that create the melodies, the storyline, the wit and the humour.”
Despite the challenges involved in staging the annual production, Iley said the event continues because of the commitment of sponsors and artists who support the vision.
“Ras Iley and Friends ain’t make no money yet, but we’ve been able to continue it through the help of the sponsors and the support of these artists,” he said, adding that many performers were participating out of love for the art form.
He promised audiences a catalogue of familiar hits and a lively atmosphere.
“Every single track that the artists perform tomorrow night everybody know every song that they’re going to sing, so it’s going to be a happy mood and a good vibe,” he said.
(SB)
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