"Chucky" Takes The Crown
Competition was hot but in the end Roderick "Chucky" Gordon took the grand prize, he is the new Calypso Monarch of Trinidad and Tobago.
He took the title from Pink Panther who ended up at 11th place. In retrospect, and to be honest, Pink Panther, last year's Calypso Monarch put up a weak fight in defending his crown. His first tune "D Richest Man"was told the audience about the difference between the death of a poor man and a rich man. His message will not be repeated here because it is what everyone already knows; dead is dead. His prop was to dress as a poor man complete with wrinkled shirt, a pair of floppy slippers, and one pant leg missing. My question was; why didn't he choose a rich man costume? It has only been 12 months since he won a million dollars. Bad advice, if he did get any, he was destined to lose it all as he did.
Hear The Champion...
Chucky's renditions of "Wey Yuh Think" and "Wedding Of De Century" took the crown in the eyes of the judges and the public Digicel text-in campaign. Here are the two winning renditions...
In his last delivery, Chucky celebrated the marriage of Soca and Chutney music in the "Wedding". This idea of the integration of the culture is important to the development of our country at a time when politicians seems bent on ripping it apart. It is good that it was recognized by the judges and the people as a message that is worth to be noted. To demonstrate the marriage he arranged to have icons come on stage and openly endorse the concept: for Chutney; Drupatee Ramgoonai, representing Soca; Superblue and Pan; Ray Holman.
Take a lesson and get the subliminal message...
Kurt Allen placed second and Selvon "Mistah Shak" Noel third at the Dimanche Gras at the Queen's Park Savannah in Port of Spain, late Sunday night.
Kurt Allen was the Island Man when he sung "Sweet Sizzling Summer" then delivered a super performance with his second tune "The Lost Psalm Of King David". 'The Last Badjohn of Calypso' was at his best, his performance was outstanding.
Even though he was denied the first place, he has earned a permanent stamp in any true history book on calypso. True to his name, The "Last Badjohn of Calypso" is fighting his way to the top, now it's only one step to the coveted Monarch position. He will be even better next year if he competes.
Noel was equally good in his delivery of "Bois" and "Crime Round De Clock".
I also thought that "Bodyguard" should have been much higher ranked in performance, but the judges did not agree. He was last in the bunch, maybe because of his controversial rendition "False Papers"
The level of the competition was excellet with Brian London (5th), Victoria "Queen Victoria" Cooper (6th) and Dr Hollis "Chalkdust" Liverpool (4th), all delivering high standard performances.
The first, second and third received cash prizes of $1,000,000, $500,000 and $250,000, respectively.
The Mighty Sparrow, Dr Slinger Francisco came on as an invited guest..
The "Birdie", entertained the crowd with a spirited medley of past hits "Jean & Dinah", "The Lizard", "Melda" and "Drunk and Disorderly", to which patrons applauded lustily in appreciation.
Results
1. Roderick "Chucky" Gordon - 'Wey Yuh Think"/"Wedding Of De Century"
2. Kurt Allen - "Sweet Sizzling Summer"/"The Lost Psalm Of King David"
3. Selvon "Mistah Shak" Noel - "Bois"/"Crime Round De Clock"
4. Hollis "Chalkdust" Liverpool - "Ah Miss De Bards"/"De Guest List"
5. Brian London - "The Heart Of A Warrior"/"Call Dem Out"
6. Victoria "Queen Victoria" Cooper - "Political Love Affair"/"Congo Warrior"
7. Alana Sinnette - "Sea Lots"/"And Calling It Rain"
8. Weston "Cro Cro" Rawlins - "Pious, Poor But Proud"/"Goodness Delayed"
9. Carlos "Skatie" James - "Calypso Woman"/"Jack And Jill"
10. Myron "The Incredible Myron B" Bruce - "One More Sip"/"First Black Prime Minister"
11. Eric "Pink Panther" Taylor - "De Richest Man"/"Not Tonight"
12. Roger "Bodyguard" Mohammed - "Aloes Vendor"/"False Papers"
Do you agree with the results? Did the winner surprise you? Express your opinions?
